The Greater Jefferson County Foundation
A Brief History of the Origin of the Foundation
The Foundation’s Mission Statement: The Greater Jefferson County Foundation receives, accepts, and distributes funds for educational purposes for the benefit of the greater community of Jefferson County, Iowa.
The Greater Jefferson County Foundation was founded on May 1st, 1975. The original donation was from the sale of the Bethany Home. This facility provided shelter for elderly people and young women who needed a place of comfort from abuse and homelessness. It was located on the west side of North Main Street, across from the Jefferson County Courthouse. The proceeds were $75,000.00, and this became the seed money to establish the fund.
The original charter was to place any donated funds into certificates of deposit in Jefferson County banks, but in the mid-1990’s, the Board of Directors met and realized the opportunity for additional growth in the form of donations as well as market funds increase. The Board approved this decision, and since that time, exceptional growth, under the stewardship of Dr. William C. Baumann, as Finance Ex-Officio, has provided a continuing growth strategy that exceeds that benchmark of many other community foundations in the state of Iowa.
In 1997, the Foundation received a major bequest in the amount of $705,438.00 from Charlotte James Hammans. As a special provision in her will, Hammans made sure the Arc of Jefferson and Nearby Counties would get an infusion of funds for camperships for Camp Courageous, which continues through the Foundation to this day.
Along with the Hammans’ bequest, many donors have made the mission of the Foundation a reality. These include Ralph Perry, Richard Harness, the Thoma-Williamson Family, Robert & