The Dysart Community Foundation held its Annual Meeting on March 15 at the Dysart Community Building.

The 2021 Board of Directors for the Foundation elected during the meeting, include: Bret Hennessy, Chair, representing Farmers Savings Bank & Trust; Pamela Thiele, Vice Chair, representing the City of Dysart; and Janis Wauters, Secretary, representing the Dysart Women’s Club.

Other members of the Board include: Michael Barfels representing Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Sarah Carter representing the Dysart Development Corporation; Jenna Scott representing the Union Community School District and Linda Thompson representing the Dysart Lions Club. Michael Barfels was welcomed to the Board of Directors at this meeting.

The Dysart Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization with the purpose of receiving and accepting gifts for educational, cultural, community betterment and other charitable purposes.

Foundation assets are segregated and administered as funds including a General Fund, an Endowment Fund and donor amounts directed for specific purposes.

The Foundation distributes contributions from the community and endowment investment income through a competitive grant process to Dysart area non-profit groups, for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life for residents here.

Since inception, the Dysart Community Foundation has distributed $93,729 to the community, including $81,661 in grants to twenty-three entities.

In 2020, $3,500 was allocated for grant awards to the Norma Anders Public Library, Dysart Historical Society, Wolf Creek Players, the City of Dysart, and the Dysart Tree Board.

From contributions of numerous local individuals and families, and by the city funding from the Opal Heckroth Estate as permanent endowment, the foundation will be awarding grants this spring.

A 2021 grant application may be obtained at the Norma Anders Public Library, during their business hours. An application may also be obtained by e-mailing a request to dysart1997@gmail.com.

We encourage Dysart non-profit organizations to apply for grants to supplement their community-based projects. Submit completed grant applications to the Dysart Community Foundations, PO Box 143, Dysart, IA 52224, postmarked no later than Friday, April 30, 2021.

Gift planning through the Dysart Community Foundation is tax deductible and is an effective way to make a lasting impact on the quality of life for citizens of all ages in our local community for years to come.

Visit with Rick Krug, Trust Officer, at Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Trustee, (319-478-2148, ext. 118), or your attorney to create possibilities for the betterment of Dysart in your own personal way.