Primghar, Iowa — If your group or organization needs funding for a special project, you might want to take note.
The O’Brien County Community Foundation is accepting grant applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and units of local government impacting O’Brien County.
The foundation is an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation.
Grant applicants can request up to $15,000. Applications are submitted online at: www.siouxlandcommunityfoundation.org and are due by April 15.
Since grants were first distributed in 2006, the OBCCF has awarded over $1.7 million to nonprofit organizations from the county endowment fund program to help support present and emerging needs in O’Brien County in the areas of arts and culture, community betterment/beautification, education, environment, health, and human services.
Created in 2004 by the Iowa Legislature, the County Endowment Fund Program 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.
The County Endowment Fund Program was designed by the Legislature to ensure the benefits of gaming tax revenues were felt statewide. In the 84 counties that the program covers, 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 O’Brien County foundation is governed by a local nine-member advisory board composed of representatives from each of the communities in O’Brien County. Administration and technical assistance are provided by the Siouxland Community Foundation. Questions about the grant program or application process may be directed to the Siouxland Community Foundation at (712) 293-3303.
