by Jill Funke

In an effort to connect the financial gifts from caring businesses and individuals with important causes, the Community Foundation of Lyon County (CFLC) was founded last year to help meet unmet needs in the area. CFLC is a charitable foundation that was created by and for the people of Lyon County. Wanting to enhance the overall quality of life in Lyon County, the foundation has a two-fold commitment to provide opportunities for donors to leave a legacy by building a permanent collection of endowment funds, and bestowing grants that respond to unmet community needs. The gifts of those who donate to CFLC are either distributed locally or carefully invested to grow an endowment that demonstrates the long term commitment of the organization.

The week of November 13, 2005, the Iowa Department of Economic Development distributed over $5.4 million dollars to 85 community foundations and/or their affiliate organizations in almost every area of the state. This year, each affiliate including CFLC received $63,601. According to program regulations, 75% of those funds will be granted to charitable projects within the county and the other 25% will be deposited the permanent endowment fund. This endowment will not only provide additional revenue for grant making, it can also serve as a catalyst to attract other donors.

With so many needs inside their community, CFLC donors are able to earmark their contributions to make a lasting difference in the county. The CFLC accepts donations of all sizes, and reminds donors that gifts of any amount make a difference. Temporary board member and Larchwood Mayor, Leonard Vanden Bosch, says that even though the program is new, the benefits to the community will be very welcome. Vanden Bosch also feels that the new funds are a great way to kickstart projects that would remain dormant without this financial support. The Advisory Board will be accepting grant requests and plans to make its distributions after April, 2006.

Grants can be made in a number of areas. Arts and culture programs qualify, specifically those that provide or increase access to theatre, music, arts, dance museums, and historical events. Civic areas eligible for funding are those associated with community betterment/beautification, city government, emergency services, citizen participation, and parks and recreation. Early childhood development/daycare, primary, secondary, and continuing education as well as libraries fit the definition of educational areas that are appropriate for CFLC funding, while environmental causes such as pollution control, natural resource conservation, protecting wildlife, and botanic/horticultural activities are also suitable for support. Organizations who promote and maintain physical, dental or mental health, as well as rehabilitative services and crisis intervention are entitled to apply for funding, as are human services programs that assist with housing/shelter, public safety, services for the elderly, youth, families, handicapped, economically disadvantaged, minorities or other special groups.

Non-profit organizations and segments of local government who serve Lyon County and are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible for CFLC grants, however, priority consideration will be given to projects and programs that have county-wide benefits, possess the potential for long-term impact, provide evidence of careful planning to address county/community needs and access county/community resources, show the greatest promise of leveraging additional support, document capacity to mobilize resources, have developed in collaboration with other non-profit entities or volunteer groups, and do not duplicate existing services.

Funding for the Iowa Department of Economic Development program is gathered from state gambling revenues. This year, fourteen counties were not eligible for the program as state-licensed gaming facilitates are located or planned within those counties. To coordinate the program and identify the funding recipients, the Iowa Department of Economic Development worked closely with the Iowa Council of Foundations, a membership organization of foundations across the state which promotes philanthropy and effective grantmaking within the state.

For further information, you can contact Debbie Hubbard, Executive Director, Siouxland Community Foundation, 505 Fifth Street, Suite 412, Sioux City, IA 51101, phone/fax: (712) 293-3303,

e-mail: office@siouxlandcommunityfoundation.org