COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JOHNSON COUNTY
2023 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS KALEB BEINING Iowa Landscape, LLC, Beining Acquisitions, LLC, Beining Brands, LLC, Beining Real Estate Solutions, City of Iowa City DAVID BLUDER Author, Former Banker LATASHA DELOACH City of Iowa City Senior Center, Johnson County Taskforce on Aging, UNESCO City of Literature Board, Summer of the Arts Board, Sankofa Outreach Connection TIM FINER Hills Bank SHERRI FURMAN UI Center for Advancement NICK HATZ Shive-Hattery, Inc. TODD JACOBSON HJR Financial, Mercy Hospital Foundation Board LYNETTE JACOBY Johnson County Social Services REDMOND JONES City of Iowa City SARAH JEAN LEONARD US Bank KATE MORELAND Kate Moreland Coaching & Consulting
COVER PHOTOS: The Englert Theatre, The Stanley Museum of Art, Kirkwood Community College Foundation, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Girls on the Run of Eastern Iowa
Greetings! A new year brings joy, hope, and renewed energy. For us, the new year has also brought a new strategic plan, mission statement, and vision. This past year, our Board of Directors and staff spent time reflecting and forecasting for the years ahead. We took a look through data, historical information on grantmaking, community needs, and areas of growth for the Community Foundation. We reflected on the challenges we’ve faced as an organization, as community partners, and as neighbors. We looked ahead to areas of opportunity and engagement, and we spent many hours together dreaming of ways the CFJC can continue to be a resource, convener, leader, and partner in years to come. Out of all this reflection and goal setting came our new strategic plan, entitled “Bridge to Our Future”. As we work toward the goals in our strategic plan, we are working with our community partners to paint a shared vision for our future. A way forward together. We are grateful for the generous donors who have come alongside us the past 23 years, and especially this past year, where their impact was seen through $2.6M in grants made to over 250 nonprofit organizations. The following stories include some of the ways we are working together to paint the shared vision for our future. We hope you’ll come alongside us in the next year! Sincerely yours, Shelly Maharry, President & CEO and Nick Hatz, Board Chair
DEAN PRICE RSM US LLP (Retired) CATHY PUGH Urban Acres Real Estate, 5224GOOD Executive Committee, Iowa City Hospice Board of Directors, MidWestOne Bank Advisory Board, Iowa City High PSTO BRUCE TEAGUE City of Iowa City Mayor, Caring Hands & More, City of Iowa City Council Member JASON WAGNER RSM US LLP JAIME WATTS Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C. DAN WEGMAN Relion Insurance Solutions MELINDA WIELAND Community Volunteer PAULA WEIGEL University of Iowa College of Public Health (Retired), MidWestOne Bank Advisory Board, 5224GOOD THAIS WINKLEBLACK MidWestOne Bank, 5224GOOD Executive Committee, Iowa City Foreign Relations Council, Rotary, Iowa MOST (Miles of Smiles Team) Board
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Community Foundation of Johnson County 2023 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
THE CFJC’S COMMUNITY IMPACT Total Assets: $49,553,794 Total Grants Since Inception: $26,598,699 Number of Funds: 287 FY23 Total Donations: $3,392,280 FY23 Individual Donors: 970 Total Grants Awarded in FY22: $2,629,290 # of Grants Awarded: 572 # of Nonprofit Organizations: 252
Painting a Better Tomorrow through Grantmaking
Community Foundation Receives Small Philanthropic Organization Award On National Philanthropy Day, November 15th, 2022, Community Foundation of Johnson County representatives accepted the award for Outstanding Small Philanthropic Organization Award from the Eastern Iowa Area Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the Philanthropy Day Luncheon. The CFJC was among many distinguished honorees whose work across Eastern Iowa was highlighted by our local Association of Fundraising Professionals Chapter. The CFJC Board and Staff were thrilled to receive this recognition on behalf of the donors and nonprofit organizations across Johnson County who make our work possible and who are working toward a shared vision for our future.
