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Clark McLeod, Co-Founder, Monarch Research Project
LINN COUNTY NONPROFIT WORKS TO RESTORE MONARCHS AND THEIR HABITAT Clark McLeod believes the question at the core of the Monarch Research Project’s effort is simple. “Do you want a better environment for your kids and grandkids, or do you want the trend to continue in the opposite direction?” The group, started by Clark McLeod and Cam Watts, intends to make Linn County’s environment healthier and more vibrant by focusing on efforts aimed at expanding habitat for, raising, and releasing monarch butterflies. Pollinators (the birds, bats bees, butterflies, and other bugs that help plants reproduce) are essential to the future of humanity and our planet. An estimated 75% to 95% of all flowering plants need help with pollination. Over 180,000 different plant species and more than 1,200 crops depend on the efforts of pollinators to reproduce. Because we are unable to replicate the process artificially, these critters play an essential role in maintaining vibrant and diverse green spaces and plant life. In total, pollinators contribute more than $24 billion to the United States economy by supporting the production of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. But pollinators are increasingly at risk and their dwindling numbers are cause for alarm; both the quantity and health of pollinator populations are declining. Bee populations specifically have dropped by 50 percent since World War II, the monarch butterfly population has decreased
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90 percent in 20 years and other butterfly species are finding themselves on the national endangered species list. As a result, we’re seeing the impact on agriculture as production is slowed by the decrease in pollinators in our natural environment.
The City of Cedar Rapids and others have come together to support the effort with the City committing 1,000 acres of land for pollinator habitat. In response, concerned citizens across the country are establishing pollinator zones. These protected, pesticidefree safe spaces are intended to provide safe habitat for pollinator species. Here in Linn County, the effort is being led by the Monarch Research Project.
The organization works to help pollinators in two ways. The group breeds monarchs in predator-protected spaces and eventually releases them into the wild. In this way, they hope to increase the dwindling population numbers. But Clark and Cam recognize that restoring their diminishing habitat plays a substantial role in maintaining and growing the monarch population .The group is encouraging residents of Linn County to make changes in their landscaping to regenerate habitat for pollinators. Fortunately, Clark and Cam have not been alone in recognizing the significance of pollinators. The group activates over 160 volunteers; and an effort is underway to dedicate 10,000 acres of public and private property to be used for growing and sustaining pollinator populations in Linn County. The City of Cedar Rapids and others have come together to support the effort with the City committing 1,000 acres of land for pollinator habitat. Clark is optimistic that the Monarch and Pollinator Zones Fund, held at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, will be able to aid in raising the funds needed to see the dream become a reality. He says, “For us to be successful, we need to engage everyone in Linn County.”
To learn more about the Monarch Research Project visit www.monarchzones.com.
GIVING OPPORTUNITY: CHARITABLE IRA ROLLOVER AND ENDOW IOWA The legislation to permanently extend the IRA charitable rollover tax policy allows donors age 70 1/2 and older an opportunity to transfer up to $100,000 of IRA assets to public charities without being subject to federal income taxes on the distribution. While the IRA charitable rollover doesn’t earn a charitable deduction, Iowa taxpayers taking advantage of the IRA charitable rollover are eligible to receive Endow Iowa tax credits, a 25 percent Iowa tax credit. Contact us to learn more about this charitable giving opportunity.
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GRANTMAKING
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This home provides our family with a safe space. We are so grateful to the people who helped us, and we hope they can continue to help other families too. —Eugene Bwanakweri
A Linn County Fund grant provided funding to support Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 2015 Palo Build.The project built a home for Janvier Bwanakweri, Josephine Ngabire and their six children.
A Program Fund grant supplied funding to Horizons’ Meals on Wheels program. Meals on Wheels relies on volunteers to deliver vital food and wellness checks to homebound seniors. 4 COMMUNITY
I feel good every time I volunteer.You know that what you’re doing is really helping people. Often, I’m the only other person a meal recipient might see in their whole day. —Dennis Goettel Meals on Wheels volunteer
Children’s Cancer Connection was such a huge help. Their programing allowed us to meet other families who were going through the same thing, which was incredibly comforting. That fellowship has been invaluable to us. —Stephanie Horn mother of Dakota
A Program Fund grant supported the Children’s Cancer Connection’s Family Resource Binders in Eastern Iowa. The binders provide families of children with a cancer diagnosis with information and connect them to support resources in their communities.
