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Click the button, below, to be directed to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation login page for fund holders and grant seekers.
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Click the button, below, to be directed to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation login page for fund holders and grant seekers.
Community Foundation Establishes
A New WHS Scholarship Fund
The Central Park Community Center transfers funds to the Community Foundation of Washington County to establish the Central Park Community Center Scholarship for Washington High School seniors. Left to right :Kenneth Wagner, Central Park Treasurer; Millie Youngquist, CFWC Executive Director; Barb Nelson, Central Park President; Judy Grover, Central Park Board Member.
January 13, 2022:
Washington, Iowa – The Community Foundation of Washington County (CFWC), working together with local donors and organizations established several new endowment funds in 2021. These funds will provide permanent support to local organizations and causes. One of these funds will establish a new scholarship for 2022 WHS graduating seniors.
The Central Park Senior Center was established as a non-profit organization in 1999. Their home was a storefront on the south side of the Washington Square. Many local citizens raised funds to purchase the building and this center was the location for many bingo suppers and other fundraisers. The center was rented out to organizations and individuals for meetings and events. Max Cousins, long-time Washington teacher and coach used the space to tutor many math students.
Recently, the Central Park Senior Center on the south side of Washington’s square closed, the members sold their building and shut down their organization. The remaining members’ wish was to take the money from the sale of the building and use it to establish college scholarships for needy and deserving Washington High School graduating seniors.
Millie Youngquist, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Washington County heard of their situation and made the connections with other groups in the community to make the donors’ wish a reality. The proceeds from the sale of the building have been invested in a permanent endowment fund with the Community Foundation of Washington County. This spring, the Central Park Senior Center Scholarship will be awarded to WHS Class of 2022 college-bound students based on their financial need.
“This situation is a perfect example of how the community foundation can work with individuals and connect them to causes they care about.” explained Millie, “Because of the generosity of these donors, scholarships will be awarded and educational dreams can be achieved for generations to come. If anyone has dreams or ideas about helping non-profit causes in Washington County, I encourage them to talk to me to see what is possible.”
For more information about how to contribute to this new scholarship fund, go to the CFWC’s website: www.cfwashingtoncounty.org. For information about the CFWC, interested persons may contact Youngquist at cfwashingtoncounty@gmail.com or by calling 319-653-4673.
Scholarship
in memory of Mike Orris
applications being accepted
Mike Orris
Please download the above pdf. It can then be filled out on your computer desktop. Be sure to save your work before submitting this form.
January 11, 2022:
The Washington County Fair Association started an endowment fund with the Community Foundation of Washington County in 2019 to provide for an annual scholarship. The third scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to a member of the graduating Class of 2022 who has been a participant in Washington County 4-H or FFA for 4 years.
Mike Orris, a long-time community member, veteran and volunteer member of the Washington Fair Board for 50+ years passed away this past summer at the age of 92.
“They don’t make volunteers like Mike anymore,” said Fair Board member, Jarrod Horning. “He has had a huge impact on our organization over the past 50+ years.”
When the Fair Association was approached by Mike’s family to create this fund, they were immediately onboard with the idea.
“The Community Foundation is uniquely capable of creating a fund such as this,” said Executive Director, Millie Youngquist. “Our whole purpose is to create permanent endowment funds that continue providing money to support local non-profits and their causes. We are especially honored to create a fund in the memory of such a community leader and volunteer.”
Donations of any amount to this fund qualify for the Endow Iowa tax credit, a program giving donors a state tax credit of 25% of the amount of their donation. Individuals interested in making a donation to this fund may donate by writing a check to: The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, writing “Mike Orris Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the memo line, and mailing it to: The Community Foundation of Washington County, Attn: Millie Youngquist, 831 South 13th Ave., Washington, IA 52353.
Scholarship application forms are available on the Fair Association website: washingtoncountyfairia.com. Applications will also be available from area high school guidance counselors, FFA advisors and at the Washington County Extension Office. Applications are due on Feb. 28, 2022.