T-R PHOTO BY EMILY BARSKE On the night of the July 19 tornado, a father and son from Tama painted the graffiti wall at the Marshalltown Skate Park a giant mural reading “Stay Strong Marshalltown.” The graffiti wall was funded by the Community Foundation of Marshall County.

The Community Foundation of Marshall County has announced the guidelines for the 2019 funding cycles for the Rebuild Marshalltown Fund. The fund, open to non-profit entities, is intended to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts in Marshalltown from damages sustained in the July 19, 2018 tornado.

Tax-exempt, non-profit groups classified by the IRS as 501(C)(3) organizations, including public schools and government entities, may write a letter of intent to the foundation outlining its goals. The minimum request amount is $20,000 and applicants are required to provide a cash match that is a minimum of 50 percent of the total grant money being requested from the fund.

Community Foundation Executive Director Julie Hitchins said the requested funds could then be used to aid businesses and private individuals. For example, a non-profit group could use the money to build or rebuild homes.

The letters of intent will be reviewed by Hitchens, who will evaluate them based on: completion, eligibility and the ability to meet the guidelines. The Rebuild Marshalltown Fund Review Committee will review eligible letters to decide whether the applicants should then submit a full application. The letters of intent should be no more than two pages in length, using 12-point font, single spaced, describing the following: proposed project, projected cost, matching funds committed/secured and how the proposed project engages in activities around the rebuilding and sustainability of Marshalltown.

Proposals that are collaborative in nature with other local organizations will take priority.

“We know people aren’t necessarily ready right now so we wanted to give them three opportunities throughout the year to apply for the funds,” Hitchens said.

Spring letters of intent are due March 1; summer are due July 1 and fall are due Oct. 1. Those who submitted full applications and had their projects approved will then be notified of available funding on May 1, Sept. 3 and Dec. 2, respectively.

For more information, Hitchens may be reached at 641-758-3028 or cfmarshallco@gmail.com

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at

641-753-6611 or

sjordan@timesrepublican.com