WCPP News
Check Out the Latest News from Warren County Philanthropic Partnership
Grant Application Information for 2021 Released
Warren County Philanthropic Partnership is pleased to announce some important grant application dates for 2021. Applications will be available on the organization’s website beginning Feb. 1 and applications will be due March 1.
WCPP will host a grant writing workshop the first week of February with a date to be announced when a date and location is determined.
As with previous grant processes, we will have High Impact grants up to $25,000 available, and applicants will need to submit an Intent to Apply form by Feb. 11 for review for the High Impact grants only. A committee will review your Intent to Apply form and projects that are determined to make a significant impact on the community will be invited to complete a full application for consideration. Community grants up to $5,000 are not required to complete an Intent to Apply form.
Applications and instructions for applying will be on our website at https://www.warrencountypp.org/grantinformation/.
WCPP Announces Disaster Recovery Fund for Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19
Warren County Philanthropic Partnership has committed $15,000 to a Disaster Recovery Fund to support organizations experiencing operational and programming challenges due to COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the daily operations and long-term viability of nonprofit organizations and businesses, and to show support, WCPP created the fund to supplement, not replace, existing resources and services provided by nonprofits and local, state and federal agencies.
WCPP made an initial donation of $5,000 to the Small Business Recovery Grant program formed by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Warren County Economic Development Corporation and other organizations and businesses to assist affected small businesses. Remaining funds will address the unanticipated needs caused by the pandemic in the nonprofit sector, with hopes these valuable organizations can continue the critical services they provide in Warren County.
Citizens, businesses and organizations who find themselves in a good position during this pandemic and want to show their support for affected organizations can make donations to the Disaster Recovery Fund at www.warrencountypp.org/disasterrecoveryfund. Organizations experiencing operational and programming challenges due to COVID-19 may apply for assistance at www.warrencountypp.org/DRFapplication.
While the Disaster Recovery Fund has been established to address challenges during COVID-19, the fund will extend beyond this single disaster and will be a key part of the community’s disaster response. Donations will continually be accepted, and the fund will be opened again whenever the need may arise.
More information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Disaster Recovery Fund can be found on our Disaster Recovery Fund webpage.
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines will host the webinar Charitable Conversations: CARES Act and Community Response to COVID-19 Pandemic for Professional Fund Advisors
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. [Session will open 10 minutes prior]
Location: Zoom online platform
Audience: Professional Advisors
Click here to register through Zoom
As a professional advisor, we thank you for your on-going support of your clients’ charitable plans. As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together, we invite you to join us for an interactive conversation on charitable giving in Central Iowa and beyond during this challenging time. We hope this conversation will equip you with talking points for timely charitable conversations with your clients.
As an interactive conversation, we invite you to participate with questions and comments during the call or you can email your questions in advance to richardson@desmoinesfoundation.org.
Survey Will Determine COVID-19 Impact on the Community
Warren County Philanthropic Partnership is conducting a survey to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the local nonprofit sector, cities, government agencies and businesses.
Results of the survey will be used to determine how WCPP and other organizations that find themselves unaffected by the pandemic can partner to assist organizations that are experiencing operating and programming challenges.
The information gained from the survey will also be used to establish a hub of information and resources to assist Warren County’s citizens and nonprofit sector, as well as a disaster relief fund to help the county’s nonprofit sector continue to operate during these tough times.
The quick survey is available at www.bit.ly/DisasterReliefNeedSurvey.
Grant Writing Workshop Presentations and Information
We thank everyone who was able to attend our 2020 Grant Writing Workshop on Jan. 31. To help you as you go along, below you’ll find the slideshow presentation from our workshop, as well as the slideshow presentation and information provided by a workshop held by Warren County Hometown Pride.
Click each line below to link to download:
Warren County Philanthropic Partnership 2020 Grant Writing Workshop Slideshow
Warren County Hometown Pride workshop presentation by Jane Colacecchi
Hometown Pride workshop list of grants available to the community
Handouts from our grant writing workshop included a copy of our application, guidelines and instructions, and scoring matrix, which can be found on our Apply for a Grant page.
If at any time you have questions, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us at (515) 962-5927 or info@warrencountypp.org.
WCPP to Offer $25,000 Grant in 2020
Warren County Philanthropic Partnership announces its 2020 grant options, including an increase in the High Impact Grant of up to $25,000.
“We believe there are organizations in Warren County working on significant projects or who have dreams of a big project for the county,” said Emily Roush-Bobolz, executive director. “While our community grants are helpful for smaller projects or smaller organizations, we feel increasing our High Impact Grant to up to $25,000 may be just the thing an organization needs to bring their big project to fruition.” Last year WCPP offered the grant for up to $10,000.
This year WCPP is expected to have an estimated $100,000 to award in grants, including the High Impact Grant, its typical Community Grant in amounts between $500 to $5,000 and a trails-specific grant up to $500.
This year the grant application process is expected to be easier for applicants. Applications will be shorter with fewer questions, easier to understand questions and a budget worksheet requiring less itemization. Applications may be submitted online or via mail. Applications are available beginning Jan. 31 and will be due March 2.
