The Grundy County Community Foundation (GCCF) held its 2026 Awards Celebration at the Grundy Center Community Center on April 22, announcing the distribution of $150,047.34 to 22 projects of organizations serving Grundy County through its 2026 grant cycle.

“These grants reflect the generosity of donors who care deeply about the future of Grundy County,” said Lexie Hach, chair of the Grundy County Community Foundation governing committee. “From public safety and health initiatives to youth programs and community improvements, these projects will make a meaningful difference for residents across our county.”

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

Impact Priority Area: Health & Safety

• City of Holland – Rescue Kit/Hoses/Radios – $5,000.00
• City of Stout – Fire Department - Turnout Gear Refresh – $5,000.00
• Foster SQUAD – Operation Santa Iowa 2026 – $1,000.00
• GR Daycare dba Little Rebels Learning Center – Equipment – $6,000.00
• Grundy County Memorial Hospital – DigiTrak XT - Holter Monitoring, Diagnostic ECG – $4,015.00
• Lutheran Services in Iowa – HOPES - Child Abuse Prevention Program Support – $2,000.00
• Maroon & White Inc. – Dehumidifier Installation – $10,374.34
• Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Inc. – Grundy County Senior Meals 1st Half FY27 – $5,000.00
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank – Feeding Grundy County – $20,000.00
• Operation Threshold, Inc. – Grundy County Crisis Assistance – $10,000.00

Impact Priority Area: Opportunity & Access

• GR PTO – GR PTO Playground Project – $8,000.00
• Little Comets Childcare – General Operating Support – $6,700.00
• Northeast Iowa Workforce Development Board – Northeast Iowa Youth Summit – $5,750.00
• UnityPoint Health Marshalltown Foundation – Conrad Replacement Clinic – $5,000.00

Impact Priority Area: Vibrant Communities

• City of Dike – Library - Youth Programming – $5,400.00
• City of Dike – Recreation Board - Park Playground Update – $9,000.00
• City of Grundy Center – Library - WonderWall STEM Wall – $3,308.00
• City of Grundy Center – Theatre - Laser Projector – $6,500.00
• The Wellsburg Filling Station – New Building – $15,000.00

Impact Priority Area: Youth Empowerment

• Family YMCA of Black Hawk County – Grundy Center Branch - General Operating Support – $6,000.00
• Iowa College Access Network – Future Ready: Engaging Parents for Success – $4,000.00
• Joyful Noise Daycare and Preschool – Playground Resurfacing – $10,000.00

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee consisting of volunteers from Grundy County. The 2026 governing committee includes Adam Bentley (vice chair), Amy Clapp, Luke Davis, Dennis Evans, Jeffrey Frank, Lenah Oltman, Lexie Hach (chair), Nicholas Jans, Dorothea Olson, Jake Pabst (treasurer), Carol Petersen, Kristen Reichert (secretary), David Robinson, and Dale Wambold.

GCCF funds established by generous donors contributing to the discretionary grant process include the Grundy Center Community Impact Fund, and the Donald Geerdes Community Impact Fund. The Grundy County Impact Now Fund allows generous people to contribute to the current year’s grant cycle, with all donated dollars being added to the discretionary grant amount. Donors to this fund in 2025 who contributed over $250 include the AR Wilcox Charitable Gift Fund.

Grants are awarded through GCCF’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 Grundy 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.grundyccf.org.