Where We’re Going

Our mission and vision is to enhance the quality of life for Dallas County communities through fostering private giving and strengthening local non-profit organization by granting funds for projects in the following areas:

How We Got Started 

The Dallas County Foundation (DCF) was formed in 2005 when the Iowa State Legislature created the Endow Iowa program whereby Iowa Counties that do not have gaming facilities could receive funds directly from the State intending that eligible counties form or affiliate with a qualified community foundation to receive the funds, grant them in to the community and build a permanent endowment fund for future community betterment grants.

Community leaders Dean Boettcher, Scott Cirksena, Bob Sturgeon, Marty Glanz, Viivi Shirley, Steve Brody, and Chuck Fagen met with Rand Fisher from the Iowa Area Development Group to learn how to bring these dollars to Dallas County to benefit local non-profits. The first step was to create a board with representation from across the county.

Once the groundwork was laid, the money arrived! The DCF began issuing funds in 2006. Since then, the DCF has granted more than $1,565,000.