Tama County Community Foundation Distributes $195,845 to Local Nonprofit Organizations

Tama County Community Foundation

April 11, 2024

The Tama County Community Foundation (TCCF) held its grant awards celebration at Wieting Theatre in Toledo on April 11, announcing the distribution of $195,845 to 26 projects of organizations serving Tama County through its 2024 grant cycle. 

“It’s an honor for the Tama County Community Foundation to support these local organizations and their projects that will help strengthen our communities and create vibrant places for all to live, work and play,” said Sara Forrester, chair of the TCCF committee.

The 2024 grant recipient organizations, project the grant will fund, and grant amount is listed below by funding area.

Arts & Culture

• Tama County Livestock and Fair Association – Goat Pens - $5,000
• Toledo Library Foundation – Youth Creation Station - $4,373
• Wieting Opera Housing Company – Kitchen Stove Wall - $6,500
• Amvets Post 10 Lincoln – Hall Entry Door - $6,500
• City of Toledo, Police Department – Ballistics Shields - $11,840
• City of Traer, Fire Department – PPE Sets - $11,700
• Tama Fire Department Nonprofit Association – Wildland Firefighting Boots - $4,200
• Vining Volunteer Fire Department – Bunker Gear Replacement - $9,195

Education & Youth Development

• Al Exito – Al Exito Tama: Student Success Tama - $4,125
• Better Tomorrows Early Childhood Iowa – Better Tomorrows Early Childhood Iowa - $4,000
• City of Chelsea, Library – Mobile Bookcase and Activities - $3,343                       
• Crayon Corner Learning Center – Flooring Improvements - $12,406
• Garwin Little League, Inc, Facility Improvements Phase 1 – Concessions & batting Cage - $10,903
• Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois – Girl Scout Leadership Program in Tama County - $1,500
• North Tama County Community School District, Elementary – Technology for Classrooms - $32,005
• Pied Piper Preschool and Child Care, Infant/Toddler Room – Doors & Windows - $7,782
• Tama County 4-H – Babysitting Basics - $1,176
• Union Community School – DG Elementary Inclusive Playground - $25,000

Health

• City of Gladbrook, Theater and Matchstick Marvels - Defibrillator - $1,794
• Iowa River Hospice – Day of Care - $5,000
• Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Inc. – Tama County Congregate and Home Delivered Meal Program - $5,000

Human Service

• Children and Families of Iowa – Supporting At-Risk Iowans Across the State - $1,000
• Lutheran Services in Iowa – Healthy Families America (HFA) Tama County - $4,000
• Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc. – MICA Cares Food Assistance - $5,000
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank – Feeding Families - $7,500
• Traer United Presbyterian Church – CHAT - $5,000

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Tama County. Committee members include: Lori Baier, Dixie Forcht, Sara Forrester, Dara Jefferson, and Melanie Kemper.

 Grants are awarded through TCCF’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 Tama County in order to be considered for funding. More information about the TCCF can be found at www.tamaccf.org.