Community Foundation Week has been celebrated every Nov. 12-18 since 1989, to raise awareness of the critical role of philanthropy in supporting thriving communities across the country. Community foundations are the fastest growing philanthropic sectors in the United States today. They build and strengthen communities in a variety of ways, including providing the means for donors to create permanent funds to meet critical needs. The first community foundation was established more than 100 years ago in Cleveland, Ohio. Today there are more than 750 in the United States alone.
In the past year, South Central Iowa Community Foundation (SCICF) received more than $1.8 million in gifts and awarded more than $1.3 million in grants and educational scholarships to its five county area consisting of Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Ringgold and Union, and the three affiliate counties of Adams, Appanoose and Wayne. Several of the grants awarded benefited local schools, fire departments, daycare facilities, public libraries, conservation, senior centers and parks.
SCICF is proud to give back to the local communities. For more information, visit www.scicf.org.