Special Programs of the Community Foundation

The Community Foundation continuously builds upon collaborative efforts to meet current and future community needs and challenges. Working with volunteers from throughout Linn County, we convene or sponsor several component programs. In addition to the programs outlined in the following pages, we strive to provide technical assistance and educational services to nonprofit organizations and their volunteer boards.

Linn County Nonprofit Resource Center

The Linn County Nonprofit Resource Center (LCNRC) was established in 2005 as a semi-autonomous program of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. The LCNRC is a training and resource center for nonprofit organizations in Eastern Iowa.

Their mission is to build vibrant communities by promoting, supporting, and strengthening the nonprofits of Linn County. The LCNRC offers workshops, peer groups, and other trainings; is an advocate for Linn County nonprofit organizations and engages nonprofit board members.

Local nonprofits can be directed to best practices in a variety of areas such as finance, board development, fundraising, and marketing, as well as find information on consultants and other resources in these areas. The LCRNC also seeks to be a partner with existing nonprofit professional organizations in their training and professional development efforts.

An advisory board of nonprofit professionals and other community leaders guides the LCRNC. This structure allows nonprofits to seek advice and services on issues most central to their administration in an environment completely separate from the GCRCF's grant-making programs.

2011 Linn County Nonprofit Resource Center Advisory Board
Les Garner (ex-officio) - President, GCRCF
Mary Lou Erlacher, The Workplace Learning Connection (President)
Delaine Petersen, The Arc of East Central Iowa (Vice President)

REACT Center

The REACT Center, Rockwell Educational Access to Computer Technology, is a nonprofit organization funded by the Rockwell Collins Foundation and managed by the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

The REACT Center's primary goal is to provide refurbished up-to-date computers and computer learning experiences to area schools and nonprofits who work specifically with children.

An administrator and volunteers are the staff of the REACT Center. The volunteers come from Rockwell Collins and the community.

In order to request a donation, a letter needs to be sent to the REACT Center, 927 North Compton Drive, Hiawatha, Iowa 52233. The letter needs to include the name, address, and phone number of the person or organization making the request. The letter needs to have a specific number and type of computers, printers or other peripherals being requested. Please include your federal tax identification number. Educational institutions are always the first priority when computers are ready to be donated, all other non-profit organizations are left to the discretion of the REACT Center administrator.

For more information, please contact Barbara Klawiter, REACT Center Administrator, at 319.393.9632.

REACT Center Guidelines for Receipt of Donated Computer:
Area Accredited or Approved Schools
Nonprofit organizations specializing in work with youth
Commmunity services that provide a service to the public at large
Nonprofit organizations administrative offices, not individual

Rockwell Collins Engineering Experiences

The Rockwelll Collins Engineering Experinces program is an education outreach program, with a goal of inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators. The program, formerly known as the K-12 Business-Education Partnership Program, is designed to engage and motivate students through hands-on activities and positive, personal relationships with working engineers and technicians.

For more information on the Engineering Experiences program, please contact Kim Beals, volunteer program coordinator at 319-295-8122.