NEWS / PUBLICATIONS
CREATING IMPACTS
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation invest in local nonprofit organizations that contribute to improving the quality of life in our communities. Our Community Foundations are about more than just managing charitable assets. We are about impact. Each charitable giving fund has a story. It represents the causes you care about, the organizations you serve and the communities that shape us. Our press releases, Annual Reports, Community Newsletters and our many donor/nonprofit publications tell your impact and tell our story.
MEDIA CONTACT
Leah Carroll
Director of Communications & Marketing
319.670.1412
leah.carroll@keokukfoundation.org
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PRESS RELEASES
MATTESON INCREASE
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation (KACF) and the North Lee Community Foundation (NLCF) are proud to announce a significant increase to the Matteson Scholarship, one of the region’s most impactful scholarship programs. Beginning with the 2026 scholarship cycle, the Matteson Scholarship will now provide up to $4,000 per year for four years, for a total potential award of $16,000 per student.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation were recognized with two major community awards on consecutive evenings this past week, underscoring their longstanding impact across Lee County.
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2026 GRANT WORKSHOP
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation held their first Grant Workshop of the year Wednesday afternoon at the Turnwater Reception Room in Fort Madison. More than 100 representatives from local nonprofit organizations, government entities, and school districts attended the event.
HELLMAN IMPACT GRANT
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.
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SUPPORT FOR LCED
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation has awarded a $2,500 contribution to Lee County Economic Development Group as part of planned quarterly support in 2026. The Foundation anticipates contributing $10,000 annually to support economic development efforts across Lee County.
2025 GRANT RECEPTION
On November 6, 2025, The Keokuk Area Community Foundation and the North Lee Community Foundation held a Grant Reception at Turnwater and awarded have awarded $170,239 to 37 nonprofit organizations.
“It is an honor for the Keokuk Area Community Foundation to be able to fulfill our donor’s wishes to support local non-profits."
SANDROCK TRUST GIFT
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. $400,000 annually will be given in grants to nonprofit organizations and schools throughout the greater Tri-State area.
20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation celebrated its 20th Anniversary in a Gala on May 3, 2025, at Meyers Courtyard. Founded in 2005, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation has received $23,026,592 in donations from 4390 donors, awarded $9,270,923 in grants and scholarships to 2313 organizations and 426 students.
GRANT GLM SOFTWARE
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 is s centralized cloud management system that keeps foundation staff, grantees, applicants, board members, and evaluators all on the same page.
NEWSLETTERS AND DONOR RESOURCES
THE COMMUNITY
FALL/ WINTER 2025
The 2025 Community Newsletter celebrates the power of giving across the Keokuk and North Lee communities. Inside, you’ll find stories of local impact, scholarship recipients, grant partners, and the donors who make it all possible. The Community is published three times a year.
GUIDING THE LEGACY
ADVISED FUNDS HANDBOOK
Since our founding in 2005, we have served the needs of this area and the hope and desires of our donors through personalized service, financial stewardship, local expertise and community leadership. Our Advised Handbook gives you a glimpse on how our foundations work.
LIGHTS OF LEGACY
2025 SCHOLARSHIPS
Lights of Legacy celebrates the extraordinary generosity, compassion, and vision of the donors whose scholarships continue to shape the future of Southeast Iowa and the Tri-State region. We are grateful for all our scholarship students and donors!
2026 SCHOLARSHIPS
ALL OUR OPPORTUNITIES
All 2026 Scholarships open on January 2, 2026. The deadline for all scholarship applications is April 15, 2026. Students only to apply once to be considered for all Keokuk Area Community Foundation, North Lee Community Foundation and Matteson Scholarships.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
TWENTY YEARS OF GIVING
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Celebrating a milestone, 2024 marked 20 years since the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation founders dreamed of what could happen if they pooled their resources and worked with others to resolve their community’s challenges and build on their strengths. The mission they embraced was to give back to Lee County, create leaders, and promote nonprofit organizations.
TOGETHER IN GIVING
2023 ANNUAL REPORT
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation we thank you for the giving impact you have made. We continue to be inspired by the enthusiasm and generosity of the donors, nonprofit organizations and students across Lee County, Southeast Iowa, Northeast Missouri and Western Illinois.
BELIEVE
2022 ANNUAL REPORT
Giving back is the core to our mission of strengthening leaders, students, and nonprofits through philanthropy. We know there will always be challenges, but it is always our goal to grow as an organization so we can continue to serve your passion for giving. We thank you for believing in us, and we will continue to work together to create a more vibrant and giving Tri-State Region!