The Dysart Community Foundation held its annual meeting on March 18, at the Dysart City Hall. The 2014 Board of Directors for the Foundation, elected during the meeting, include: Chairperson Ruth Schafbuch representing the Dysart Development Corporation; Vice-Chair Marilyn Mehlhaus representing the Dysart Women’s Club; secretary Kathryn Manfull representing the Farmers Savings Bank and Trust. Other members of the Board are Richard Behrens representing the Dysart City Council; Brian Weber representing the Union Community School; Mark Hookham representing the Farmers Savings Bank and Trust; and Don Lyons, representing the Dysart Lions Club. The Dysart Community Foundation is a 501C(3) tax-exempt organization with the purpose of receiving and accepting gifts for education, cultural, community betterment and other charitable purposes. The Foundation distributes endowment income and unrestricted gifts from the community through a competitive grant process to Dysart area non-profit groups for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in the Dysart area. The Foundation has distributed $54,340 since its inception in 1997. In 2013, $6,874 of grant money was awarded to: Norma Anders Public Library summer reading program; Dysar swim team computer software; Dysart Community VBS food; La Maison Women’s Club downtown flower project; Dysart Historical Society design/print brochures; Union Middle School 7 projectors and white board equipment; Dysart-Geneseo Elementary Early Childhood Screening assessments; Wolf Creek Players lighting equipment; Dysart Lions Club concession stand exhaust system and serving tables; Boy Scout Troop 325 camping equipment; and Dysart Lions lion drinking fountain. From the donations of many local families and the City of Dysart sharing the Opal Heckroth Estate as endowment, the Foundation will be awarding approximately $6,500 in grant money this spring. 2014 grant applications may be picked up at Dysart City Hall, Farmers Telephone Company, or Carl Luze Realty. We encourage Dysart non-profit organizations to apply for grants support their community-based projects. Submit completed grant applications to the Dysart Community Foundation, PO Box 143, Dysart IA 52224 and postmarked no later than April 30, 2014, to be considered for funding. Gift planning through the Dysart Community Foundation is tax deductible and is an excellent way to make a lasting impact on the quality of life for citizens of all ages and for years to come in our local community. Contact any board member, Farmers Bank and Trust as Trustee, or your attorney to discover how you can support the betterment of Dysart in your own personal way.