January 23, 2026 – The Fayette County Community Foundation (FCCF) held its 2025 grant awards celebration at the Oelwein Public Library on January 22, announcing the distribution of $170,238.81 to 21 projects of organizations serving Fayette County through its 2025 grant cycle. 

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

Arts & Culture: 

• Fayette Opera House Foundation – Floor Upgrade – $10,000 

• Oelwein Area Historical Society – Oelwein Coliseum Ballroom – $3,351.08 

• Oelwein Chamber and Area Development – Art in the Parks – $7,989.53 

• St. Lucas Historical Society – Blacksmith Shop New Roof – $10,000 

• The Grand Theatre of Oelwein – Roof/Ceiling & POS Upgrades – $6,656.75 

• Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission – Big Four Fair: Youth Educational Dairy Barn – $10,000 

Community Betterment: 

• City of Clermont – Pickleball, Tennis, & Basketball Courts – $4,570 

• City of Elgin – Capper’s Field Lighting – $10,000 

• City of Maynard – City Park Swingset – $5,000 

• City of Oelwein – Aquatic Center Diving Board – $5,552.50 

• Clermont Fire Department – Turnout Gear Replacement Project – $10,000 

• Elgin Post #352 of the American Legion – Kitchen and Floor Improvements – $6,118.95 

• Northeast Iowa Workforce Development Board – WorkReady Fayette: Youth and Families – $10,000 

Education & Youth Development: 

• Oelwein Rotary Club – Oelwein Rotary Reads – $1,000 

Environment & Animal Welfare: 

• Elgin Historical Society – Tribes of the Turkey River Exhibit Development – $10,000 

• N-Compass, Inc. – Iowa Project AWARE 2026 – $10,000 

Human Service: 

• Fayette County Food Shelf – Keeping Our Cool Too – $10,000 

• Hillcrest Home, Inc. – Kitchen Range – $10,000 

• Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Inc. – NEI3A Fayette County Senior Meals – $10,000 

• Northeast Iowa Community Action – Fayette CFG Crisis Assistance Program 26 – $10,000 

• Northeast Iowa Food Bank – Feeding Communities – $10,000 

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Fayette County. Committee members include Bradley Minger (chair), Robin Bostrom, Andrea Dietzenbach, Ken Hemesath, Patricia Hunsberger, Rita Losh, Alex Popenhagen, Terry Rex, Jen Stolka, Curt Strong, Jami Tafolla, and Jamie Vick. FCCF funds established by generous donors contributing to the discretionary grant process include the Malvin Tribon Fayette County Memorial Fund. 

Grants are awarded through FCCF’s competitive grant process. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Fayette County in order to be considered for funding. The 2026 grant cycle opens September 1 with an application deadline of October 15. The grant guidelines and application can be found at http://www.fayetteccf.org/.  

Photo courtesy of Taylor Nohrenberg/Oelwein Daily Register.