Hancock County Foundation Grants

The Hancock County Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Hancock County by fostering private giving, strengthening service providers, and enhancing community conditions. Its mission revolves around promoting endowment building, facilitating community collaboration, supporting grantmaking, and encouraging public leadership for the benefit of the county’s residents. The foundation provides a conduit for charitable giving by individuals, families, and businesses who are passionate about the well-being of Hancock County. The foundation offers a variety of personalized, flexible giving options to align with the needs and interests of its donors. It simplifies the giving process by managing administrative details and ensuring high standards of stewardship. Donors have access to unique tax-wise giving opportunities such as the Endow Iowa program, which provides a 25% state tax credit. The foundation is also committed to helping donors establish charitable legacies that will support causes they care about for future generations. Whether working directly with the foundation or through trusted professional advisors, donors can achieve their giving goals and contribute to a better future for Hancock County. The foundation administers grant programs aimed at supporting 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities serving Hancock County. The goal of these grants is to create a better quality of life for the community’s residents. Applications are reviewed by a local governing committee composed of community members who evaluate proposals based on their potential impact and alignment with community needs. Currently, the grant cycle is closed, with the next round anticipated to open in 2026. Prospective applicants are encouraged to check back during that time for updated information. Upon receiving a grant, recipients are required to submit a final report to the foundation. This report should be submitted electronically to hancock.county.foundation@gmail.com, and a final report form is provided via a link on the foundation’s website. The foundation’s leadership includes President Jill Kramer, Secretary Doug Weiland, Treasurer Courtney Weiskamp, and additional advisory board members. Director Ellen Tusha serves as the primary contact for grant-related inquiries and can be reached at hancockcounty@desmoinesfoundation.org or (641) 860-1708. For broader affiliate relations, Jacey Roy can be contacted at roy@desmoinesfoundation.org or (515) 447-4219. The foundation operates under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, located at 1915 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309.