Community Foundation Welcomes Director of Grant Programs

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Jenny Becker will join the Community Foundation team as Director of Grant Programs on April 10, 2017.

In this new position, Ms. Becker will guide the policy and strategy for grantmaking activities; provide leadership for the grants team; and ensure high-quality grantmaking service for donor-advisors at the Community Foundation.

“I am thrilled to welcome Jenny to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation team,” said Les Garner, President & CEO. “She will be instrumental in developing our strategies to ensure efficient and effective grantmaking in our community.”

Ms. Becker brings impressive experience in grantmaking, management, strategy-development, and process execution to her new role at the Community Foundation. For the past 15 years, she has served in various community relations roles at Rockwell Collins. Most recently, she served as Senior Manager of Community Relations, where she led their corporate giving team.

Ms. Becker is very familiar with the nonprofit sector of Linn County and currently serves on over eight associated Boards or committees. She was also a Leadership Iowa class member in 2008-09.

Karla Twedt-Ball, Senior Vice President of Programs and Community Investment, whose responsibilities will include broader involvement in community leadership, as well as grantmaking and support for nonprofits, says, “Grantmaking is a core service at the Community Foundation. Over the past four years, we have experienced a 67% increase in our grantmaking. In 2013, we granted $6 million and in 2016, we granted over $10 million. The addition of this position, coupled with Jenny’s skills and experience, will support this important work.”