Andersens Use Donor-Advised Fund to Honor their Past and Impact the Future
For Doctors Philip and DeEtta Andersen, giving back to the communities that made them is a deeply personal experience. Over the years the Andersens have supported a number of projects and organizations in the Center Point-Urbana area and at the University of Iowa, each directly connected to their values and their past. For 40 years, Philip practiced dentistry in Center…Continue Reading
Community Betterment Funds Established to Support Mount Vernon Nonprofits
Recently, two new funds were established at the Community Foundation to provide immediate and lasting support for nonprofits serving Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon Community Betterment Today Fund and Mount Vernon Community Betterment Tomorrow Fund are now accepting gifts, and funds will be administered through a grant application process overseen by a committee in Mount Vernon. The two funds were…Continue Reading
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Announces Mount Vernon Community Betterment Funds
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation has announced two new charitable funds that will benefit Mount Vernon, Iowa. The Mount Vernon Community Betterment Today Fund and the Mount Vernon Community Betterment Tomorrow Fund will make grants to nonprofit organizations serving the Mount Vernon community. Established through a lead gift from Les and Katrina Garner, these funds will provide a permanent…Continue Reading
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Approves Over $3.3 Million in Grants
The Board of Directors of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation recently approved over $3.31 million in grants to more than 130 nonprofit organizations. The awards include competitive Organization Support Grants, Program Support Grants, Linn County Grants, and grants from the Creating Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities (SET) Fund; as well as distributions from signature, donor-advised, designated, scholarship and agency funds….Continue Reading
Becoming A Philanthropist
Anyone can be a philanthropist—just ask Tommy Rhomberg. At just 12 years old, he is not thinking about his legacy or his estate plan, and yet, he has found a way to impact those around him. On August 10, 2020, Tommy was looking forward to his friend’s birthday party later in the week. But by midday, he was huddled in…Continue Reading
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Announces Adjustments to Grant Deadlines for 2023
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation announces adjustments to the number and timing of grant deadlines in 2023. This change is to better align grant opportunities with the fiscal years of nonprofit organizations. The 2023 grant deadlines will be March 1, June 30, and September 12. The deadlines for the Program Support and Organization Support Grants will be March 1…Continue Reading
Staff News
Elizabeth Cwik Transitions to New Role on Development Team After 14 years of providing guidance and support to nonprofits applying for grants, Elizabeth Cwik will be changing positions at the Community Foundation. Effective January 1, 2023, she will transition from her current full-time position of Senior Program Officer on the Program Team to a part-time position of Senior Development Officer…Continue Reading
Community Foundation Hires Firm for President & CEO Search
In August, Dr. Les Garner, President & CEO of the Community Foundation since 2010, announced his retirement. During his tenure, the organization’s assets and grant distributions more than doubled. His leadership has created a solid foundation for the organization to continue supporting Linn County well into the future. Les plans to retire in June 2023, which has allowed time for…Continue Reading
Grant Application Deadlines to Change in 2023
To better align grant opportunities with the fiscal years of nonprofits, the Community Foundation is making changes to the number and timing of grant deadlines in 2023. The 2023 grant deadlines will be March 1, June 30, and September 12. The Community Foundation’s competitive grant deadlines will be March 1 and September 12. Some Competitive Donor-Advised Funds will accept applications…Continue Reading
Management of Group Violence Intervention Transfers to Foundation 2
In December of 2019, a group of stakeholders from across sectors came together to launch Group Violence Intervention (GVI), an evidence-based strategy for reducing gun violence. The effort was supported by an anonymous grant to the Creating Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities (SET) Fund. Because other nonprofits were not yet engaging in this specific type of work, the Community Foundation…Continue Reading
