Kristi Columbus Appointed Vice President of Development
On August 3, Kristi Columbus will join the Community Foundation as Vice President of Development. Kristi brings to the role more than 26 years of fundraising experience. Kristi comes to us from Cornell College, where she most recently served as Associate Vice President. Kristi helped lead the college’s largest ever campaign, which raised more than $118 million. She previously…Continue Reading
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Announces 2024 Thrive Cohort for BIPOC Nonprofit Professionals
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation has announced plans for a third iteration of the Thrive Cohort in 2024. Introduced in 2021, Thrive offers relationship building, networking, and learning for Black, Brown, and Bi-racial nonprofit professionals. Thrive is part of the Community Foundation’s efforts to advance racial equity by helping nonprofit organizations close the racial leadership gap and diversify nonprofit…Continue Reading
Staff News: Arthur Kim Named Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy
After nearly a year of coursework through The American College of Financial Services, Development Officer Arthur Kim achieved the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation earlier this year. Coursework focused on family philanthropy, charitable giving strategies, and how philanthropists can work with nonprofits to enhance impact, and the experience has equipped Arthur with a range of new skills and tools to…Continue Reading
Learning for the Greater Good
In 2019, the Community Foundation created a strategic plan to carry it through 2024. One of the key goals was to foster a culture of learning to better understand how we can serve Linn County. While the years that followed brought unpredictable challenges, the organization remained committed to reflecting and helping others learn. As the Community Foundation prepares to launch…Continue Reading
Why Donors Partner With Us
While establishing a charitable fund is an easy process, many who give through the Community Foundation do so with care and planning. Our Development Team works with donors and their advisors to outline philanthropic goals, establish a legacy of giving, and create a personalized plan that works for them. Michelle Beisker, Senior Vice President of Development, answered a few questions…Continue Reading
Food Insecurity on the Rise
Over the last year or two, Program Officers at the Community Foundation have noted a significant increase in the number of grant applications aimed at reducing food insecurity in Linn County. As families struggle to afford basic necessities, the nonprofit organizations that serve them face new challenges—but are responding with innovation and collaboration. The reasons behind the increase in food…Continue Reading
Chris and Suzy DeWolf Find Joy in Philanthropy
If you asked those around Chris and Suzy DeWolf to give one word that describes the couple, there’s a good chance they might land on ‘committed.’ Over the years, Chris and Suzy have become known for their commitment to their family, community, and business. Their commitment to each other is of particular note—the two met in preschool and began dating…Continue Reading
Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program Wait List Cleared
The Endow Iowa tax credit program – a program that allows taxpayers to receive an Iowa state income tax credit equal to 25 percent of the value of a gift to an endowed charitable held at a qualified community foundation – has inspired gifts to endowed funds held at community foundations across the state since 2003. The program is administered…Continue Reading
Small Business Loan Program, MICRO, Moves to ECICOG
In 2015, a local couple came to the Community Foundation with an idea. Entrepreneurs themselves, they wanted to support new and growing businesses in the area through accessible loans. The idea was a seed that grew into MICRO, an award-winning program that provides low-interest loans and other resources to entrepreneurs in Cedar Rapids. MICRO was made possible by the many…Continue Reading
Scholarships Support Linn County Students
This spring, the Community Foundation awarded more than $155,000 in scholarships to 95 Linn County students entering a wide range of professional fields. Awardees include graduates from 22 area high schools. These scholarships are made possible by the generosity of donors who support education through the Community Foundation. To view the 2023 scholarship recipients, click here.