For a complete list of grant awards, visit www.gcrcf.org/grants.
GRANT AWARDS
So far this year, the Community Foundation has distributed $5.2 million in grants to 208 nonprofit organizations. The awards include competitive grants from the Community Foundation’s Funds for the Community, as well as distributions from donor-advised, designated, scholarship and agency funds. For a complete list of grants made to date, visit www.gcrcf.org/grants/recent-grant-awards/2016-grant-awards. The next grant deadline is Friday, October 14, 2016. SPRING 2016 2015 5 SUMMER
WILLIAM QUARTON HERITAGE SOCIETY LUNCHEON Nearly 120 people gathered for the 13th annual William Quarton Heritage Society Luncheon on June 21, 2016 to celebrate philanthropy and the generosity and commitment of members to the future of our community. The event was held at the Cedar Rapids Country Club. Les Garner, President & CEO of the Community Foundation, shared information about how to include family members in philanthropic planning. While there are many ways families approach philanthropy, two examples were shared from the families of Jack and Nancy Evans and Ron and Sue Olson.
Jack and Nancy Evans
Ron and Sue Olson
Longtime Cedar Rapids residents, Jack and Nancy Evans, care about their community. They have built careers here and raised three sons here. Their planned gift will divide their estate into four equal parts with one part to become a fund at the Community Foundation. In their estate plans, they consider their community as their fourth child.
This year, Ron and Sue Olson transferred leadership of their family business, Paulson Electric, to their children. Tyler, Mindy and her husband Ethan are the fourth generation to lead the company. They will also manage Paulson Electric’s corporate philanthropy.
To view the videos and more photos from the event, visit www.gcrcf.org/william-quarton-heritagesociety-luncheon. 6 COMMUNITY
SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM EXPANSION UNDERWAY The Community Foundation continues its involvement in Reading into Success, the local initiative for the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading. The program is making progress toward its goal to ensure that children in our community read at grade level by the end of third grade. One of the five focus areas of the Reading into Success initiative is summer learning. Last summer the Community Foundation was able to support a pilot expansion for Kids on Course Summer University in partnership with several donors and the Zach Johnson Foundation. The results of that pilot program were so promising that the Zach Johnson Foundation and the Cedar Rapids Community School District secured a federal matching grant – along with partnerships from Horizons, Kirkwood Community College, United Way, the Cedar Rapids Community School District Foundation, and Community Foundation donors – to expand this program. This summer, the program has expanded from serving 200 children at five schools to over 580 children at 15 schools. We look forward to seeing the impact of this program on students in our community. To learn more about the focus areas of Reading into Success and how you can get involved, visit www.readingintosuccess.org. Photo credit: Kids on Course
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO MATCH DONATIONS TO SCHOOL PROJECTS For the second year, 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 nonprofit organization that makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Last year, 49 teachers in 23 schools received funding for projects. The Community Foundation matched gifts totaling $25,000 for 62 projects that served 6,650 students. How it works: Public school teachers in Linn County 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. The Community Foundation has $25,000 available to match donations for the 2016-2017 school year. For more information, visit www.gcrcf.org/teachers-students or contact Rochelle Naylor, Program Officer, at rochelle.naylor@gcrcf.org or 319.774.2373. SUMMER 2016 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 OCT
OCTOBER GRANT DEADLINE
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY
Friday, October 14, 2016, by 4:30 p.m. Visit www.gcrcf.org/grants for more information.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 4-6 p.m. National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library Visit www.gcrcf.org for more information.
QUARTERLY INVESTMENT UPDATE
#GIVINGTUESDAY
Wednesday, October 26, 2016, 2-3 p.m. Community Foundation To RSVP, call 319.366.2862 or e-mail info@gcrcf.org.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 Join the global day of giving and make a gift to a nonprofit organization you care about.
NONPROFIT AWARDS: CALL FOR NOMINATIONS!
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is hosting the fourth annual Celebration of Community event to celebrate philanthropy and the good work of nonprofits in Linn County. The Community Foundation will present two nonprofit awards at the event. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, September 14, 2016. For more information, visit www.gcrcf.org/celebration-community.
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