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LEE COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES: INVESTING IN OUR YOUTH
GETHSEMANE CEMETERY FOUNDATION FUND
“LIGHTS OF LEGACY” 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS
Y T I N U M COM
OUNDATION F Y IT N U M M A CO KEOKUK ARE
THE
TION ITY FOUNDA N U M M O C NORTH LEE
Connecting Through Community
Our Mission
When Kerry Klepfer approached me one sunny afternoon about the possibility of serving on the Board of Directors of the Keokuk Area Community Foundation, I was both thrilled and deeply honored. I still remember leaving that first lunch with Roger, followed by conversations with Phil, with a distinct feeling that this was something truly special. What I couldn’t have known then was just how profoundly it would impact my life. Serving alongside this remarkable group of people, individuals who believe so deeply in our community and who have given so generously of their time, talent, and hearts, has been nothing short of inspiring. Their dedication reflects the very best of who we are and what we can be when we come together with a shared purpose. Within the pages of The Community Newsletter, you will see just a small glimpse of the organizations, causes, and individuals who have been touched in meaningful ways over the past year—let alone over the last twenty. These stories represent the ripple effect of generosity and the power of collective giving throughout Lee County. We use the word community often—it's in the title of this newsletter and at the heart of both the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and the North Lee Community Foundation. As we look ahead to 2026, I invite you to pause and reflect: what does community mean to you? Is it growing a garden to help feed those in need? Supporting organizations that care for our children—the heart and future of our community? Helping young people realize their potential as they begin their careers? Strengthening the arts, or honoring and continuing the legacies of those who came before us? Extraordinary things are happening in our communities, and even more lie ahead. Together, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and the North Lee Community Foundation invite you to join us—because it is together, with shared vision and purpose, that we will continue to make Lee County an inspiring place to live, grow, and give. Leah Carroll
Established in 2004 to strengthen the communities of Lee County, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and the North Lee Community Foundation work together to turn generosity into lasting impact. As donor-driven public foundations, we connect individuals, families, and businesses with the causes they care about, building permanent endowments that support our region today and for generations to come. Our shared mission is to meet community needs, foster strong local leadership, and help nonprofits, schools, churches, and charities thrive. Each endowed gift entrusted to our care is invested and managed in perpetuity, creating a legacy of support that continues forever. Together, we serve as a bridge between donors and community partners, linking passion with purpose, strengthening local organizations, and promoting the common good throughout the Tri-State region.
KEOKUKFOUNDATION.ORG NORTHLEECF.ORG
staff
KACF FACEBOOK PAGE NLCF FACEBOOK PAGE
Roger Ricketts
Philip Ricketts
Leah Carroll
Haley Shaffer
Executive Director KACF & NLCF
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Communications Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Board Spotlight KACF CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: KERRY KLEPFER You were part of the original group that came together 20 years ago to establish KACF. What stands out most when you think back on that first meeting? There were about 40 to 45 business leaders gathered, and someone, likely George Eichacker or Dick Lofton, stood up and said, “We’re going to form a foundation and raise a million dollars for nonprofits.” That number stuck with me because I didn’t think it was possible. I joined the original board partly because I was skeptical and wanted to understand the plan. Looking back now, with the Foundation managing more than $33 million, it’s remarkable. As a founding member now serving again as Chair, what motivates you to continue leading the Foundation? I’ve always believed in the mission. Keokuk has lost population and wealth over the years, and the Foundation plays a vital role in supporting nonprofits and strengthening the region. It’s something our community truly needs. You give generously through both financial support and volunteer service. What drives that commitment? I’ve made a lot of my living in Keokuk, and giving back is simply the right thing to do. I enjoy working with people, helping them succeed, and seeing the community thrive. How has KACF evolved since its early days, and what accomplishments make you most proud? Achieving accreditation was a major milestone. Early support from the George Eihacker trust allowed us to operate like a much larger foundation. I’m also proud that North Lee and Des Moines counties chose to affiliate with KACF, having other communities want to work with Keokuk meant a great deal. Looking ahead, what do you hope to see in the next decade? I believe reaching $50 million in assets is attainable. More importantly, I want people to know the Foundation is here to help whether they’re nonprofits or individuals looking to give back. With strong leadership and clear communication, we’re well positioned for the future.
