O’Brien County Community Foundation Awards 2024 Grants
The O’Brien County Community Foundation (OBCCF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, awarded grants totaling over $119,000 to nonprofit organizations and units of local government in support of projects throughout O’Brien County. Grants were presented June 13 in Primghar.
Since 2006 the O’Brien County Community Foundation has granted over $1.7 million dollars back into our community for projects and programs that benefit O’Brien County residents. “Each year the O’Brien County Community Foundation grants enhance the lives of our residents through diverse projects and programs,” says Denise Steffen, OBCCF Advisory Board Chair.
The following grants were awarded by the O’Brien County Community Foundation:
Archer Alumni-City of Archer – Historical Preservation of Archer Alumni – $600.00
City of Calumet – Park Shelter Accessibility – $10,000.00
Cornerstone Senior Communities – ADA Shower for Restroom – $3,000.00
Foster Grandparent Program of Greater Siouxland – Volunteer Service Support – $2,160.00
General N. B. Baker Library – Accessible Parking Project – $ 4,000.00
Granville Fire and EMS Association – Forestry Bumper Nozzle – $7,000.00
Hartley Emergency Ambulance Rescue Team – Physio Lifepack 15 – $10,000.00
Hartley Fire Department – Air Compressor Bottle Replacement – $10,000.00
Kids Kampus Inc. – Range Suppression Hood – $15,000.00
O’Brien County Conservation Board – Educational STEM cart – $3,000.00
O’Brien County Livestock Show & Agricultural Assn. – Fairground Camping Spots and Sidewalk – $8,000.00
ORAB Music Boosters – Concert Grand Piano Middle School – $5,000.00
Paullina Public Library – StoryWalk Improvements – $450.00
Prairie View Campus – Community Walk Path – $8,000.00
Primghar Volunteer Fire Department – Thermal Imager – $4,000.00
Sanborn Daycare Association DBA Kids Express – Enhancing Outdoor Space – $6,600.00
Sanborn Fire & Rescue – Firefighter Communications – $4,500.00
Sanborn Public Library – Security Cameras – $3,000.00
Senior Companion Program of Greater Siouxland – Volunteer Service Support – $1,248.00
Sheldon Fire Company – Rope Rescue System – $5,185.00
Sutherland City Park Board – City Park Slide and Safety – $8,500.00
The OBCCF was formally established in 2005 through affiliation with the Siouxland Community Foundation and is governed by a local advisory board composed of representatives from each of the communities in O’Brien County: Archer, Calumet, Hartley, Paullina, Primghar, Sanborn, Sheldon, and Sutherland; as well as one county-at-large member.
The OBCCF receives funds from the Iowa Legislature County Endowment Fund Program. Created in 2004, the County Endowment Fund Program (CEFP) is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, which currently does not include online sports betting revenue. These funds are distributed annually to participating community foundations located in the 84 counties without a state-issued gaming license. The 15 counties with a state-issued gaming license benefit from their local casino’s Qualified Sponsoring Organization, which distributes a portion of gaming revenues in their area. CEFP was designed by the Legislature to ensure the benefits of gaming tax revenues were felt statewide.
In the 84 CEFP counties, 75 percent of each county’s annual allocation is directed to foundation grantmaking activities for that year, and 25 percent is added to their permanent endowment fund, which provides support for nonprofits now and in perpetuity. This two-pronged approach has provided thousands of dollars for local projects each year, plus ensured a savings account for future needs.
The mission of the O’Brien County Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the communities served by encouraging permanent charitable giving to meet the needs of present and future generations. OBCCF welcomes gifts of any size to the endowment to help fund O’Brien County projects.
