The Greene County Community Foundation has an option for the public to donate to them that will not only improve the county, but give an additional tax credit.

President Karen Shannon says they receive a bulk of their funding from the non-gaming license holder for Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson, Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation, that awards their organization $150,000 annually to give to worthy projects across the county with grants of up to $35,000. However, Shannon points out that they can draw from their established endowment fund to award even more projects with grants.

“You can pull five percent annually, up to five percent. We’re sitting at about $1.5 million in our endowments right now. So when you take that times the five percent, that’s around $70,000-$75,000 that we could pull in addition to whatever money we get from Grow Greene County.”

Shannon explains an additional incentive when people donate to their endowment fund.

“When you donate to Endow Iowa and you give any gift that would go into our endowment that qualifies you for a tax credit. And that’s a little bit different than a (tax) write-off.”

She appreciates everyone who has given in the past and adds that their 20-member board does a good job of deliberating the grant applications and the funds are annually spread throughout the county. Donations can be made on the website by clicking the link below, or by mailing them at P.O.Box 85 in Jefferson.