TRAER – The Traer Community Foundation Board of Directors has announced the 2026 disbursements for a total of $102,421.00. This is the 34th year of awarding grants. The total of Foundation grants to the community is now $1,195,552.00.

These are the community betterment projects by non-profit organizations that received funds this year:

-Christian Hands Across Traer: $3,000; Safety net for families-food, clothes, heat, etc.

-North Tama Community School: $25,000; Athletic project-baseball scoreboard project

-North Tama Community School: $300; Kindergarten field trip to Hansen’s Dairy Farm

-Traer Chamber of Commerce: $19,286; Purchase holiday wreaths

-Pied Piper Preschool & Childcare, Inc.: $15,000; Expanding playground and adding additional fencing

-Taylor Park Landscaping & Beautification Committee: $9,355; Holiday lights and materials for Taylor Park

-Traer Park Landscaping & Beautification Committee: $10,000; New plantings, installation of landscape features

-Tama County Historical Society: $2,280.00; Microfilm and digitize the archives of the Traer Star-Clipper

-Traer Theater: $10,000; Maintenance on projector, new popcorn popper, waterline repair and update website

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

-Winding Stairs Festival: $7,200; Sandbags for tents, rental of portable ice trailer, caricature artist and Friday night’s band

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.

Donations to the Foundation may be made as cash, appreciated securities, real estate, pledges, deferred gifts (such as life insurance proceeds or bequests in a will), 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; Madison Snider representing the Traer Chamber of Commerce; Jared Bauch representing Kubik-Finch Post #142; Bruce Reinders, Secretary for the Foundation and Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Traer, Trustee.