Osceola County, Iowa — Some projects in Osceola County are over $125,000 closer to completion after some grants that were recently announced.
According to the Community Foundation of Osceola County, they have awarded grants totaling $127,300.19 to 32 organizations and communities throughout Osceola County.
Since the Community Foundation of Osceola County was established, nearly $1.5 million has been granted to assist with a wide range of projects in the county. A total of 434 grants have been given out over the 17 years.
For the 2021-2022 grant cycle, 32 organizations received total or partial funding.
| 1 | May City Fire Department | Bunker Gear | $5,000 |
| 2 | City of Ocheyedan | New alert siren | $5,000 |
| 3 | Sibley Fire Dept | Thermal Imaging Camera | $5,000 |
| 4 | Ashton Fire Department | Self contain breathing apparatus | $5,000 |
| 5 | Ashton Town and Country Club | Snack Shack Expansion | $5,000 |
| 6 | Sibley Parks and Rec | Central Park Ball Diamond Dugout Benches/fence | $5,000 |
| 7 | Melvin American Legion Post 470 | Veteran Tribute | $5,000 |
| 8 | Melvin Fire Department | Replace gear for Melvin Fire Department | $5,000 |
| 9 | Ocheyedan Senior Activity Center | Updating the Ocheyedan Senior Activity Center | $5,000 |
| 10 | Tracy House | Preservation/bldg exteriors, concrete pad | $5,000 |
| 11 | Ashton Community Center | Sound system and surveillance | $5,000 |
| 12 | Girl Scouts | Updates to Sibley Legion Building | $5,000 |
| 13 | Osceola County Conservation | Upgrades to Ashton Wayside/Melvin DeGraaf Parks | $5,000 |
| 15 | Hawkeye Point | Campground concrete pads | $5,000 |
| 14 | Sibley-Ocheyedan Science Club | S-O Discovery Gardens Outdoor Classroom Expansion | $4,500 |
| 16 | Osceola County Sheriff’s Office | Light bars for Patrol Vehicles | $3,750 |
| 17 | VFW Post 7373 | New refrigerators and freezers | $3,750 |
| 18 | American Legion Post 290 | SO HS Gym Descending US Flag | $3,750 |
| 19 | Sibley Public Library | Community Space for a Gathering Place | $3,750 |
| 20 | Osceola County Livestock Show | Memorial Park for past present and future supports of the Osceola County Fair | $3,750 |
| 21 | Deboer Grocery Museum | Grounds renovation phase 2 | $3,750 |
| 22 | S-O Band Boosters | S-O Band Trailer | $3,750 |
| 23 | Melvin American Legion Auxiliary | Replace ramp and new flag box | $3,750 |
| 24 | New Beginnings | Flooring | $3,750 |
| 25 | McCallum Museum/Brunson Heritage House | Sesquicentennial street pole banners for downtown/farm shed fundraising info sign | $3,750 |
| 26 | Ocheyedan Town Hall Renovation Committee | Town hall exterior cleaning project | $3,727.50 |
| 27 | Friends of the Sibley Public Library | Adaptable activity tables for active youth | $3,375 |
| 28 | Ashton Public Library | Improvement and upgrade of current lighting | $2,500 |
| 30 | Melvin 313 Club | Solar lights for new City of Melvin sign | $1,992.19 |
| 29 | Osceola County Freedom Rock | Description plaques | $1,875 |
| 31 | Osceola County Emergency Management | Oil absorbent booms | $1,268.00 |
| 32 | Foster Grandparent Program of Greater Siouxland | Grandparent Volunteer Service Support | $562.50 |
The Community Foundation of Osceola County tells us that they are an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, which provides grant-making guidance and administrative support. The Community Foundation of Osceola County board includes representatives from all over the county. The current board is made up of Ashton representatives Brian Mino and Dan Grote; Harris representatives Amy Muftah and Wayne Boyer; Melvin representatives Kay Wynja and Sarah McCarter; Ocheyedan representatives Joe McElroy and Kevin Hertz; Sibley representatives Lila Hatting and Jerry Johnson; and Osceola County representatives Ed Jones and Jayson VandeHoef. Ex-offico members are Nathan Rockman and Stephanie Neppl.
You can find more information at https://osceolacountyia.gov/living-here/community-foundation-of-osceola-county/
