progress: COMMUNITY
B7
CHARLES CITY PRESS | WWW.CHARLESCITYPRESS.COM | FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025
Nonprofits play big part in strengthening Floyd County communities
For The Press Nonpro fi t organizations are essential to the fabric of Floyd County, providing services that improve residents’ lives and contribute to a thriving commu- nity. The Floyd County Communi- ty Foundation (FCCF) partners with these organizations to en- hance their ability to serve and ensure long-term sustainability. FCCF, an af fi liate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA), has supported Floyd County non- pro fi ts since 2005. Over the years, it has awarded more than $2.8 million in grants, includ- ing more than $260,000 in 2024 alone. These funds help organi- zations sustain and expand programs in arts and culture, education, health services, envi- ronmental initiatives and com- munity betterment. Nonpro fi ts in Floyd County play a critical role in address- ing community needs, offering programs for youth, supporting economic development and im- proving quality of life. Projects that had been considered for the Charles City grant application included: • The CCADC programs and administration – $1.768 million. • Whitewater course repairs and renovations – $5 million. • Four acres of solar power cells at the city wastewater treatment facility – $3.5 million. • A bouldering wall at Whitewater Park with native plantings – $700,000. • High-ef fi ciency HVAC at Public Library – $697,200. • High-ef fi ciency HVAC EPA Continued from page B3 “The reason the council went for this was that they were look- ing for more traf fi c safety,” said Mayor Dean Andrews, noting that many of the areas covered by the cameras were near cross- ings for bicycle trails. While approved in 2023, the cameras were not brought on- line until mid-March 2024 due to delays in getting DOT ap- proval and electricity in place. When the cameras began operating they immediately be- came a hot topic in Charles City as the community debated their merits in conversations, online media postings, Press Opinions page letters and columns, and CAMERAS Continued from page B5
FCCF’s mission is to facili- tate connections between donors and the causes they care about, ensuring that resources remain in the community and have a lasting impact, the foundation said. For example, one of the most pressing issues in Floyd County has been the shortage of af- fordable child care. Families in many Iowa communities face challenges fi nding quality care, affecting household stability and workforce retention. Since 2001, TLC: The Learn- ing Center in Charles City has provided child care and educa- tional services for children rang- ing from six weeks old to school age. As demand grew, TLC took steps to expand its facilities and partnered with the Charles City School District to relocate to the former middle school building. The move signi fi cantly in- creased the number of child care openings available to families. The Floyd County Communi- ty Foundation collaborated with TLC to discuss long-term fund- raising strategies and it provid- system for City Hall – $650,000. • ADA accessible intersections at 10 locations – $600,000. • Pedestrian Mall renovations between City Hall and the public library – $500,000. • Solar energy at City Hall – $500,000. • Solar energy at the Public Library – $500,000. • Sidewalk from new housing developments to South Grand and to Charley Western Trail – $430,000. • Exterior restroom at City anywhere else they could let their opinions be heard. Regardless of the controver- sy, Chief Anderson reported that the cameras were performing their function of bringing down speeds in the high traf fi c areas where they were placed. However, the local debate was ultimately made moot when a new state law established reg- ulations and restrictions on the use of automated traf fi c camer- as, including requiring a permit from the Iowa Department of Transportation. After just a few months in action, the Charles City cameras stopped ticketing speeding driv- ers on July 1. The delayed installation until 2024 of Charles City’s cameras kept them from being eligible Hall for use by Riverside Park visitors – $400,000. • Parking lot and sidewalk updates at Sportsmen’s Park – $396,000. • Lighting along portion of Charley Western Trail –
ed grant funding to support the expansion. To ensure sustainability, TLC established an endowment fund with FCCF, creating a stable fi nancial foundation for future operations. The expanded center is now serving more families and strengthening the local work- force by enabling parents to remain in or return to the job market, FCCF said. One of the goals of FCCF is to help retain generational wealth in Iowa, to be able to serve more programs like TLC. A study commissioned by the Iowa Council of Foundations projects that more than $30.4 billion in Iowa wealth will transfer between generations over the next decade. Without strategic local giving, much of this money could leave Iowa communities if heirs live out of state. To address this challenge, the “5 for the Future” initiative encourages Iowans to desig- nate 5% of their assets for local philanthropy. Research conducted by the $300,000. • Burn box at brush disposal site – $300,000. • EV charging station at library – $200,000. • Extending trail to Sportsmen’s Park – $118,800. The grant application could have also included about $2 million in administration, management, and other costs. Persons involved in putting the grant application together were Charles City Administer Steve Diers, CCADC CEO Tim Fox, Mayor Dean Andrews, City Council member Phoebe Pittman, Tourism & Marketing Coordinator Ginger Williams, and professional grant writer Nicole Turpin with Impact 7G. for the grace period that would have allowed them to remain in use until a permit could be received. As such, the city will be ineligible to even apply for a permit until 2026. Even if the city becomes el- igible, Mayor Andrews said he doubts that there will be a lot of interest in trying to reinstate the cameras, particularly consider- ing how even more state laws may regulate or restrict the use of the cameras and the funds they generate. “I don’t know what the future holds as far as what the rules will be going forward,” said An- drews. “I don’t think we have any immediate plans of looking at that again.”
