Record Endowment Payouts for 2025!

Nonprofits across the seven-county Dubuque region are receiving critical funding this month thanks to more than $5 million in grants from the endowment funds hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and its affiliates.

“The Community Foundation is here for the Dubuque region now and forever, and the organizations receiving these grants are our partners. They help us understand the needs of our communities and drive lasting change to ensure all people can thrive,” says Nancy Van Milligen, Foundation president and CEO. “Endowments provide a sustainable source of funding that allows organizations to realize their missions, embark on new initiatives to meet local needs, and do their best work to support communities.” 

The 400-plus funds hosted by the Foundation and its eight affiliates in Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware, Jackson, Jones, and Clinton Counties, as well as the Dyersville community, will grant a total of $5.3 million – funds that organizations can rely on annually for operations, community projects, and many other aspects of their work.

“Endowment is some of the most critical funding for the Dubuque Symphony,” says the Symphony’s executive director, Mark Wahlert. “It helps to support literally all of our programs and efforts in some way. Endowment income allows us flexibility in how we best utilize those resources while also providing year-after-year support that both sustains our organization but also helps us to plan for the future knowing we’ll have those resources as part of our funding mix.”

The endowment funds held by the Community Foundation grant out every February. This year’s total amount represents a 10% - or $500,000 – increase over last year, and a 66% - or $2.1 million – since 2021.

"Endowment payouts have been essential in funding campus maintenance and improvements, helping us manage rising energy and utility costs,” says Corrine Kroger, vice president of development and marketing for the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium “Once fully funded, the endowment will cover our annual depreciation expense, ensuring our facilities remain top-notch while allowing earned revenue and gifts to support mission-based programs. 

“These enhancements create a ripple effect, ensuring the health and safety of our animals, guests and staff, the preservation of our artifacts, and the overall operations of our organization, ultimately enriching the lives of those we serve.”

Community foundations are charitable organizations that use philanthropy to create systemic change, benefitting their communities and improving the lives of people in their geographic region. Nonprofit organizations and community members can create endowment funds at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and its affiliates to benefit charitable causes. These funds are invested and pay out annually to the designated nonprofits, providing a reliable source of income to sustain organizations’ operations forever. 

Local generosity makes this possible. Endowment funds held by the Community Foundation are invested permanently, and the earnings from that investment provide annual funding to address our region’s greatest needs for generations to come. 

The Community Foundation also has its own endowment funds, and it leverages payouts to award grants through: 

• The Forever Fund, which was created to address needs and opportunities in the community as they arise.
• Community Impact Grants, which build nonprofit capacity and leadership.
• Women’s Giving Circle, which supports the basic needs of women and children in Dubuque.
• YAPPERS (Youth Area Philanthropists), which supports youth-serving agencies in Dubuque County to strengthen and grow their programs.
• Grants for Tech, which supports the technical capacity of nonprofits.

Gifts of all sizes make a difference, and people who give $50 or more to an endowment fund at the Community Foundation are eligible for the generous Endow Iowa 25% state tax credit. To make your gift to an endowment fund, visit dbqfoundation.org/give.

Nonprofits recently shared why their endowments are important to them and their communities:

• The Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens covers an array of daily expenses, such as electricity bills for water features, gas for maintenance equipment, materials for garden beds, and seeds for planting.
• The Jones Regional Medical Center used a recent payout to purchase equipment critical for patient care, including new equipment for ACL and rotator cuff repair surgeries, a ceil-ing-mounted lift system in the physical therapy department, and a lab room renovation project that incorporates safety pull cords in the event of a medical emergency during a lab draw.
• Support from a family endowment helped the Clayton County Brain Health Coalition create a video highlighting opportunities to improve brain health for area residents. A fund honoring the late Dr. John Rathe, directed by his family, used part of its 2023 payout to support this countywide brain health project.
• An endowment fund for Maquoketa schools helped provide unique learning experiences and classroom essentials to set students up for success. The endowment helped fund a new fitness experience. a real-world science program focused on DNA, and classroom items that help preschoolers gain independence and understand concepts like group learning and personal space.