The Tama County Community Foundation (TCCF) announced $137,324 in grant funding to 34 projects of organizations serving Tama County as part of its 2020 grant cycle. The grant decisions were determined prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on communities and nonprofits. Nonprofits receiving grants may choose to shift funding to general operating support in response to this public health and economic crisis. The Community Foundation will discuss decisions with nonprofits on a one-on-one basis. “The Tama County Community Foundation is proud to partner with these nonprofits who are making a difference in our local communities,” said Emily Babinat, chair of the TCCF governing committee. “While the Community Foundation is not able to hold its annual award celebration at this time due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus, grant checks will be mailed and we look forward to seeing the impacts in Tama County.” Grant recipient organization, project the grant will fund, and grant amount are listed below by funding areas. Art and Culture City of Traer, Traer Theatre Improvements, $4,000 Iowa 4-H Foundation DBA Tama County 4-H, Tama County 4-H Outreach, $1,000 Toledo Library Foundation, Spanish Materials for our Community, $1,500 Community Betterment City of Chelsea, Library – Kitchenette, $1,500 City of Dysart, Library – Technology Update Project, $3,000 City of Tama, City Hall – Handicap Accessible Doors, $2,500 City of Toledo, South Tama County Joint Recreation Board, $2,000 City of Traer, Chamber of Commerce – Christmas Display Storage , $2,000 Tama County Humane Society, Ceramic Tile Flooring, $2,100 Education Wieting Opera Housing Company, STEAM Challenge Camps for Children, $2,250 Environment Tama County, Conservation Board – Otter Creek Lake Restoration Phase I, $10,000 Health City of Garwin, Ambulance Service – AED, $2,954 Iowa River Hospice, Day of Care, $5,000 Historic Preservation Tama County Historical Society, Gladbrook and Dysart Historical Newspaper Digitization, $1,000 Western Fraternal Life, Clutier ZCBJ Hall Building Renovations, $10,000 Human Service Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support, Tama County Victim Services, $3,000 Central Iowa Residential Services, Tama Opportunity Center and Tama County Client Needs, $2,000 Child Abuse Prevention Services, Sexual Abuse Prevention, $1,210 City of Garwin, Multi-Use Fire and Ambulance Building, $3,000 City of Gladbrook, Fire Department – Thermal Image Camera, $1,000 City of Tama, Fire Department – Safety/Emergency Lights, $4,300 City of Tama, Police Department – Officer Safety and Wellness, $4,000 City of Toledo, Fire Department – Turnout Gear, $10,000 City of Toledo, Police Department – Computers, $5,000 City of Traer, Fire Department – Firefighter In-Mask Thermal Imaging, $5,000 Crayon Corner Learning Center, Technology Upgrade, $1,340 Little Knights Learning Center, A New Facility for a Future Generation, $10,000 North Star Community Services, Providing Community Access, $3,000 Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Produce and Perishable Distribution, $4,000 Pied Piper Preschool and Child Care, Furnaces and Air Conditioners, $8,570 Tama County, Human Resources – AED Heart Program, $5,100 Tama County Daycare Kids’ Corner, Safety Sun Shades, $10,000 Traer United Presbyterian Church, Christian Hands Across Traer, $2,000 Zion Lutheran Church WELCA, WELCA Home and Health Closet, $4,000 Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee, which consists of volunteers from Tama County. Committee members include: Emily Babinat (chair), Ardene Cross, Kathy Fattig, Sara Forrester, Darvin Graham, Mary Ann Gregory, Angie Jacobs, Sandi Kopriva and Sandy Supianoski. Grants are awarded through Tama County Community Foundation’s competitive grant process to projects in the program areas of: art and culture, community betterment, education, environment, health, historic preservation and human service. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization or government entity serving Tama County in order to be considered for funding. The 2021 grant cycle opens November 1, 2020 with an application deadline of January 15, 2021. The grant guidelines and application will be posted prior to the cycle opening at www.tamaccf.org. The Tama County Community Foundation is a local foundation making grants to organizations creating stronger, more vibrant communities in Tama County and helps people establish funds to support the causes they care about. The TCCF is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, a nonprofit committed to creating long-term impacts in 20 counties in Iowa. For more information, contact 319-287-9106 or visit www.cfneia.org. CFNEIA is confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.