The Franklin County Community Foundation (FCCF) held its 2026 grant awards celebration at First Bank Hampton on April 10, announcing the distribution of $143,509.60 to 24 projects of organizations serving Franklin County through its 2026 grant cycle.

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

Health & Safety

• City of Hampton – Fire Department - Thermal Imaging Cameras – $6,501.84
• Dows Rural Fire Association – Jaws Equipment Replacement – $5,000.00
• Franklin County – Sheriff's Office - Ballistic Shield – $8,426.00
• Franklin County R.A.C.E. Inc. – Landscape Project – $8,519.79
• Healthy Harvest of North Iowa – Blending up a Healthier Franklin County – $2,900.00
• The Village of Ackley – Ventilation Repair Project – $5,000.00
• West Fork Food Pantry – Vehicle Purchase – $5,000.00

Opportunity & Access

• 43 North Iowa – Disability Employment Support Services – $2,000.00
• Access, Incorporated – Day Habilitation Relocation/Remodel Phase 1 – $10,000.00
• La Luz Centro Cultural – Food Security and Adult Literacy Facilities – $3,628.16
• Northeast Iowa Workforce Development Board – Removing Barriers to WBL Access in Franklin County – $4,000.00

Vibrant Communities

• American Legion Post 183 – Roof Replacement – $5,282.00
• City of Coulter – Community Center Board - Door – $4,000.00
• City of Coulter – Street Department - Freedom Corridor Flags – $1,660.00
• City of Popejoy – Park Upgrades – $4,600.00
• Franklin County Historical Society – Signage – $5,200.00
• Franklin County ISU Extension – Community Garden Improvements – $2,191.81
• Friends of Beeds Lake – Main Shelter Repairs – $10,000.00
• Windsor Theatre Development Corporation – Tuckpointing, Brick Replacement, & Downspouts – $6,600.00

Youth Empowerment

• CAL Community School District – Elementary - Student Kitchen Appliances – $10,000.00
• Hampton Community Christian Daycare – Gym Improvements – $10,000.00
• North Iowa Area Community College Foundation – Franklin County NIACC Health Career Academy – $8,000.00
• North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom – Agriculture Education in Franklin County Schools – $5,000.00
• West Fork Community School District – West Fork All-Weather Track – $10,000.00

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Franklin County. Committee members include Elizabeth Carr, Sarah DeBour, Ashley Francis, Robyn Hill-Kofoot, Kayla Norman (chair), and Kyle Whalen.

Grants are awarded through FCCF’s competitive grant process to projects in the impact priorities of health & safety, opportunity & access, vibrant communities, and youth empowerment. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Franklin County in order to be considered for funding. The 2027 grant cycle opens November 15 with an application deadline of January 15. The grant guidelines and application can be found at www.Franklinccf.org.