For organizations interested in a High Impact Grant, an Intent to Apply form (available at www.warrencountypp.org beginning Jan. 31) is required to be submitted by Feb. 7. Qualifying organizations will then be invited to apply. This form is not required for Community and Trails grants.
Each year WCPP hosts a grant writing workshop to assist local organizations in understanding the process of applying for a WCPP grant. This year the workshop will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Indianola YMCA Community Room.
Since its inception, WCPP has invested more than $1 million into Warren County communities with funds from the County Endowment Fund Program and donations. The County Endowment Fund Program distributes a percentage of the state’s gaming tax revenue to qualified community foundations in the 84 Iowa counties that do not hold a state-issued gaming license, like Warren County.
For more information, visit www.warrencountypp.org, e-mail info@warrencountypp.org or contact Emily Roush-Bobolz at (515) 491-6508. WCPP is an affiliate of the Community Foundation or Greater Des Moines
WCPP Announces 2019 Grant Recipients
Warren County Philanthropic Partnership is excited to announce the recipients of its 2019 grants! On May 7, at the annual grant reception held at the Legacy Clubhouse in Norwalk, WCPP awarded $108,465 to 22 organizations in Warren County who will use the money for more than half a million dollars in projects in Warren County! That a big investment into local communities by nonprofit organizations and city governments.
Congratulations to:
– Ackworth Garden Club
– Carlisle Hometown Pride
– Carlisle Little League
– Carlisle Parks Department
– Child Abuse Prevention Council of Warren County
– Children and Families of Iowa
– Friends of the Carlisle Public Library
– Indianola Community Parks and Recreation Foundation
– Indianola Firefighters Association
– Indianola Music Boosters
– Indianola Parks and Recreation Department
– Lacona Fire and EMS Volunteer Department
– Milo Fire and Rescue
– Milo Hometown Pride
– New Virginia Playground Committee
– Norwalk Economic Development Department
– Norwalk Hometown Pride
– Norwalk Parks and Recreation Department
– Norwalk Police Department
– Norwalk PTO
– Palmyra Township
– Warren County Historical Society
WCPP to Host Grant Writing Workshop
Each year we have board members and grant reading committee members on hand to answer your important questions about the grant application process. Our 2019 Grant Workshop will be at noon on Friday, Feb. 1 at the Indianola YMCA Community Room.
Please join us for this live workshop. And if you can’t attend, please feel free to get in touch at info@warrencountypp.org. See you there!
Warren County Philanthropic Partnership to Offer New Grant Options, Including First-time Grant Specifically for Recreational Trails
Warren County Philanthropic Partnership will offer two High Impact grants in 2019 as well as a $500 grant to a qualifying project supporting the county’s trail system.
Last year was the first year the community foundation offered a High Impact Grant, an award in an amount up to $10,000 for a larger investment project impacting a greater portion of the county. The first High Impact Grant was awarded to the historic Palmyra Church restoration project.
In 2019, WCPP will offer two grants up to $10,000 each along with its regular community grants in amounts between $500 and $5,000. In addition, WCPP will offer a new trails-specific grant up to $500, thanks in part from a recent donation of $4,605 from the Warren County Leadership Institute Class of 2018.
The trails-specific grant money comes from the Warren County Trails Endowment Fund which was started by the WCLI Class of 2014 and is held by WCPP. In 2014 the WCLI class partnered with Rotary Club of Indianola on the club’s annual Ride Across Warren County, and the club gave all proceeds toward the fund. Rotary also made donations to the fund in following years.
As is common with endowments, the fund could not pay out toward grants until it reached a certain amount. In December, the WCLI Class of 2018 chose to bring the fund to a point where a portion can now be awarded annual. After their class project of installing signs along the county’s trails, they donated the remainder of their fundraising dollars to the endowment.
Since its inception WCPP has invested more than $1 million into Warren County communities with funds from the County Endowment Fund Program as well as donations. The County Endowment Fund Program distributes a percentage of the state’s gaming tax revenue to qualified community foundations in the 84 Iowa counties that do not hold a state-issued gaming license, like Warren County.
Information about applying for WCPP grants will be released in January 2019. For more information, visit www.warrencountypp.org, e-mail info@warrencountypp.org or contact Emily Roush-Bobolz at (515) 491-6508.
Warren County Leadership Institute Class Donates to Warren County Trails Endowment Fund
The Warren County Leadership Institute Class of 2018 recently donated $4,605 to the Warren County Trails Endowment Fund, a fund held by Warren County Philanthropic Partnership.
With the donation, WCPP can now award an annual grant for projects in Warren County directly related to trail improvements. WCPP will offer a grant of $500 beginning in 2019.
The Warren County Trails Endowment Fund was started by the WCLI Class of 2014 as its class project. The class collaborated with Rotary Club of Indianola during Rotary’s annual bicycle ride to raise awareness of the fund. Rotary Club was generous enough to donate all of the money raised by that year’s bicycle ride to the Class of 2014 for the endowment.
“The Class of 2014 had a lofty goal when it chose to open an endowment. With dedication, time and generous donations, their dream is now a reality,” said Emily Roush-Bobolz, Executive Director of WCPP and former WCLI board member.
The endowment has increased with donations and the most recent donation by WCLI brings the fund to “fully-funded,” allowing for awards to be given from the fund.
Applications are expected to becoming available in mid-January.
