Primghar, Iowa — If you represent a group or organization that could use some funds for an upcoming project that would benefit the O’Brien County community, there’s a grant opportunity coming up.
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. 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, foundation officials tell us they have awarded over $1.6 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 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.
Questions about the grant program or application process may be directed to Jennifer Cooke, Grants Administrator of the Siouxland Community Foundation at (712) 293-3303.