NLCF BOARD MEMBER: DIANNE HOPE Dianne Hope has called Fort Madison home since 1976, arriving shortly after college with a business administration degree from what is now Truman State University. Her career brought her to DuPont, and as she built a life and raised her family in Fort Jason Madison, community involvement naturally followed. Over the years, she has served with the Chamber of Commerce, youth services quote organizations, and school-related boards, experiences that laid the foundation for a lifetime of civic engagement. After retiring in 2013, Dianne ran for the Fort Madison School Board, a role she describes as both challenging and deeply meaningful. That experience deepened her understanding of community needs, particularly around education and access to opportunity, and ultimately led her to serve on the North Lee Community Foundation Board. “For me, this is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” Dianne says. Through her work with the Foundation, she has gained a greater appreciation for the many individuals and organizations quietly doing good work across Lee County, and for how generosity, whether through scholarships, legacy funds, or small grants, can be transformed into lasting impact. “Sometimes it’s just a thousand dollars, but it can be the catalyst that helps something good grow,” she adds. Having worked closely with students and families, Dianne is especially passionate about scholarships that support young people who may not fit the traditional mold. “There are so many capable young people who just need a little help to move forward. Being part of an organization that makes that possible, that’s incredibly meaningful.”
Investing In Our Youth
The Impact of Lee County Youth Services Inc. L ee County Youth Services, Inc (LCYS)
is an endowed fund of the Keokuk Area Community Foundation, guided by a volunteer board dedicated to improving the lives of young people across Lee County. Rooted in a mission to provide opportunities, support, and education for youth in need, and those who serve them, LCYS distributes annual service grants to local nonprofits and scholarships to Southeastern Community College students. Now in its fourteenth year of grantmaking, the organization continues to champion meaningful, community-centered impact. Jane Riter, who has served with LCYS for over 20 years, says the mission has never wavered: “Our goal is to support young people and those who care for them.”
For readers who may not know much about LCYS, how would you describe the heart of the organization and the role it plays in Lee County? We’re proud to serve youth in Lee County anywhere from 6 years old to 20 years old. The scholarships, the grants, they give to all these kids. Programs for younger kids, to teen centers, to SCC students. We want to give them the experience of positivity. Positivity from their peers and other adults supporting them in the community. What originally inspired the creation of Lee County Youth Services, and how has the mission evolved over the years? LCYS was originally the operator of Mithelman Meadows, a residential facility
“We fund programs that build confidence and character.” for teenage boys and girls. It started out as a group of kids who just needed more than they were able to receive from home. opened its doors in 1993 after the consolidation of the Helen Ellis Home in Keokuk and the Nancy Hunt Memorial Boys Home in Fort Madison. The land was donated by the Mithelman family. The kids attended school at Central Lee and received that extra help and need in their lives. After the facility closed in 2006, the sale of that property provided the grant financial support we have today. LCYS is entirely volunteer-led. What does that mean for the way the organization operates and connects with the community?
We still have a board that consists of half North Lee County members, half South Lee. It brings a good balance that stays consistent. We see the needs of both communities. We have board members who are mental health professionals and those who work in the school system. They can see the needs of the kids on a first hand basis. This marks the fourteenth year of LCYS organizational service grants. What has been the biggest change or growth you’ve seen in youth needs over those years? With the organization grants we are seeing more focus on food insecurity in Lee County.
2025 LCYS Grant Recipients Argyle Community Boosters: “Phase 2 of Rebuilding the Ballpark”
Community Action of Southeast Iowa: “Youth Hygiene Assistance” Community Services Council, Inc. (Fort Madison Food Pantry): “Feeding the Food Insecure of Lee County”
To Learn More
Visit keokukfoundation.org/lcys to learn more or donate to Lee County Youth Services Inc.
Friends of the Fort Madison Public Library: “Fort Madison Community Story Walks” Hoerner YMCA: “Teen Center Program” Iowa Community Care Foundation: “Game On: Getting Access to Special Olympics in Lee County Lee County Shop with a Cop: “Shop with a Cop Event” Three Rivers Conservation Foundation: “Little Naturalists Nature Nook”
We give to a lot of food banks. With our scholarships, it's the number of applications we now receive. We used to only get maybe 4-6 applications. Now, it’s more like 20-30. We feel it’s more of our students realizing they can go to college with the help of these scholarships. That they don’t have to have a 4.0 grade point average for the opportunity now. What types of programs or services does LCYS look for when reviewing grant applications? We look for organizations or programs that feel innovative and show sustainability. Sometimes groups that are helping youth with special needs. We want to fund programs that are improving daily life for youth and their families. Programs that raise their self-esteem and worth, help them build character. We want them to feel a part of something. To be able to learn and expand their talents. For them to be rewarded for positive things they are achieving in their lives. What motivates you personally to volunteer your time with LCYS? It holds a special place because it was the first board I ever served on. We went through a lot of trying times over the years, went through a lot of changes. Seeing the ways over the years that it has changed so many kids lives. It’s a special moment when you see someone who is a first-generation college student, seeing them reach their goals that way. It’s a board full of good people who get to do great things together.
