The Howard County Community Foundation (HCCF) held its 2023 grant awards celebration at the Lime Springs Community Center on April 11, announcing the distribution of $150,146.42 to 28 projects of organizations serving Howard County through its 2023 grant cycle.

“It’s an honor for the Howard County Community Foundation to support these local nonprofits in their work to strengthen our communities and make them great places for all to live, work and play,” said Ronda Hughes, chair of the HCCF committee.

The grant recipient organizations, project each grant will fund, and grant amounts are listed below by funding area.

Arts & Culture

• City of Cresco, Theatre and Opera House - Scene Shop, $15,000
• Howard County Historical Society, Kellow House Ceiling, $3,500
• Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation, Borlaug Birthplace Home Restoration, $10,000
• Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail Association, Resisting the Flood of Rainfall, $7,330.42

Community Betterment

• City of Chester, Cemetery Board - Avenue of Flags and Crematorium Restoration, $3,000
• City of Chester, Community Center - New Chairs, $3,750
• City of Chester, Fire & Rescue - Personal Protective Gear, $15,000
• City of Chester, Partners In Progress - Benches/Picnic Tables, $3,000
• City of Cresco, Fire Department - Brush Truck Monitor Upgrade, $7,993
• City of Cresco, Police Department - National Night Out 2023, $4,000
• City of Elma, Administration - Signage for Elma Community Complex, $4,400
• City of Lime Springs, Fire Department – Communications, $1,840
• City of Lime Springs, Park & Pool Board - Pipe Replacement/Repair, $15,000
• City of Protivin, Park Equipment Update, $5,000
• Howard County – Auditor, Sheriff's Office – Shields, $3,600
• Lubbert's Park in Saratoga, Playground Equipment and Picnic Tables, $4,229
• Protivin Firefighters, Radios, $5,000

Education & Youth Development

• City of Elma, Library - Full 'STEAM' Ahead Programming, $2,000
• Howard-Winneshiek School District, Howard-Winneshiek Building Project: Cadet Capital Campaign, $13,160
• Riceville Community School, Special Education Department - Lighting the Way to Learning, $1,200
• Trinity Catholic School, Lower Elementary - iPads and Covers, $3,000
• Youth Riceville Athletic Program, Lake Hendricks Ball Field, $4,644

Environment & Animal Welfare

• Cresco Wildlife Club, Trap Range Lighting, $5,000
• Fish & Game Club, Pond Restoration, $1,000

Health

• American Red Cross - Blood Services, 2023 Blood Drive, $1,000

Human Service

• Howard County Charitable Projects, Assistance for Workers, $1,500
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Feeding Communities, $3,000
• Riceville Community Foundation, Elf Shop, $3,000

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Howard County. Committee members include: Alice Back, Kristen Burke, Rosalie Christensen, Becky Fritcher, Ronda Hughes (chair), Amanda Keller, Chas Malek, Ryan Manske, Al Voyna, Bruce Weigel, Bart Wilson and Jim Zajicek.

Grants are awarded through HCCF’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 Howard County in order to be considered for funding. More information about the HCCF can be found at www.howardccf.org.