Foundation gives boost to area agencies

Eight local groups received a combined $24,741 in grant funds from Your Community Foundation

By TIM STAUFFER, REGISTER MANAGING EDITOR

October 13, 2025 - 2:55 PM

Your Community Foundation’s Elaina Stiffler, Lisa Zellner of SEKMHC, Darcie Croisant of USD 258 Humboldt, Brian Campbell of USD 256 Marmaton Valley, and 13 Reasons to Fly SEK founder Sharla Miller. Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register

Your Community Foundation’s executive director Elaina Stiffler presented area organizations with grant awards last week as part of the foundation’s annual grant cycle.

This year, the foundation awarded a total of $24,741, significantly more than the $15,000 it has distributed in years past.

Grant efforts focused on promoting health and education efforts. Established in 2012, Your Community Foundation works to advance the quality of life in Allen County.

YCF’s Elaina Stiffler presents a grant award to Alice Bolin, center, and Hellen Welch of the Elsmore Ruritan Club. Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register

Iola Public Library Director Sharon Moreland, Assistant Director Laura Force, and Your Community Foundation’s Elaina Stiffler. Courtesy photo

Your Community Foundation’s Elaina Stiffler, from left, joins Humanity House’s Georgia Masterson and Barbara Button. Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register

Pregnancy & Family Center board member Jonathan Adams, co-director Theresia Turner, YCF’s Elaina Stiffler, and co-director Angela Johnson. Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register

Your Community Foundation’s Elaina Stiffler joins Casey Diver and Amanda Clasen of Southwind Extension District. Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register

The Growing Place co-directors Jamie Howley, from left, and Tara Trester join YCF’s Elaina Stiffler and Growing Place founder Janie Works to accept their grant award. Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register

Your Community Foundation director Elaina Stiffler presents Allen County Recycling board members Steve Strickler and Janie Works with their grant award outside the recycling center. Photo by Tim Stauffer / Iola Register

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Those receiving 2025 awards include:

• Humanity House Foundation was awarded $5,000 to support the nonprofit’s utility relief program that helps struggling households keep the lights on.

• Allen County Recycling was given $5,000 to help purchase a forklift to improve efficiency and expand the local recycling capacity.

• 13 Reasons to Fly SEK was given a grant of $3,500 to help sustain the Zero Reasons Why program, a youth mental health initiative being implemented in Allen County school districts.

• The Growing Place of Humboldt received a grant of $3,000 to buy 10 new bicycles and helmets for children to use at the daycare center.

• Elsmore Ruritan Club was given $2,000 to support the club’s monthly food pantry program for families and seniors in Elsmore and Savonburg. With the closure of Marmaton Market, these communities have reduced access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

• The Pregnancy & Family Center received a grant of $2,000 to purchase car seats and 5-in-1 Pack ’n Play bedside sleepers, as part of the organization’s Project Safe.

• Southwind Extension Educational Foundation was awarded $1,500 to purchase a transportable AED to be available at its Iola Extension office and the fairgrounds during the Allen County Fair.

• Iola Public Library was awarded $741 to fully fund the installation of an Aunt Flow Model E menstrual product dispenser in the library’s main women’s restroom. The dispenser will expand access to essential hygiene products.

The Growing Place and Hope Unlimited were also selected to establish an endowed fund with Your Community Foundation, which allows them to participate in the foundation’s upcoming match month fundraiser.

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