The Dysart Community Foundation held its annual meeting March 10, at the Dysart City Hall. The 2015 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 member of the Board are Kori Hatch representing the City of Dysart; Brian Weber representing the Union Community School; Mark Hookham representing the Farmers Savings Bank and Trust; and Joe Coffey 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 $60,029 since its inception in 1997. In 2014, $5,689 of grant money was awarded to: Dysart Community VBS, Benton County Conservation, Dysart Ambulance Service, Club Dysart, City of Dysart, Wolf Creek Players, Dysart Development Corporation, Dysart Historical Society, Raggedy Ann and Andy Preschool and the Union Middle School.

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 $5,600 in grant money this spring. 2015 grant applications may be picked up at Dysart City Hall, Farmers Cooperative Telephone Company, Norma Anders Public Library, or Carl Luze Realty. We encourage Dysart non-profit organizations to apply for grants to support their community-based projects. Submit completed grant applications to the Dysart Community Foundations, PO Box 143, Dysart, IA 52224 and postmarked no later than April 30, 2015 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.