A Community That Shows Up

With a population of just over 300, Ryan is a small but strong community of people who love hard, dream big, and plan boldly for the future. That spirit has major benefits. It’s the reason the community was able to raise more than $650,000 to build the Ryan Community Endowment, a permanent fund that provides annual grants to make those big dreams reality.

The work began in 2023, when community leaders like Tom McDonald learned about the Small-town Dreams Initiative, an opportunity for residents of rural towns in Eastern Iowa to engage their neighbors in fundraising for their communities’ futures. “Right away, we decided to go for the max,” says Tom, who helped lead the Ryan Community Endowment team.

Facilitated by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Small-town Dreams is open to any community served by its affiliates, including the Foundation for the Future of Delaware County. At first, McDonald says, “some Ryan residents were skeptical of the opportunity. Some wondered if it was too good to be true. But once they learned more, they embraced it.” The initiative isn’t just about raising money. It’s also about developing local leaders, coaching them on how to communicate transparently with their neighbors about the potential of long-term impact.

Sharing the story of Ron Doyle fueled momentum. Ron was a former Ryan resident who moved away after eighth grade. While he spent the rest of his life in California, he never lost his connection to his hometown. When he learned about the endowment through social media, he felt compelled to give back, donating $50,000 before passing away. His son ensured the gift was fulfilled, honoring his father’s deep affection for Ryan. Ron was buried in Ryan, demonstrating his lifelong connection to the community.

Donations of all sizes started pouring in and added up quickly, helping the town hit its first fundraising milestone and secure a matching gift for immediate grantmaking. When residents saw projects funded, their confidence grew. While the fundraising campaign has ended, the Ryan Community Endowment continues to grow and support the town. It has funded projects like an American Legion renovation, Fire Department equipment, community events, and a church youth program.

“This is Ryan,” Tom says. “This is who we are.”