News & Events

Mike Hohenstein, Advisory Board Chair of the Akron Community Foundation (ACF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, is proud to announce a major gift of $100,000 to their endowment fund. “This wonderful gift from Mary and John Lucken to the Akron Community Foundation pushes our endowment over $1,000,000,” said Hohenstein. “This is not the first time Mary and John have given such a generous gift. By donating to a fund that is endowed and grants to many charitable, Akron projects, they are making a lasting impact to enrich the community in which they live.”

The endowment ensures ACF will be able to award grants for the exclusive benefit of the Akron community in perpetuity as only earnings from the endowment are spent. “The Akron Community Foundation makes it easy for us to give back to many different causes we care about and invest in the future of the place we call home,” says John Lucken.

ACF runs a yearly grant process and local nonprofits and units of local government that serve the Akron community can apply for a grant. ACF is currently accepting grant applications and the deadline is February 1. Nonprofit organizations can apply for grants in the areas of arts and culture, civic affairs, education, health, and human services. “The Akron Community Foundation was created in 2001 to benefit the Akron Community,” says Hohenstein. “ACF is a vehicle in our community that can accept charitable gifts of all types, such as cash, estate gifts or even gifts of land.” The Akron Community Foundation assets currently exceed $1,060,000 with this new contribution and ACF has awarded more than $345,000 in grants to the Akron community since the endowment was created.

Applications are accepted on-line at www.siouxlandcommunityfoundation.org under the affiliate tab. Questions about the application process should be directed to the ACF Administrative Office within the Siouxland Community Foundation at (712) 293-3303.

The Siouxland Community Foundation announces today that they have received a $1,043,311 estate gift to establish the Ruth and Tom Schuldt Scholarship. Multiple graduating high school seniors from Woodbury Central High School in Moville, Iowa will benefit from this gift left by siblings, Ruth and Tom Schuldt.

Ruth Mae Schuldt and Thomas Frederick Schuldt were raised in the Moville, IA, area by their parents Henry and Laura (Mae) Schuldt. Both Ruth and Tom attended (then) Moville Independent School. Ruth was a valedictorian graduate in 1943; Tom left school in the fall of 1961, his senior year, to enlist in the U.S. Navy and also served in the Coast Guard. Ruth eventually worked in the life insurance industry, specializing in administration and life insurance investments. After years of military service, Tom returned to the Moville area where he and Ruth ultimately owned and managed their parents’ farmland. In their later years, both Ruth and Tom resided together in a modest house in the Morningside area of Sioux City.

Both exemplified the ideals of being forthright, humble, hardworking, frugal and caring people. It was their wish to donate their life savings and proceeds from the sale of their property to Woodbury Central High School in Moville, and to area “cancer, heart, Alzheimer’s and blind children charities.” Modest to the end, neither Ruth nor Tom wanted any acclaim for their generous donations, which will have a remarkable impact the lives of Siouxlanders from all walks of life for decades to come.

The Ruth and Tom Schuldt Scholarship will be administered by the Siouxland Community Foundation located in Sioux City, IA. Multiple scholarships, ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 will be awarded annually from the earnings of the fund while never touching the principal gift. Woodbury Central High School’s graduating class of 2021 will be the first eligible for the scholarship. They will find the scholarship’s full criteria and application on the Foundation’s website, www.siouxlandcommunityfoundation.org.

“We are grateful for Ruth and Tom Schuldt’s forethought and generosity to make such a tremendous and secure gift for Woodbury Central students,” says Katie Roberts, Executive Director of the Siouxland Community Foundation. “The legacy created by an endowed fund, such as the Ruth and Tom Schuldt Scholarship, will live on for generations as it is awarded every year, forever.”

Established in 1988, the Siouxland Community Foundation is a trusted organization that connects people who care, with causes that matter by providing a means to receive gifts and distribute scholarships and grants in response to community needs.

