TRAER – The Traer Community Foundation Board of Directors has announced the 2025 disbursements for a total of $92,131.00. This is the 33rd year of awarding grants. Foundation grants to the community now total $1,093,131.00.

The following community betterment projects by non-profit organizations received funds this year:

–Christian Hands Across Traer: $4,606.00; safety net for families including food, clothes, heat etc.

–North Tama Community School: $25,000.00; athletic project – football, baseball, softball

–North Tama Community School: $275; kindergarten field trip to Hansen’s Dairy Farm

–North Tama Community School: $7,000; furniture fourth-grade classes

–Pied Piper Preschool & Childcare, Inc.: $2,500; child play enhancements

–Taylor Park Landscaping & Beautification Committee: $15,000; long-term landscaping and beautification of Taylor Park

–Traer Park Landscaping & Beautification Committee: $15,000; open-air shelter

–Traer Chamber of Commerce: $4,500; holiday season lights

–Traer Chamber of Commerce: $4,000; banners for light poles

–Traer Theater: $3,500; maintenance/equipment on existing projector

–Traer Historical Museum, Inc.: $4,000; help with HVAC system purchase

–Traer Ecumenical Vacation Bible School: $1,000; t-shirts, biblical keepsakes, and craft

–Winding Stairs Festival: $5,750; sandbags for tents, portable announcement system, caricature artist, entertainment

All gifts made to the Foundation qualify as charitable donations for the donor and are recognized as such by the Internal Revenue Service. This gives donors the ability to donate to the community of Traer and avoid federal and state income, estate and gift taxes on those contributions.

Gifts to the Foundation may be made in cash, appreciated securities, real estate, pledges, deferred gifts (such as life insurance proceeds or bequests through wills), or charitable remainder trusts.

The Foundation will receive and accept properties and gifts for the benefit of Traer and its citizens and will distribute those gifts to community organizations such as those named above, either as the donor directs the funds to be spent, or as the Foundation’s Board of Directors select.

Visit with any of the five board members or with any officer at the Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Traer for more information about the Foundation. Board members include the following representatives: Pete Holden, chairman, representing the Traer City Council; Taylor Howard, vice-chairman, representing North Tama County Community School; Angie Jacobs, representing Farmers Savings Bank & Trust; Tracey Hume, representing the Traer Chamber of Commerce; Bruce Reinders, secretary for the Foundation and Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Traer, Trustee.