Sioux County, Iowa — The Sioux County Community Foundation (SCCF) recently awarded grants totaling over $137,000 in support of projects and programs throughout Sioux County. This brings the total grants awarded to over $1.9 million since the first grants were made in 2006. “The projects receiving Sioux County Community Foundation grants represent significant efforts and improvements across the county, and these grant funds will help them make a long-term impact for quality of life and services for residents,” said Maggie Landegent, SCCF Advisory Board Chair.
The following grants were awarded on May 6 at the Parkview Event Center in Rock Valley:
Bertram Post 476 American Legion— Memorial Flagpole Replacement $3,000.00
City of Boyden — Boyden Centennial Park Pickleball Courts $6,500.00
City of Chatsworth — Safety and Literacy $1,800.00
City of Hawarden — Pedestrian Pushbutton Crossing Light $6,600.00
City of Hospers — South Side Park Volleyball Courts $6,500.00
City of Ireton — City Park Renovations $6,500.00
City of Orange City — Disc Golf Course Enhancements $3,000.00
Crittenton Center — Outdoor Learning Spaces $5,000.00
Family Crisis Centers — Exterior Safety and Improvement Project $5,000.00
Guiding Star Siouxland — Safety and Security Updates $2,000.00
Hawarden Fire & Ambulance Association — Forcible Entry Door Simulator $7,500.00
Hawarden Police Department — KMS/Spotlight/Boxes $7,500.00
Hawarden Senior Center — Flood Inside Update $6,000.00
Hegg Memorial Hospital — Head, Hands, Heart $2,000.00
Hope Haven — Purchase a Used Van $5,000.00
Hull Bright Start, Inc — Playground Project $4,500.00
Inspiration Hills Camp and Retreat Center — Safety Updates $3,700.00
Ireton Community Fire Department — Grass Rig $7,500.00
Maurice Fire Department — Fire Fighter Bunker Gear $7,500.00
NWIA Mental Health Ctr (Seasons Center) — Automated External Defibrillator (AED) $1,200.00
Orange City Fire Department —Firefighter Turnout Gear and Protective Hoods $7,500.00
Orange City Police Department —OCPD K9/ Dare $7,500.00
Sioux Center Fire Department — Life Safety and Rescue Equipment $7,500.00
Sioux Center Police Department — Police Equipment $7,500.00
Sioux County Conservation Board — Law Enforcement Pickup/Field Equipment $7,500.00
Western Christian High School —Automated External Defibrillator (AED) $1,500.00
Formally established in 2005 through affiliation with the Siouxland Community Foundation, the SCCF is governed by a local twelve-member advisory board composed of representatives from each of the communities in Sioux County: Alton, Boyden, Granville, Hawarden, Hospers, Hull, Ireton, Matlock, Maurice, Orange City, Rock Valley, and Sioux Center.
The SCCF receives funds from the Iowa Legislature County Endowment Fund Program. Created in 2004, the County Endowment Fund Program (CEFP) 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. CEFP was designed by the Legislature to ensure the benefits of gaming tax revenues were felt statewide.
In the 84 CEFP counties, 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 mission of the SCCF is to encourage and provide opportunities for charitable giving, to manage and distribute funds in a responsible manner, and to enhance the quality of life for the people of Sioux County.
Story courtesy fellow Community First Broadcasting Station KSOU in Sioux Center
