Steege retiring after 15 years of community leadership
When Betty Steege started coordinating the Allamakee County Community Foundation in 2011, she was new to the community, and the organization was in its infancy. Today, Betty is a trusted voice across the county, and the 21-year-old Community Foundation has far surpassed its founders’ vision.
“Betty’s work has made a great impact on our Foundation and the future of our communities. It is important to look to the future and prepare as best we can,” said founding board member Matt Erickson of Postville. “We thank Betty for her foresight and the energy she put into the Foundation.”
Over the past 15 years:
- More than 1,000 donations have been made to funds at the Foundation to support community causes.
- The family of funds has grown from eight to more than 40.
- Total assets have tripled from $1 million to $3 million
- Over $1.5 million has been granted from the family of funds for nonprofits and community projects, including a record-breaking $169,310 in endowment payouts this year.
The numbers are powerful, but they don’t tell the full story. For each gift made or fund opened, someone felt empowered to make a positive difference in their community. Every endowment payout represents reliable funding for nonprofits to spend annually on many aspects of their work, from operations to community projects.
And Betty provided support every step of the way.
As executive director, one of Betty’s roles is connecting with community members to understand Allamakee County’s greatest needs and call upon the Foundation’s many partners to support solutions. One impactful example is Vision To Learn, a mobile vision clinic that first came to Allamakee County school districts in 2017. While the Community Foundation itself has often supported this effort, Betty has also connected with local donors like Richard Hermeier to provide thousands of dollars so that local kids can see clearly. Nearly 1,000 Allamakee County children have received glasses from Vision To Learn during Betty’s tenure.
Betty was instrumental last year in the launch of a new women’s giving group called Purses with a Purpose. Nearly 30 women shared dinner and collectively gave over $6,000. The Alice Hermeier Foundation provided a generous $5,000 match, allowing the group to start an endowment and make immediate grants to support women and children in Allamakee County.
Linda DeBuhr, a founding member of Purses with a Purpose, stewards the Hermeier endowments – which also support Vision To Learn. “I've had many meetings, phone calls and luncheons with Betty Steege,” Linda said. “She is a woman who combines intelligence with kindness and goodwill toward others. I have been blessed to know her.”
In describing Purses with a Purpose, Betty also eloquently summed up the philosophy behind the Foundation: “No matter who you are, you are welcome, and your contributions to our community are valued. It’s inspiring to think about the ways we can change lives for the better. At the same time, there are many unmet needs in our communities. Each of us can help address those needs by listening, learning and giving what we can.”
After conducting a thorough search, the Foundation has hired Jackie Cooper of Churchtown as the executive director and will make an official announcement next week. Cooper will work alongside Betty through the end of April to ensure a smooth transition for donors, fundholders and community leaders.
The Foundation advisory board’s vice president, Betsy Whitlatch of New Albin, vice chair of the Community Foundation offered high praise for Betty:
“We are immensely grateful for Betty's contributions to the Foundation over her many years of leadership. Her stewardship of the Foundation has contributed greatly to its growth and impact. While her work made meaningful differences in what the Foundation has been able to do thus far in our communities, I also look forward to seeing the difference that the Foundation can make in the future, as she has helped build an organization that is set up for long-term success and impact. In my time on the Board, I've seen her build relationships and lead initiatives that have cemented the Community Foundation in Allamakee County even deeper as a place to help fund some wonderful local initiatives."
The Allamakee 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 the Foundation at accf@dbqfoundation.org.