Grant Checks Awarded to Cedar Falls Organizations

April 1, 2015

SUBSTANTIAL GRANT PRESENTATIONS MADE BY CEDAR FALLS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Cedar Falls Community Foundation has awarded two substantial grants from the Ella Rownd Trust to aid with capital projects taking place at the Cedar Falls Historical Society and the Western Home Communities.

On Monday, March 16the during a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Cedar Falls Historical Society, a check for $13,580 was presented by Russ Curtis, president of The Cedar Falls Community Foundation to Karen Smith, Executive Director of the Cedar Falls Historical Society for exterior restoration of the Victorian Home.

Exterior work on Victorian Home

Smith noted that, “This grant, made from the Ella C. Rownd Trust, will enable the Cedar Falls Historical Society to complete its careful restoration of the Victorian Home’s soffits, fascia, brackets and columns – defining features of the Italianate style of the home.”  The Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum welcomes thousands of visitors each year to view the exhibits, explore local history, and research their family history.  Smith said “We know that this project will inspire others to value historic preservation and to make their own investments in such work. We appreciate the Cedar Falls Community Foundation’s support of our stewardship of this beautiful building.”

On April 1st, in a ceremony at the Western Home, Curtis presented a check for $12,500 to the Western Home Foundation to support the construction of a wellness/community center on the Western Home’s south campus.  Curtis noted, “This check represents one-half of the Cedar Falls Community Foundation’s $25,000 commitment to the Western Home Foundation’s wellness center. The Ella C. Rownd Trust has made it possible for the Cedar Falls Community Foundation to support substantial capital projects that improve our citizen’s quality of life.”

Russ Curtis, President, Cedar Falls Community Foundation, presents grant check to Mary Taylor, Western Home Communities.

The Ella C. Rownd Trust was established in 1967 under the Will of Ella Cotton Rownd.  The assets of the Rownd Trust have been used to make significant contributions to community capital projects within the city of Cedar Falls including the Cedar Falls Historical Society (Victorian Home and Ice House Museum); University of Northern Iowa (Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, UNI-Dome and McLeod Center); Cedar Falls Community Theater (Oster Regent Theatre Restoration Project); George Wyth Recreational Trail; Cedar Falls Public Library; Cedar Falls Recreation Center; Sartori Memorial Hospital; The Hearst Center for the Arts; the Falls Aquatic Center; and the Western Home Communities.  Russ Curtis, President of the Cedar Falls Community Foundation, noted that “With the Foundation’s careful stewardship, the Rownd Trust funds will continue to grow and be available to make important contributions to the community for many generations, fulfilling Ella Rownd’s wishes and the needs of our community.”

The Cedar Falls Community Foundation serves as the leading philanthropic organization in Cedar Falls, Iowa, using the resources entrusted to its stewardship to support projects that enhance the community’s quality of life through cultural, scholarly, recreational, literary, and artistic endeavors.  The Cedar Falls Community Foundation encourages community philanthropy and collaboration.  For more information about the Cedar Falls Community Foundation, please visit www.cf-communityfoundation.org  or contact 319.243.9170 or cfcf@cfu.net.