Click here to access the 2022 Ottumwa Housing Study

Strategic Grant Areas

Strategic Grants are considered by invitation only

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Strategic Grants are considered by invitation only and are generally initiated by the Foundation to affect positive change in Ottumwa and Wapello County. For the next several years, the 4 priority objectives identified in the Foundation’s long-range Strategic Plan are as follows:

Objectives

1

Economic Prosperity

  • Support effective economic development strategies that stimulate business recruitment, retention and expansion
  • Identify opportunities to fill employment gaps and increase the number of individuals living and working in Wapello County
  • Collaborate with partners to equip the community with resources necessary for a healthy economic environment

2

Quality of Life

  • Build and enhance perception, pride and image of Ottumwa
  • Leverage City resources to spur economic development and quality of life offerings through riverfront and park activation
  • Promote opportunities for residents to participate in the social, economic and civil life of the community

3

Education Opportunities

  • Support programming that increases the number of individuals with degrees, diplomas, certifications and licensure
  • Advance efforts that provide exposure to post-secondary pathways and career opportunities in Wapello County
  • Partner with education entities in their pursuits to provide excellent and innovative learning opportunities to all students

4

Housing availability

  • Support the efforts of partners to remove or rehabilitate deficient housing
  • Partner with various entities to increase the local inventory of quality housing at all levels
  • Through research and collaboration, identify strategies to elevate local home values, strengthen neighborhoods and eliminate barriers for redevelopment and home ownership

If your organization has a project that aligns with one of the four objectives of our strategic plan and exceeds the maximum $30,000 award amount specified within our Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund Grant Program, you may contact Kelly Genners, Legacy Foundation President/CEO, to discuss opportunities to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI).  LOI’s are submitted through our online process and are received by invitation only.  Once the submitted LOI has been reviewed and a favorable determination has been made regarding the alignment of your project with the Foundation’s strategic vision, you will be provided authorization to complete a full grant application.