The Emmet County Community Foundation announced $104,989.61 in grant funding to 18 projects of organizations serving Emmet County as part of its 2021 grant cycle.

The Community Foundation will not hold its annual award celebration this year. Grant checks will be mailed directly to the nonprofit organizations, and photo opportunities will be offered to each recipient as an alternate celebration.

“The Emmet County Community Foundation is proud to support these nonprofit agencies and government organizations to ensure they are able to offer the programs and services which create more vibrant communities for all people in Emmet County,” said Tena Sunde, chair of the Emmet County Community Foundation.

Grant recipient organization, project the grant will fund, and grant amount are listed below by funding areas.

Arts & Culture

• Estherville Patrons of the Fine Arts, Music Shells for Estherville Lincoln Central, $10,000
• Ringsted Community Improvement Organization, Lille Dansk Kirke (Little Danish Church), $5,000

Community Betterment

• City of Armstrong, Library - Building Improvements, $10,000
• City of Ringsted, Library - LED Lighting, $3,000
• City of Wallingford, Playground Equipment Replacement, $7,000
• Emmet County, Emergency Management - Equipment for IC Trailer/ Vaccination Trailer, $8,000
• Estherville Firefighters Association Incorporated, Carbon Air Cylinder, $8,600
• Wallingford Community Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Fire Gear - It Protects Our Firefighters, $8,250

Education & Youth Development

• Armstrong Little League, Light Up the Little League Field, $6,371.61
• Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District, EnergizersPlus Afterschool Program, $5,000

Health

• Emmet County, Public Health - Healthy Beginnings Family Support, $1,500
• Emmet County Emergency Responders Association, Mass Care, $3,800
• Iowa Great Lakes Ambulance Service, Transmitting Cardiac Monitor, $5,000
• North Union Schools, North Union AED, $1,968
• Northwest Iowa Mental Health Center (dba Seasons Center), Seasons Center – Therapeutic Respite, $9,800
• Respite Angels, Senior Social Welfare & Well Being, $1,200

Human Service

• Food Bank of Iowa, Fighting Childhood Hunger in Emmet County, $7,500
• Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Birthday Room, $3,000

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Emmet County. Committee members include: Robin Enerson, Jean Hoffman, Laura Hoffman, Autumn Larsen, Tamika May, Mary Moorman, Diane Nelsen, Dr. Cory Rezac, Jim Rosendahl and Tena Sunde (chair).

Grants are awarded through Emmet County Community Foundation’s competitive grant process to projects in the program areas of: arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, health, and human service. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Emmet County in order to be considered for funding. The 2022 grant cycle opens January 1, 2022, with an application deadline of March 1, 2022. The grant guidelines and application will be posted prior to the cycle opening at www.emmetccf.org.