McDonald’s hosts grant information event

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

McDonald’s was the place for Coffee, Cookies & Conversation on Wednesday, Sept. 11, as the Floyd County Community Foundation offered information about how to apply for or donate to the grants that benefit the county.

“Giving back to your community is for everybody,” said Terry Gaumer, affiliate development director with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.

In 2023, the Floyd County Community Foundation awarded nearly $250,000 in grants to 23 local organizations, including cities, churches and other non-profit groups.

The application window for this year opened up at the start of September and will close on Oct. 15.

“Any non-profit that’s doing work in Floyd County can apply,” said Gaumer.

In addition to offering information about how to apply for grants, the group is also encouraging people to donate to the Community Foundation through the “5 for the Future” campaign, which calls on people to pledge 5% of their estate to the community.

Similar information sessions have been held in the past, but this is the first time the community foundation has set up at the Charles City McDonald’s. Offering free cookies and coffee for the morning, the event was made possible by franchise owner Scott Soifer, who recently joined the board of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.

“I think the mission they do is wonderful,” said Soifer. “We’re happy to be able to offer the restaurant here to hold events like this.”

For those that missed out on Wednesday and want to learn more, another information event will be held at McDonald’s Tuesday, Sept. 24.