Foundation awards 95K in Montgomery Co.

RED OAK —  Fifteen Montgomery County organizations recently received a total of $95,900 in grant funds from the Montgomery County Community Foundation.

The following nonprofit organizations were awarded grants by the Montgomery County Board of Directors:

— Red Oak Public Library, $2,400, Digital History Project;‚

— Stanton Public Library, $7,500, Apollo Automation System;

— Stanton Senior Center, $4,000, install siding on north wall of Senior Center;

— City of Villisca, $5,000, purchase interactive whiteboard for Community Building;

— Elliott Public Library, $8,000, library equipment and materials upgrades;

— Elliott Volunteer Fire Department, $3,000, replace cribbing and update hydraulic hose for Jaws of Life;

— Montgomery County Agricultural Society, $5,000, add a campground on the fairgrounds;

— Montgomery County Family YMCA, $10,000, equipment and renovations;

— Nishna Productions, $3,000, vocational and technological equipment for new training center;

— Red Oak Community School District, $5,000, Cage Recreation Project Final Phase;

— Red Oak Grand Theater, $20,000, upgrade to digital projection system;

— Stanton Child Resource Center, $7,000, new cribs to meet safety regulations;

— Wilson Performing Arts Center, $2,000, add seating in handicapped accessible area;

— Villisca Community School District, $10,000, replace old batting cage;

— Villisca Public Library, $4,000, replace microfilm reader/printer with digital unit.

All grantees met the required criteria as Montgomery County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education and social services.

Only organizations providing services in Montgomery County were eligible. Montgomery County agency representatives received their checks recently.

During brief check distribution activities, Bloom commended the nonprofit agencies for their individual efforts to provide a better quality of life for the residents of Montgomery County.

“Our Advisory Board is pleased to direct $95,900 in grants to these important community efforts in Montgomery County,” Bloom explained. “The Montgomery County Community Foundation is one of nine counties that are collectively known as the Community Foundations as established by the Council on Foundations in Washington DC.”

The Montgomery County Community Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create permanent funds that address the changing, vital community needs and interests.

Donating to a permanently endowed fund helps neighbors today and helps build a stronger community tomorrow.

Donors are also eligible to receive a 25 percent Endow Iowa Tax Credit for each donation, in addition to Federal tax benefits.

The Montgomery County Community Foundation invests and administers these funds and distributes grants to deserving, qualified nonprofit organizations.

“This has grown from an annual event to twice a year, with one grant cycle in the spring and another in the fall,” Bloom said.

Board members of the Montgomery County Community Foundation are: Chair, Dennis Bloom, Red Oak; Vice Chair, Mark Swanson, Red Oak; Secretary/Treasurer, Jim Braden, Red Oak; Kevin Cabbage, Stanton; Sherry Carrick, Red Oak; Bob Drogo, Elliott; Jo Josephson, Red Oak; Donna Robinson, Villisca; and James Sifford, Red Oak.

For information about donating or establishing an individual foundation/fund, please contact any of the Board Members or call Dennis Nissen, Iowa Program Officer, at 800-794-3458.