Ida County Community Betterment Foundation

Creating Community Legacies . . . For good. For ever.

BACKGROUND: The Ida County Community Betterment Foundation (ICCBF) is a named affiliate fund of the Siouxland Community Foundation created by and for the people of Ida County to receive charitable gifts from individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and governmental agencies. These gifts are carefully invested and the income from endowments is used to make grants to public charities that best meet the needs in the county.

MISSION: The mission of the ICCBF is to promote philanthropy, serve as a vehicle to carry out the charitable objective of donors, build endowments, identify needs and make grants for the benefit of the citizens and communities of Ida County.

The purpose of the ICCBF is to connect donors who care with causes that matter and to enhance the quality of life in Ida County.

An Advisory Committee representing each community and the varied interests of Ida County is responsible for fundraising and grant-making advisements regarding the ICCBF Fund.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
Becky Wuebker (Galva, IA)
Emily Christiansen (Galva, IA)
Megan Fritz (Battle Creek, IA)
Kevin Dausel (Battle Creek, IA)
Lisa Witten (Ida Grove, IA), Secretary/Treasurer
Nicki Ehrig (Ida Grove, IA)
Jamee Hunt (Arthur, IA), Vice Chair
Sandy Ullrich (Arthur, IA)
Ashley Trost (Holstein, IA)
Teresa Hunt (Holstein, IA), Chair

The Ida County Community Betterment Foundation 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 Ida 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: ICCBF 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 either Teresa Hunt, Advisory Committee Chair or the ICCBF Administrative Office at (712) 293-3303.

Learn more about…
Endow Iowa


IDA COUNTY COMMUNITY BETTERMENT FOUNDATION GRANT GUIDELINES

Application Opens: December 15
Application Deadline: March 1
Final Determinations: Mid-May

The Ida County Community Betterment Foundation (ICCBF) Advisory Board is charged with carefully reviewing grant proposals and recommending grants to be awarded. The ICCBF 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 Ida County.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the ICCBF grant program is to respond to present and emerging needs within Ida 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 Ida County in Iowa and 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 $15,000 will be considered.

ICCBF grant recipients are allowed to receive a grant every other year. (If a grant was received in 2022 the organization is not eligible to apply in 2023.)

Seed grants to implement a new program will only be considered if there is a sound plan for sustainability.

Grant Application Dashboard

2024 Grant Awards
2023 Grant Awards
2022 Grant Awards
2021 Grant Awards
2020 Grant Awards