If you represent a non-profit organization in Madison County or have an idea for a project that would have a lasting, positive impact on our citizens and quality of life (if only you had the funds!), NOW is the time to apply for a grant from the Greater Madison County Community Foundation (GMCCF). The 2018 grant season is underway, with applications available online at their website, madisoncountyfoundation.org.
This year the GMCCF has pre-pledged $25,000 to the effort to rebuild Cedar Bridge, and in addition, there is $93,200 to be dispersed to grant applicants. As a reminder, these funds are directed by state law to counties that do not have a gaming license (no gambling) — a way of equalling out that revenue. You can read more about that here.
Who is eligible for these grants, and how are the winning ones determined? As a board member of this group, I can give some insight on that.
— All grant recipients must be either a 501(c)(3) or a 170(b) organization, OR have an organization that is willing to serve as fiscal agent who is either of the aforementioned. If you have questions about this, just call Tom Leners at 515-462-1891.
— As long as they make a positive, lasting impact to the local public, grant funds can be requested for all sorts of projects in areas such as the arts, culture, humanities, health, human services, education, the environment, public benefit, and more. A “project” should be something over and above the normal course of business for an organization, not a basic operating expense or regular maintenance.
— Grant applications should be thoroughly completed and signed. There will likely be grant-writing workshops available in Winterset, Earlham and Truro within the next few weeks, and I’ll pass those dates along when I know them.
— When considering applications, the board is very interested to see how close the applicant is to reaching their goal through other fundraising means. For example: A worthy application for a $20,000 project which has already raised $5,000 and has income from other sources also means that a grant from the GMCCF would help complete it. Be sure to communicate the support you’ve already raised or received! On the other hand, a grant can provide seed money if a good case is made for the project. The Community Stage in St. Charles, for example, received a grant in 2015 to help get the project off the ground, and another in 2017 to help finish it.
— Following guidance from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, of which GMCCF is an affiliate, approximately 75% of the available funds will be awarded to a few larger projects, with 25% available to fund smaller requests. In 2017, for example, the GMCCF awarded $16,000 to the Madison County Chamber of Commerce for updates to the Welcome Center, $25,000 to the Bricker-Price Block project in Earlham, $26,500 to the Iowa Theater for rehabilitation, and $10,000 to the St. Charles Fire Department for protective gear. The remaining $33,700 was dispersed to 12 other organizations in smaller amounts ranging from $6,430 down to $1,225. You can see the full list here.
— Just because a project does not receive a grant does not mean it’s not a worthy project. These are tough decisions to make every year with a finite pool of money, and not everyone can be served. If you have made significant progress toward your goal since the last time you applied, or circumstances have changed in some other way to broaden the appeal or benefit of the project, you are encouraged to reapply.
2018 grant applications are due to Tom Leners by 4:00 pm on March 30th, and can be found right here. Follow the GMCCF on Facebook to stay in touch with important dates along the way and hear stories from grant recipients as they complete their projects around the county. Good luck to all applicants!
This Weekend
Check out this Financial Planning Workshop being offered at the Winterset Public Library on Saturday, January 20th from 10:30 am to Noon:
On Saturday, January 21st, Robin Paul is hosting a Paperweights in the Hot Shop event from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Madhaus Gallery. Learn how to make a paperweight from molten glass – a great beginning glassblowing experience. Call Robin at 515-707-4309 to schedule your time, booking in half-hour increments. The cost is $50 per person.
The Iowa Theater has a great lineup this weekend and next, as usual. Such a great variety of new movies, classic movies, and live performances they bring to the community!
Do you have a two or three year old who loves to dance? Bring them to try a Twinkle Babies class at Winterset Ballet & Dance Studio this Saturday morning! If they like the class, you can register them and the rest of January tuition is free. Classes for two year olds are Wednesdays or Saturdays at 10:00 am. Classes for three year olds are Wednesdays or Saturdays at 10:30 am. Email nicole@wintersetdance.com or text/call 515-201-9403 to sign up, and visit www.wintersetdance.com for more information.