In late November 2022, the CFJC hosted the Community Grant Awards Celebration, distributing over $330,000 in 54 grants to organizations across Johnson County doing work in six major focus areas: Arts, Culture, & Humanities, Education, Environment & Animals, Health, Human Services, and Public & Societal Benefit. Awards provided support to projects including: a community writing center, environmental conservation efforts, access to healthcare and life-saving medicines, staff and community trainings, and so much more. The Community Grants Program provides support for Johnson County 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations through both program and operating support. Program grant requests are those which support a particular program or project of the grantee organization, while operating requests support the organization’s capacity and sustainability through funding the general operations of the organization. We are so grateful to the 21 partner funders who came alongside us in this grants cycle. Those partners include 20 donor-advised funds and one community organization whose funds are all hosted here at the Community Foundation. We thank these funding partners for their dedication to our community and their generosity to support the important work of our local nonprofit organizations. Together, we are painting a better tomorrow.
Bridge to Our Future The 2022-2027 CFJC “Bridge to Our Future” Strategic Plan is a multifaceted approach to goal-setting and guideposts for our work. We share with you below a snapshot of the plan as well as updated mission and vision statements which better align with the work we are doing and aspire to do in our communities. We hope you will continue to come alongside us in this important work of “connecting communities who care with causes that matter to support sustainable change.” We strive to live toward our vision “to be the trusted leader of charitable giving; supporting donors, nonprofit organizations, and our communities” and we hope you will help us to achieve that aspiration.
The Englert Theatre
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County
Members of the CFJC Board of Directors
Scan to see the CFJC’s “Bridge to Our Future” Strategic Plan.
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A Community Celebration of Giving
Great Give Day Steering Committee
On May 3, 2023 nonprofit organizations across Johnson County raised $161,851 to support their missions. The Community Foundation added a benefit to nonprofit organizations who hold endowment funds with us, doubling the impact of gifts made into agency endowments on Great Give Day with a matching gift! The Board of Directors approved the $50,000 match gift as an incentive for donors who wish to support the long-term work of local organizations. The CFJC participated in leading the steering committee, made up of: The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation, the North Liberty Community Pantry, Shelter House, and the United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties. The purpose of Johnson County Great Give Day was to empower ALL Johnson County nonprofit organizations to, with one collective voice, share the incredible work we are doing, the ways in which we support our communities, and fundraise for our individual organizations. Our goal was to drive charitable giving to nonprofit organizations on a single day — May 3, 2023 — to bring awareness to the wonderful work we do and raise funds to support those continued efforts. We were thrilled to see donations of $161,581 total to 34 organizations. Organizations also reported over 100 gifts from donors who were new to their organization. These results, and many successes which were not quantitatively tracked, were some of the positive outcomes of the impact of raising awareness and funds for the work of Johnson County nonprofits on Great Give Day! Overall, the inaugural Johnson County Great Give Day was a success and we look forward to the 2024 Great Give Day! Johnson County Great Give Day will return on May 1st, 2024!
Updates to the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program The Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program has seen significant changes over the past year. Legislature was approved which shifted maximum tax deductions for individuals, removed the waitlist for credits, and put a deadline on applications for credits. •
Beginning January 1, 2023, the maximum credit per taxpayer is $100,000 per individual or $200,000 per couple if both are Iowa taxpayers. This is a reduction from the $300,000 previously available.
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Beginning July 1, 2023, applications must be submitted within 12 months of the date of the gift.
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The waitlist process, previously administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, will be discontinued on July 1, 2023. All applications that are currently on the waitlist will not be affected by this change.
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A new application will be provided in January of 2024.
The CFJC staff will keep donors apprised of the changes to the Endow Iowa Tax Credit and work with you to achieve your charitable giving goals.
