Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Matches Gifts to Linn County Public Classrooms
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation announces it has once again partnered with DonorsChoose to match gifts to help fund classroom projects in Linn County, Iowa. DonorsChoose is a nonprofit organization that makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Funding is available to support classroom education projects in Linn County public schools for grades K-12 that…Continue Reading
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Celebrates 75 Years of Serving Linn County
Block Party, Mural Installation, and a Free Admission Day to Cultural Organizations is Planned This year, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation – established as the Community Welfare Foundation of Cedar Rapids – marks 75 years of bringing together private philanthropy and impactful nonprofits to support a healthy and vibrant Linn County. Since 1949, Foundation assets have grown to over…Continue Reading
Mural to Mark 75 Years
Adding Vibrancy Through Public Art When the Community Foundation began looking for ways to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2024, one of the biggest ideas was a mural. Besides adding some vibrancy to the building, a mural could also pay homage to those who make our community thrive. The idea seemed almost too big—until the Community Foundation teamed up with…Continue Reading
Connecting Resources and Opportunities
Opportunity Center Connects Job Seekers to Resources and Employment When the Cedar Rapids Public Library flooded in 2008, operations moved to the westside location in Westdale Mall. The increased focus on the westside branch and its services made it clear that this part of the community needed a permanent, well-rounded library. In 2013—the same year the new downtown location opened—the…Continue Reading
Nonprofit Workforce Challenges
Labor Shortages Impacting Local Services In 2021, the National Council of Nonprofits found that nonprofit workforce shortages were “intolerably high.” In 2023, the Council conducted a survey of more than 1,600 nonprofits to find if workforce shortages were still impacting organizations and the communities they serve. Survey results clearly showed that this issue has not gone away. More than half…Continue Reading
A Culture of Giving Back
Van Meter Fosters Employee-Driven Approach to Philanthropy Over the last 96 years, Van Meter has grown into one of the region’s top distributors of electrical components. In more recent years, the company has emerged as a model for engaged corporate philanthropy. Founded in 1928 in downtown Cedar Rapids, Van Meter now has 850 employee-owners in 25 locations throughout the Midwest….Continue Reading
Take Our Community Survey to Make Your Voice Heard
We’re in the process of creating a new strategic plan, and we want to hear from you! Whether you know all about our organization or have never heard of a community foundation, we want to know what challenges and opportunities you see in Linn County. Take the survey to tell us what you think about the Community Foundation and how…Continue Reading
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Approves Over $5.9 Million in Grants
The Board of Directors of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation recently approved over $5.9 million in grants to 371 nonprofit organizations. The awards include competitive Organization Support Grants and Program Support Grants from the spring grant cycle; as well as Rapid Response Grants and distributions from donor-advised, designated, scholarship and nonprofit funds. The Community Foundation brings together private philanthropy with…Continue Reading
Nonprofit Know-How Event Focuses on Strategic Planning
On March 20, more than 50 nonprofit professionals gathered at the Cedar Rapids Public Library to learn about and discuss strategic planning. President & CEO Karla Twedt-Ball provided tools and resources and shared personal experiences with strategic planning at all levels within nonprofit organizations. Participant-led workshops also gave attendees the opportunity to learn from and connect with peers from across…Continue Reading
Endowment Challenge Grants Awarded
In the final grant cycle of 2023, Endowment Challenge Grants were awarded to the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, Indian Creek Nature Center, and Orchestra Iowa. The award provides a 1:3 matching grant of up to $25,000 to establish and build endowed funds at the Community Foundation. The organizations have five years to meet the match. Nonprofit endowment funds invest in…Continue Reading
