The Emmet County Community Foundation (ECCF) held its grant awards celebration at the VFW Hall in Estherville on July 15, announcing the distribution of $147,477.14 to 18 projects of organizations serving Emmet County through its 2026 grant cycle.

The 2026 grant recipient organizations, project the grant will fund, and grant amount are listed below by impact priority.

Health & Safety

• City of Armstrong – Life-Saving Equipment for City Properties – $3,347.97
• City of Wallingford – Fire Department - Fire Suppression/Rescue Needs – $9,000.00
• Emmet County – Sheriff's Office - Thermal Image Capable Drones – $3,500.00
• Estherville Firefighters Association – Radio Upgrade – $10,000.00
• Family Crisis Centers – Advocacy Services for Victims of Crime and Abuse – $5,000.00
• Food Bank of Iowa – Partnering to Feed Emmet County Children – $7,500.00
• Grandview Baptist Church – Community Outreach and Breakfast – $3,000.00
• Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. – Safe Access & Parking Improvement – $14,000.00

Opportunity & Access

• Hope Haven – Employment Skills & Readiness Lab – $3,074.00

Youth Empowerment

• Emmet County ISU Extension – Farm Safety Day 2026 – $3,000.00
• North Union Community School District – Industrial Technology - Fiber Laser Machine – $15,000.00
• Tiny Treasures Community Daycare Center – Nature Explorers Play Space Renovation – $14,000.00

Vibrant Community

• Armstrong Betterment Club, Inc. – City Park Swing Project – $13,960.00
• Emmet County Historical Society – Building Updates: Exterior Lighting – $8,329.00
• Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District – Athletics - ELC Stadium Complex Project – $20,000.00
• Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District – RWC - Audio & Visual Updates – $3,582.00
• Friends of the Ringsted Library – Furnace/Air Conditioning at Library – $7,684.17
• Ringsted Community Improvement Organization – RCIO - Sidewalk Safety – $3,500.00

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 2026 governing committee includes: Richelle Anderson, Athlyn Black, Robert Grems, Megan Janssen Spurgin, Morgan Klingbeil, and Jennifer Nitchals.

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 2027 ECCF grant cycle opens March 1, 2027, with a deadline of April 15, 2027. Application guidelines and materials can be found at www.emmetccf.org.