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Community Foundation of Johnson County 2023 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
Donors Experience Full-Circle Moment Nick and Laura Bergus are long-time supporters of the Community Foundation of Johnson County. They hold two donor-advised funds at the CFJC and Laura served a full six-year term as a Board Member for the Community Foundation, wrapping up her service in 2022. The pair are involved in our community in a multitude of ways through Nick’s service to the City of North Liberty in his role as Community Relations Director and Laura’s service on the City of Iowa City Council and as an attorney. During last year’s Community Grant Cycle, the couple made a $8,510 grant to Kirkwood Community College Foundation in support of the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Refugee and Immigrant Peer Navigator Project. The program provides academic support, social engagement, and cultural activities for nonnative English speakers, students taking English learning courses, and students who speak a language other than English at home. Students in the program have access to financial aid, one-onone specialists who assist with learning, and other academic and cultural supports. In late summer, the Bergus family and CFJC staff were invited to tour the Kirkwood TRIO-SSS program and hear from students who participate in the program. The students shared about their experiences at Kirkwood and how the TRIO program has given them a place where they feel they can truly be themselves and belong. The program’s director, Mallory Petsche says, “It’s really important to have individuals the students can connect with and build relationships with that speak their language, or even are from their community that share an identity of being from the same culture, same country.” The generous grant from the Bergus family has helped the program grow and be sustainable, enabling the TRIO program students to succeed. The Community Foundation is grateful to have the opportunity to connect our community’s needs with donors who are able to lend their support. Thank you to the Bergus family who made this work possible and are painting a brighter future for the Kirkwood TRIO students.
Kirkwood TRIO-SSS Program
Supporting a Better Johnson County for All The Community Foundation of Johnson County Inclusive Johnson County Fund Grant Cycle was Board approved in June of 2023 with the awarding of eight grants totaling $20,538 made to local nonprofit organizations. The grants support a variety of projects and programs in our local nonprofit organizations including accessibility updates, hosting a cultural event, providing translation to utilize needed services, and community education to reduce barriers for residents searching for employment. The following are the eight organizations who received 2023 Inclusive Johnson County Fund Grants:
A Shared Vision The Community Foundation of Johnson County is proud to be a good community partner, bringing community issues forward for conversation and convening, and connecting community resources together to work toward a shared goal. CFJC staff members took part in initial conversations around the building of the Better Together 2030 Community Vision, completed the community-wide survey in the initial phase of the plan’s development, and connected the Project Better Together leadership with our Board of Directors to engage these important community leaders in the work. The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors determined this community-wide strategic plan and its implementation were a great fit with the mission and vision of our organization and in September 2022 the CFJC made a $50,000 investment in the Better Together 2030 Vision. Better Together 2030 is not an initiative of the Community Foundation of Johnson County. It is a community-wide collaborative strategic vision which the CFJC supports, and which is led by Executive Director Cady Gerlach. The vision includes five pillars which stand up the main goals of the vision and provide context and guidance for the work moving forward. The Community Foundation of Johnson County is proud to serve as a co-leader of the initiatives of Pillar 5, Reimagined Human and Social Services. This work is just getting started and will include nonprofit collaborations and community efforts toward a shared vision for the future.
North Liberty’s Next Stage The City of North Liberty is building their vision for a community destination in Centennial Park. The project will re-develop the park into a performance venue, splash pad, indoor and outdoor gathering space, and offer amenities for local residents and visitors to Eastern Iowa. The fund held at the Community Foundation is accepting gifts to support the project and build the vision for North Liberty’s Next Stage.
