PRESS RELEASE
February 17, 2015
Contact:
Cedar Falls Community Foundation
Judith F. Harrington, Chair, PR/Peter Melendy Award Committee
PO Box 546, Cedar Falls IA 50613
319.243.9170 (Foundation)
e-mail: CFCF@cfu.net
e-mail: judith.harrington@uni.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Attached: photo, Cedar Falls Historical Society Victorian House
CEDAR FALLS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANTS
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation Board of Directors approved grants totaling
$40,080.00 at its January 29, 2015 meeting. Grants to the Cedar Falls Public Library were
approved from three funds, including the Kathryn Ray Fund for the Cedar Falls Public
Library; the Cedar Falls Public Library Building Fund; and the Robert and Shirley Berg Fund
for the Cedar Falls Public Library. These grants will fund diverse activities including author
visits, activities in partnership with the wcfSymphony, a bus trip, STEAM & craft activities,
and a murder mystery. Cedar Falls Community Foundation President Russ Curtis noted
that, “The Foundation has a partnership of long standing with the Cedar Falls Public Library
and we are delighted to support their diverse educational community programs.”
A grant request from the Cedar Falls Historical Society in the amount of $13,580
was approved from the Ella Rownd Trust. Executive Director Cyndi Sweet commented,
“The Ella Rownd Trust plays an important role among the Foundation’s funds, funding
capital projects in significant amounts. The Cedar Falls Historical Society’s restoration of
the exterior of the Victorian Home is an opportunity for the Foundation to support the careful
stewardship the Historical Society offers this community, not only of its historical structures,
but also the significant objects and archives housed there.”
Karen Smith, Executive Director of the Cedar Falls Historical Society, mentioned that
the Victorian Home welcomes thousands of visitors each year to learn more about local
history and heritage. Smith said, “The $13,580 grant will allow us to complete a careful
restoration of the soffits, fascia, brackets, and columns that define the Italianate style of the
home and make it a distinctive landmark and destination. We know that this project will
continue to inspire others to value historic preservation and to make their own investments
in such work. The support of the Cedar Falls Community Foundation over many years has
been essential to the success of our organization. We thank the Foundation for all they do
to support our community and to help us “keep our heritage alive.”
The Foundation is also announcing that it has approved a $25,000 grant from the
Ella Rownd Trust to the Western Home Foundation to support the construction of a
wellness/community center on the Western Home’s south campus. According to Sweet,
“With this significant gift, the Cedar Falls Community Foundation has demonstrated once
again their support of the quality of life amenities offered in Cedar Falls. The Foundation is
especially pleased that their contribution will allow the exercise room within the fitness
space to be named in honor of the Cedar Falls Community Foundation.”
Mary Taylor, Development Director for the Western Home Foundation, said, “We're
very thankful the Cedar Falls Community Foundation saw the need and the value in our
wellness/community center. When complete, it will be the hub for all types of wellness for
our residents and others 55-plus in the community, from social to physical to intellectual
wellness. It's also fitting that these funds come from the Rownd Trust, given that our south
campus site encompasses much of the Rownd family farm from a century ago. I hope
they're pleased with the legacy that continues here today.”
The Cedar Falls Community Foundation serves as the leading philanthropic
organization in Cedar Falls, Iowa, using the resources entrusted to its stewardship to
support projects that enhance the community’s quality of life through cultural, scholarly,
recreational, literary, and artistic endeavors. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation
encourages community philanthropy and collaboration. For more information about the
Cedar Falls Community Foundation, please visit www.cf-communityfoundation.org or
contact 319.243.9170 or cfcf@cfu.net.