The Marion County Community Foundation board is making a shift in their annual grant program to respond to Covid-19. After discussion with community leaders, a need for additional funding for first responder/healthcare organizations has emerged. Covid-19 has already changed the way these organizations must conduct business, which has generated additional expenses, and it is anticipated there will be a surge in demand for their services in the coming weeks. The Marion County Community Foundation will make the primary objective of their 2020 grant program the support of these critical new funding needs.

On 4/1/2020 the Marion Country Community Foundation released $150,000 to Marion County First Responders to help them prepare for the expected needs in their departments in working in this ever
changing health crisis.

The funds will be distributed as follows:
BUSSEY FIRE & EMS – $10,200
CLAY TWP FIRE & EMS – $10,200
COLUMBIA FIRE & EMS – $10,200
INDIANA TWP FIRE & EMS – $10,200
KNOXVILLE CITY FIRE & EMS – $21,200
KNOXVILLE TWP FIRE – $15,200
MELCHER-DALLAS FIRE & EMS – $15,200
PELLA AMBULANCE EMS – $21,200
PELLA FIRE – $21,200
PLEASANTVILLE FIRE AND EMS – $15,200

An online donation site for Marion County will be set up as early as next week for public donations, with details soon to follow.

Grant applications received as of March 31, 2020 will be held for grant consideration in the 2021 grant cycle. Applicant organizations are asked to notify the Marion County Community Foundation if they do not want their 2020 application considered for a 2021 grant.