The Winnebago County Community Foundation (WCCF) held its 2026 grant awards celebration on Wednesday, July 23, at the Forest City Community Center, announcing the distribution of $144,194.34 to 16 local nonprofit organizations through its 2026 grant cycle. Grants were awarded to projects improving quality of life and creating long-term impact in Winnebago County communities.

Grants were presented by impact priority. A full list of funded projects is below:

Health & Safety

• Duncan Heights, Inc. – Scanners – $2,136.00
• Food Bank of Iowa – Partnering to Feed Winnebago Children – $7,500.00
• Forest City Ambulance Service – Autoloader Upgrade – $15,000.00
• Friends of the Firemen – Fire Department - Personal Protective Equipment – $11,000.00
• Kum-A-Long Club – Parking Lot Improvement – $20,000.00
• Lake Mills Fire Fighters Association – Fire Department Pagers – $1,200.00
• North Iowa Food for Families – Food – $5,000.00

Opportunity & Access

• Crisis Intervention Service – Financial Inclusion – $3,417.00

Youth Empowerment

• Little Bison Childcare Center – Kitchen Appliances Updates – $1,248.99
• North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom – Ag Education Weeks in Winnebago County Schools – $5,000.00
• North Iowa Community Schools – IXL - Math & Reading Intervention Program Licenses – $18,400.00

Vibrant Community

• City of Buffalo Center – Buffalo Center Shelter House – $25,592.35
• City of Buffalo Center – Library - AWE Workstation – $3,000.00
• City of Thompson – Pool & Park Board - Pump & Kiddie Pool Repairs – $9,500.00
• Lake Mills Chamber Development Corporation – 2026 Lake Mills July Jubilee – $1,000.00
• Winnebago County Fair Association – Livestock Facility Improvements – $15,200.00

Grants were recommended by the Winnebago County Community Foundation’s governing committee, composed of volunteers committed to improving the well-being of Winnebago County residents. The 2026 governing committee includes: Lori Bierle, Loren Ehrich, Tina Henely, Meggon Jacobs, Brad Jones, Conner Kem, Jennifer Kramersmeier, Diane Price, Robert Sarver, and Ashley Throne.

WCCF is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, which provides administrative, investment, and technical support to enhance the local foundation’s impact. The 2027 WCCF grant cycle opens March 1, 2027, with a deadline of April 15, 2027. Application guidelines and materials can be found at www.winnebagoccf.org.