$102,280 given to county nonprofits
Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa brought a bundle of money to Red Oak last Tuesday to distribute to 13 nonprofits that had submitted applications for grant funds. The recipients gathered at the courthouse and were given their checks by representatives of Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa and the Montgomery County Community Foundation, formerly the Montgomery County Endowment Fund) which also works in partnership with the Red Oak Heritage Foundation.
Scott Sunderman, chair of the Montgomery County Community Foundation, said, “This is timely economic news for our county because research has shown that $1 of investment in a nonprofit organization can lead to $8 in economic benefit to the public.”
He said he hoped the grants would pay dividends of approximately $800,000 for the county in the future.
Red Oak’s nonprofits receiving grants were Planned Parenthood, $500; Performing Arts and Education Association of Southwest Iowa, $5000; Red Oak Heritage Foundation, $9,000; Red Oak Public Library, $20,000 and the Montgomery County Family YMCA, $23,443.
Planned Parenthood will purchase a washer and dryer. The Performing Arts and Education Association of Southwest Iowa will use their funds for music equipment. The Red Oak Heritage Foundation said their funds would be used for the alumni program at Red Oak High School and the public library said their $20,000 would help with their renovation and addition which is still getting bids but hopes to begin in the next few weeks.
In Elliott, First Responders will purchase extrication gear with their $1,500 and the Elliott Fire Department will use their $1,737 for new garage door openers.
Stanton’s Fire Department received $2,000 for their digital camera project and the city’s library received $2,000 for new computers and going wireless.
The Stanton Child Resource Center will makeover and update their school age room with the $5,000 grant they received. Stanton received $20,000 to renovate Anderson Park’s baseball field.
Villisca’s Volunteer Fire Department will purchase firefighter equipment with their $3,000 and the Villisca Public Library received $5,000 to repair the building’s foundation.
The grants are given to individuals, families, businesses and organization that address the changing needs and interests of the county. According to Sunderman, Montgomery County Community Foundation has distributed over $331,000 thus far in the county.
The granting foundation said applications for fall nonprofit grants can be received until September. The amount for fall grants will be smaller, but those interested in inquiring about application guidelines may contact Dennis Nissen at 1-800-794-3458 or contact local board members.
The chair for the Montgomery County Comm-unity Foundation is Scott Sunderman of Villisca. Other members are Dennis Bloom, Jim Braden, Sherry Carrick, Jo Josephson, Mark Swanson, Esq.., all of Red Oak; Nancy Nelson of Elliott, and Kevin Cabbage of Stanton.