O’Brien County Community Foundation (OBCCF)

Caring Today, Creating Tomorrow by Building Legacies for our Communities . . .For good. For ever.

BACKGROUND: The O’Brien County Community Foundation (OBCCF) is a charitable foundation created by and for the people of O’Brien County to receive gifts from individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and governmental agencies. These gifts are carefully invested and the income from endowments is used to make grants to public charities that best meet the needs in the county.

MISSION: The mission of the O’Brien County Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in O’Brien County communities by encouraging permanent charitable giving to meet the needs of present and future generations.

The purpose of the OBCCF is to connect donors who care with causes that matter and to enhance the quality of life in O’Brien County.

An Advisory Board representing each community and the varied interests of O’Brien County is responsible for governing the Foundation.

ADVISORY BOARD:
Charlene Elyea (County-at-Large), Chair
Denise Steffen (Primghar, IA), Vice Chair
Sharon Flinders (Sutherland, IA), Secretary/Treasurer
Marc Johannsen (Paullina, IA)
Angie Kamradt (Sanborn, IA)
Kathy Kruger (Sheldon, IA)
Richard Ludeke (Archer, IA)
Andrew Lichter (Calumet, IA)
Jen Waddell (Hartley, IA)

The O’Brien County Community Foundation provides a simple, powerful and highly personal approach to giving. A local community foundation creates an opportunity for donors to ‘target their charitable giving at home’ and make a lasting difference in their community and county. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference. You can have a lasting impact on the quality of life in O’Brien County, right here, right now, and for years to come. The Community Foundation serves as a vehicle to carry out the charitable objectives of donors and offers distinct advantages. You may contribute to the unrestricted Community Fund or establish a separate component fund bearing your name or a name of your choosing. All grants will be made in the name of the fund you establish.

We invite you to partner with the Foundation to create a lasting legacy. Contributions may be sent to: OBCCF Administrative Office, 505 Fifth Street, Suite 412, Sioux City, IA 51101.

There is so much more we’d like for you to know. For more information and ideas on ways to integrate your financial planning with charitable giving, ask your financial advisor or contact either Charlene Elyea, Advisory Board Chair at (712) 363-8173 or the OBCCF Administrative Office at (712) 293-3303.

Learn more about…
Types of Funds
Ways to Give
Benefits to Donors
Endow Iowa

O’BRIEN COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT GUIDELINES

Application Deadline: Noon, April 15
Final Determinations:  June

The O’Brien County Community Foundation (OBCCF) Advisory Board is charged with carefully reviewing grant proposals and recommending grants to be awarded. The OBCCF Advisory Board will make grant recommendations based on county and community needs, and the proposing organization’s capacity to effectively enhance the quality of life in O’Brien County.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the OBCCF grant program is to respond to present and emerging needs within O’Brien County by making grants in the following areas:

• Arts & Culture: Provide or increase access to theatre, music, arts, dance, museums and historical events.
• Civic: Community betterment/beautification, city government, emergency services, citizen participation, parks and recreation.
• Education: Early childhood development/daycare, primary, secondary, and continuing education; libraries.
• Environment: Pollution control, natural resource conservation, protecting wildlife, botanic/horticultural activities.
• Health: Promotion and maintenance of physical, dental and mental health; rehabilitative services, crisis intervention.
• Human Services: Housing/shelter, public safety, services for the elderly, youth, families, handicapped, economically disadvantaged, minorities or other special groups.

ELIGIBILITY: Grants will be made for charitable purposes to nonprofit organizations and units of local government that:

• Serve O’Brien County in Iowa.
• Are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Priority consideration will be given to projects and programs that:

• Have potential for long-term impact.
• Address a significant need affecting a broad segment of the county’s population or special populations considered at risk.
• Provide evidence of careful planning to address county/community needs and access county/community resources.
• Demonstrate organizational expertise in delivering quality service.
• Document capacity to mobilize resources including financial support, in-kind support, and volunteers.
• Have been developed in collaboration with other nonprofit entities or volunteer groups.
• Do not duplicate existing services.
• One (1) detailed bid is required for equipment or building work. Preference will be given to applicants that utilize O’Brien County vendors.

Lower priority consideration will be given to:
• One-time events

Generally, requests for the following will not be given consideration:

• General operating expenses
• Budget deficits
• Annual fund drives
• Individuals
• Political activities
• Endowment
• Religious activities
• Multi-year grants

Generally, grant requests ranging in size from $250 to $10,000 will be considered.

O’Brien County Community Foundation – Grant Application-CLOSED FOR 2022

Grantee Dashboard Link

2021 Grant Awards
2020 Grant Awards
2019 Grant Awards
2018 Grant Awards
2017 Grant Awards