Enhance Henry County Community Foundation receives over $160,000

MT. PLEASANT – Advancement in community-based philanthropy throughout Henry County will continue thanks to the state awarding Enhance Henry County Community (EHCC) Foundation $160,670.

According EHCC representative, the County Endowment Fund which was established by HF 2302 in the 2004 Legislative Session is to thank for the funds.

“The purpose of this legislation is to provide financial support to encourage the creation and development of community foundations and civic philanthropy throughout Iowa,” they said.

Terms of legislation dictate that 75 percent of the award is directed to foundation grantmaking activities and 25 percent to permanent endowment in order to provide for non-profits now, and keep EHCC in a position to continue to provide in the future.

Just last school year, the EHCC awarded grants to Mt. Pleasant Community High School towards the purchase of beef simulators for the FFA and Ag department.

The rotating art gallery in the Mt. Pleasant Public Library was made possible in part through grants from EHCC.

In December 2021, the foundation awarded $132,000 to 28 Henry County Organizations with previous monies awarded from the County Endowment Fund legislation.

One of the projects funded at that time was for Project Arly with the WACO Community School Foundation.

The WACO schools now benefit from the emotional support dog due to the grant monies made possible for the project.

Another recipient was the Faith Christian Outreach Center’s Cradle of Hope who help young families earn while they learn through healthy family programming.

Since its establishment in 2004, the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation has awarded over $1,625,000 in grants to over 60 county organizations and charities.

Together these awards have leveraged over $10,000,000 in new projects for Henry County.

The permanent endowment of the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation is now $568,000.

According to EHCC’s website, “The mission of the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation is to foster private giving, strengthen service providers and improve the conditions of the county. To these ends, it will promote endowment building, community, grantmaking, organizational collaboration, and public leadership for the benefit of Henry County.”

We encourage local individuals and institutions to learn more about the benefits of working with our foundation.

To request an application or any questions related to contributions, gifts and grantmaking can be directed to Lora Roth, Administrator for the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation at 319-385-8728 or lora@kilj.com.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com