An in-person fund distribution event was held for the first time since 2019 by the Community Foundation of Washington County Monday evening at the Washington Public Library.
Executive Director Millie Youngquist, Board President Tim Sullivan and other board members presented oversized checks to signify the funds that have come in for 22 designated endowments in the county, and they recognized three additional endowment “friends funds” that have recently been founded for the Washington County Fair Association, Washington County Hospital Foundation, and Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, or HACAP. A total of $35,066 was distributed, and organization representatives shared how they plan to use this year’s endowment gifts, including the Kalona and Washington public libraries, Friends of Lake Darling, Washington School District Foundation, Wellman YMCA, and the Washington, Iowa Betterment Foundation. Youngquist says it’s great to feel the energy of all the local organizations in one room and see them share how they use the funds to impact the community, “If the money came and no one said anything about it or made a deal about it, then people wouldn’t realize the potential and the possibilities for themselves that they could be doing something to strengthen their community.”
The Community Foundation of Washington County is an affiliate of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, and accepts several forms of charitable gifts with the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program eligible for some gifts. They’re currently seeking new board members, and those who would like to learn more can visit this story at kciiradio.com.