Donors
Pleasant Grove Land Preservation & GPCF’s Unique Partnership
In 2024, the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation (GPCF) stewarded a 600 acre gift of property with significant environmental and ecological benefit. This donation is a unique and effective partnership and the origin of the Pleasant Grove Land Preservation Inc (the donor) is a lesson in the power of strategic co-funding – a partnership among individuals who collectively work in pursuit
More than a giving account: building your charitable legacy
You might initially think of a donor-advised fund as a simple charitable savings account: contribute assets, immediately receive a tax deduction, and recommend grants to your favorite 501(c)(3) nonprofits over time. While that is certainly true, many people are surprised to learn just how flexible a donor-advised fund can be. For many donors, the creative use of donor-advised funds
Many happy returns: How to help your kids celebrate charitable giving
If you’ve ever considered charitable giving in lieu of gifts for your child’s birthday party, you are not alone! Lots of parents are encouraging their kids to request gifts to support local charities instead of presents. This could include collecting books for a children’s hospital, supplies for an animal shelter, or food for a local food bank. When a group
What type of donor are you—scattered, results-focused, just getting started, or deep into it already?
Even if you are new to charitable giving, you’ve likely discovered that there’s no single “right” way to approach making a difference. That’s not only normal—it’s a strength! Recent research reinforces what many donors already know intuitively: generosity looks different for everyone. Indeed, more than 80% of Americans report giving in some form, whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or civic
Step by step, it starts with “love of humanity”
The word “philanthropy” comes from Greek roots, meaning, a love of humanity. It’s a big word—but at its heart, it reflects something very personal: the desire to help others, strengthen community, and make a difference in ways that matter to you. For some people, philanthropy means supporting a favorite nonprofit year after year. For others, it means volunteering time, responding
Rethinking legacy: Balancing gifts to heirs with the community’s future
Next time you meet with your estate planning attorney, it may be a good idea to check in on your long-term plans and ask yourself questions you might not yet have considered. Some planners, for example, report that more and more clients are reconsidering an automatic estate distribution to heirs. Instead, their clients are evaluating what type of legacies make
Tax Season Debrief: Three Common Regrets
If you’re like many donors, the weeks leading up to tax deadlines tend to bring charitable giving into sharper focus. You may have finalized contributions, gathered documentation, or had conversations with your CPA about how your giving fits into your overall financial plan. After the deadline has passed, it’s tempting to move on and not revisit these decisions until later
Charitable giving, due diligence, and how Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation can help
Many people want to be thoughtful in their charitable giving, but that doesn’t always make the process easy. In fact, one of the most common challenges donors face is simply feeling confident in their decisions. With so many worthy organizations, urgent needs, and compelling opportunities, it can be difficult to know where to start—or how to know if you’re making
Good News About Donor-Advised Funds
Three fundamental concepts are important to gaining a better understanding of how donor-advised funds work at the community foundation. Many options are available at GPCF. It’s important to note that a donor-advised fund is just one of many types of funds that an individual, family, or business can establish with GPCF. You’re likely more aware of donor-advised funds than other
Women and philanthropy: Impact Across Generations
March is Women’s History Month, and it’s a great time to share information about the increasing role of women in philanthropy. Sometimes this shift happens gradually—a daughter becomes more involved in conversations about family giving, or a spouse who once deferred decisions begins shaping philanthropic priorities more directly. In other cases, the transition is sudden and deeply personal, such as
Contact Info
The National Standards Seal indicates official confirmation from the Council on Foundations that we have met the most rigorous standards in philanthropy. It affirms our commitment to financial security, transparency & accountability. GPCF received this seal of approval in January 2010.