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Better Together 2030 — Welcoming Week 2023
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Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa — ESL & Computer Literacy Classes
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Iowa City Area Chinese Association — Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
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Iowa City Community School District — Healthy Kids Inclusivity Project
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FilmScene — Accessibility at FilmScene
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Free Lunch Program — Accessibility Updates
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Friends of the Center — Accessibility Improvements
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The Village Community — Adaptable Basketball Hoop
The Inclusive Johnson County Fund was created to support nonprofit organizations who are serving Johnson County residents in a manner that promotes, supports, and enhances diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our county. The Community Foundation of Johnson County strives to create a community where all are welcomed, invited to the table, protected, and regarded as equal. We continue to find ways to lift up the voices of those doing justice, equity, and inclusion work in our community, and the Inclusive Johnson County Fund is open for donations to continue to support painting our shared vision of inclusion for all residents of Johnson County.
ree Lunch Program prides itself on serving everyone who comes through our doors, no questions asked. This funding from the Community Foundation will help us in that mission by allowing us to make our space even more accessible to people of different abilities and those who speak different languages. After all, everyone deserves a good lunch!” — IOWA CITY FREE LUNCH
Sharing Local Expertise The Community Foundation of Johnson County powers the Johnson County Nonprofit Alliance, which provides resources, connection, and learning opportunities for local nonprofit organizations staff, board, and volunteers. One program within the Alliance is an Education Session series, which offers free training and resource sharing for all nonprofits in Johnson County. This year’s offerings included topics such as: LGBTQ 101 for Service Providers; End of Year Giving Tips; How to Surprise and Delight Your Donors; Building Board Development Champions; Capital Campaigns; and Professional Mental Health Awareness. These free trainings allow local nonprofit experts to share their knowledge with each other and build collaboration as well as professional development for their staff.
Nonprofit Alliance Book Club
Community Foundation of Johnson County 2023 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
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New Fund Name, Same Important Work
Always Ready to Respond The Community Foundation of Johnson County opened our Emergency Response Fund in April in response to severe weather and tornadoes which severely impacted several neighborhoods across the county. Emergency Response Fund Grants were available to support local nonprofit organizations, schools, and units of government who respond to the immediate and emergent needs of those impacted by severe weather. The fund, supported by gifts from generous community donors and leveraged with a matching grant from the Iowa Council of Foundations, was able to make over $9,000 in grant awards to three local nonprofit organizations responding to the emergent needs of our neighbors. The following awards were granted: Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity — supporting the rebuilding of a Habitat for Humanity warehouse with significant damage and its contents in order to allow their work to continue in our community; Houses Into Homes — supporting the purchase of mattresses for families who were re-homed due to the severe weather; and the Coralville Community Food Pantry — supporting food deliveries in immediate response to those impacted by the weather. These three organizations represent part of the response of the nonprofit sector in our community to those impacted by the severe weather events. CFJC staff members also took part in the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) response efforts directed by Johnson County Emergency Management Services to ensure a collaborative and expansive response effort, sharing the load toward our vision for a future recovered community. The Community Foundation of Johnson County is proud to be a partner in response efforts during times of emergent need. The Emergency Response Fund is always accepting donations to prepare for future emergent needs in our community.
Restock the Shelves In early 2023, the cost of food had risen, while food assistance benefits were reduced for families, and our local community pantries saw an uptick in clients served by between 70-80% compared to previous years, while their shelves remained empty. Together with the United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties, the Coralville Community Food Pantry, CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank, and the North Liberty Community Pantry, the Community Foundation re-opened the Food With Love Fund to collectively raise funds to distribute to our food pantries whose shelves were empty. Hearing the concerns around rising food insecurity needs in our community brought these organizations together. The The CFJC’s Food with Love Fund, was previously the fund utilized during the Coronavirus pandemic for restaurants to provide hot, fresh meals to those in need. The Fund remains open to accept gifts which will assist our community food pantries to restock their shelves.
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Community Foundation of Johnson County 2023 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
Introducing, the “Community Impact Grantmaking Endowment Fund” at the Community Foundation of Johnson County! Formerly known as the “Growing Better Together Fund”, the Community Impact Grantmaking Endowment Fund provides support to local nonprofit organizations through annual competitive grantmaking and response to emerging community needs. The fund has historically supported work in all six interest areas of the Community Foundation’s grantmaking and particularly highlights collaborative and county-wide efforts. Although the purpose of the fund is not changing, the CFJC’s Board of Directors and Staff wanted to revise the fund’s name to better reflect the work of the fund and avoid confusion with the Better Together 2030 community vision work. The fund is always open for donations from community members, businesses, and families whose support will add to the collective impact our community grantmaking can have in advancing the work of nonprofits across all sectors of our community who are working toward a shared vision for the future.
