The Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation is proud to announce the names of their newest Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund partners as fourteen grants were recently awarded to local non-profit organizations totaling over $168,662. The Bright Ideas program is the competitive grant program for the Legacy Foundation created to support the work of nonprofit organizations in Wapello County. To date, the program has supported 73 different nonprofits and are still adding more. “I am amazed that even after four years we are still seeing applications from nonprofits who have never previously applied,” says Kelly Genners, director of community leadership & grant-making for the Legacy Foundation. “During this cycle alone, we have (7) nonprofits awarded that are new to our program.”
The following lists the organizations and their funded project amounts:
Agency Fire & Rescue – Grant to be used to purchase new set of hydraulic extrication tools (Jaws of Life): $18,000
City of Agency – Grant to be used to purchase and install new warning siren for the city of Agency: $10,065
American Home Finding – Grant to be used to implement a Food Backpack Program at the Ottumwa High School: $14,000
Convention and Visitors Bureau – Grant to be used for expenses relating to the design and printing of a new comprehensive visitors guide: $4,667
Children and Families of Iowa – Grant to be used for ACE’s training, Drug Endangered Education Opportunities and Youth Community Programming in Wapello County: $9,000
Chief Wapello Trail Committee – Grant to be used for materials to upgrade the Chief Wapello meeting building: $8,558
Friends of NAS – Grant to be used for an architectural survey of the Administration Building at the former Naval Air Station: $16,000
Eldon Public Library – Grant to be used for expenses related to the restoration and repair of the Eldon Public Library: $10,000
Iowa Special Olympics – Grant to be used for uniform, equipment or travel expenses in relation to the Ottumwa Bulldogs Special Olympics Team: $5,000
Ottumwa Civic Music Association – Grant to be used for expenses related to “Piano Men” production: $2,500
Ottumwa High School Music Boosters – Grant to be used to support OHS Marching Band in their efforts to travel to Waikiki, HI to march in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade: $30,000
Ottumwa Rotary International – Grant to be used in support of the Ottumwa Rotary Centennial Gardens Project: $7,500
Wapello County 4H – Grant to be used in support of the Clover Kids Afterschool Program and the Juntos Program: $21,772
Young Men’s Christian Association – Grant to be used for enhancements and renovations to the YMCA kitchen area: $11,600
The next cycle for Bright Ideas will be open to accept online applications from September 14 – October 14th with award decisions announced mid-November. Eligible applicants must be a 501(c)3 organization providing services within Wapello County. Since its inception in September of 2011, the Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund has awarded 149 grants totaling nearly $1.8 million dollars. For more information about the program contact Kelly Genners at kgenners@orlf.org.