2026 Grant Cycles HELLMAN IMPACT GRANT (LEE COUNTY CHARITABLE FUND) APPLY 2/2/2026 – 4/6/2026 Eligibility Requirements Lee County 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations with Lee County Iowa addresses only. Grants awarded up to $100,000. Organizations can apply for grants between $25,000 – $100,000.
EICHACKER / LOFTON GRANT FUND APPLY 4/28/2026 – 6/29/2026 Eligibility Requirements Lee County, Hancock County, or Clark County 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipalities, churches, and schools with charitable intent will be considered. Grants awarded up to $10,000.
LEE COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES, INC. APPLY 7/1/2026 – 9/15/2026 Eligibility Requirements Lee County 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations specializing in youth programs. Grants awarded up to $5,000.
KOWZAN / SANDROCK GRANT FUND APPLY 8/3/2026 – 10/5/2026 Eligibility Requirements Lee County 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipalities, churches, and schools with charitable intent will be considered. Grants awarded up to $10,000.
Donor Impact: Mike & Kathy Klauser A lifelong commitment to keeping generosity close to home
Both of you have been involved with the Keokuk Area Community Foundation since its early years and have served on the Board. Looking back, what has been most meaningful about your connection to the Foundation? One of the most meaningful parts was being there at the very beginning, when the idea of the Foundation was first taking shape. We remember sitting down with people like George and Dick Lofton and learning why a community foundation mattered—especially the idea that, over time, a great deal of wealth would transfer hands, and without a local foundation, that money would leave the community. The motivation back then wasn’t tax benefits or incentives; it was simply about keeping resources here and investing in Keokuk’s future. That vision really stuck with us. You support a wide range of local organizations. What guides your giving and helps you decide where to invest? We tend to support the things that matter to us and the organizations we’re involved with, but it’s also about believing in what those organizations mean to the community. If something is important enough to exist, like the Hoerner YMCA or the Grand Theatre, it’s important enough to support. We also pay attention to leadership and impact. When you can see that your support is being used well and making a difference, it builds confidence and encourages you to do more. Most importantly, Keokuk is where we lived, worked, and built our lives, so giving back locally has always been a priority for us. As longtime champions of Keokuk and Lee County, what progress in the community makes you most proud? There are far more positive things happening in Keokuk than people sometimes realize. One standout example is the transformation of the Hoerner YMCA, especially the teen center. It became a place where kids, especially those who needed it most, could feel welcome, safe, and supported. Seeing young people choose to spend their time there, surrounded by positivity and structure, has been incredibly meaningful. When you invest in things like that, you’re not just improving a building or a program, you’re strengthening the entire community. What advice would you offer to others who are considering charitable giving or establishing a fund? Giving back is good for the community, but it’s also good for the giver. There’s a real sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing you’re making a difference. We would encourage people to give while they’re able to see the impact of their generosity, rather than waiting until later. A community foundation offers ways to give that are thoughtful, strategic, and lasting—ensuring your support stays local and continues to benefit the causes you care about most. When generosity stays close to home, everyone benefits.
