GLADBROOK – The Gladbrook Community Foundation Board of Directors has announced the 2025 disbursements for a total of $11,934.19. This is the 18th year of awarding grants.

The following community betterment projects by non-profit organizations received funds this year:

–Peace UCC & Gladbrook American Legion Auxiliary: $500; Kids Shopping Day

–Community Area Kids Club: $500; Service projects, bibles, and family Christmas meals

–Crayon Corner Learning Center: $1,500; new blinds, shelving, and sandboxes/water tables

–Cub Scouts Pack 394: $1,000; re-charter pack, uniforms and camp.

–Gladbrook Food Pantry: $500; local food pantry assistance

–Matchstick Marvels: $1,016.19; clear acrylic protective barrier to surround the new Cinderella Castle matchstick model

–Panther Pavilion Committee: $2,000; two benches for pavilion

–Gladbrook Corn Carnival Corporation: $1,500; aluminum portable benches with backrest

–Gladbrook Public Library: $1,000; marketing pieces, programs, and events at the library

–Gladbrook American Legion Post #127: $768; new flags at All Memorial Park

–Tama County Master Gardeners-Gladbrook: $650; hanging flower baskets on Main Street and flower planters

The Gladbrook Community Foundation has received a transformative unrestricted gift from Donald R. Geerdes Estate. Donald R. Geerdes was a life-long resident of Grundy County, Iowa. Geerdes served in the Army and was stationed for a time in Germany, after he returned home and completed his high school degree. Shortly after, he met Ardella Thede from Gladbrook. They were married in 1969 in Gladbrook. Geerdes retired from Fisher Governor in Marshalltown.

All gifts made to the Foundation qualify as charitable donations for the donor and are recognized as such by the Internal Revenue Service. This gives donors the ability to donate to the community of Gladbrook and avoid federal and state income, estate and gift taxes on those contributions.

Your tax-deductible contribution to the Gladbrook Community Foundation can be mailed to: PO Box 373 Gladbrook, IA 50635, or to: Farmers Savings Bank & Trust PO Box 435, Traer, IA 50675.

Gifts to the Foundation may be made in cash, appreciated securities, real estate, pledges, deferred gifts (such as life insurance proceeds or bequests through wills), or charitable remainder trusts.

The Foundation will receive and accept properties and gifts for the benefit of Gladbrook and its citizens and will distribute those gifts to community organizations such as those named above, either as the donor directs the funds to be spent, or as the Foundation’s Board of Directors select.

Board members include the following representatives: Cornell Gethmann, representing Gladbrook Commercial Club; Terry Schmitz, representing Ehrig-McTurk #127 American Legion; Trudi Scott, representing the City of Gladbrook; Mark Lowery, representing Sons of American Legion; Keith Sash, representing Gladbrook Lions Club; and Matt Gebel, representing Crayon Corner Preschool. Bowman & Miller serves as the CPA and Farmers Savings Bank & Trust serves as Trustee. Visit any of the board members or contact Farmers Savings Bank & Trust for more information about the foundation