The Emmet County Community Foundation (ECCF) held its grant awards celebration at the VFW Hall in Estherville on July 8, announcing the distribution of $159,175.41 to 21 projects of organizations serving Emmet County through its 2025 grant cycle.

The 2025 grant recipient organizations, project the grant will fund, and grant amount are listed below by funding area.

Arts & Culture

• Friends of Fort Defiance – Ranger Workshop Roof – $3,760.00
• Ringsted Community Improvement Organization – Lille Dansk Kirke – $7,500.00

Community Betterment

• City of Armstrong – Pool Project: Fun and Fitness Refresh – $7,740.98
• City of Estherville – Police/Fire: Training Facility – $20,000.00
• City of Ringsted – City Hall/Library - Handicap Door – $12,500.00
• Community Action Club – Christmas Decorations for Main Street – $3,000.00
• Estherville Little League Association – New Batting Cages at Thoreson Memorial Park – $12,158.57
• Ringsted Community Improvement Organization – Fire Department - Equipment – $14,600.00

Education & Youth Development

• Emmet County ISU Extension – Farm Safety Day – $3,000.00
• Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District – RWC - Splash Pad Playground Enhancement – $3,000.00
• Tiny Treasures Community Daycare Center – Building Purchase - Little Wranglers Daycare – $10,000.00

Environment & Animal Welfare

• City of Estherville – Estherville River Recreation Enhancement – $10,000.00
• Emmet County Nature Center Foundation – Recreational Hiking/Walking Trail Renovation – $3,554.00

Health

• City of Wallingford – Ambulance - Equipment Needs For Our Communities – $8,746.97
• Emmet County – Public Health - Generator to Protect Vaccines – $13,000.00
• North Union Community School District – AED & First Aid for Weight Room – $3,007.39
• Northwest Iowa Mental Health Center – Emmet County Office Expansion & Resources – $3,106.60

Human Service

• Elderbridge Agency on Aging – Client Assistance – $5,000.00
• Families Helping Families of Iowa – Programming Support – $5,000.00
• Food Bank of Iowa – Fighting Childhood Hunger in Emmet County – $7,500.00
• Grandview Baptist Church – Community Outreach and Breakfast – $3,000.00

Grants were recommended by the Emmet County Community Foundation’s governing committee, composed of volunteers committed to improving the well-being of Emmet County residents. The 2025 governing committee includes: Athlyn Black, Ryan Cellan, Robin Enerson, Sonya Gjerde, Robert Grems, Megan Janssen Spurgin, Morgan Klingeil, and Cory Rezac.  

ECCF is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, which provides administrative, investment, and technical support to enhance the local foundation’s impact. The 2026 ECCF grant cycle opens March 1, 2026, with a deadline of April 15, 2026. Application guidelines and materials can be found at www.emmetccf.org.