2026 KACF & NLCF GRANT WORKSHOPS DATE: February 25th, 2026 LOCATION: Turnwater Reception Room 318 Riverview Drive - Fort Madison IA LUNCH: Begins at 11:30 AM WORKSHOP: Begins at Noon
COST: FREE to attend
What You’ll Learn An overview of 2026 grant opportunities available through KACF & NLCF How to navigate and use our online grant application software Tips for submitting a strong, successful grant application
Seating is limited - registration is required. To register click here or scan the QR code
Eichacker Lofton Grant Recipients
Gethsemane Cemetery Foundation Fund When Steve and Agnes Koellner set out for one of their frequent walks near their Fort Madison home, they couldn’t have known it would become the beginning of a project that would span decades and become near and dear to their hearts. Their route often took them past Gethsemane Cemetery, located just behind Johnson Trucking along the old highway. The cemetery, which dates back to before the Civil War, serves as the burial ground for Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and the former Saint Joseph’s Parish. Over time, Steve began to notice signs of neglect - aging trees, worn roads, and monuments in need of care. After selling his business in 2006, Steve found himself with the time and desire to make a difference. He and Agnes donated three maple trees, removed dead ones, and replanted new life into the grounds. “That’s when I really started getting involved,” Steve said. What began as a small effort grew into a long-term commitment, one that has now spanned nearly 20 years. Since then, Steve has overseen steady improvements, including replacing nearly a half-mile of roadway and maintaining the nine-acre cemetery year after year. While the cemetery operates under Saint Mary’s Church, much of the hands-on work and planning has fallen to Steve and Agnes. Annual maintenance alone is significant, making long-term sustainability a growing concern. Some of the most meaningful restoration work has focused on preserving the cemetery’s historic details. When Steve first began his work, he noticed the angel statues were missing their trumpets, believed to have been removed during World War II and melted down for metal. Determined to restore them properly, Steve commissioned custom trumpets and had them patinated to match the original statues. Looking ahead, his focus has turned to stabilizing and preserving the oldest headstones, some more than 150 years old and now crumbling with age. To ensure this work can continue well into the future, Steve and Agnes helped to establish the Gethsemane Cemetery Foundation Fund, an endowment through the North Lee Community Foundation.
Advocacy Network for Children Argyle Community Boosters City Hope Foundation Community Action of Southeast Iowa Community Services Council, Inc. of Ft. Madison AKA FM Food Pantry Denmark Iowa Renaissance Faire Domestic Violence Intervention Program Farmington Food Pantry First Christian Church-Keokuk Loads of Love Fort Madison Family YMCA Friends of Shimek State Forest Equestrian Trails God's Way Christian Center Hoerner YMCA Houghton Community Events Iowa Community Care Foundation Junior Achievement of the Heartland KARE Keokuk Association for Rights and Equality Keokuk Cares Keokuk Catholic Schools Keokuk Saddle Club Keokuk Union Depot Foundation KPLAY Playgrounds for All Legacy Theater Foundation, Inc Montrose Fire Rescue Rand Park Pavilion Commission River Bend Food Bank St Paul’s Food Pantry Standing Bear Council, Inc. Three Rivers Conservation Foundation Toys for Tots Foundation United Presbyterian Church/ The Strawberry Patch United Way of the Great River Region
The fund is designed to provide ongoing support for maintenance, restoration, and preservation, protecting a sacred place that holds deep historical and personal significance. What began as a simple walk became a calling, rooted in respect for the past and a commitment to care for future generations.
Learn more about our 2025 grant recipient
To donate to the Gethsemane Cemetery Foundation Fund scan here:
keokukfoundation.org
programs and the legacies of George Eichacker and Dick Lofton on our website
Spotlight: Honoring the Legacy of James Steffen
“James was always about guidance, leadership, and mentoring. That’s who he was in every part of his life.” - Amy Morgan On the eve of the one-year anniversary of James “Jimmy Lee” Steffen’s passing, we sat down with his niece, Amy Morgan, to learn more about the man he was — and the legacy his family is building in his name. James, known to his family as Jimmy Lee, was named after his grandfather and carried that name throughout his childhood. As he grew older, he chose to go by James, a reflection of the confident, driven adult he had become. No matter the name, those who knew him agree: his character never changed. A graduate of Central Lee High School, James went on to attend the University of Iowa, where he studied business management while participating in ROTC. His commitment to leadership extended far beyond the classroom. He later served in the National Guard and built a successful career with McGrath Auto Group in Cedar Rapids, working his way from sales into upper management and eventually overseeing multiple dealerships. That impact was evident when nearly 400 people gathered in Marion to honor him, a powerful testament to the lives he touched in just 34 years. Inspired by that legacy, James’s family established the James Steffen Leadership Scholarship through the Keokuk Area Community Foundation. For Amy, the decision came from a deeply personal place. “I wanted some kind of legacy for him. I wanted something that would keep his name and his life alive,” she said. “This was a way to take all that grief and turn it into something meaningful.”
