(Arnolds Park)– The Okoboji Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle.
Foundation President Mindy Gress says non profit groups involved with capital projects in areas such as lake quality and the environment, arts and culture and outdoor experiences and education are especially urged to apply…
“The application opened January 1st and it will close March 1st. From there we have a group of community members and board members that sit and review all of the grants looking for those grants that really impact a wide range of people and projects here in the lakes area. And so we’ll sit, we’ll go through all the applications and those final decisions are made mid-May and that’s when we would let those organizations know that they have received a grant.”
Gress says they expect to have a similar amount of funds to distribute this year compared to last…
“Well, so we don’t have that final number yet but based on last year’s number we expect it to be around the same, a little over $400,000 that should be available. One of the great programs that we have going on right now is the Youth in Philanthropy program and they’re out doing their own fundraising. But when it comes to them being able to give those dollars out, they utilize the same grant process that we do. We have kind of a set amount here at the foundation that we’re going to be able to give out, around about $380,000, but the Youth in Philanthropy students come in and kind of round that out and they get to review those grants as well and help us give even more out to the community, so we’re hoping for right around $400,000. That number is kind of yet to be determined in its final stage.”
Gress says applications can be found online…
“The application can be found online and we do require online submission, simply going to our okobojifoundation.org web site. And certainly if they have any questions or want to talk through what the project is that they’re hoping to write their grant for, we always welcome that, and they can reach us at the office at 332-7177.”
Gress thanks all the donors who make the Okoboji Foundation’s grant program possible.
For additional information, contact the Okoboji Foundation at 712-332-7177 or info@okobojifoundation.org.
