Second Thrive Cohort Facilitates Connection for Nonprofit Leaders

Published: March 20, 2023 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

Earlier this month, the second Thrive Cohort kicked off with 20 new participants. The program offers support for emerging Black, Brown, and Biracial nonprofit leaders through relationship-building, networking, and learning to foster career development within the sector. The 2023 cohort participants serve in a variety of roles as nonprofit employees in Linn County. The group will meet regularly throughout the…Continue Reading

Thrive Cohort participants pose for a group photo in a conference room with stained glass windows.

Andersens Use Donor-Advised Fund to Honor their Past and Impact the Future

Published: March 20, 2023 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

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

Published: March 17, 2023 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

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

Published: March 9, 2023 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

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

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Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Approves Over $3.3 Million in Grants

Published: January 25, 2023 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

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

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Becoming A Philanthropist

Published: January 1, 2023 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

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

Photo of Tommy Rhomberg posing with baseball bats he made.

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Announces Adjustments to Grant Deadlines for 2023

Published: December 20, 2022 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

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

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Staff News

Published: December 13, 2022 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

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

Photo of Elizabeth Cwik standing outside on a sidewalk in the summer sunshine.

Community Foundation Hires Firm for President & CEO Search

Published: December 13, 2022 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

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

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Grant Application Deadlines to Change in 2023

Published: December 13, 2022 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

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

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