HELLMAN LEE COUNTY IMPACT GRANT 

​LEE COUNTY, IOWA — The Lee County Charitable Fund has officially renamed its annual
IMPACT Grant to the Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant, honoring the legacy of longtime
community leader, philanthropist, and North Lee County advocate Merlin Hellman.
The Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant will open for applications on February 2, 2026, and
will award grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to eligible Lee County, Iowa 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organizations and qualified governmental entities. Applications must be
submitted by April 6, 2026.

Administered by the Lee County Charitable Fund, a volunteer grant committee made up of
board members from the North Lee Community Foundation and the Keokuk Area
Community Foundation, the IMPACT Grant is designed to support large-scale projects that
create meaningful, long-term benefits for Lee County residents.

 

The grant’s new name honors Merlin Hellman, whose life reflected a deep commitment to
service, stewardship, and community responsibility. A founding member of the North Lee
Community Foundation and instrumental in the establishment of the Lee County
Charitable Fund, Hellman served on numerous boards and organizations throughout Lee
County. His philanthropy helped strengthen schools, libraries, faith communities, and
human service organizations across the region.

“As one of the founders of the Lee County Charitable Fund, Merlin Hellman worked
alongside community leaders throughout the county to provide critical grants and
resources for schools, nonprofit organizations, charities and health care organizations from
all corners of Lee County,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Roger Ricketts,
“Merlin's vision of the Lee County Charitable Fund and the Community Foundations in Lee
County enabled generous donors and community leaders to believe that we, all of us
working together, would and should make a big impact for all who call Lee County their
home. It is with pride that we honor Merlin's legacy and vision for our county with the Merlin
Hellman IMPACT Grant."

Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend the KACF & NLCF Grant
Workshop Luncheon on February 25, 2026, to be held at Fort Madison’s Turnwater
Reception Room. The workshop will provide an overview of the application process,
funding priorities, and tips for submitting a strong proposal.