The Hardin County Community Endowment Foundation (HCCEF) announces that grant applications for the new grant cycle in 2016 year are now available. “Over $90,000 will be given out in grants to projects that enhance the quality of life for our citizens,” says Kendra Veld, HCCEF Grant Chair.

Applications are available on the HCCEF website at www.endowhardincoiowa.org and on the Hardin County Extension Service website at www.extension.iastate.edu/hardin/. Paper copies of the grant applications are available at the Hardin County Extension Office in Iowa Falls, as well as at each city hall in Hardin County.

Grant-writing workshops are scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th, 6:30 p.m. ISU Extension Office, Iowa Falls and Thursday, November 12th, 6:30 p.m. Eldora Public Library. Veld explains, “HCCEF Affiliate Advisory Board has made some changes in the applications so it is very important to attend a workshop.” All nonprofit organizations interested in submitting a grant application to HCCEF are strongly encouraged to attend one of these workshops.

Deadline for grant applications is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2016 with grant recipients being announced in early April. Nonprofit agencies, schools, units of government, or other qualifying charitable organizations operating for the benefit of Hardin County may apply.

Since 2005, HCCEF has awarded over $900,000 in grants from their Community Grant program and through grants from over 65 endowed family of funds with HCCEF. Grants support projects in seven focus areas: Arts & Culture; Community Betterment; Education; Economic Development & Entrepreneurship; Health Human Services; Recreation & Environment; and Youth Development.

Inquiries about the 2016 grant opportunities and other foundation information should be directed to Kendra Veld, Grant Chair, at 641-868-2352 (e-mail: veld_kendra@yahoo.com) or Tam Elerding, HCCEF Program Director, at 641-373-1379 (e-mail: endowhardinco@gmail.com.)