2024 Grants Awarded!

Sally Kleiss Timmer • August 1, 2024

Cedar Falls Community Foundation announces 2024 competitive grant awards

The Cedar Falls Community Foundation has awarded $84,500 in grants to area non-profits and childcare facilities. Applications for these grants were accepted from April 1st through June 15th and were approved by the organization’s board of directors in July. Funding for the grants came from the Rownd Trust, the Diamond Arts and History Fund, and the CFCF Children and Families Fund.

 

The Cedar River Recreational Project will receive $50,000 paid out over four years from the Rownd Trust to support the Cedar River enhancement project. These enhancements include safe handicap access to the river’s edge, recreational water activity for kayakers and canoeists, tubing options along the river bank, fishing opportunities through improved access and improved habitat development and much more!

 

The Cedar Falls Rotary Club will receive $10,000 for the 100th Anniversary Cedar Falls Rotary Club Plaza from the Rownd Trust. Funding will be used to support the plaza to honor and recognize essential workers during the pandemic including educators, public servants, and sustainers.

The Cedar Falls Rotary Club endeavors to serve their community, nation, and world through worthwhile projects and emphasizes “Service above Self” in their mission.

 

The Cedar Falls Woman’s Club will receive $5,000 for new HVAC for their kitchen from the Rownd Trust.

The Cedar Falls Woman’s Club provides opportunities for members learning, serving through volunteerism, and participating in civic events. In addition, the Cedar Falls Woman’s Club plays a vital role in the historic district of Cedar Falls by maintaining a Victorian House for use as a meeting site by the Woman’s Club and businesses and organizations in the community.

 

 

The Cedar Falls Community Theater will receive $3,500 for the New Play Festival from the Diamond Arts and History Fund. This will be a new event at the theatre that is designed to celebrate and support Iowa playwrights by providing a platform to showcase their work. The primary goals of the festival are to discover and nurture local talent, enrich the cultural landscape of Cedar Falls, and offer the community a unique theatrical experience.

The mission of the Cedar Falls Community Theater is to showcase community-based performing arts in Cedar Falls. 

 

The University of Northern Iowa Foundation will receive $1,000 to help fund the Suzuki Orchestra Tours from the Diamond Arts and History Fund. This grant will support tours to arts-underserved populations that would usually not have access to orchestra concerts and encourages students to pursue musical studies by featuring performances by students of similar age. The Suzuki School at the UNI School of Music seeks to enrich the lives of children and adults through the study of music.

 

 

The Cedar Falls Community Foundation granted $15,000 from the Children and Families Fund this year.

 

Community United Childcare Centers-Valley Park will receive $3,500 to repair the front sidewalk of their facility that has become a tripping hazard.

 

Lora’s Child Care will receive $3,000 to help pay for new flooring and equipment.

 

St. John’s Preschool and Childcare Center will receive $3,000 to purchase a new industrial sized refrigerator, to continue providing breakfast, two snacks, and lunch to the children enrolled in their program.

 

Prairie Rose Montessori School, LLC will receive $3,000 to put towards the cost of making their new building ADA compliant through adding a ramp and creating an ADA compliant restroom.

 

Immanuel Lutheran Preschool will receive $1,000 to help with the cost of renovations to their classrooms to add wrap around childcare to their preschool program.

 

Little Hawkeyes Daycare will receive $1,500 to support a new storage shed and new outdoor play equipment.

 

 

 

The Cedar Falls Community Foundation

The Cedar Falls Community Foundation (CFCF) is a nationally accredited community foundation working with donors to make a difference in Cedar Falls. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation is located inside Farmers State Bank, 6th and Main Street, Cedar Falls, and is accessible by appointment, phone 319.243.9170, email: director@cf-communityfoundation.org, and website: www.cf-communityfoundation.org. 

 

 

 

