BUILDING WITHIN COMMUNITIES

The Pocahontas County Foundation was organized in 2005 to promote and enhance community based philanthropy in Pocahontas County. The Foundation receives funding to facilitate endowment-building and grant-making throughout the county. Seventy-five percent of these funds will be awarded through grants to charitable organizations for educational, civic and public purposes in Pocahontas County.

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To date over $1.4 million has been granted to more than 330 projects. Each community in Pocahontas County has received funding for projects.  The projects have included park equipment, library enhancements and resources, educational and leadership programs, the county Barn Quilt project, Farmers Market sites and signs, community beautification projects, safety equipment for fire departments, EMS and schools, hospital equipment, signage for public areas and community entrances, 4-H technology program (STEM), landscaping,
Memorial parks, and recreational equipment.

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The funding for the grants available to the Pocahontas County Foundation was made possible by the Iowa General Assembly. In 2004 the Iowa legislature passed several bills to encourage foundation building and community based philanthropy. Among these measures was H.F. 2032, which provided that non-gambling counties initiating a county-wide community foundation would be eligible to receive one half of one percent of the state’s gross gambling tax receipts.

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Non-profit agencies or other qualifying charitable organizations operating for the benefit of Pocahontas County may apply for grants.