January 9, 2022 | Tim Johnson, The Daily Nonpareil

The Lewis Central Education Foundation has created two Impact Funds in partnership with the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation to encourage contributions.

The funds were established at the end of December and became active this month, according to Jill Adkins, president of the Lewis Central Education Foundation.

The Lewis Central Impact Fund and the Lewis Central Endow Iowa Impact Fund at PCCF will support classroom grants for teachers, scholarships for graduating seniors and special projects that will enhance learning opportunities for Lewis Central students, Adkins said. Partnering with PCCF will provide tax advantages and additional incentives for donors.

“Endow Iowa has an added tax credit of 25%, in addition to the traditional charitable income tax credit,” she said.

In addition, PCCF matches a portion of the contributions, according to Donna Dostal, president and CEO.

“Any time a donor contributes (to an Endow Iowa Fund), we match that at 10% up to a maximum of $250,000,” she said. “So it really helps the money go further.”PCCF also helps publicize the funds and market them to the community, Dostal said.

LCEF officials hope the tax advantages will encourage more people to donate, Adkins said. She also mentioned Lewis Central’s academic program and the recognition of Lewis Central High School as a National Blue Ribbon School in September.

“The foundation wants to be able to maximize the potential for helping (schools and students) in the district,” she said. “During the last school year, we were able to grant over $38,000 in (36 total) scholarships for the 2020 graduates and over $14,000 in classroom grants. Our hope is, with this new partnership, we will be able to have (a) larger impact not only on our students but (to) support our district staff as well who are always coming up with new innovative … lessons in the classroom but may not always have the supplies that are needed to implement them.”

Dostal applauded LCEF’s decision to partner with them.

“Supporting our youth through quality education is an investment in the future of our community,” she said. “We are excited to partner with the Lewis Central Education Foundation to assist in helping them meet their goals of effectively supporting the educators in the district and also growing scholarship assistance through philanthropy.”

Anyone can contribute to the two new Lewis Central Impact Funds by visiting ourpccf.org or by calling 712-256-7007. PCCF can also work with donors to maximize their charitable gifts, which can include but are not limited to the following: cash, financial investments, bequests, grain, stocks, securities, livestock, real estate and vehicles.

LCEF’s mission is to assist the students and staff of the Lewis Central Community School District and it is governed 100% by a volunteer-based board and relies on volunteers and donations to make an impact for current and future students, Adkins said. The LCEF Board is always willing to help private parties set up new scholarships for Lewis Central students, she said.

“There’s definitely still time to have an impact on our graduates in 2022,” she said.

Current board members also include Tad McDowell, treasurer; Marilyn Heitman, secretary; Dr. Eric Knost, ex-officio; Kara Riso Anderson; Rachel Cyboron; and Mia Laustrup.

lewis central education foundation partners with pccf to create impact funds

Pottawattamie County Community Foundation (PCCF) is thrilled to announce the creation of two new Funds in partnership with the Lewis Central Education Foundation.

The Lewis Central Impact Fund and the Lewis Central Endow Iowa Impact Fund at PCCF will support classroom grants for teachers, scholarships for graduating seniors, and special projects that will enhance the learning opportunities for Lewis Central students. Partnering with PCCF will provide individuals a vehicle to make donations with the ability to use tax advantages and additional match incentives the community foundation can offer.

"During the last school year, we were able to grant over $38,000 in scholarships for the 2020 graduates and over $14,000 in classroom grants,” states Jill Adkins, Lewis Central Education Foundation Board President. “Our hope is with this new partnership we will be able to have larger impact not only on our students but support our district staff as well who are always coming up with new innovative ways of lessons in the classroom but may not always have the supplies that are needed to implement them."

Lewis Central Education Foundation’s (LCEF) mission is to assist the students and staff of the Lewis Central Community School District. LCEF is governed 100% by a volunteer-based board and the Foundation relies on volunteers and donations to continue to make the greatest impact for current and future students. LCEF’s board members have strong ties with the Lewis Central Community School District and are passionate about what the Foundation does. Current LCEF board members include: Jill Adkins, President; Tad McDowell, Treasurer; Marilyn Heitmen, Secretary; Dr. Eric Knost, Ex-Officio; Kara Riso Anderson; Rachel Cyboron; and Mia Laustrup. For more information, please visit the Lewis Central Education Foundation website.

“Supporting our youth through quality education is an investment in the future of our community,” said Donna Dostal, president and CEO of Pottawattamie County Community Foundation. “We are excited to partner with the Lewis Central Education Foundation to assist in helping them meet their goals of effectively supporting the educators in the district, and also growing scholarship assistance through philanthropy.”

Individuals, families, and businesses can contribute to the two new Lewis Central Impact Funds by visiting www.ourpccf.org or by calling 712.256.7007. PCCF can also work with donors to maximize their charitable gifts, which can include but are not limited to the following: cash gifts, financial investments, bequests, gifts of grain, stocks and securities, livestock, real estate, and vehicles.