The Dysart Community Foundation held its annual meeting February 23, at the Dysart City Hall. The 2016 Board of Directors for the Foundation elected during the meeting, include: Chairperson Brian Weber representing the Union Community School; Vice-Chair Mark Hookham representing the Farmers Savings Bank and Trust; and Secretary Marilyn Mehlhaus representing the Dysart Women’s Club. Other member of the Board are Kori Hatch representing the City of Dysart; Susan Fuchs representing the Farmers Savings Bank and Trust; Ruth Schafbuch representing Dysart Development Corporation; 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. Foundation assets are segregated and administered as one or more funds consisting of a general fund and such “donor funds” as any donor may wish to create. 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 for residents here, distributing $61,829 since its inception in 1997. In 2015, $1,800 of grant money was awarded to Dysart Development Corporation, Dysart Historical Society, Norma Anders Public Library, and D-G Elementary School PTO.

From the donations of many local families and the City of Dysart sharing the Opal Heckroth Estate as endowment, the Foundation will be awarding grants this spring. 2016 grant applications may be picked up at Dysart City Hall, Farmers Cooperative Telephone Company, or the Norma Anders Public Library. An electronic application can be obtained by e-mailing a request to dysart1997@gmail.com. We encourage Dysart non-profit organizations to apply for grants to supplement 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, 2016 to be considered for funding.

Gift planning through the Dysart Community Foundation is tax deductible and is an effective 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 Savings Bank and Trust as Trustee, or your attorney to discover how you can support the betterment of Dysart in your own personal way.