TRAER – The Traer Community Foundation board members are pleased to announce they are now accepting grant applications from non-profit Traer area groups, for the 2026 grant program.

Board members and who they represent include chairman Pete Holden, Traer City Council; vice-chairman Taylor Howard, North Tama County Community School; Jared Bauch, Kubik-Finch American Legion Post of Traer; Angie Jacobs, Farmers Savings Bank & Trust; and Madison Snider, Traer Chamber of Commerce.

Farmers Savings Bank & Trust serves as Trustee.

Application forms may be picked up at the Farmers Savings Bank & Trust or they are available at www.fsb-traer.com.

Recipients of last year’s grants from the Foundation are reminded that before any further grant applications are considered, documentation must be provided to the Foundation Board on how past grants were used.

Grant applications must be turned in at the Farmers Savings Bank & Trust by 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 30 ,2026. Applicants must provide seven (7) copies of the application.

The Traer Community Foundation has been actively contributing to the Traer community since 1991. Since that time, the Foundation has provided more than $1,181,089.00 to non-profit organizations, community projects and scholarships.

The Traer Community Foundation is constantly in search of contributions, as these contributions provide most of the funds available to worthy grant projects. One hundred percent of your tax-deductible contribution is used for the betterment of the Traer community.

There are many ways to donate a tax-exempt gift, including cash or check payable to the Traer Community Foundation in care of Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, PO Box 435, Traer, IA 50675.

Appreciated securities are also accepted and carry two benefits cash gifts do not – capital gains tax is eliminated when you contribute the securities and you are allowed an income tax deduction based on the securities’ fair market value on the date of the gift. Securities may be delivered to Farmers Savings Bank & Trust.

Real estate is another donation option, one which holds tax advantages if it is a long term appreciated holding. The board recommends consulting with an attorney when considering a real estate gift.

If you wish to extend your gift over time, you might want to consider multi-year pledges. Extended over a period of several years, a pledge helps make a larger foundation gift than you might have thought possible. You may make your pledge payments with cash, check or appreciated securities.

Deferred gifts for a future donation might include:

-Life insurance policy with the foundation named the beneficiary. The annual life insurance premiums are tax-deductible.

-Specific or contingent bequests in your will.

-Charitable remainder trusts, which lets you enjoy income from the gift during your lifetime.

Gifts can be made publicly or anonymously, and the contributor may designate how the gift can be spent.

Tax-deductible contributions to the Traer Community Foundation can be made by contacting Cindy Blaine at Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, 319-478-2148.