The scholarship was created with intention and care. While James had strong ties to ROTC, military service, and the University of Iowa, the family chose to broaden the criteria to better reflect who he truly was: a leader, mentor, and motivator. The scholarship will support Central Lee High School graduates who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to personal growth—regardless of the specific path they choose after graduation. The fund was launched with support from family members, including a meaningful gift from James’s grandmother shortly before her passing. With that foundation in place, the family is committed to awarding a $1,000 scholarship annually, beginning with the Class of 2026. More than financial assistance, the scholarship is a way to carry James’s influence forward—to remind young people that leadership starts early, that mentorship matters, and that it’s possible to begin at the bottom and work your way up with determination and heart. Through this scholarship, James “Jimmy Lee” Steffen’s name will continue to represent guidance, integrity, and the lasting power of a life lived in service to others.
To donate to the James Steffen Leadership Scholarship visit this link
IMPACT GRANT 2025
Expanding Access to Infant & Toddler Care in Lee County The Keokuk Community Child Development Center (KCCDC) is expanding access to high-quality infant and toddler childcare thanks to a $15,000 Merlin Hellman IMPACT Grant from the Lee County Charitable Fund. Founded in 2019 through the efforts of community leaders who recognized a growing lack of childcare options, KCCDC is a nonprofit, licensed childcare center serving children from six weeks to ten years old. Located in Trinity United Methodist Church in Keokuk, the Center provides a nurturing, age-appropriate learning environment and is governed by a local board of directors. The IMPACT grant will support the creation of at least 10 additional high-quality infant and toddler childcare slots, addressing one of the most critical needs facing families in Lee County. Funding will be used to purchase age-appropriate classroom equipment and learning materials, meet required staffing ratios, and enhance both indoor and outdoor spaces to comply with Iowa Quality Rating System and DHS licensing standards.
“Support from the Lee County Charitable Fund makes it possible for the Keokuk Community Child Development Center to expand much needed infant and toddler care by helping cover the significant costs associated with serving younger children,” said Stephanie Stancil, Director of KCCDC. “Ultimately, this support helps increase access to quality early childhood care for local families while strengthening the center’s ability to meet growing community needs.” Access to reliable, high-quality childcare plays a vital role not only in early childhood development, but also in the overall health of the community. “These early years are the foundation for lifelong learning, health, and emotional development,” Stancil explained. “For families, reliable childcare allows parents to work, pursue education, and remain financially stable. For our community, investing in early childhood care strengthens the workforce and supports local employers.”
Kowzan Sandrock Grant Recipients Adventist Community Service Center Community Action of Southeast Iowa Community Services Council, Inc. of Ft. Madison (AKA FM Food Pantry) Domestic Violence Intervention Program Fort Madison Community School District Fort Madison Family YMCA
Looking ahead, KCCDC sees this project as an investment with longterm impact. “I hope this project provides stability and peace of mind for parents and a strong, nurturing start for children,” Stancil said. “In the years ahead, we expect to see children enter school more confident and prepared, families better able to remain in the workforce, and a stronger, more resilient community as a result of this investment in early childhood.” The Merlin Hellman IMPACT Grant supports projects that address critical needs and create lasting, measurable benefits for Lee County. By expanding access to infant and toddler care, this grant helps ensure families—and the community as a whole—can thrive.
Friends of Shimek State Forest Equestrian Trails Iowa Community Care Foundation Keokuk Garden Club Keokuk Saddle Club Old Fort Madison Preservation Inc The Salvation Army of Lee County Three Rivers Conservation Foundation Learn more about our 2025 grant recipient programs at northleecf.org
Merlin Hellman
Service in life, impact beyond a lifetime.
