DYSART – The Dysart Community Foundation held its Annual Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on March 16, 2026, at the Dysart Community Building. The 2026 Board of Directors for the Foundation elected during the meeting include: Sarah Carter, Chair, representing the Dysart Chamber of Commerce; Carly McGivern, Vice Chair, representing the Union Community School District; and Reta Callahan, Secretary, representing the Dysart Fine Arts Women’s Club. Other members of the Board include Maxine Bottema representing Farmers Savings Bank & Trust; Rick Krug representing the Dysart Lions Club; Courtney Petersen representing Dysart City Council; and Kendall Heckroth representing Farmers Savings Bank & Trust. The Board accepted Kendall Heckroth’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 $125,850.00 to the community, including $115,241.00 in grants to 25 entities. In 2025, $11,018.00 was allocated for grant awards to the Norma Anders Public Library, Dysart Historical Society, Dysart VBS, Wolf Creek Players, Dysart Pickleball Organization, and Dysart Recreation.

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 2026 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 on the Dysart Community Foundation Facebook page.

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 Thursday, April 30, 2026.

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. Visit with your attorney or Cindy Blaine, Assistant Trust Officer, at Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Trustee, (319-478-2148 ext. 121), for a plan to do so.