The Dysart Community Foundation held its Annual Meeting March 13th, at the Dysart City Hall. The 2017 Board of Directors for the Foundation elected during the meeting, include: Brian Weber, Chairperson, representing the Union Community School; Mark Hookham, Vice-Chair representing the Farmers Savings Bank and Trust; and Marilyn Mehlhaus, Secretary, representing the Dysart Women’s Club. Other members of the Board include Joe Coffey representing the Dysart Lions Club; Susan Fuchs representing the Farmers Savings Bank and Trust; Ann Seebach representing the Dysart Development Corporation; and Kori Hatch representing the City of Dysart.

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 funds consisting of a general fund and such “donor funds” as any donor may wish to create. The Foundation distributes contributions from the community and Endowment investment income through a competitive grant process to Dysart area non-profit groups, for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life for residents here, distributing $61,472 since its inception in 1997. In 2016, $8,635 of grant money was awarded to Dysart Development Corporation, City of Dysart, Dysart Historical Society, Dysart Swim Team, Dysart Tree Board, and D-G Elementary School.

From the contributions of many local families and by the City of Dysart gifting the Opal Heckroth Estate as permanent Endowment, the Foundation will be awarding grants this spring. A 2017 grant application may be obtained at Dysart City Hall, Farmers Cooperative Telephone Company, or the Norma Anders Public Library during their business hours. An electronic application may be obtained by e-mailing a request to dysart1997@gmail.com before April 10th and after April 21st. 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, postmarked no later than April 30, 2017.

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 in our local community for years to come. Contact any board member, Rick Krug, Trust Officer, at Farmers Savings Bank and Trust as Trustee (319-478-2148, ext. 118), or your attorney to discover how you can realize the betterment of Dysart in your own personal way.