University of Minnesota Ex- tension suggests that if just 5% of the projected wealth transfer were directed into communi- ty endowments, it could create more than $1.5 billion in fund- ing. Over two decades, this could generate $1.8 billion in grants to support local projects such as workforce housing, cultural pro- grams and public infrastructure improvements. Terry Gaumer, a CFNEIA charitable advisor, emphasized the potential impact of local giving. “People who are passionate about their community can be part of the solution. If each of us chose to invest 5% of our assets in community causes, imagine how our communities could fl ourish,” Gaumer said.
FCCF awarded $152,668.51 in its 2024 grant cycle, funding 31 nonpro fi t and government projects across Floyd County. The grants support a variety of community initiatives, from his- torical preservation to emergen- cy response improvements. FCCF provides several ave- nues for charitable giving, al- lowing donors to invest in their community while bene fi ting from tax incentives. Gifts to permanent endow- ment funds qualify for a 25% state tax credit through the En- dow Iowa program. Additional giving options in-
clude IRA Quali fi ed Charitable Distributions, stock donations and donor-advised funds. The Floyd County Impact Now Fund, a fl exible funding resource that addresses urgent community needs, is another way for donors to make an im- mediate difference. Contribu- tions to this fund help support the next round of FCCF discre- tionary grant awards. More information about FCCF and ways to contribute can be found at fl oydccf.org. Applications for the 2025 grant cycle open on Sept. 1 and close on Oct. 15.
Tap • Ballet Jazz • Lyrical Production 3 years and older “Where Tutu’s Twirl and Toes are Tapping!”
Ever dream of being a pilot? We can make that dream a reality. TIFFANY PERRY, INSTRUCTOR 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE - “CERTIFIED BY TEST TO TEACH” www.dacdance.com danceartscentre@outlook.com 506 Clark St., Charles City, IA Registration opens April 1st
Northeast Iowa Regional Airport 3129 Hwy. 18 Charles City 641-228-3553 Mason City Municipal Airport 9184 265th St., Ste. 10 641-424-9366 www.northiowaair.com LOCATIONS:
North Iowa Air Service
Call us today to set up your Introductory Flying Lesson and Learn to Fly with North Iowa Air Service.
The Place
Where Fresh is the Taste.™ 106 S. Main, Charles City, IA 641-228-2423
- Mobile Crushing - Mobile Bailing - Appliance Demanufacturing SCRAP METAL RECYCLING BUYER OF Automobiles Farm Equipment Scrap Metals
•Annuals • Perennials • Roses
• Shrubs • Tropicals • Pottery
•Hanging Baskets • Planters
2955 120 th St. (8 mi. North of Charles City)
Order online at subway.com or in the app!
1100 13th Ave Charles City • 641-228-1613
Hours: M-F 8-4; Closed Sat-Sun
tynansrecycling@gmail.com
Owner: Rich Tynan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator