The Empowering Adair County Foundation is currently accepting grant applications for the 2025 grant year. Applications are due 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. Applications are available online at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/adair/community-development or can be requested by contacting adaircounty@desmoinesfoundation.org (Please note the foundation’s new e-mail address.) Applications will again be available in a fillable PDF format. There are two application options:
• the simple grant form is for requests of up to $3,000 and
• the full application form is for requests of up to $10,000
In 2005, the Foundation was formally organized as part of an effort by Iowa legislation to establish philanthropic activities in all 99 counties of Iowa. This was done through a share of the state’s gambling profits. Funds for this effort are divided among the counties that do not have a casino or gambling establishment within their borders. The local Foundation is governed by a 9-member committee representing all geographic areas of Adair County.
The Empowering Adair County Foundation is housed in the Adair County Extension Office; Angie Engles, EACF Administrator, is available by appointment. Ten hard copies of the full application (requests for up to $10,000) are required. The simple application form (requests for up to $3,000) can be e-mailed or one hard copy is sufficient. These can be dropped off during Extension operating hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday) or mailed. Please note that mailed applications must be postmarked by Oct. 15 and an e-mail with the application attached confirming they are on the way must be submitted before the deadline; this ensures time to prepare for committee review.
For questions regarding the Foundation or grants process, you can contact Engles by e-mailing adaircounty@desmoinesfoundation.org