The latest round of the Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund is one of the largest funding requests the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation has received to date; 21 grant applications totaling $407, 437. The Wapello County nonprofits that received grants from the Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund are:
• Children & Families of Iowa in support of the Community Partnership for the Protection of Children
• First Resources Inc., to assist with the renovation of the Oak Meadow Treatment Facility
• Food Bank of Southern Iowa for the removal and replacement of a deficient sprinkler system
• Iowa Legal Aid in support of the Family Stabilization Project
• Latinas/Latinos al Éxito Inc. to support youth activities and Summer Leadership program
• Living Hope Bible Church to support the Backpack Blessings program
• Midwest Little League to assist with the purchase of new team equipment
• Ottumwa Christian Schools to assist with the update of computers and network in the new school building
• Ottumwa Community School Foundation for the purchase of books for the Learn & Play program
• Ottumwa Public Library Foundation to assist in the historical renovation of the library dome
• Seton Catholic School to support the safety improvements to the playground
• Wesley United Methodist Church in support of NOMADS Community Mission Outreach activities
This funding cycle completes 5 years of Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund grants. The Bright Ideas program was set up as a cornerstone program to support local 501(c)3 nonprofits that serve to enrich the quality of life for the residents of Ottumwa and Wapello County. “The ripple effect of this program over the last 5 years is astonishing,” stated Amy Nossaman, Grants Program Manager. “Just over $2.4 million dollars has been granted out for 198 projects. Those 198 projects leveraged additional dollars and invested over $3.6 million dollars in our county, this does not include total expenses for any of the 2016 projects yet.”
The Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund has three competitive grant cycles each year and awards up to $450,000 a year. The next grant cycle opens February 1, 2017. If you would like more information or application assistance for the Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund, please contact Amy Nossaman, Grants Program Manager, or 641.455.5260.
