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Louis and Dorothy Blackburn
FAMILY TURNS LOVE OF MUSIC INTO SUPPORT FOR BAND SHELL FUND On any Sunday evening in the summer, you’re likely to find Louis and Dorothy Blackburn planted in their red Iowa State lawn chairs in the green space at one of our community’s many parks. The pair of Norway residents are hard to miss – and they’ve been keeping this tradition since they first started attending Cedar Rapids Municipal Band concerts in the early 1970s. So, when the band began raising funds for a new band shell – the protective canopy that amplifies the band’s sound and allows concerts to be mobile – the Blackburns had no hesitation supporting the fund, held at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. “We got to laughing one night,” explains Dorothy. “We thought we ought to pay a certain amount of money based on how many concerts we’ve gone to and we tried to figure that out. That became a little silly but giving is a way to pay it back.” 2 COMMUNITY
The Blackburns’ commitment to the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band goes a bit deeper than simply enjoying an evening out. The two have fostered, perhaps inadvertently, numerous musicians. Their daughter Doreen in particular, a professional French Horn player, went on to become a band instructor. She currently teaches at Taft Middle School and is married to a professional trombonist, Doug Anderson. Both play in the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band. The Andersons identify the casual and fun outdoor concerts as a contributing factor to their children’s early love of instrumental music as well. “The concerts are a really good way for people to expose their kids to professional music without a dark concert hall,” explains Doreen.
All three of the Andersons’ children have been involved in music, with their two boys playing in the Municipal Band. Their youngest son, Wes, currently plays tuba as a permanent member, and will begin teaching band music to students in Jefferson, Iowa this fall. He remembers the band concerts as an idyllic family tradition, and today is proud to play with the Municipal Band. “I tried out for the Municipal Band like one hundred times before I finally got in,” he recalls. He says that he’s glad to see people investing in the band through the Band Shell Fund. “The Cedar Rapids Municipal Band has been sort of a staple of Cedar Rapids’ summer and to see it progressing and the band playing better and improving in all ways possible is just a great sign.” To date the fund has raised $91,000 of its $150,000 goal.
Wes Anderson is Dorothy and Louis Blackburn’s grandson. He is a permanent member of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band.
Cedar Rapids Municipal Band concerts take place twice a week during summer months, at various area parks.
The Band Shell is a mobile stage for the band. It provides lighting, protection and acoustic benefit for performers.
Doreen Anderson is Dorothy and Louis Blackburn’s daughter. She is a permanent member of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CEDAR RAPIDS MUNICIPAL BAND OR TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE “GET ON THE BANDWAGON CAMPAIGN,” VISIT WWW.CRMUNIBAND.ORG. SUMMER 2015 3
GRANTMAKING
I think it is so rare, a museum opening their doors for anyone to put artwork on their walls. That is such a special thing. It made me feel validated as an artist. It’s definitely been a highlight of my life so far. -Hannah Morris Exhibit Artist 4 COMMUNITY
A Program Fund grant supported the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art’s exhibit Midwest Summer: Light and Warmth. The exhibit featured Swamp Heat by University of Iowa MFA candidate Hannah Morris. Hannah submitted work to exhibit after reading an ad for submissions for local artist, and was elated to learn that Swamp Heat would be included. She was also impressed by the opening night audience – primarily made up of area art lovers and supporters of the Art Museum. “The thing that I really loved was going to the opening and seeing how many people were there,” she recalls. “That really inspired me — that so many people from Cedar Rapids were excited about the work. It made me really proud to be a part of something like that — a town where people left their homes and got dressed up and went to go see artwork.”
I’ve been volunteering with Green Square Meals for 28 years, to give back some of the joy that God has given me. I have been blessed abundantly, and I don’t think that’s meant to be kept – I think it’s meant to be shared. I’ve seen the program grow and it’s been wonderful to see more people have access to fellowship and to a nutritious meal. – Joyce Conley Green Square Meals Volunteer
A Program Fund grant supports Green Square Meals. Green Square Meals provides an evening meal and fellowship to Cedar Rapids patrons five days a week, Monday through Friday.
A grant from the Organizational Development Fund at the Community Foundation has allowed the Freedom Festival to grow its outreach efforts and increase community access through a website update.
