The Dysart Community Foundation held its Annual Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on March 9, 2020 at the Dysart City Hall.

The 2020 Board of Directors for the Foundation elected during the meeting, include: Susan Fuchs, Chair, representing Farmers Savings Bank & Trust; Bret Hennessy, Vice-Chair, representing the Farmers Savings Bank & Trust; and Jannie Wauters, Secretary, representing the Dysart Women’s Club. Other members of the Board include Stacey Dabney representing the Dysart Development Corporation; Pamela Thiele representing the Dysart City Council; Jenna Scott representing the Union Community School District; and Linda Thompson representing the Dysart Lions Club. Pamela Thiele, Jenna Scott and Linda Thompson were welcomed to the Foundation Board.

The Dysart Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization with the purpose of receiving and accepting gifts for educational, cultural, community betterment and other charitable purposes. Foundation assets are segregated and administered as funds consisting of a General Fund, an Endowment Fund, and donor amounts directed for specific purposes. 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. Since inception, the Dysart Community Foundation has distributed $85,995 to the community, including $79,911 in grants to twenty-three entities. In 2019, $6,200 from sources of income was awarded to the Norma Anders Public Library, Dysart Ambulance Service, Dysart Vacation Bible School, Dysart Historical Society, Wolf Creek Players, Dysart Tree Board, Sole Sisters, and the Little Knights Learning Center.

From contributions of numerous local individuals and families, and by City of Dysart funding from the Opal Heckroth Estate as permanent Endowment, the Foundation will be awarding grants this spring. A 2020 grant application may be obtained at the Norma Anders Public Library, Dysart City Hall, or Farmers Cooperative Telephone Company during their business hours. An application may also 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, postmarked no later than April 30, 2020.

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. Visit with Rick Krug, Trust Officer, at Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Trustee, (319-478-2148, ext. 118), or your attorney to discover possibilities for betterment of Dysart in your own personal way.