Primghar, Iowa — The O’Brien County Community Foundation has been in place for several years, giving their first grants to nonprofit projects in 2006. On Thursday (June 14, 2018), they awarded 23 grants totaling over $101,000 to nonprofit organizations and units of local government in support of projects throughout O’Brien County at a ceremony at the O’Brien County Courthouse.
Iowa counties’ community foundations are given money if they do not have a casino or betting track in the county. The law stipulates that such counties are eligible to receive one-half of one percent of the state’s gross gambling receipts. Since the first grants were made in 2006, 320 grants totaling over $1.13 million have been awarded by the O’Brien County Community Foundation.
Wendy Ewoldt, Advisory Chair for the foundation says that every year the Community Foundation is excited to award grants that will impact O’Brien County. She says, “The grants improve our communities in so many ways and simply make O’Brien County a better place for all ages.”
The following grants were awarded Thursday by the O’Brien County Community Foundation:
| Baum Harmon Mercy Hospital | Automatic Door Opener, Main Entrance | $2,000 |
| City of Archer | Archer Park Pollinators Project. | $3,000 |
| City of Calumet | Community Building Brightens Our Future | $7,000 |
| City of Hartley | Fanning Ball Field Renovation Project | $5,000 |
| City of Hartley | Hartley Cemetery Stone Restoration Project | $3,000 |
| General N.B. Baker Library | Area History – Phase Six | $1,055 |
| Glacial Trail Scenic Byway | Waterman Prairie Interpretation | $2,500 |
| Granville Fire and EMS Association | Breathing Air Cascade System | $5,000 |
| Hartley Community Center Association | ADA compliant door openers | $2,500 |
| Hartley Community Daycare | Enhanced Building Security | $5,000 |
| Hartley Volunteer Fire Department | Replacement of Personal Protective Equipment | $7,500 |
| Little Sioux Valley Conservation Association | Educational Display Preservation Equipment | $8,000 |
| NW Iowa Mental Health Center dba Seasons Center for Behavioral Health | Camp Autumn — Playground Set | $7,000 |
| O’Brien County Conservation Board | Mill Creek Recreational Trail Markers | $2,227 |
| Paullina Fire Department | Emergency Scene Lighting | $7,900 |
| PGCC Junior Golf | New Golf Clubs | $400 |
| Prairie Arts Council | Baker School Renovation | $8,250 |
| Primghar Ambulance Team | Ambulance Radio Upgrade | $4,000 |
| Sanborn Community/Donation Gardens | Community/Donation Garden Shed | $2,100 |
| Sutherland Little League | Concession Stand Update | $2,000 |
| Sutherland Police Department | Technology and Equipment Update | $8,500 |
| Village Northwest Unlimited | Autism Community Transition Program | $5,000 |
| Zion/St. John School | Security and safety | $2,500 |
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.
Foundation officials say that 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.
