Keokuk, IA – The Keokuk Area Community Foundation was founded in 2005.
It was 2006 when the foundation started awarding small grants to local non-profit organizations.
Since then, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation has provided more than $325,000 to 50+ agencies in Lee, Clark, and Hancock Counties.
Many agencies have received multiple awards over the years.
The 2011 recipients include Keokuk's Grand Theater and God's Way Christian Center, Montrose Riverfront Inc., and West Hancock Canine.
Foundation Board Chairwoman Debbie Marion says a total of 15 agencies shared roughly $50,000 this year.
"Some people are using the money to patch a roof, we have people buying people buying computer equipment, we have a spay and neuter program," says Marion, "there are just all kinds of things where an extra $1,000 - $6,000 might just make or break it for a program."
Marion says the foundation passed the $1-million mark in endowments and donor-advised funds this year.
She says providing money to the foundation actually doubles an investment because of the available tax credits.
2011 Grant Recipients ($1,000 - $6,000)
God's Way Christian Center (Keokuk)
The Grand Theatre (Keokuk)
Hoerner YMCA (Keokuk)
Keokuk Area Hospital
Keokuk Fine Arts Council
Keokuk Catholic Schools
Keokuk Public Library
Main Street Keokuk, Inc.
Mississippi River Power 100 (Keokuk)
Montrose Riverfront Inc.
Three Rivers Conservation Foundation (Lee County)
Tri-State Coalition (Keokuk)
Tri-State Family Services (Keokuk)
Hancock County Health and Wellness Coalition
West Hancock Canine