Covered Bridges Winery is featuring live music by Chad Elliott on Saturday night, January 20th, with food available by Up in Smoke — a nacho/taco bar. $5.00 cover at the door with music from 7:00 to 10:00 pm, and food from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Teddi Yaeger of Teddi Yaeger Photography will be teaching a Portrait Photography class this Sunday, January 21st from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Winterset Art Center. During the class she will share tips and tricks for posing subjects and eliciting genuine facial expressions, as well as the most flattering angles and positions for people. Participants will learn secrets to working with and photographing children of all ages. The fee is $45 for Winterset Art Center members and $50 for non-members. Please email wintersetart2016@gmail.com
Coming Soon
The One Earth Book Discussion Series is starting up again for 2018 on January 23rd with Sylvan T. Runkel:
Map of My Kingdom is a play commissioned by Practical Farmers of Iowa, written by Mary Swander, Iowa’s Poet Laureate. It deals with a very important question that affects a lot of land owners in Iowa and Madison County: When the time comes, what will become of the farm? Map of My Kingdom will be presented at The Iowa Theater on Friday, January 26th at 7:00 pm. The performance will be followed by a 20-minute “talk back” facilitated by the playwright. Tickets are $10 per person, and advance tickets are available online at https://www.the-iowa.com. Accompanying the play, Mary Swander will lead a Farm Legacy Letter Workshop on Saturday, January 27, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at the Madison County Historical Complex. Participants will create a solid draft of a letter that offers basics about their farmland, their strongest memories, and what they want most for their land’s future. The workshop is free, but registration is required as spaces are limited.
- For more information about the play, visit http://www.maryswander.com/2014/09/16/map-of-my-kingdom-information/.
- To purchase advance tickets for the play, visit: www.the-iowa.com.
- To register for the free Legacy Letter Workshop, call 515-462-1731 or email library@winterset.lib.ia.us.
The first Legislative Forum of the 2018 session will be held January 27th at 9:00 am at the Jackson Building. Iowa House District 25 Representative Stan Gustafson and Iowa Senate District 13 Senator Julian Garrett will be in attendance from 9:00–10:00 am to answer questions.
The Madison County Conservation Board is offering a Community Ice Fishing Day on Saturday, January 27th from 9:00 to noon at Criss Cove. It is open to people of all ages who would like to try their hand at ice fishing, with staff from the Conservation Board and some other experienced anglers on hand to help. A limited number of rods and bait will be available, or you’re welcome to bring your own equipment. A fire and warm beverages will be provided. All participants should come dressed for the weather in multiple layers of warm clothing. This event will be held weather permitting providing the ice meets safety standards. They also have a Full Moon Snowshoe Hike coming up on January 31st at Pammel Park.
Two great programs at the Winterset Library on January 27th: Sew – Knit – Stitch – Create, and an Instant Pot Cooking Class:
Tickets are now on sale for the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting & Awards Night Banquet. It will be held at the Jackson Building on Thursday, February 1st with social hour starting at 5:00 and program at 7:00. Tickets are available at the Chamber office or online at www.madisoncounty.com.
Finally…
Club President Rob Meade recently presented Kayla Lambert with a $500 Winterset Optimist Club scholarship. Kayla attends Northwest Missouri State College and is majoring in Elementary Education.
And just to reiterate the story at the top of the post .. If you represent a non-profit organization in Madison County and have an project that needs help with funding, please note that the 2018 grant applications from the Greater Madison County Community Foundation are now available to download and complete at www.madisoncountyfoundatio
Thank you for reading The Winterset Citizen. All community announcements are provided at no charge, courtesy of the following sponsors:
American State Bank
Anchored Walls
Angel Wings & CT
Blanchard Family Dentistry
Bridges Financial Associates
Covered Bridge Realty
Daniel Evans, Edward Jones
Farmers & Merchants State Bank
Farm Bureau FS, Scot Clark
Groth’s Gardens & Greenhouses
Homefront Real Estate
The Iowa Theater
Johnson Insurance
Lowe Chiropractic Clinic
Madhaus Gallery
Madison County Health Care System
Madison County Historical Society
Madison County ISU Extension & Outreach
McDonald Tree Service
Medicap Pharmacy
Midwest Heritage Bank
Montross Pharmacy
Pine Creek Ltd.
re:home
Rusty Stars Alpacas
State Farm, Charlotte Speer
Union State Bank
Village Bootery
White Lions Bed & Breakfast
Winterset Ballet & Dance Studio
Winterset Optimist Club
Winterset Parks & Recreation Department
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