Connection through Culture This new fund at the Community Foundation of Johnson County supports the connection of new American immigrants and refugees to the more historic ethnic groups in Coralville to bring the ethnic communities together through a festival as well as other programs and events. The fund will celebrate diversity, education, and community engagement around the Asian community in Coralville.
CFJC Partnerships & Community Engagement RAGBRAI Volunteering The CFJC Team volunteered at the 50th RAGBRAI when it came through Coralville.
Iowa Nonprofit Alliance Staff participated on the planning committee for the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance Iowa City Launch Event in May. Sponsorships The Community Foundation of Johnson County provided sponsorships to local community events including: Iowa City Juneteenth Celebration; Summer of the Arts JazzFest; Black Professionals of Johnson and Linn County Masquerade Ball; Coralville 4thFest; North Liberty Blues and BBQ; Solon Beef Days; and MidWestOne’s Rock the Chalk.
Nonprofit Social with ICABP The 2022 holiday season kicked off with a Nonprofit Social co-hosted by the CFJC and the Iowa City Area Business Partnership at Riverside Theatre.
Nonprofit Social
MidWestOne’s Rock the Chalk
Solon Beef Days
Thanks from the CFJC Staff: To our Donors and Volunteers — thank you for allowing us to be your partner in giving to uplift and support the needs of Johnson County over the past twenty years. No matter your charitable interest, there is a place for everyone at your Community Foundation. It is our sincere honor to help you find unique and meaningful ways to support the causes and communities you love. To the members of our Board of Directors — past and present, thank you for sharing your time, talents, and treasures with us. The investment you have made in service to your community though your leadership has allowed us to become the organization we are today and positioned us to deliver the best possible service to Johnson County for years to come. To our Nonprofit Partners — simply put, without you our work would not be possible…we are here, forever, to be your greatest advocate and ally. With every grant application you submit, we see just a piece of the wonderful contributions you are making to make Johnson County the very best place to live, give, work and play.
North Liberty Blues and BBQ
Coralville 4thFest
The Community Foundation of Johnson County is committed to excellence and accountability as exceptional stewards of charitable resources in our community. The CFJC is accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations™. This accreditation program affirms we have met or exceeded the most rigorous standards of philanthropic excellence. To receive accreditation, we submitted our policies and procedures to a meticulous review of 26 National Standards in the six key areas of: community foundation operations, board governance, donor services, investment management, grantmaking, and administration.
Community Foundation of Johnson County 2023 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
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The Community Foundation of Johnson County accepts a wide variety of assets to assist you with your charitable giving. You can give to one of our existing funds or start a fund of your own.
CASH
PERSONAL PROPERTY
BUSINESS INTERESTS
SECURITIES
IRA ROLLOVER
LIFE INSURANCE
GRAIN
CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY
RETIREMENT PLAN ASSETS
REAL ESTATE
501 12th Avenue, Suite 102 Coralville, Iowa 52441 www.cfjc.org info@cfjc.org (319) 337-0483 The Community Foundation of Johnson County is the 501(c)3 tax exempt public grantmaking charity of choice for individuals, families, and businesses who seek to build bridges to make both immediate and lasting impacts in the communities we serve. By giving to and through the Community Foundation, donors can support a wide variety of causes that matter most to them. Donors may give to one of the 264 existing funds or start one of their own. Giving to an endowment fund at the Community Foundation may qualify for a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit. We are governed by a board of community experts and provide a fully-vetted, tax efficient method for connecting those who care with causes that matter.