Enhance Henry County Community Foundation awards $143,000

The Enhance Henry County Community Foundation has awarded $143,000 to 30 County organizations. An estimated 35,000 people will benefit from the 20th round of grants to be made by the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation.

The 30 grants were announced at a special celebration and media advisory event held at the Union Block Building in Mt. Pleasant on Dec. 10 beginning at 11 a.m. The event was open to the public, all grant recipients, public officials from throughout the county and community leaders.

This was the 20th time that the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation has engaged in grantmaking. The foundation applied for and received funds from the County Endowment Fund legislation.

“Our foundation received a total of $157,184.36. Twenty 5 percent of this was restricted to permanent endowment and 75% was required to be released through local competitive grantmaking. In addition, we took $32,466.84 from our endowment earnings and granted them as well.” Foundation President Robert Meyer said.

“We received grant applications totaling $509,727.66. We only wish that we had more resources at the foundation because we know there are many needs and worthy projects throughout the county.”

The Enhance Henry County Community Foundation was organized by representatives from throughout Henry County. “Our mission involves helping the communities and nonprofit organizations of the county,” said Robert Meyer. “We want to partner with communities and nonprofit organizations to help them with programs and projects that might otherwise not be available to the individuals, families and visitors to our county.”

As an affiliate foundation, the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation can assist donors who wish to make outright and testamentary gifts of support to our foundation or other charitable organizations in the county. “It’s even possible for local charitable organizations to establish their own funds and benefit from special tax credits and the professional expertise and investment management we help provide,” Meyer said.

Further information about Enhance Henry County Community Foundation is available by contacting, Lora Roth at 319-385-8728.

2024 Enhance Henry County Community Foundation Grant Recipients

Main Street Mt. Pleasant- marketing for Mt. Pleasant and Henry County ($12,500)

Mt. Pleasant Community Childcare Center- operating expenses ($10,000)

Wayland Area Child Care Organization- retention incentive and engaging activities ($10,000)

New London School District Foundation- child care center updates ($10,000)

All God’s Creatures- cat adoption space ($10,000)

City of Wayland- park improvements ($7,700)

Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association- ground train replacement ($7,500)

New London Community School District- auditorium carpeting ($7,500)

Salem Recreation Association- snack shack and bathrooms ($7,500)

Midwest Central Railroad- Shay Locomotive repairs ($7,000)

Winfield-Mt. Union Community School- public address system upgrades ($5,000)

Old Threshers Foundation- Peace on Earth Christmas Display ($5,000)

Friend of Mt. Pleasant Fire- new cadet program ($5,000)

Henry County Health Center Foundation- Making a Difference — Beds Campaign ($5,000)

New London Junior Baseball Association- new concession stand and restrooms ($5,000)

MOPS — Winfield Food Pantry- appliances for remodel ($3,500)

Swedish Heritage Society Foundation- facility improvements ($3,000)

Henry County Heritage Trust, Inc.- archival storage room climate control ($3,000)

Winfield Historical Society- museum building renovations ($3,000)

Henry County Public Health and Healthy Henry County Community- community health education ($2,000)

Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra- 2025 KidSymphony Concert ($2,000)

Mt. Pleasant Music Boosters, Inc.- Hear and Play! ($2,000)

Daughters of the American Revolution James Harlan Chapter- 1930 historic marker restoration ($2,000)

The REC Center- Exercise Equipment Replacement ($1,500)

Harlan-Lincoln House, Inc.- insulated box for HVAC air handler ($1,300)

Henry County Child Advocacy Council- community awareness and education ($1,000)

Cradle of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center- Earn While You Learn Program ($1,000)

Domestic Violence Intervention Program- Empowering Survivors: Mobile Advocacy ($1,000)

Mt. Pleasant Little League- batter’s box replacement ($1,000)

Winfield-Mt. Union Backpack Program- Christmas gift cards and food ($1,000)

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com