Disaster Recovery Grants

Please email Terri Batschelet, CCCF Executive Director at infocccf@gmail.com for an application. Thank you!

Clay County Community Foundation Disaster Recovery Fund is here to help!

SPENCER, IA October 1, 2024 — The Clay County Community Foundation (CCCF) is thrilled to share it has granted $303,700 in Disaster Recovery Grants to 22 nonprofit organizations and two public entities since June 28, 2024.
“We are overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity of donors who have helped fund Disaster Recovery Grants,” says Terri Batschelet, Executive Director of the Clay County Community Foundation. “These donations have allowed CCCF to directly support the residents and businesses of Clay County as they navigate flood recovery.”
Since the historic flooding in June, 277 donors have contributed more than $525,000 to the CCCF Disaster Recovery Fund. The CCCF DRF committee has worked diligently to review grant applications and award donated funds to deserving nonprofit organizations and public entities in Clay County.

Organizations awarded Disaster Recovery Grants as of October 1, include:

• Upper Des Moines Opportunity. Grant supports providing housing assistance, baby and children supplies, transportation, dehumidifiers and sump pumps, medication and the food pantry.
• Community Housing, Access & Resource Team. Grant supports providing housing assistance, car repair, essential supplies and operating expenses.
• Kiwanis After 5. Grant supports “Sweet Dreams” program which supplies bedding and comfort items for children
• Arts on Grand. Grant supports clean up and recovery efforts to restore use of the facility’s basement for children and adult classes
• Spencer Community Schools Foundation. Grant supports replacing the personal educational supplies that teachers lost in the flood.
• Shayla Bee Fund. Grant supports repairing flood damage to the Shayla Bee Fund building.
• Clay County Heritage. Grant supports restoration of historic documents damaged in the flood.
• Trinity Preschool and Daycare. Grant supports repairing flood damage to the facility’s kitchen.
• Hy-Noon Kiwanis. Grant supports providing backpacks for all students in the Spencer Community Schools and CCE Elementary.
• Upper Des Moines Opportunity. Grant supports the purchase of groceries to resupply food pantry items lost in the flood.
• Northwest Iowa Mental Health Center dba Seasons Center. Grant supports repairing flood damage at the Autumn Center in Spencer.
• Spencer Mainstreet. Grant supports Flood Relief Micro-Grants for affected downtown businesses.
• American Red Cross. Grant supports providing financial assistance to flood-impacted individuals.
• Spencer DayBreakers Kiwanis. Grant supports the organization’s partnership with the Northwest Iowa Counseling Adopt a Family Program.
• Everly Library. Grant supports providing gift cards to assist Everly residents affected by flooding.
• Lutheran Services. Grant supports purchasing office supplies and therapy recovery lost in flooding.
• Center Against Abuse Sexual Assault. Grand supports repairing flood damage to the organization’s building.
• Elderbridge. Grant supports providing funds to clients to purchase essential needs due to losses incurred during the flood.
• Catholic Charities. Grant supports providing funds to aid with free and reduced counseling services to Clay County residents affected by flooding.
• People for Pets. Grant supports efforts to provide increased housing, feed and care for pets displaced due to flooding, as well as stocking the pet food bank.
• Fresh Start Market & Boutique. Grant supports the launch of a new second hand store in Spencer, offering affordable household goods and a local drop off location.
• Grand Ave Free Clinic. Grant supports restoring clinic operations.
• City of Spencer. Grant supports partnership on the Right of Way grant program for Spencer residents needing Right of Way restored.
• Spencer Chamber Foundation. Grant supports funds to award individual and business grants to those affected by the flooding.

“As the community continues to recover, CCCF will be working directly with the newly formed Long-Term Recovery Group to help fund programs specifically designed for recovery efforts,” says Batschelet. “We will also continue to disburse Disaster Recovery Grants, and encourage nonprofits and public entities to continue to apply.”
Nonprofit and public entities seeking to apply for grants, please contact CCCF Executive Director, Terri Batschelet at infocccf@gmail.com, or call 712-330-8952.

To donate to the CCCF, please visit claycofoundation.com. For real time updates, please visit the CCCF Facebook page at facebook.com/ClayCoCommunityFoundation.

About Clay County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
The Clay County Community Foundation is committed to connecting donors who care with causes that matter, and to serve as a trusted resource for addressing issues that impact the quality of life in Clay County. The Clay County Community Foundation invests in area nonprofits through grant programs and by providing individuals, families and area businesses who love the community with a way to give back. Visit the Clay County Community Foundation website to learn more.