Community Foundation accepting grant applications

Applications for grant funding from The Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County are due Oct. 1, 2008.

The foundation is calling for grant applications from all communities in Plymouth County. Areas of emphasis include: Children, Youth & Families, Community Betterment, Health & Human Services, Education, Environment, and Arts & Culture.

The Community Foundation will award grants up to $10,000 to qualifiying projects.

Communities are invited to identify and submit for consideration projects that address the needs in their communities. All 501(c)(3) organizations, 107b units of government, and other potentially qualifying charitable organizations operating in or for the benefit of Plymouth County should contact the foundation for an application, guidelines and additional information.

An application packet includes a two-page application, cover sheet and budget sheet for the application process. Applications need to be submitted by Oct. 1, 2008 for this year's grant process. Grants will be announced prior to Dec. 31, 2008.

The Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County was formed in 2005 to coordinate and provide philanthropic support for community betterment projects in Plymouth County. As an affiliate the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the local foundation has been able to fund projects totaling $99,540 during the first two granting programs.

In 2007, 25 local groups applied for grants, with 18 projects funded. In 2006, the first year awards were made, 35 organizations applied for grants, with 13 projects funded.

Plymouth County citizens serving on the Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County board of directors include: Sharon Frerichs, Akron; Norine Harvey, Remsen; Nate Nelson, Hinton; Wayne Plendl, Kingsley; Mike Porter, Le Mars; Jane Scheitler, Le Mars; Wayne Schlotfeldt, Brunsville; Carol Schneider, Le Mars; and Ken Spies, Hinton.

For a grant application packet, interested groups may contact a member of the foundation board or obtain the material from the Iowa State University Extension web site for Plymouth County at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/plymout... or Iowa Community Foundations web site located at http://locator.iowacommunityfoundations.....