Wakefield Community Foundation
Serving Wakefield . . . For good. For ever.
BACKGROUND: The Wakefield Community Foundation (WCF) was organized by a group of forward-looking citizens of the Wakefield community in November 1993, as a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation. Gifts received from individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and governmental agencies are carefully invested with the income used to make grants to public charities that best meet the needs in Wakefield. The WCF supports current community needs and invests in the community’s future by raising, managing, and distributing funds for charitable purposes in the areas of cultural, social, health, or education services.
In 2002, the WCF Board voted to affiliate with the Siouxland Community Foundation. The Wakefield Community Foundation continues to function as it always has, the administrative work is carried out by the Siouxland Community Foundation. This historic step frees the WCF volunteer members to work in the community and create better community awareness of the WCF and the role it plays for the future of Wakefield.
The WCF maintains a Book of Memory (currently at the Senior Citizen’s Center) to provide for those who wish to make a donation to honor a deceased loved one, friend, client or customer. The book holds an inscription of the name of each remembered individual.
MISSION: The mission of the WCF is to enhance the quality of life for Wakefield citizens. Brochure
The purpose of the WCF is to connect donors who care with causes that matter and to enhance the quality of life in Wakefield, Nebraska.
A Board of Directors representing the varied interests of Wakefield is responsible for governing the Foundation.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023-2024:
Laura (Barelman) Dendinger, President
Leslie Bebee, Vice President
M. Theresa Miner, Secretary
Paul Eaton, Treasurer
Zach Dolen
Bill Heimann
Deb Lundahl
The Wakefield Community 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. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference. You can have a lasting impact on the quality of life in Wakefield, 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.
We invite you to partner with the WCF to create a lasting legacy. Contributions may be sent to:
Siouxland Community Foundation
c/o Wakefield Community Foundation
505 Fifth Street, Suite 412
Sioux City, IA 51101
or make your gift online here:
Wakefield Community Foundation Endowment Fund
Wakefield Community Foundation General Fund
Wakefield Graves Park Forever Fund
Wakefield Graves Park Forever Fund has the following Committee Members: Scott Kneifl, Jono Kline, Chris Loofe, Nicki Decker, Steve Greve, Ross Hansen, Justin Dutcher, Mike Clay, Mark Lundahl, and Paul Eaton.
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 Laura Dendinger, Board President, at (402) 369-0110 or the WCF Administrative Office at (712) 293-3303.
Follow Us on our Wakefield Community Foundation Facebook Page
Follow Us on our Wakefield Graves Park Forever Fund Facebook Page
Learn more about…
Types of Funds
Ways to Give
Endow Iowa
Other WCF Funds
Leo Robert Clough Scholarship
Merlin “Lefty” Olson Scholarship
Marvin Borg Memorial Scholarship
Wakefield Community Foundation Scholarship
Graves Park Forever Fund
WAKEFIELD COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT GUIDELINES
Application Deadline: November 1
Final Determinations: 1st week of January
The Wakefield Community Foundation (WCF) Board is charged with carefully reviewing grant proposals and recommending grants to be awarded. The WCF Board will make grant recommendations based on community needs and the proposing organization’s capacity to effectively enhance the quality of life in Wakefield.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the WCF grant program is to respond to present and emerging needs within Wakefield 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 and units of local government that serve Wakefield, Nebraska 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
• address an emerging need, or provide a creative solution to an existing community need or opportunity
• result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people
• directly involve volunteers in hands-on services supporting the project
• have secured additional funding from other sources
The Foundation will not consider grants for religious purposes, political activities, annual fund drives, endowment, budget deficit, general operating, or to individuals.
Grant requests up to $1,000 (with a required 50% match by the applicant) will be considered.