The Ireton Community Foundation received a generous gift in the amount of $25,000 from longtime residents, Bud and Delma Vreeman. “This wonderful gift will push our endowment fund to over $209,000,” stated Dennis Van Oort, advisory board chair of the Ireton Community Foundation. “Their gift will continue to benefit the residents of Ireton forever since the gift will be placed into our endowment. Only the investment income from our endowment is used to provide grants to local non-profits or government entities that exclusively benefit Ireton, Iowa.”

The Ireton Community Foundation (ICF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, was established in 1998 with an initial gift of $50,000 from the Erlene Kading estate. It was established for the exclusive benefit of Ireton. Since that time the Vreeman donation, other gifts and investment growth have increased the endowment fund to over $209,000. Every year the Ireton Community Foundation awards grants to local causes that benefit Ireton residents.  Since 2000 ICF has awarded over $96,000 in grants to local organizations.

According to Dennis Van Oort, ICF Advisory Board Chair. “Some of the organizations that the Ireton Community Foundation have funded over the years include the Ireton Area Historical Society, West Sioux Community Schools, Ireton Fire Department and the City of Ireton. Projects include, new playground equipment, emergency services equipment and various programming at the school.”

The mission of the Ireton Community Foundation is to fulfill community needs, impact future growth and development of Ireton and enhance the quality of life by providing leadership, creating opportunities, and challenging the community to share time, talent and resources.

The Hawarden Community Foundation (HCF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, recently awarded grants on June 20 totaling over $79,000; bringing total community support to more than $950,000 dollars to date since its inception in 1994.

“The Hawarden Community Foundation endowment has benefited the community immensely since its inception,” said Ric Porter, HCF Advisory Board Chair “Grants for emergency services, training and community betterment have improved the quality of life in Hawarden. This year we awarded several grants including a large community impact grant for Hawarden Parks and Rec in the amount of $35,000 to improve the lighting along the walking trail.”

The 2019 grants have been awarded to:

Hawarden Chamber of Commerce – Can You Hear Me Now – $3,300.00
Hawarden Chamber of Commerce – Holiday Wreaths and Lighting – $7,420.00
Hawarden Park & Recreation – Walking Trail Lighting Project – $35,000.00
Hawarden Public Library – A Smart Community Meeting Place – $3,254.00
Hawarden Public Library – Creating A Community Meeting Place – $5,934.11
Hawarden Regional Healthcare – CPR Education – $1,858.26
Sioux County Conservation Foundation – Sioux County Nature Center – $10,000.00
St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Handicap Accessible Door Openers – $3,000.00
West Sioux Community School – 3D Printing in the Classroom – $4,000.00
West Sioux Community School – Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports – $1,500.00
West Sioux Community School – AEDs for WS District – $3,892.00

Charles Horton’s initial gift along with memorials and other estate gifts have grown the endowment to $1.5 million.  All gifts to the HCF are carefully invested and only the earnings from Hawarden’s endowment is used to make grants to non-profits and units of local government that best meet local community needs.

The O’Brien County Community Foundation (OBCCF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, awarded 23 grants on June 11, 2019 at the Primghar Community Building in Primghar, Iowa totaling over $103,000 to nonprofit organizations and units of local government in support of projects throughout O’Brien County.  Since the first grants were made in 2006, 343 grants totaling over $1.2 million have been awarded.

“Every year the Community Foundation is excited to award grants that will impact O’Brien County,” says Charlene Elyea, Advisory Chair. “These grants help support our emergency services, better our quality of life in O’Brien County and fund many other worthwhile projects and services.”

