Jaspers Family Foundation Fund of Worth County Grants

The Jaspers Family Foundation Fund of Worth County was established through a generous legacy gift from the Jaspers Family to support charitable causes that enhance life in Worth County, Iowa. Maynard and Marjory Jaspers, who were long-time business owners in the county, had three sons with no heirs. Donald Jaspers, upon his passing, donated the proceeds from the family’s estates to the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa to establish this fund. The Foundation supports projects designed to make Worth County a better place to live, work, and grow, with a specific focus on initiatives that serve public interests and community development. This grant opportunity supports nonprofit and governmental organizations working to improve life in Worth County. Grants are made to benefit a wide range of eligible sectors, including arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, health, and human services. Applications are reviewed and selected based on the impact they are likely to have on the overall community, including the sustainability of the proposed project, its alignment with community needs, and the applicant’s capacity to implement and deliver outcomes. To be eligible, applicants must be either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a government entity. Other tax-exempt organizations may also apply if the proposed project qualifies as charitable in nature, although this requires a prior discussion with the foundation. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted for applicants who do not independently meet the eligibility requirements, as long as the sponsor is a 501(c)(3) or government entity. The fiscal sponsor must align with the project's mission and will be legally responsible for any awarded funds. The minimum request amount is $1,000. Applicants must submit their requests using the foundation’s online grant system and must use the required budget template. Certain types of projects are ineligible for funding, including those involving fireworks, re-granting, political or lobbying activities, or projects related to religious instruction or doctrine. Funding will not support repayment of debt or expenses incurred before the grant period. The Foundation encourages proposals that involve collaborative efforts and those that can demonstrate secured or matching funds from other sources. Applications are reviewed by a local committee composed of members from the Worth County Community Foundation. Evaluation criteria include the organizational strength and capability, feasibility of the project, identified community need and projected outcomes, collaboration with other organizations or agencies, and a detailed budget plan showing leveraged funds. Higher priority will be given to proposals that benefit the broader community, show sustainability beyond the grant, and avoid duplicating services already provided by other organizations. The grant application opens on September 1, 2025, and is due by 5:00 PM on October 15, 2025. A grant workshop will be held on September 24, 2025. Award decisions will be communicated by mid-December 2025, and a public award ceremony is planned for early to mid-January 2026. Grant recipients must sign a grant agreement and submit a final report by January 31, 2027, documenting use of funds and project outcomes. Applicants are encouraged to contact Shanda Hansen, Director of Affiliate Impact, for general guidance or Dotti Thompson, Grant and Scholarship Manager, for specific questions about eligibility or accessing the grant portal.

Emphasize alignment with community need, collaboration, and sustainability