2019 Competitive Grants to be Awarded September 26
August 15, 2019
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation has announced recipients of its 2019 competitive grant cycle. In making the announcement Cynthia Sweet, executive director, said, “It is inspiring to read grant applications and realize that these are only a small portion of the many meaningful and community-enhancing projects occurring in Cedar Falls. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation is proud to be able to support so many of these great projects.”
Applications were taken during April, May, and June to the Rownd Trust, the Cedar Falls Community Foundation Enhancement Fund, and the Diamond Arts & History Fund. Funding was granted to six local organizations. Awards will be made at 4:30 p.m., September 26 during the Community Builder Celebration, at Aldrich Elementary School, Cedar Falls.
The Cedar Falls Community Theatre was granted $15,000 for capital projects at the theatre. With this funding, as well as grants from other area funders, the Cedar Falls Community Theatre intends to upgrade lifts, hoists and wiring, ticketing software, third floor meeting room, front entrance, interior floors, and main stage curtains and fixtures. Since restoring the theatre, the Cedar Falls Community Theatre has hosted, produced or presented over 1,250 performances, worked with over 4,500 actors and performers, and entertained over 700,000 patrons.
The Sturgis Falls Celebration was granted $10,000 to support the purchase of a new 40’ x 280’ high-peaked pole tent for the Kidsway Stage and activities area. This new tent will cover a full city block from 2nd to 3rd Streets on Franklin Street adjacent to Overman Park, providing an opportunity to expand the Kidsway entertainment area, and providing additional opportunities for families with small children. The target audience for this area is children ages 2-12 and their families.
The Husome Strong Foundation was granted $5,000 for a Solo Rider adaptive golf cart for Pheasant Ridge/Walters Ridge Golf Course. The purpose of creating an adaptive golf program is to use the game of golf as a gateway to city golf courses for those with various disabilities. Adaptive golf equipment and trained volunteer coaches are part of a program that will grow to encompass clinics and events to allow those with disabilities to learn to play and compete on a regular basis.
The Cedar Falls Historical Society received $5,000 to begin developing exhibits for their new museum at 315 Clay Street. The Cedar Falls Historical Society has contracted with Bluewater Studio to design exhibits and interactives for their new two-story museum. The museum will celebrate agriculture, business, industry and transportation in Cedar Falls, using interactive exhibits and embedding STEM concepts throughout the interpretive plan.
Community Main Street was granted $2,500 to purchase hanging flower baskets for 31 additional double hung light poles which will be added to the district as part of a two-phase streetscape project. Seasonally, one banner pole arm is used for a hanging basket on each corner. The City of Cedar Falls, Cedar Falls Utilities, and Community Main Street are partners in the phased streetscape expansion project, with each member of the partnership providing funds toward the overall project.
Friends of the Hearst Center was granted $2,500 to conserve a Marjorie Nuhn watercolor in the collection of the Hearst Center for the Arts. The untitled watercolor, dated 1942, will be conserved by the Midwest Art Conservation Center to consolidate flaking, clean the surface, remove the acidic backing board, and otherwise repair the artwork. Marjorie Nuhn was an important Cedar Falls artist and is considered by many to be an important Iowa regionalist artist. Upon completion of the conservation, Nuhn’s work will be exhibited as part of an upcoming retrospective of her long career as a visual artist.
Grant awards will be made during the September 26th Community Builders Celebration, which will take place at 4:30 p.m. at Aldrich Elementary School. The public is invited to attend.
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation accepts grant applications each Spring. In addition, the Cedar Falls Community Foundation accepts donations year ‘round, recently establishing several flexible funds to which donations may be made in support of general areas of interest. These include the Cedar Falls Forever Endowment, Enhancement Fund, Children & Families Fund, and Health & Wellness Fund. These funds allow the CF Community Foundation to address opportunities and community needs as they arise through flexible funding sources.
Individuals with passion for a particular cause or organization are invited to connect with the Cedar Falls Community Foundation to discuss leaving a community legacy through creation of a fund or supporting a specific organization or project. Many of the projects and opportunities that make Cedar Falls great are supported through gifts and funds entrusted to the Cedar Falls Community Foundation.
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation is located inside Farmers State Bank, corner of 6th and Main Street, Cedar Falls, and is available by appointment. For more information, contact the Foundation at: 319.243.9170, email: CFCF@cfu.net, or visit the website at www.cf-communityfoundation.org or find us on Facebook.
