Jones County nonprofits awarded $109,000
The Jones County Community Foundation celebrated 21 local nonprofits and charitable organizations this month, awarding them $109,486 from its annual grant cycle during an event at Caulkins Barn in Wyoming.
The annual event recognized donors, fundholders and partners whose support has helped ignite generosity and empower communities across the county. The grants awarded will help tackle critical issues, including youth needs, technology upgrades and emergency response.
“Many of the grant projects awarded were collaborative efforts with community partners working together,” says Sheila Tjaden, the Foundation’s executive director. “It is so important for our small communities to think about how working together can achieve so much more." Tjaden serves a dual role as the director of affiliate foundations for the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, which has eight affiliates that serve the seven-county Eastern Iowa region, including Jones County.
The event also celebrated the success of a previous grant project, a film promoting outdoor recreation in Jones County. The project was coordinated by Twin Rivers Pheasants Forever. "We are very grateful for the Jones County Community Foundation grant and partnership with Jones County Conservation to make this film a reality,” said Matt McQuillen, on behalf of the organization. “It truly showcases what can be achieved with the power of partnerships as well as the amazing properties and natural resources we have available in our area. The film can be viewed online at tinyurl.com/jocofilm.
This year’s grant recipients and the projects they received funding for are:
- Anamosa Ministerial Association for its youth weekend food backpack program
- Aquin Catholic Educational System for the Aquin Little Angles playground project
- Cedar / Jones Early Childhood Iowa for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Jones County
- City of Olin for community park playground improvements
- Friends Of Olin Cemetery for a cemetery shelter and directory
- Friends of the Monticello Public Library for Monticello Express digitization
- Grant Wood Art Festival, Inc. for Grant Wood Art Gallery façade revitalization
- Jones County Historical Society for creating modern, accessible restrooms
- Jones County Migrant Inclusion Group for a bilingual library
- Jones County Tourism Association for the Discover Jones County project
- Lisbon-Mt. Vernon Ambulance Service for portable radio upgrades
- Little Lion Learning Center - Olin Day Care for replacement window screens and picnic tables
- Macc Foundation, Inc. for Monticello gateway signage
- Monticello Emergency Medical Team for its Every Airway Counts project
- Monticello, IA, Main Street for downtown placemaking
- NAMI Dubuque for its Jones County initiative
- Olin Food Pantry to address food insecurity
- Olin Hose Company for vehicle and personnel equipment
- St. John's Christian Day Care Center for infant classroom upgrades
- Starlighters II Theater for downtown façade improvement
- Vision to Learn for vision care access for Jones County students
The Jones County Community Foundation offers many opportunities to improve quality of life by addressing an array of local issues. To learn more about how you can establish a fund or make a gift that impacts your community, contact Tjaden at 563-588-2700 or visit dbqfoundation.org/jccf.