Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant

Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant

The Lee County Charitable Fund Board could distribute up to $100,000.00 in a Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant to a Lee County NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT IS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT IN LEE COUNTY. Lee County nonprofit organizations can apply on an annual basis.

• Eligibility: Lee County 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations only.
• One grant per organization. The Lee County 501 (c)(3) organization must have a Lee County Iowa Address.
• Application Dates: February 2, 2026 – April 6, 2026
• Amounts Awarded: Grants awarded up to $100,000. Organizations can apply for grants between $25,000 – $100,000. 
• General Lee County Charitable Fund General Grant Guidelines also apply.
   

IMPACT Grant Presentation

All IMPACT Grant Applications and accompanying materials are due on or before April 6, 2026 by 6:00 PM. The Lee County Charitable Fund will review all IMPACT Grant Applications and contact the applicant (s) for a presentation to be made to the Lee County Charitable Fund Board. The presentation must be no more than 10 minutes long. The presentation can be a video or an in-person presentation through conference call. Lee County Charitable Fund Program Officer Philip Ricketts will contact you regarding the date and time of the presentation. All Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant Recipient (s) will initially be notified by May 2026.

The Life of Merlin Hellman

Merlin Hellman (1935 – 2021) lived a life of service for Lee County. He was a man people called for help and advice, a man who was there for his  family, friends, neighbors and community. Merlin served on multiple area boards of directors, including the Boards of Marquette and Aquinas, Parish Councils, and Diocesan Stewardship Committees. He was a founding  member of the Southeast Iowa Economic Development Committee, but he was most proud of his volunteer accomplishments.

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North  Lee County’s philanthropic story began with Merlin’s generosity. Merlin  established the North Lee Community Foundation, the Lee County Charitable Fund and funded endowments to support Holy Trinity Catholic  Schools, Holy Family Parish, the Fort Madison Public Library and Hope  Haven.

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The  North Lee Community Foundation and the Lee County Charitable Fund honor  the life Merlin Hellman by creating the Hellman Lee County IMPACT  Grant. Starting in 2026, the Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant will distribute multiple $25,000 - $100,000 IMPACT Grants to Lee County nonprofit organizations.