DYSART – The Dysart Community Foundation held its Annual Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on March 11, 2024 at the Dysart Community Building. The 2024 Board of Directors for the Foundation elected during the meeting include: Pamela Thiele, Chair, representing the City of Dysart; Sarah Carter, Vice Chair, representing the Dysart Development Corporation; and Reta Callahan, Secretary, representing the Dysart Fine Arts Women’s Club.

Other members of the Board include: Michael Barfels representing Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Neil Mullen representing the Dysart Lions Club, and Carleen McGivern representing the Union Community School District. The Board accepted Carly’s appointment to a five-year term 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 resources are segregated and administered as funds consisting of a General Fund, an Endowment Fund, and donor amounts directed for specific purposes. The Foundation distributes gifting 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 $104,976 to the community, including $94,367 in grants to twenty-four entities. In 2023, $8,250.00 was allocated for grant awards to the Norma Anders Public Library, Dysart VBS, Wolf Creek Players, Vision Dysart, Club Dysart, Union Middle School, and the Dysart Historical Society.

From contributions of numerous local individuals and families, and by City of Dysart funding from the Opal Heckroth Estate as permanent Endowment, the Foundation will be awarding grants this spring. A 2024 grant application may be obtained at the Norma Anders Public Library, Dysart City Hall, or Farmers Cooperative Telephone Company during their business hours. An application may also be accessed online at dysart1997@gmail.com. We encourage Dysart non- profit organizations to apply for grants to supplement their community-based projects. Submit completed grant applications by mail only to the Dysart Community Foundation, PO Box 143, Dysart, Iowa, 52224, postmarked no later than Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

Gift planning through the Dysart Community Foundation is an effective way to make a lasting impact on the future quality of life for citizens of all ages in our local community. To begin, visit with your attorney or Rick Krug, Trust Officer, at Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Trustee, (319- 478-2148, ext. 118), for a plan to do so.