By Sally Kleiss Timmer April 3, 2026
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation (CFCF) is pleased to announce Bob Beach as the posthumous recipient of the 2026 Melendy Spirit Award, recognizing his lifetime of extraordinary leadership, philanthropy, and service to the Cedar Falls community. The Melendy Spirit Award honors individuals whose contributions have significantly enhanced the quality of life in Cedar Falls through community engagement, civic leadership, and generosity. Living fully and exuberantly in to his 90’s, Beach exemplified the spirit of the award through decades of dedication to the institutions, organizations, and initiatives that help make Cedar Falls a vibrant place to live, work, and learn. This award will be presented to Bob’s family at the Cedar Falls Business and Community awards luncheon on Thursday, May 7 th, doors open at 11:30 a.m., at the Daimond Events Center at Jorgensen Plaza. Born on September 23, 1926 — the same day that UNI’s Campanile was originally dedicated — Bob’s life would remain closely connected to the university and the community it serves. A 1951 graduate of Iowa State Teachers College, Beach carried forward a deep commitment to education and community building throughout his life. Beach’s impact was particularly significant through his leadership with the University of Northern Iowa Foundation. He joined the Foundation’s Board of Governors in 1980, was elected to the Board of Directors in 1985, and was soon elected as President, remaining in that role for an unprecedented ten years. During his presidency, the Foundation experienced significant growth and advancement, including the launch of the Leading Building Sharing Campaign, which exceeded its $25 million goal and resulted in the construction of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, now a cultural cornerstone for Cedar Falls and the Cedar Valley. Beach was deeply involved in the College Hill community, as for nearly four decades he led University Book & Supply, transforming it from a campus bookstore into a major retail destination while serving as a welcoming presence for generations of UNI students and their families. Known for spending much of his time on the store floor greeting visitors and engaging with students, Beach deftly uniting the town and gown factions with the College hill Partnership, and the College Hill Arts Festival. His civic leadership included service as President of the Cedar Falls Chamber of Commerce, involvement with the local tourism board and Main Street initiatives. Beach’s philanthropy touched projects both large and small — from major initiatives such as the UNI-Dome and the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, to community improvements like park benches, trail amenities, and neighborhood enhancements. His generosity and leadership helped support many organizations and institutions throughout Cedar Falls, including the Cedar Falls Community Foundation, the Cedar Falls Rotary Club, Hearst Center for the Arts, Cedar Falls Historical Society, Sturgis Falls Celebration, the Cedar Falls Public Library, the Oster Regent Theatre, and the Cedar Falls Recreation Center. Throughout his life, Beach was widely recognized for his service and impact. Among many honors, he was named Outstanding Individual Philanthropist for Northeast Iowa by the National Society of Fundraising Executives, received the Governor’s Annual Recognition Award for Volunteer Service, and was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame. He also received the 8 Over 80 Legacy Award and numerous recognitions from the University of Northern Iowa. Colleagues and community members remember Beach as an inspirational leader, progressive thinker, and tireless advocate for collaboration and civic engagement. His ability to bring people together around shared goals helped launch projects and initiatives that continue to shape Cedar Falls today. For his lifetime of service and the lasting legacy he leaves behind, the Cedar Falls Community Foundation is honored to recognize Bob Beach posthumously, as the 2026 Melendy Spirit Awardee.  More information and how to purchase tickets to the Cedar Falls Business and Community awards luncheon will be available soon.
By Sally Kleiss Timmer March 28, 2025
By Sally Kleiss Timmer March 28, 2025
By Sally Kleiss Timmer December 12, 2024
Congratulations to our 2025 Spring Eller Scholarship Award Winners!
By Cedar Falls Community Foundation August 3, 2023
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation has awarded $73,000 in grants to area non-profits and childcare facilities. Applications for these grants were accepted from April 1st through June 30th and were approved by the organization’s board of directors in July. Funding for the grants came from the Rownd Trust, the Diamond Arts and History Fund, the The post Cedar Falls Community Foundation Awards 2023 Grants! appeared first on Cedar Falls Community Foundation.
By Cedar Falls Community Foundation May 23, 2023
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation has awarded five $5,000 scholarships from the Robert Eller Study Abroad Endowment to support UNI students studying abroad during the Fall 2023 semester. The Robert Eller Study Abroad Endowment was established by emeritus UNI Education Media Specialist Robert Eller to foster the educational, professional, and personal growth of undergraduate students The post CFCF Awards Eller Study Abroad Scholarships appeared first on Cedar Falls Community Foundation.
By Cedar Falls Community Foundation December 20, 2022
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation has awarded nine $5,000 scholarships from the Robert Eller Study Abroad Endowment to support UNI students studying abroad during the Spring 2023 semester. The Robert Eller Study Abroad Endowment was established by emeritus UNI Education Media Specialist Robert Eller to foster the educational, professional, and personal growth of undergraduate students The post CFCF awards $45,000 in scholarships appeared first on Cedar Falls Community Foundation.
By Cedar Falls Community Foundation August 4, 2022
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation has awarded $44,300 in grants to area non-profits and childcare facilities. Applications for these grants were accepted from April 1st through June 30th and were approved by the organizations board of directors the fourth week in July. Funding for the grants came from the Rownd Trust, the Diamond Arts and The post 2022 Grant Recipients appeared first on Cedar Falls Community Foundation.
By Cedar Falls Community Foundation July 22, 2022
The Melendy Spirit Award is presented to individuals, families, groups, or organizations, both living and deceased, who have made outstanding contributions to Cedar Falls, positively affecting our overall quality of life through philanthropic or other means. The award is named for Peter Melendy who at age 36 became a Cedar Falls resident in 1859. By The post 2022 Melendy Spirit Award Recipients appeared first on Cedar Falls Community Foundation.
By Cedar Falls Community Foundation April 5, 2022
Monthly e-newsletter The Cedar Falls Community Foundation shares news of interest through a monthly e-newsletter. Read the archived newsletters below. 03/02/2022- March 22 CFCF Newsletter  02/01/2022- February 22 CFCF Newsletter  01/04/2022 – January 22 CFCF Newsletter  12/01/2021- December 21 CFCF Newsletter  11/02/2021- November 21 CFCF Newsletter  10/01/2021- October 21 CFCF Newsletter  09/02/2021- September 21 CFCF The post E-News letter Archive appeared first on Cedar Falls Community Foundation.