Merlin Hellman lived a life defined by service, generosity, and quiet leadership. Raised in the close-knit community of Houghton, Iowa, Merlin learned early the importance of caring for others. After losing his mother at a young age, he often spoke of how neighbors and extended family stepped in to support him, an experience that shaped his lifelong belief in community responsibility and stewardship. After attending Regis College in Denver, serving in the Army, and working in the family trucking business, Merlin found his professional calling in life insurance and financial planning. The career allowed him to build trusted relationships and help others plan for the future. Though he received many professional honors, Merlin took greatest pride in service, to both his family and his community. He and his wife Theresa raised thirteen children through faith, sacrifice, humor, and love, creating a family legacy grounded in giving. Merlin’s impact on Lee County was far-reaching. He served on numerous boards and committees, including Marquette and Aquinas, parish councils, diocesan stewardship committees, Hope Haven, Rotary, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a founding member of both the Southeast Iowa Economic Development Committee and the North Lee Community Foundation, and he helped establish the Lee County Charitable Fund. Through his philanthropy, Merlin also created endowments supporting Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, Holy Family Parish, the Fort Madison Public Library, and Hope Haven. North Lee County’s philanthropic story is deeply connected to Merlin Hellman’s generosity. In his honor, the North Lee Community Foundation and the Lee County Charitable Fund have established the Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant. Beginning in 2026, this initiative will award multiple $25,000 to $100,000 IMPACT Grants to Lee County nonprofit organizations—ensuring Merlin’s belief in service, stewardship, and community continues to create meaningful, lasting impact.
What the Lofton Award means to Mike Hickey At the Keokuk Area Community Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Gala last May, Mike Hickey, surrounded by friends and family, was honored and certainly surprised to be presented with the Lofton Award for Community Leadership. “To be considered for the Lofton Award is an honor. For me to be the recipient of the award was a surprise—and very humbling,” Hickey says. He credits the late Dick Lofton as a lasting influence on his own approach to service. “Dick Lofton was someone I had always admired and tried to emulate. He showed me the value of personal involvement and commitment. He was a powerful example of what it means to serve with dedication, compassion, and vision.”
“ I only hope that I am also seen, at least partly, as that type of person.” - speaking on the late Dick Lofton Hickey’s commitment to volunteerism has guided decades of leadership across numerous Keokuk organizations. At the core of that service is a belief instilled in him early on. “I was always told when I was young that if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem,” he explains. Through community involvement, Hickey says he has continually worked to build consensus and help solve challenges, especially when issues create perceived winners and losers. “Finding a long-term successful solution is difficult,” he says. “I guess I am still trying to build consensus and to be part of the solution.”
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2025 Scholarship Recipients
“Lights of Legacy” is a celebration of generosity, remembrance, and hope for the future. This special book brings together every scholarship administered through the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and the North Lee Community Foundation, telling the stories behind the gifts and the lives they impact. Within these pages are student profiles and heartfelt thank-you letters that show, in their own words, how these scholarships are already shaping their education, goals, and futures. The book also honors the donors, many memorialized in it’s pages, whose generosity continues to change lives. Through these scholarships, their legacies live on, carried forward by the students who benefit from them. “Lights of Legacy” is more than a record of giving; it is a reflection of a community investing in its future, one student at a time.
2025 KACF & NLCF Scholarships: Geraldine Boyd Memorial Scholarship
Julie A. O’Connor Memorial Scholarship
Climax Molybdenum Scholarship
Eric Pardall Memorial Scholarship
Peggy Dickey Memorial Scholarship
Bonnie & Carl Pflug Nursing Scholarship
Robert Dickey Essay Scholarship
Mike Roach Building Trades Scholarship
Donald and Bonnie Hoenig Speech Scholarship
Jerry Stukerjurgen Memorial Scholarship
Molly Hurley Memorial Scholarship
Wilkerson Family Scholarship
Leaders Scholarship Matteson Scholarship
View our online issue of “Lights Of Legacy” on our ISSU page. Click the links to learn more about KACF and NLCF Scholarship Opportunities
P.O. Box 367 Keokuk, Iowa 52632
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What is the Endow Iowa Tax Credit? The Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program allows Iowa taxpayers to receive a 25% Iowa state income tax credit for qualifying gifts made to permanent endowment funds at the Keokuk Area Community Foundation. While these gifts are not eligible for an Iowa income tax deduction, they do qualify for the federal charitable deduction. Endow Iowa gifts may be made using cash, appreciated securities, real estate, or certain retirement assets and can support an existing endowment or one you establish. All Endow Iowa gifts through KACF stay local, providing lasting support for scholarships, nonprofits, and community needs in Keokuk and Lee County. Tax credits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis each year and may be carried forward for up to five years if unused. Because credits are limited, early-year giving is encouraged. Endow Iowa allows donors to stretch their charitable dollars further while creating a permanent legacy in the community they love. For more information about Endow Iowa and the availability of tax credits, visit the Economic Development & Finance Authority, or contact the Keokuk Area Community Foundation at 319.670.0207 or info@keokukfoundation.org