Community Foundation of Osceola County Announces 2020-2021 grant recipients

The Community Foundation of Osceola County (CFOC) has awarded grants totaling $104,429.62 to organizations and communities throughout Osceola County

Now in its 16th year of existence, the Community Foundation of Osceola County is committed to improving the quality of life throughout Osceola County through its passthrough grant program. Since the CFOC was established, more than $1.3 million has been granted to assist with a wide range of community development projects.  A total of 402 grants have been given out over the 16 years.

The Community Foundation of Osceola County board includes representatives from all over the county. The board for 2020-2021 is Ashton: Brian Mino and Bill Imhoff; Harris: Amy Muftah and Wayne Boyer; Melvin Kay Wynja; Ocheyedan: Joe McElroy and Kevin Hertz; Sibley: Lila Hatting and Jerry Johnson; Osceola County: Ed Jones and Jayson VandeHoef. Ex-offico members are Nathan Rockman and Stephanie Neppl. The CFOC is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines who provides grant-making guidance and administrative support.

Due to the pandemic, a grant ceremony will not be held for this cycle, but the Community Foundation of Osceola County board hopes hold a celebratory event in mid-2021.

For the 2020-2021 grant cycle 29 organizations received total or partial funding:

  1. Ocheyedan Public Library: $3,991.00 for an Atiruum Automated System
  2. Sibley Parks and Rec: $1,696.43 for Garbage in Parks
  3. Sibley Public Library – $2,200.00 for Making Smart Connections to Link the Community
  4. Ashton Public Library – $4,038.00 for Extended Shelving and public viewing screen
  5. Melvin Fire Department – $5,000.00 to Replace Gear for Melvin Fire Department
  6. Sibley Ambulance – $5,000.00 for a Power Pro Cot Loading System
  7. Sibley Chamber of Commerce – $500.00 for Sibley Chamber Branded Items
  8. Osceola County Conservation – $2,407.50 for Interpretive Panels for Willow Creek
  9. Osceola County Sheriff’s Office – $2,500.00 for a Watch Guard Body/Camera System
  10. DeBoer Museum – $5,000.00 for Museum Grounds Renovation Phase 1
  11. McCallum Museum/Brunson Heritage House – $5,000.00 for a Painting project
  12. Tracy House – $5,000.00 for Restoration of Tracy Museum and Flagpole Installation
  13. Bright Beginnings – $5,000.00 for Classroom flooring
  14. New Beginnings Thrift Store – $5,000.00 for Signage, wiring, shelving and fascia repair
  15. Osceola Regional Health Center – $5,000.00 for ORHC Patient Beds
  16. City of Harris – $5,000.00 for Phase 3 of Marshall’s building project
  17. Elderbridge Agency on Aging – $1,390.00 for Emergency Shelf Stable Meals
  18. ICAN – Iowa College Access Network – $1,000.00 for Educator and Student Support during/post Covid 19
  19. Melvin American Legion Auxiliary – $4,780.00 for Landscaping in front of Legion Building
  20. Melvin American Legion Post 470 – $5,000.00 for Veteran Recognition and Tribute
  21. Melvin Area Economic Development – $1,610.69 for 12 Main Street Banners
  22. Ocheyedan Economic Dev. Corp – $3,000.00 for Appliances for Ocheyedan Town Hall
  23. Ocheyedan Township Cemetery – $2,500.00 for ongoing recovery/restoration of monuments
  24. Osceola County Fair Board- $5,000.00 for the Fair Board Food Stand Project
  25. Sibley Betterment – $1,750.00 for Downtown planters
  26. S-O Band Boosters – $1,466.00 for S-O Concert Band Attire
  27. VFW Post 7373 – $5,000.00 for New siding and gutters
  28. Sibley Ocheyedan Science Club – $4,600.00 for S-O Engineering Classroom, Phase II
  29. Sibley-Ocheyedan FFA Chapter – $5,000.00 for Appliance Updates