225 ENDOWMENTS | $23,699,616.24 IN ASSETS | $1,678,636.99 IN GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED IN 2024
YOUR LOCAL
SOUTHEAST IOWA
PARTNER IN GIVING
Established in October 2004, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation (KACF) is a 501 (c) (3) charitable community foundation which receives gifts, grants and contributions from charitable individuals, families, businesses, and corporations.
These charitable gifts are used to establish permanent endowments, foster leadership, assist Tri-State Area nonprofit organizations, charities, schools, healthcare institutions, and strengthen communities in Southeast Iowa, West-Central Illinois, and Northeast Missouri.
2025 GRANT RECEPTION
​The Keokuk Area Community Foundation (KACF) and its affiliate, the North Lee Community Foundation (NLCF), have awarded a combined total of $170,239 in grants to 37 nonprofit organizations through their 2025 community grant cycle. These grants support a wide range of community projects, from youth programs and food security initiatives to arts, recreation, and essential human services. Each improving quality of life across Lee County and surrounding areas.
“It is an honor for the Keokuk Area Community Foundation to be able to fulfill our donor’s wishes to support local non-profits” said KACF Chairman of the Board, Kerry Klepfer. “We are committed to doing this for many, many years to come”.
This year, both the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and the North Lee Community Foundation made intentional efforts to look beyond traditional boundaries, funding projects that reach across the county and beyond, reinforcing the idea that community prosperity knows no geographic lines.
The annual Grant Reception was held Thursday evening at the Turnwater Banquet Room in Fort Madison, bringing together board members from both the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and the North Lee Community Foundation, foundation staff, and representatives from each of the grant recipient organizations. More than 120 guests attended the beautiful evening celebrating local nonprofits and their impact across Lee County. Moving forward, the Foundations plan to rotate the event each year, hosting it in different communities across Lee County to further highlight the broad reach of their shared mission.
TOGETHER WE ARE GROWING
​The North Lee Community Foundation (NLCF) and the Keokuk Area Community Foundation (KACF) are honored to announce the receipt of a significant estate gift from the Sandrock Trust, established by longtime community supporters Dr. Austin sandrock and Carole Wallis - Sandrock.
​
Beginning in 2026, the gift will directly increase funding for The North Lee Community Foundation Grant Fund and The Lofton-Eichacker Grant Fund of the Keokuk Area Community Foundation, providing an additional $400,000 annually to nonprofit organizations and schools throughout the greater Tri-State area.
​
NEW ONLINE GRANT PORTAL (GLM)
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation, North Lee Community Foundation and Community Foundation of Des Moines County are excited to announce the new online portal to apply for grants, called Grant Lifestyle Manager (GLM).
Benefits of GLM for the applicant:
​
-
Allow applicants to leverage auto-save functionality, preview follow-up forms, and copy and paste responses with rich text formatting to save time.
-
Give multiple users access to grant applications before submission.
-
A centralized cloud management system that keeps foundation staff, grantees, applicants, board members, and evaluators all on the same page.
-
Grant reviewers who securely read and score applications online, cutting down on the need for long, in-person meetings.
​
If your organization is interested in applying for a grant, we recommend watching the Applicant Experience Video before starting the GLM Grant Portal. You can also download an instructional guide to the GLM Grant Portal here.
​
A NEW START FOR LEE COUNTY HEALTH
In 2016, Lee County Health Department (LCHD) was forced to evacuate from a former building due to the aging and poor conditions at a rented building. During that unfortunate and terrible period, LCHD was able to relocate to the former Iowa State Penitentiary campus in Fort Madison. LCHD currently works and serves the people of Lee County out of leased floor space that is surrounded by barbed wire fencing and vacant abandoned prison buildings.
This former State Prison building has significant problems with roof and window water leaks, moldy ceiling tiles, and continuous troubles with HVAC cooling and heating due to aging outdated systems that the State of Iowa will not upgrade, replace or repair. Lee County currently pays $7,500 per month or $90,000 annually to rent this space at the former Iowa State prison. The State of Iowa owns these buildings and could evict the Lee County Health Department at any time.
The Meller Health Center when constructed, will be centrally located in Lee County near the Fort Madison Hospital. This property lies adjacent to the Shottenkirk Chevrolet Buick GMC car dealership in Fort Madison. The Meller Family generously gave the property to Lee County. This new Lee County Health Department Center and EMS facility will provide easy access for all the communities and townships of Lee County and will provide excellent health services for all the people of Lee County.
This past August, North Lee Community Foundation donated $250,000 to the Lee County Health Department Fund as an initial gift to the project. The Lee County Supervisors need $6,751,696 to build the Meller Health Department building. North Lee Community Foundation seeks to raise $500,000+ to help build the Meller Health Department building.
​
2025 ENDOW IOWA TAX CREDITS AVAILABLE
The Endow Iowa Tax Credit program was created to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of this state through increased philanthropic activity by encouraging new investments to existing community foundations across Iowa. Those who give to a permanently endowed fund at a the Keokuk Area Community Foundation are eligible to receive a 25% state of Iowa tax credit for their gift. Community members who give are also able to take advantage of the tax credits in conjunction with federal tax deductions.​
