The Kossuth County Community Foundation (KCCF) announced $127,072 in grant funding to 22 projects of organizations serving Kossuth County as part of its 2020 grant cycle.

The grant decisions were determined prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on communities and nonprofits. Nonprofits receiving grants may choose to shift funding to general operating support in response to this public health and economic crisis. The Community Foundation will discuss decisions with nonprofits on a one-on-one basis.

“The Kossuth County Community Foundation is proud to partner with these nonprofits who are making a difference in our local communities,” said Louie Bormann, chair of the KCCF governing committee. “While the Community Foundation is not able to hold its annual award celebration at this time due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus, grant checks will be mailed and we look forward to seeing the impacts in Kossuth County.”

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

Art and Culture

• Kossuth County Agriculture & Motorsports Museum, Walking Surface Enhancement - Floor Covering of Bare Wood Stairs, $3,000
  

Community Betterment

• Animal Rescue Family, Improved Cat Habitats, $3,000
• City of Algona, Library - Building Project, $12,000
• City of Lakota, Library - Planning Improvements to Celebrate 100 Years And Beyond, $6,840
• City of Swea City, Library - Study Room Renovation, $3,400
• City of Wesley, Community Center - Sound System, $1,300
• City of Whittemore, Gazebo at Noah's Park, $2,500

Education

• Iowa Lakes Community College, Kossuth County RSVP Literacy Partners, $1,150
• North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom, Agriculture Education for Kossuth County Schools, $3,000
• Water's Edge Nature Center Foundation, Sugar Shack Trail Project Phase 2, $3,000

Health

• Food Bank of Iowa, Fighting Childhood Hunger in Kossuth County, $7,500

Historic Preservation

• Camp Algona POW Project, Historical Marker, $5,900
• Kossuth County Historical Society, Pocket Park with Pathway at Historical Museum, $8,000
• Swea City Community Historical Society, Security Updates and Renovations, $1,500

Human Service

• Active Senior Citizens of Algona, New Furnaces, $6,332
• Algona Family YMCA, Child Care Kitchen Renovation, $10,000
• City of Algona, Police Department - Thermal Imaging Binoculars, $5,200
• City of Fenton, Fire Department - Turnout Gear Replacement Project, $24,000
• City of Titonka, Fire Department - Additional Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, $7,000
• City of Wesley, Fire Department - Scene Light Project, $4,650
• Exceptional Opportunities, Training Equipment, $2,800
• Lakota Hunting With Heroes, Snow Removal and Habitat Creation Plan, $5,000

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Kossuth County. Committee members include: Pat Berte, Trudy Blome, Louie Bormann (chair), Jonathan Chambers, Shannon Goche, Eric Goodman, Don Hansen, Laurie Harms, David Harner, Carol Heesch, Karen Knapp, Greg Stewart and Kelly Tigges.

Grants are awarded through Kossuth County Community Foundation’s competitive grant process to projects in the program areas of: art and culture, community betterment, education, environment, health, historic preservation and human service. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Kossuth County in order to be considered for funding. The 2021 grant cycle opens November 1, 2020 with an application deadline of January 15, 2021. The grant guidelines and application will be posted prior to the cycle opening at www.kossuthccf.org.