Sibley, Iowa — Over $104,000 in grants is being given out this year to nonprofits in the Osceola County area from an area organization.
The Community Foundation of Osceola County is awarding the grants to 29 organizations and communities. Due to the pandemic, a grant ceremony will not be held for this cycle, but the Community Foundation of Osceola County board hopes to hold a celebratory event in mid-2021.
The Community Foundation of Osceola County says they are committed to improving the quality of life throughout Osceola County by investing in area nonprofits through their grant programs and by providing individuals, families, and area businesses who love their communities with a way to give back.
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. The community foundations also accept donations and estate endowments.
The foundation says grants are available to 501(c)3 organizations and government entities serving Osceola County. Grant selections are made in an effort to create a better quality of life for people in Osceola County. The local governing committee reviews the applications from charitable organizations serving their community.
Since 2007, the Community Foundation of Osceola County has awarded more than 1.3 million dollars to local non-profit and community improvement groups for projects all over Osceola County.
Thirteen organizations received $5000 grants. Three received grants between $4000 and $5000. Two received grants between $3000 and $4000. Four received grants between $2000 and $3000. Six received grants between a thousand and two thousand dollars. And one entity received a $500 grant.
| Organization/Entity | Grant | For |
| Sibley Chamber of Commerce | $500.00 | Sibley Chamber Branded Items |
| ICAN — Iowa College Access Network | $1,000.00 | Educator and Student Support during/post Covid 19 |
| Elderbridge Agency on Aging | $1,390.00 | Emergency Shelf Stable Meals |
| S-O Band Boosters | $1,466.00 | S-O Concert Band Attire |
| Melvin Area Economic Development | $1,610.69 | 12 Main Street Banners |
| Sibley Parks and Rec | $1,696.43 | Garbage in Parks |
| Sibley Betterment | $1,750.00 | Downtown planters |
| Sibley Public Library | $2,200.00 | Making Smart Connections to Link the Community |
| Osceola County Conservation | $2,407.50 | Interpretive Panels for Willow Creek |
| Osceola County Sheriff’s Office | $2,500.00 | Watch Guard Body/Camera System |
| Ocheyedan Township Cemetery | $2,500.00 | ongoing recovery/restoration of monuments |
| Ocheyedan Economic Dev. Corp | $3,000.00 | Appliances for Ocheyedan Town Hall |
| Ocheyedan Public Library | $3,991.00 | “Atriuum” Automated System |
| Ashton Public Library | $4,038.00 | Extended Shelving and public viewing screen |
| Sibley Ocheyedan Science Club | $4,600.00 | S-O Engineering Classroom, Phase II |
| Melvin American Legion Auxiliary | $4,780.00 | Landscaping in front of Legion Building |
| Melvin Fire Department | $5,000.00 | Replace Gear for Melvin Fire Department |
| Sibley Ambulance | $5,000.00 | Power Pro Cot Loading System |
| DeBoer Museum | $5,000.00 | Museum Grounds Renovation Phase 1 |
| McCallum Museum/Brunson Heritage House | $5,000.00 | Painting project |
| Tracy House | $5,000.00 | Restoration of Tracy Museum and Flagpole Installation |
| Bright Beginnings | $5,000.00 | Classroom flooring |
| New Beginnings Thrift Store | $5,000.00 | Signage, wiring, shelving and fascia repair |
| Osceola Regional Health Center | $5,000.00 | ORHC Patient Beds |
| City of Harris | $5,000.00 | Phase 3 of Marshall’s building project |
| Melvin American Legion Post 470 | $5,000.00 | Veteran Recognition and Tribute |
| Osceola County Fair Board | $5,000.00 | Fair Board Food Stand Project |
| VFW Post 7373 | $5,000.00 | New siding and gutters |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan FFA Chapter | $5,000.00 | Appliance Updates |
