Grants back Jared’s Park, safety projects and nonprofits across Henry County

MT. PLEASANT — The Enhance Henry County Community Foundation awarded $141,000 this week in the form of 27 grants to organizations across Henry County, backing projects that range from playground improvements and public-safety equipment to historic preservation, education and basic-needs assistance.

The awards were announced Tuesday, Dec. 16, at a public event in the Union Block Building in Mt. Pleasant, marking the foundation’s 21st round of countywide funding.

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“Our foundation received a total of $148,961. Twenty five percent of this was restricted to permanent endowment and 75 percent was required to be released through local competitive grantmaking. In addition, we took $35,903.95 from our endowment earnings and granted them as well.” said Robert Meyer, Foundation President. “We received grant applications totaling $435,057.32. We only wish that we had more resources at the foundation because we know there are many needs and worthy projects throughout the county.”

Among the funded projects is a $10,000 award to Henry County Conservation for Jared’s Park, an all-inclusive playground planned at Oakland Mills that is being designed to allow children of all mobility levels to play together. Named in memory of the late Jared Smith, the son of a conservation board member, the ADA-accessible playground will include features such as wheelchair-friendly equipment and sensory spaces, and the community has been raising additional funds to complete the project.

Henry County Conservation Director Caleb Waters said the whole day was very exciting for himself and his staff. This was especially true after they returned back to the office and checked the mail to find a $25,000 check from an unnamed donor.

“All we can say is WOW,” the department posted to social media following the receipt of both amounts.

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Not far away from the Conservation offices, the Oakland Mills foot bridge also benefitted from the EHCCF grants.

Preserve Oakland Mills, an organization born out of a design to restore the foot bridge after inspections gave a grim look into the state of the structure, received a $10,000 grant to go toward an engineer’s report.

“We are so excited to have the support of our community,” the group said. “This will help us to get over a major hurdle in the process to save our bridge.”

Supporting the community like this is why Enhance Henry County Community Foundation exists.

“Our mission involves helping the communities and non-profit organizations of the county,” Meyer said. “We want to partner with communities and non-profit organizations to help them with programs and projects that might otherwise not be available to the individuals, families and visitors to our county.”

Grant Recipients:

Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association received $15,000 for restroom facility construction

City of New London received $10,000 for playground equipment and surfacing

Preserve Oakland Mills received $10,000 for an engineer report for the Save the Bridge project

Mt. Pleasant Parks and Rec Department received $10,000 for United Thru Play playground equipment

Friends of Mt. Pleasant Fire Department received $10,000 for an air bottle fill station

Henry County Conservation received $10,000 for Jared’s Park playground

All God’s Creatures received $7,500 for outdoor concrete pad for kennels

Winfield-Mt. Union Community School received $5,000 for track resurfacing

City of Wayland received $5,000 for fire station building upgrade

Mt. Pleasant Music Booster received $5,000 for All Keyed Up for Music Pianos

Henry County Heritage Trust received $5,000 for museum’s east entryway and roof repair

Community Action of Southeast Iowa received $5,000 for food and hygiene assistance

New London Community School District received $5,000 for promoting exercise and academics

Salem Recreation Association received $5,000 for snack shack building

Harlan-Lincoln House received $5,000 for second floor repairs

Dover Historical Society received $5,000 for electrical update

Swedish Heritage Society Foundation received $4,000 for signage and facility improvement

New London Ag Foundation received $3,000 for startup supplies and modules for agricultural education

City of Hillsboro received $3,000 for a park pickle ball court

Old Threshers Foundation received $3,000 for repair of electrical pedestals

New London Junior Baseball Association received $2,000 for a zero-turn mower

Henry County Public Health and Healthy Henry County Communities received $2,000 for community health education

Cradle of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center received $2,000 for its Earn While You Learn program

Mt. Pleasant Christian School received $1,500 for technology refresh

Henry County Child Advocacy Council received $1,000 for community awareness and education

Mt. Pleasant Little League received $1,000 for mound replacement

Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra received $1,000 for 2026 KidSymphony Concert

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com