Giving history of the Greater Jefferson County Foundation

In 1973, Parsons College held its final graduation. There had been an annual fundraising effort for the college with business and individual contributions to help support the school. In 1975, those same citizens who had been on the Parsons Board of Trustees continued this vision with the creation of the Foundation.

These included Gordon Aistrope, Charles Eastburn, Tom Louden, Scott Jordan, Paul Madden, Bill Whitney, along with legal counsel, John Morrissey, all who came forward with the concept and made it a reality.

The original donation was from the sale of the Bethany Home. This facility provided shelter for the elderly and young women who needed a place of comfort from abuse and homelessness. It was located on the west side of North Main Street, across from the Jefferson County Courthouse. The proceeds were $75,000, and this provided the seed money to establish the fund.

The original charter was to place any donated funds into certificates of deposit in Jefferson County banks, but in the mid-1990s, the Board of Directors met and realized the opportunity for additional growth the form of donations as well as market funds increase. The Board approved this decision and since that time, exceptional growth, under the stewardship of Dr. William C. Baumann, as Finance Ex-Officio, has provided a continuing growth strategy that exceeds that benchmark of many other community foundations in the state of Iowa.

In 1997, the Foundation received a major bequest in the amount of $705,438 from Charlotte James Hammans. She was a lifelong Fairfield resident who worked as a medical assistant her father’s office, Dr. Lora D. James, who practiced for 54 years. Ms. Hammans was a secret benefactor of many needy children in the community. If a family was financially struggling, a coal truck would back up and bring a load of coal. Each year, for as long as she was able, Charlotte knitted up to 200 scarves for Christmas baskets for needy families by The Lord’s Cupboard food pantry.

As a special provision in her will, Hammans made sure the Arc of Jefferson and Nearby Counties would get an infusion of funds for camperships for Camp Courageous, which continues through the Foundation to this day.

Along with the Hammans’ bequest, many donors have made the mission of the Foundation a reality. These include Ralph Perry, Richard Harness, the Thoma-Williamson Family, Robert & Evelyn Gamrath, Mildred Ferguson, Pete & Fern Crafton, Lee T. Gobble, Scott & Edith Jordan, Edd & Darlene Felgar, the Dale Kraus Family, T.L. & Dorothy Henderson, John Jackson, Dr. Robert Tree, Pat Wheeler, Matt Patton, Mike & JoAnne Ruby, Jim & Joan Salts, Jack & Ruth Sellars, Kathlyn Tompkins-Gentry, Joe Mandarino, Ben & Judy Bower, Susan Shafer, Pat & Barb McMahon, Carl & Mary Zillman, the Nady family, Dave & Sherri Neff, and many other valued donors. The Foundation’s Mission Statement: The Greater Jefferson County Foundation receives, accepts, and distributes funds for educational purposes for the benefit of the greater community of Jefferson County, Iowa.

The first community grants were awarded in 1999 in the amount of $47,000. In 2024, grants were awarded to 28 Jefferson County organizations totaling $280,866.02. In addition, the Foundation has helped fund county projects through pledges for the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, The Park & Rec Pool & Gym Project and the Jefferson County Kids Daycare, and most recently, the Fairfield Fire Station Project.

The Foundation’s Scholarship Program began in 1988 with a $20,000 donation for the first scholarship fund and has grown to over $1 million dollars, funding over 60 scholarships in 2024 totaling over $150,000. Most recently, the Foundation is proud to be the administrator of The Rex Crockett Memorial Scholarship. This will be disbursed in 2025 for the child of a Dexter Laundry employee.

None of these remarkable accomplishments would be achievable without the consideration and forethought of our valued donors. If you would like to make a charitable contribution to the Foundation, contact your financial advisor, or our office at gjcf0758@windstream.net, or 641-472-0758.

To learn more about The Greater Jefferson County Foundation, visit the website at www.greaterjeffersoncountyfoundation.org, or the Facebook page.

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