The following grants were awarded by the O’Brien County Community Foundation:

Camp High Hopes – 2019 Summer Sleep Away Camp – $500.00
City of Calumet – Walk on the Tile Side – $8,000.00
City of Primghar – Handicap Door Openers City Hall – $3,000.00
Cornerstone Senior Communities of Remsen – Pool Area Renovations and Updates – $7,815.00
Foster Grandparent & Senior Companion Programs –  Volunteer Service Support – $500.00
General N.B. Baker Library – Technology Upgrade and Access – $1,600.00
Granville Ambulance – Power Load Cot System – $5,000.00
Hartley Emergency Ambulance Rescue Team – MG70 MultiNetwork WiFi Router – $2,000.00
Hartley Volunteer Fire Department – Uni-Mac Washing Machine – $5,000.00
Kids Express Daycare – Fire Suppression Range Hood – $5,000.00
Little Sioux Valley Conservation Association – Prairie Heritage Center Observation Tower – $4,000.00
O’Brien County Cemetery Preservation Association – Educational Seminar – $1,246.00
O’Brien County Conservation Board – Inclusive Playground Equipment – $7,500.00
O’Brien County Livestock Show & Ag Assn. a/k/a O’Brien County Fair – Covered Stage area/horse arena lighting – $4,300.00
Paullina Fire Department – New S.C.B.A.’s – $10,000.00
Prairie Arts Council – PAC Gallery Kitchen Project – $5,000.00
Primghar Ambulance Team – Battery Replacement – $1,937.85
Primghar Community Building – Lighting and Bathroom Upgrades – $10,000.00
Primghar Public Library – Re-shelving project of 2019 – $3,000.00
Sanborn EMS – Training Equipment – $3,000.00
Sanborn Fire & Rescue – Firefighter Helmets – $4,091.44
Sheldon Volunteer Fire Company – Training Smoke Machine – $1,918.80
Sutherland Fire and Rescue – Air Tank Upgrades – $8,770.00

The OBCCF was formally established in 2005 through affiliation with the Siouxland Community Foundation and is governed by a local advisory board composed of representatives from each of the communities in O’Brien County:  Archer, Calumet, Hartley, Paullina, Primghar, Sanborn, Sheldon, and Sutherland; as well as one county-at-large member. The mission of the O’Brien County Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the communities served by encouraging permanent charitable giving to meet the needs of present and future generations.

The Ireton Community Foundation (ICF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, awarded grants totaling $8,233 to four organizations on June 3^rd.

“We are pleased to report that to date that over $96,000 in grants has been awarded since 2000 to support various community betterment projects and the services that positively impact the quality of life in Ireton,” said Dennis Van Oort, ICF Advisory Board Chair. “Some of the organizations that the Ireton Community Foundation have funded over the years include the Ireton Area Historical Society, West Sioux Community Schools, Ireton Fire Department and the City of Ireton. Projects include, new playground equipment, emergency services equipment and various programming at the school.”

Erlene Kading planted the first seeds of giving to establish the Foundation and in doing so, created a vehicle for current and former residents of Ireton to give back to their community, too.  Since then, memorials and other gifts have grown the endowment to over $185,000.  All gifts to the ICF are carefully invested and only the income from Ireton’s endowment is used to make grants.

This year, grants have been awarded to:

Foster Grandparent Program of Greater Siouxland – Volunteer Service Support – $1044
Hawarden Police Department – LED Stop Sign – $3,250
West Sioux Community School – AEDs – $3,189
West Sioux Community School – Ireton Elementary Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports – $750

The mission of the Ireton Community Foundation is to fulfill community needs, impact future growth and development of Ireton and enhance the quality of life by providing leadership, creating opportunities, and challenging the community to share time, talent and resources.

The Sioux County Community Foundation (SCCF) recently awarded grants totaling $108,900 in support of projects and programs throughout Sioux County.  This brings the total grants awarded to over $1.2 million since the first grants were made in 2006.  The following grant awards were announced at a special event held at the Prairie Winds Event Center in Orange City on April 13:

Alton Fire Rescue & Ambulance – LIFEPAK 15, 12-Lead ECG – $7,500.00
City of Hawarden – Parks and Playground Upgrade – $10,000.00
City of Hospers – South Side Park Shelter House – $6,000.00
City of Hull – Hubbling Park Restrooms – $10,000.00
City of Orange City – AED defibrillators – $2,500.00
Family Crisis Centers – Building 1520 – $6,500.00
Granville Ambulance – Power Load Cot System – $7,500.00
Granville Fire and EMS Association – Brush Truck – $7,500.00
Hull Fire Department – Upgrade Auto Extrication Equipment – $7,500.00
Hunger Free Kids of Sioux County – Sioux County Sack Pack Programs – $10,000.00
Ireton Area Historical Society – Historical House Roof Replacement – $7,400.00
NWIA Mental Health Center dba Seasons Center for Behavioral Health Seasons – Transportation Project – $5,000.00
Rock Valley Recreation – Shade Coverings for Sports Complex – $10,000.00
Sioux County Conservation Foundation – Sioux County Nature Center – $5,000.00
Siouxland Adaptive Sports – Adaptive Equipment – $6,500.00

Formally established in 2005 through affiliation with the Siouxland Community Foundation, the SCCF is governed by a local twelve-member advisory board composed of representatives from each of the communities in Sioux County:  Alton, Boyden, Granville, Hawarden, Hospers, Hull, Ireton, Matlock, Maurice, Orange City, Rock Valley, and Sioux Center.  The mission of the SCCF is to encourage and provide opportunities for charitable giving, to manage and distribute funds in a responsible manner, and to enhance the quality of life for the people of Sioux County.

The Ida County Community Betterment Foundation (ICCBF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, recently awarded grants totaling $101,403 to nonprofit organizations in support of projects and programs throughout Ida County.  This brings the total grants awarded to over $1.2 million since the first grants were made in 2006.

The following grant awards were announced at a special event held at the Battle Creek Alumni Shelter in Battle Creek, IA on May 5:

The ICCBF was formally established in 2005 through affiliation with the Siouxland Community Foundation and is governed by a local ten-member advisory board composed of representatives from each of the five communities in Ida County: Arthur, Battle Creek, Galva, Holstein, and Ida Grove.

The mission of the ICCBF is to promote philanthropy, serve as a vehicle to carry out the charitable objectives of donors, build endowments, identify needs, and make grants for the benefit of the citizens and communities of Ida County.

The Monona County Community Partners Foundation (MCCPF) recently awarded grants totaling over $100,000 to nonprofit organizations in support of projects and programs throughout Monona County on April 6.  This brings the total grants awarded to over $1.2 million since the first grants were made in 2006.  Funding for the grant program is a result of County Endowment Fund legislation (HF2302) passed in 2005 which provides that a percentage of state gambling revenues be distributed among all Iowa counties that do not have a gambling entity.

The following grants were awarded:

The Akron Community Foundation (ACF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, recently awarded grants and scholarships totaling $35,607 to several local organizations and Akron-Westfield high school seniors.

Since the first grants were announced in 2006, over $316,000 has been awarded to support needs and services in the community provided by Akron nonprofit organizations.

The following nonprofit organizations or local projects were awarded grants from ACF.

The mission of the Akron Community Foundation is to identify and fulfill community needs, impact future growth and development of Akron, promote volunteerism and enhance the quality of life in Akron. “This years’ grants will benefit our community across all ages. From helping provide new playground equipment for children at the local daycare, to companion support for Akron seniors.  As the endowment fund continues to grow it will provide the opportunity to award more grants each year and continue to have a positive impact for residents in Akron, Iowa,” says Mike Hohenstein, Akron advisory chair.

The following students were awarded $500 scholarships from ACF: Nash Lininger, Spencer Olson, Jennifer Ritz, Sarah Ritz, Autumn Stowe and Marlene Zamora-Ruiz.

In planting the first seeds of giving to establish the ACF, Florence and Fern Peterson created a vehicle for the people of Akron to give back to their community.  All gifts to the ACF are carefully invested and the income from Akron’s endowment is used to make grants to public charities that best meet the needs in Akron.  “Gifts of any size to the Foundation are encouraged to help grow Akron’s endowment and increase the Foundation’s capacity to support current and future needs in our community,” stated ACF Chair Mike Hohenstein.  “We also hope people will consider making memorial gifts as lasting tributes to loved ones and friends.”

The ACF is an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation which provides administrative and technical assistance to further the charitable efforts of all its affiliates, including the Akron Community Foundation.