2026 EICHACKER / LOFTON GRANT APPLICATION

The Keokuk Area Community Foundation (KACF), in partnership with its affiliate, the
North Lee Community Foundation (NLCF), has officially opened applications for the 2026 Eichacker / Lofton Grant Fund, with the application period running from April 28 through June 29, 2026.
 

The fund honors the enduring legacies of George Eichacker and Richard Lofton, whose vision and leadership were instrumental in establishing the Keokuk Area Community Foundation. In 2024, the KACF Board of Directors renamed the Foundation’s original grant fund in their honor, recognizing their lasting impact on charitable giving throughout the region.

The Eichacker / Lofton Grant Fund supports a broad range of projects that enhance quality of life across the tri-state area. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools, and churches with charitable intent located in Lee County, Iowa; Hancock County, Illinois; and Clark County, Missouri. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded, with one grant allowed per organization.
 

Projects supported through the fund include:

• Capital Projects: Facility improvements, repairs, equipment purchases, and technology upgrades.

• Program Projects: New initiatives or expansion of existing programs and services.

• Applicants must follow the general grant guidelines established by both KACF and NLCF.

 

In 2025, KACF and NLCF awarded a combined $170,239 in grants to 37 nonprofit organizations through the Eichacker / Lofton and Kowzan / Sandrock Grant Funds. These grants supported a wide range of community needs, including youth programming, food security, arts and culture, recreation, and essential human services—each contributing to a stronger, more vibrant region.

“The charitable legacies of George Eichacker and Richard Lofton still echo in Lee County, Clark County, and Hancock County,” said Phil Ricketts, Chief Operating Officer of KACF and NLCF. “The Keokuk Area Community Foundation continues to honor their spirit of giving through the Eichacker / Lofton Grant Fund. This year, the fund will award more than $150,000 to nonprofit organizations across our service area.”
 

The Foundations also note that recipients of the first major grant cycle of 2026, the Hellman LeeCounty IMPACT Fund, will be announced in the coming weeks. That program supports large-scale community projects with grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.
Organizations interested in applying for the Eichacker / Lofton Grant Fund or reviewing full guidelines can visit: www.keokukfoundation.org/grants