O’Brien County Community Foundation Awards Local Grants
The O’Brien County Community Foundation (OBCCF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, awarded grants totaling over $160,000 to nonprofit organizations and units of local government in support of projects throughout O’Brien County. Grants were presented June 12 in Primghar.
Since 2006 the O’Brien County Community Foundation has granted over $1.7 million dollars back into our community for projects and programs that benefit O’Brien County residents. “We are proud to support the incredible work happening in our local communities through these grant awards. These funds represent more than just financial support—they reflect our shared commitment to strengthening the heart of our county and investing in the projects that make it safer and enjoyable for our residents,” says Denise Steffen, OBCCF Advisory Board Chair.
The following grants were awarded by the O’Brien County Community Foundation:
Archer Fire Department Air Tanks $8,000.00
Awakening Grace Foundation Custom Infant Bereavement Assistance $1,000.00
Children’s World Playground Update $10,000.00
City of Calumet Park Bathroom Upgrade $2,160.00
City of Primghar City Park Equipment $8,200.00
Foster Grandparent Program of Greater Siouxland Volunteer Service Support $500.00
General N. B. Baker Library Rejuvenating the Junior Readers Selection $1,500.00
Hartley Community Daycare Center Rec Room Flooring $10,000.00
Hartley Fire Department Rescue Spreader $10,000.00
Hartley Parks and Rec Neebel Park New Shelter House $7,500.00
Kids Kampus Inc. Playground Safety and Landscaping $10,000.00
Little Critters Splash Pad Little Critters Splash Pad $5,000.00
Noah’s Ark Daycare Inc. Daycare Camera System $5,065.00
O’Brien County Livestock Show & Agricultural Assn. Swine Scale $4,800.00
Paullina Public Library A Tale of Two Temperatures Library HVAC $5,000.00
Paullina Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment $7,000.00
Primghar Ambulance Monitor Enhancements for Patient Care $10,000.00
Primghar Golf & Country Club Automated External Defibrillator $1,175.00
Primghar Volunteer Fire Department Portable Radios $4,000.00
Sanborn Daycare Association dba Kids Express Daycare to Prairie View Campus $10,000.00
Sanborn Parks and Recreation Park Playground $7,500.00
Saving Grace Daycare Center Upgrading Daycare Facility $5,300.00
Senior Companion Program of Greater Siouxland Volunteer Service Support $500.00
Sheldon Fire Company Tanker Equipment $5,000.00
Sheldon IA Avenue of Flags Avenue of Flags $2,000.00
Sheldon Recreational Trails Trail Tree Replacement $2,000.00
Sutherland Fire and Ambulance Department Bunker Gear Replacement $9,700.00
Wonderland Theater New Projector $8,000.00
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 OBCCF receives funds from the Iowa Legislature County Endowment Fund Program. Created in 2004, the County Endowment Fund Program (CEFP) is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, which currently does not include online sports betting revenue. These funds are distributed annually to participating community foundations located in the 84 counties without a state-issued gaming license. The 15 counties with a state-issued gaming license benefit from their local casino’s Qualified Sponsoring Organization, which distributes a portion of gaming revenues in their area. CEFP was designed by the Legislature to ensure the benefits of gaming tax revenues were felt statewide.
In the 84 CEFP counties, 75 percent of each county’s annual allocation is directed to foundation grantmaking activities for that year, and 25 percent is added to their permanent endowment fund, which provides support for nonprofits now and in perpetuity. This two-pronged approach has provided thousands of dollars for local projects each year, plus ensured a savings account for future needs.
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. OBCCF welcomes gifts of any size to the endowment to help fund O’Brien County projects.