CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – June 28, 2010 – The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation (GCRCF) today announced it has moved to its new permanent home at the Torch Press building, 324 3rd St SE in downtown Cedar Rapids.
The new home serves as the headquarters for the GCRCF and the Linn County Nonprofit Resource Center (LCNRC) and will allow for continued growth and expansion. The building features a training and reception space for nonprofits and donor events and a nonprofit resource library.
"The Community Foundation has experienced significant growth in recent years and our new home will help us meet the long-term needs of the community and the foundation," said Karla Twedt-Ball, interim president and CEO and vice president of Programs at the GCRCF. "We’re proud to make an investment in our community and downtown Cedar Rapids as we chose to purchase and renovate the Torch Press building that was damaged by the flood of 2008," added Twedt-Ball.
The GCRCF’s new home, located at the intersection of 3rd St SE and 4th Ave SE, was built in 1908 as a printing company and book-making plant. The charitable foundation will occupy the first, third and fourth floors of the 16,000 square foot building. The second floor will be leased in the future. The foundation home provides meeting space on the first floor where workshops and events for nonprofits and donors will take place. The building renovations and updates include energy-efficient lighting, windows and HVAC systems; wireless and other advanced technologies and provides handicapped accessible accommodations throughout.
"Our move to the Torch Press is an exciting turning point in the history of the GCRCF," said Ron Olson, board of directors chair of the GCRCF. "We look forward to building upon the foundation that was set some 60 years ago as we work to support and assist nonprofits in fulfilling their missions."
The GCRCF currently has assets of $97 million and has made 600 grants totaling $3.6 million this year to 239 nonprofits. In 2009, the GCRCF awarded $8.2 million in grants to support charitable work in Linn County. The staff includes eight full time and four part time employees.
Features of the GCRCF New Home at The Torch Press:
- First floor meeting space for workshops presented by the Linn County Nonprofit Resource Center and donor events and general community foundation meetings.
- Wireless and other advanced technologies including multimedia components.
- A resource library on the third floor for use by nonprofits and the community that includes nonprofit publications, sector-based materials, grant writing guides and a variety of books.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant entrance and exit, handicapped accessible throughout.
- Energy-efficient lighting, windows.
- High-efficiency heating, ventilation and cooling systems.
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is a critical resource for Linn County, Iowa, funding nonprofit activities in four essential areas: Arts and Culture, Community Development and the Environment, Education and Health and Human Services. With total assets of $95 million as of December 31,2009, the mission of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is to connect donors to the priorities they care about and to the needs of the community, to increase charitable giving and to provide leadership on important community issues. For more information, visit the organization’s Web site at www.gcrcf.org. For good. For ever.
###
Media Contact:
Amber Mulnik
amber.mulnik@gcrcf.org
319.366.2862
