The Bock Family Foundation Inc. of Perry, established in 2002 by the estates of Larry Bock and Barbara Bock, announced Wednesday the awarding of $63,753.94 to 34 local non-profit groups in the spring 2018 granting cycle.
Grant recipients were honored and checks distributed at a presentation ceremony held at the Perry Public Library, with Bock Family Foundation Executive Director Scott Finneseth and Bock Family Foundation Board member John Powell thanking the groups for their service to Dallas County’s communities.
Finneseth said grant requests of more than $180,000 were received in the spring cycle. While all the projects are worthy, he said, low agricultural commodity prices, which are the main determinant of the Bock Family Foundation’s available funds, make for difficult choices for the grant committee.
Powell, a member of the committee that reviews grant applications, said their job would be a lot easier if the price of soy beans were twice what it is.
Along with Powell, other directors on the board of the Bock Family Foundation Inc. include President Brent Halling, Vice President Harley Weyer, Secretary Joyce Van Kirk and Directors Jean Bromert, Jon S. Peters and the Rev. Paul Burrow.
Since its founding, the Bock Family Foundation Inc. has awarded grants totaling more than $1,764,000, including grants awarded in this spring 2018 cycle. The recipients of Spring 2018 grant awards are:
- First United Methodist Church, Perry: $4,000 towards new carpet in the Sanctuary
- Dallas County Conservation Board: $1,500 for Prairie Awakening-Prairie Awoke Celebration
- Dallas County Conservation Board: $5,000 for RRVT Connector Phase II Construction
- Dallas County Public Health Nursing Services: $1,500 for Maternal Child Health Program
- Dallas Soil and Water Conservation District: $1,000 to host a field day 1 Percent Challenge
- Perry Crime Stoppers: $500 towards a tribute to Perry Police Department
- Friends of Perry Public Library: $1,000 for KidsFest 2018
- Dallas County Hospital Foundation: $1,100 to acquire phlebotomy chair for DCH Laboratory
- HomeCare Services Inc. of Dallas County: $4,000 for Home Care Aide services
- Perry Area Emergency Food Council: $2,500 for heating/air-conditioning system for the Perry Food Pantry
- Perry Area Child Development Center: $3,000 for scholarships
- Perry Area Child Development Center: $1,400 for carpet cleaning
- New Opportunities Inc.: $2,000 for repairs in three Perry Head Start classrooms
- Spring Valley Assisted Living: $500 towards exercise equipment
- Perry Lutheran Home: $500 towards exercise equipment
- Perry Fine Arts: $600 for Grand Avenue Ruckus performance on July Fourth
- Perry Alano Club: $2,500 towards ADA renovations
- Dallas County Habitat for Humanity: $2,500 towards homeownership for a Perry family
- Art on the Prairie: $1,500 towards The Perry Railroad public art sculpture
- Perry Historic Preservation Commission: $2,570 to preserve memorials and honor the Greatest Generation
- Relay for Life of Dallas County: $1,000 towards equipment rental for events
- PRESBY Child Care Center: $1,000 for furnishings, toys and equipment for child care center
- Freedom for Youth Ministries: $1,000 for summer programming
- Hispanics United for Perry: $2,000 add to endowment for scholarships for Perry High School students
- Genesis Development: $5,000 toward mental health therapy costs at Perry Schools
- P.A.C.E.S.: $7,000 for Summer Program for pre-K through fifth grade
- Perry Elementary School: $800 for Quaver’s Marvelous World of Music
- Perry Elementary School: $1,360 for milk tickets for K through second grade students
- Perry Elementary School: $1,000 to purchase STEM kits
- Perry Community Schools: $1,000 towards starting a fifth grade band program
- Perry Community Schools: $1,000 toward Dewey Complex Renovation Project
- Dawson Emergency Services Assoc. Inc.: $1,000 for UTV slide in EMS skid unit
- Minburn Community Betterment: $750 for Meet Me in Minburn Summer Concert Series
- DeSoto Police Department: $673.94 to purchase 2 body armor vests
The Bock Family Foundation Inc. also announced that in the last two academic years, 17 DMACC students attending the Perry VanKirk Career Academy have been awarded scholarships totaling $6,576 by the Bock Family Foundation Scholarship Fund.
The Bock Family Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit supporting organization for the benefit of organizations operated for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes. In order to receive grant funding projects must be located in Dallas County. Applicants must be a nonprofit organization or a unit of state or local government.
The foundation awards the grants in the fall and spring, with application deadlines of Sept. 1 and March 1. Questions about the grant guidelines and the application form may be directed to Bock Family Foundation Inc. Executive Director Scott Finneseth at 515-465-4641 or P.O. Box 487, Perry, IA 50220.
