Lyon County (Community Foundation of Lyon County)
Promoting Generosity Across the Generations . . . For good. For ever.
DISASTER RECOVERY FUND INFORMATION FOR THE 2024 FLOOD
DONATE to the Community Foundation of Lyon Co. Disaster Recovery Fund
GRANT APPLICATION for nonprofits to apply for grant from the Community Foundation of Lyon County Disaster Recover Fund.
Questions regarding the Disaster Recovery fund please contact Jen Smit, Lyon Economic Development/CFLC Advisory Board Member at 712-470-6508 or contact the Siouxland Community Foundation at 712-293-3303.
BACKGROUND: The Community Foundation of Lyon County (CFLC) is a named affiliate fund of the Siouxland Community Foundation, created by and for the people of Lyon County to receive gifts from individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and governmental agencies. These gifts are carefully invested and the income from endowment funds is used to make grants to public charities or municipalities that best meet the needs of Lyon County.
MISSION: The mission of the Community Foundation of Lyon County is to enhance the overall quality of life in the county by providing opportunities for donors to leave a legacy, by building a permanent collection of endowment funds, and by making grants in response to priority community needs.
The purpose of the county-wide community foundation is to connect donors who care with causes that matter and to serve as a trusted resource for addressing issues that impact the quality of life in Lyon County. An Advisory Board representing each community and the varied interests of Lyon County is responsible for governing the Foundation.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
Jennifer Wippert (County-at-Large), Chair
Jen Smit (County-at-Large), Disaster Recovery Fund Lead
Katie Popkes (Rock Rapids, IA)
OPEN (Doon, IA)
Phyllis Borer (Little Rock, IA)
Kristi Landis (George, IA)
Mark Nagel (Alvord, IA)
Ned Hodgson (Larchwood, IA)
Becca Bixler (Inwood, IA)
Jeff Hoogeveen (Lester, IA)
The Community Foundation of Lyon County provides a simple, powerful and highly personal approach to giving. A local community foundation creates an opportunity for donors to ‘target their charitable giving at home’ and make a lasting difference in their community and county. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference. You can have a lasting impact on the quality of life in Lyon County, right here, right now, and for years to come. The Community Foundation serves as a vehicle to carry out the charitable objectives of donors and offers distinct advantages. You may contribute to the unrestricted Community Fund or establish a separate component fund bearing your name or a name of your choosing. All grants will be made in the name of the fund you establish.
We invite you to partner with the Foundation to create a lasting legacy. Contributions may be sent to: CFLC Administrative Office, 4425 Singing Hills Blvd., STE 100, Sioux City, IA 51106.
There is so much more we’d like for you to know. For more information and ideas on ways to integrate your financial planning with charitable giving, ask your financial advisor or contact the CFLC Administrative Office at (712) 293-3303.
Learn more about…
Endow Iowa
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LYON COUNTY GRANT GUIDELINES
Application Opens: January 1, 2026
Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
Final Determinations: by June 30
The Community Foundation of Lyon County’s (CFLC) Advisory Board is charged with carefully reviewing grant proposals and recommending grants to be awarded. The CFLC Advisory Board will make grant recommendations based on county and community needs, and the proposing organization’s capacity to effectively enhance the quality of life in Lyon County.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the CFLC grant program is to respond to present and emerging needs within Lyon County by making grants in the following areas:
• Arts & Culture: Provide or increase access to theatre, music, arts, dance, museums, historical events.
• Civic: Community betterment/beautification, city government, emergency services, citizen participation, parks and recreation.
• Education: Early childhood development/daycare, primary, secondary, and continuing education; libraries.
• Environment: Pollution control, natural resource conservation, protecting wildlife, botanic/horticultural activities.
• Health: Promotion and maintenance of physical, dental and mental health; rehabilitative services, crisis intervention.
• Human Services: Housing/shelter, public safety, services for the elderly, youth, families, handicapped, economically disadvantaged, minorities or other special groups.
ELIGIBILITY: Grants will be made for charitable purposes to nonprofit organizations, units of local government, and public education institutions that:
• Serve Lyon County in Iowa.
• Are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
EVALUATION CRITERIA: Priority consideration will be given to projects and programs that:
• Have potential for long-term impact.
• Have been planned in light of overall community needs.
• Do not duplicate existing services.
• Address a need affecting a broad segment of the county’s population or special populations considered at risk.
• Encourage collaboration.
• Demonstrate sound financial planning and the ability to mobilize resources including financial support, in-kind support, and volunteers to sustain the project or program.
Lower priority consideration will be given to:
• One-time events
Generally, requests for the following will not be given consideration:
• General operating expenses
• Budget deficits
• Annual fund drives
• Individuals
• Political activities
• Endowment
• Capital campaigns
• Religious activities
• Multi-year grants
Generally, grant requests ranging in size from $250 to $10,000 will be considered.
Grant applications are accepted every other year. Grants will be awarded June 2026. Seed grants to implement a new program will only be considered if there is a sound plan for sustainability.
