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  June 23, 2025   — The Clay County Community Foundation (CCCF) is thrilled to share it has granted $466,635 in Disaster Recovery Grants to 24 nonprofit organizations and two public entities since June 28, 2024.

“It has been one year since the catastrophic flooding hit Clay County and the city of Spencer. The response from those in the community and around the country to help those in need has been heartwarming”, says Terri Batschelet, CCCF Executive Director.

Since the historic flooding in June, 325 donors have contributed more than $575,000 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 June 22, 2025, 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. (3 grants) Grant supports replacing the personal educational supplies that teachers lost in the flood.  Grant supports new white boards and cork boards for Lincoln School in Spencer, the school was heavily damaged by the flood and has remained closed for school year 2024-25. Grant supports purchase of 6 interactive whiteboard w/carts for Lincoln school classrooms. Plans to reopen in 2025-26 school year.
• 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 and supports repairing display cases damaged in flooding adding wheels for easy mobility for future weather events
• Trinity Preschool and Daycare. Grant supports repairing flood damage to the facility’s kitchen and supports replacement of curriculum  and storage lost in the flood, allowing the center to open for business.
• 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, and continue to supply food as need has increased.
• Northwest Iowa Mental Health Center  dba Seasons Center.Grant supports repairing flood damage at the Autumn Center in Spencer and  supports replacing furniture and complete flood repairs to Autumn Center allowing this center to reopen to serve children in our community.
• 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 and supports free and reduced therapy for residents who have additional therapy needs du the their circumstances post flood.
• Center Against Abuse Sexual Assault. Grant supports repairing flood damage to the organization’s building. Grant supports completion of electrical repairs to ensure operations may resume in the CAASA 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 for the community.
• 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. 
• Peterson Ballfields.  Grant supports restoring surface of ballfield, fencing, scoreboard and concession stand.
• Long Term Recovery Group  Grant supports assisting the open cases within the LTRG with housing deposits and first month’s rent enabling families to move back to Spencer from temporary housing.
• Clay County EMS Grant supports 8 lifesaving vets and 8 throw bags to ensure proper emergency service for rescues.

Funds remain for disaster recovery needs.

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.   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.