2020 Cedar Falls Community Foundation elects new Board Members
May 1, 2020
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation (CFCF) has served Cedar Falls for over forty years, guided by community members and donors with vision and passion to establish funds that will benefit Cedar Falls for generations to come. The members of the Board of Directors of this nationally accredited community foundation are Cedar Falls residents who understand both community needs and the benefits of building a philanthropic spirit in the community.
Four new board members were elected at the April 30, 2020 Annual Meeting: Susan Card, Angi Farley, Ron Gaines, and Mike Sulentic.
Susan Card is retired from the financial sector and now leads Reading With Jean at the Western Home Communities. She is an avid preservationist, serving on the Board of Preservation Iowa. Susan is the successful author of a National Register of Historic Places nomination and a community volunteer.
Angi Farley and her family have called Cedar Falls home for over 25 years. Angi is employed at First National Bank Cedar Falls, and with her husband, owns a small business. She looks forward to being part of CFCF because it focuses on serving Cedar Falls.
Ron Gaines is employed by the City of Cedar Falls, and currently serves on the Board of the Western Home. He has a strong belief in public service and looks forward to giving back to the community that has provided so much for his family.
Mike Sulentic has served several other Cedar Falls nonprofits, including as President of the Cedar Falls Public Library Trustees, Cedar Falls Community Theater, and Cedar Falls Kiwanis. He is the President of Richardson Funeral Services on Main Street and is always looking for ways to give back to Cedar Falls.
In addition, new officers were elected, with John Lehman becoming President, Dave Deaver, Vice President, Susan Card, Secretary, and Tom Paulsen, Treasurer. Long time President Russ Curtis will move to the role of Past President and continue to serve on the CFCF Board.
John Lehman is a third generation Cedar Falls resident, where he lives with his wife, Kristie, and their three children. John retired from Foster’s, Inc. in 2019, where he previously served as CEO/CIO. He is active at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church where he serves on the Finance and Nominating committees, and previously served on a capital campaign and in student education. John has served on the Board of the Cedar Falls Community Foundation since 2004, most recently as Treasurer.
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation is a nationally accredited community foundation serving Cedar Falls and vicinity. The CFCF partners with many non-profits, investing and managing their resources for maximum return. Among the organizations with funds at the Cedar Falls Community Foundation are the Cedar Falls Community Theatre, Cedar Bend Humane Society, Cedar Falls Woman’s Club, Cedar Falls Public Art Committee, Cedar Falls Bible Conference, Community Main Street, Veterans Memorial Park, The James & Meryl Hearst Center for the Arts, City of Cedar Falls Recreation facilities, Cedar Falls Public Library, and Friends of Clay Street Park among others. Donations to these funds are welcome.
In addition to serving area non-profits, the CFCF annually makes grants from its competitive funds. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation grant application portal is open until June 30, accepting applications to the Rownd Trust (capital projects) and the Diamond Arts & History Fund. Applicants must be non-profit organizations and must submit through the CFCF portal at https://www.cf-communityfoundation.org/.
Perhaps most importantly, the Foundation serves individuals wishing to leave a legacy. For example, the Cedar Falls Community Foundation administers the Robert Eller Study Abroad Fund which, due to Mr. Eller’s generosity and vision, now assists up to a dozen University of Northern Iowa students each year, studying all around the world. The Foundation also administers the Diamond Arts & History Fund, established by Saul & Joan Diamond, to stimulate lifelong learning by providing interactive or multisensory experiences in the fine arts or the history of Cedar Falls. Individuals with passion for a particular cause or organization are invited to connect with the Cedar Falls Community Foundation at CFCF@cfu.net.
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation is located inside Farmers State Bank, corner of 6th and Main Street, Cedar Falls, and is available by appointment. 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.