I’ve participated in Freedom Festival activities for years. The Freedom Festival is all about having fun – there’s so much to do right here and it’s important that people know about it. – Wade Hemmelrick Freedom Festival Patriot
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MATCH OFFERED FOR DONATIONS TO CLASSROOM PROJECTS IN LINN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation has partnered with DonorsChoose.org to match donations to classroom projects in grades K-12 in Linn County public schools. DonorsChoose.org is a national nonprofit organization that makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. When public school teachers create classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org, donors can give any amount to the projects that inspire them, and the Community Foundation will provide a 1:1 match for each donation. Currently, there are 14 project requests created by teachers in Linn County on DonorsChoose.org. “DonorsChoose.org provides an accessible way for community members to support education,” says Rochelle
ENDOW IOWA TAX CREDITS RUNNING LOW
If you plan to take advantage of the Endow Iowa 25 percent state tax credit in 2015, please note that as of August 9, 2015, only $1.5 million of the allotted $6 million credits remain. The Community Foundation encourages donors to act early to receive their credit. If you make an eligible gift in 2015 after the credits have been exhausted, you will receive the credit but must wait until your 2016 tax return to collect.
Naylor, Program Officer at the Community Foundation. “It is an easy way for teachers to share their needs and for community members to provide support.” In total, the Community Foundation has $25,000 of match funding available for the 2015 – 2016 school year. The DonorsChoose.org match will replace the former grant application process for the Fund for Educational Excellence at the Community Foundation. “We feel by offering the match, we can leverage donor giving to double the impact,” says Naylor. “It’s an easy way for donors to support public school education.” For more information on the partnership, visit www.gcrcf.org/teachers-students/ or contact Rochelle Naylor at rochelle.naylor@gcrcf.org or 319.774.2373.
STAFF WELCOME
Amy Logsdon recently joined the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation as Receptionist. We are pleased to welcome her to our team.
GRANT AWARDS
The Community Foundation recently completed its second grant cycle for 2015. For a complete list of grant awards made so far this year, visit https://www. gcrcf.org/grants/recent-grant-awards/2015-grantawards/. The next grant deadline is Thursday, October 15, 2015.
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AMY LOGSDON 319.366.2862 amy.logsdon@gcrcf.org
WILLIAM QUARTON HERITAGE SOCIETY LUNCHEON
PLANNED GIVING CALCULATORS AVAILABLE
Nearly 130 people gathered for the 11th annual William Quarton Heritage Society Luncheon on June 16, 2015 to celebrate philanthropy and the commitment of members to the future of our community. The event was held at the Cedar Rapids Country Club. To view more photos and the video shared at the event, visit the Community Foundation page on Facebook. If you would like to join the William Quarton Heritage Society, please contact the Community Foundation at 319.366.2862 or michelle.beisker@gcrcf.org.
If you are considering making a planned gift to ensure the future of our community, the Community Foundation website can help you explore your options. Planned giving calculators were recently added to the Community Foundation website, providing customized options to meet the personal circumstances and needs of users. To access the calculators, go to http:// gcrcf.myplannedgift.org/. If you would like to make a planned gift, please contact Susan Willey at the Community Foundation at 319.366.2862 or susan.willey@gcrcf.org.
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY – CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
NONPROFIT NETWORK HOSTS BOARD BOOT CAMP
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is hosting the third annual Celebration of Community event to celebrate philanthropy and the good work of nonprofits in Linn County. This free event will be held on Tuesday, November 17 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Theatre Cedar Rapids. The event is open to the public. The Community Foundation will also present two nonprofit awards at the event. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, September 9, 2015. For more information, visit https://www.gcrcf.org/celebration-community/.
Over 40 nonprofit executive directors and board chairs gathered at the Community Foundation on April 7, 2015 for a Board Boot Camp training on the responsibilities, roles and management of nonprofit boards. The training was hosted by the Nonprofit Network. For information on upcoming trainings, visit https://www.gcrcf.org/nonprofits/nonprofit-network/ or contact Carrie Walker at 319.774.2375 or carrie.walker@gcrcf.org. SUMMER 2015 7
324 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401-1841 319.366.2862 / gcrcf.org
Where charitable gifts multiply for community good. Help us with our mailing list. Do we need to update your contact information? Are you receiving a duplicate? Do you have an e-mail or winter address to share? Do you wish to be removed from our mailing list? Please contact us at 319.366.2862 or info@gcrcf.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER GRANT DEADLINE Thursday, October 15, 2015, 4:30 p.m.
QUARTERLY INVESTMENT UPDATE
Visit gcrcf.org for more information about available grants and how to apply. If you have questions, please contact us at 319.774.2370 or grants@gcrcf.org
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 Individuals with Funds: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Agencies: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Community Foundation Tim O’Donnell, of Fund Evaluation Group, will present an overview of our investment portfolio performance. Please RSVP to 319.366.2862 or info@gcrcf.org.
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY Tuesday, November 17, 4 – 6 p.m. Theatre Cedar Rapids A celebration of how philanthropy and the work of nonprofits create a vibrant community. The nomination deadline for nonprofit awards is Wednesday, September 9. Visit gcrcf.org for more information.
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SUMMER 2015
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