State Parks of Iowa Fund

State Parks of Iowa Fund is sponsored by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (within the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation). This fund provides small grants to community-created groups to support conservation and facility improvements at Iowa's State Parks and Forests.

State Parks of Iowa Fund | Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Iowa Land Options iowa by trail Shop Donate Iowa’s State Parks and Recreation Areas (managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and those managed locally) along with State Forest recreation facilities continue to see high levels of usage and low levels of funding.

To help alleviate funding issues and support conservation and facility improvements at Iowa's State Parks and Forests, INHF supports the State Parks of Iowa Fund that provides small grants to community created groups such as Friends Groups, Chambers of Commerce, youth groups and other service clubs. Four private citizens have led the effort so far: Gerald Schnepf, Mark Ackelson, Ann Raisch and Kevin Szcodronski.

These individuals have established the State Parks of Iowa Fund within the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation. Support of SPIF comes from grants, private donations, and sales of the book Iowa's State Parks, A Century of Stewardship, 1920-2020 .

Projects may include but aren't limited to : Facility/structure improvements like providing fire rings or improving trails and bridges Event support such as projectors for movie screenings Supplies for outdoor recreation equipment Conservation projects like purchasing and planting native shrubs, trees or prairie plants or wildlife maintenance and enhancement.

You can apply for the grant by completing the application here and emailing it to Abby Hade Terpstra, Director of Philanthropy, at aterpstra@inhf. org . As indicated on the application, you will need to submit several other documents with your completed application.

How You Can Support the State Parks of Iowa Fund: There are numerous ways you can support this fund, both financially and through other efforts. Here are just a few: Donate or encourage those volunteers that have a like interest to make a donation to the fund. Invite members of the committee to present or share information about the fund with interested groups.

Provide a public endorsement of this program and the fund. Suggest leads to sources of funding to the committee to do the follow-up contacts or offer to assist in other ways. Share the stories of the good work being done through this fun with those you know.

The mission of the State Parks of Iowa Fund is to support efforts of volunteers and friends groups that support the enhancement of Iowa’s State Parks.

Grant funding information: For 2025, up to $1,500 will be awarded per project Priority will be given to applicants representing formal “Friends" groups of Iowa State Parks or other entities/organizations that support State Park enhancements such as service clubs, schools, private corporations/businesses. Complete the application here . Once complete, please email it to Abby Hade Terpstra, Director of Philanthropy, at aterpstra@inhf.

org . INHF is supporting the development of the State Parks of Iowa Fund, guided by the State Parks of Iowa advisors and in partnership with the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation Contact INHF's Abby Hade Terpstra at aterpstra@inhf. org or at 515-288-1846, ext.

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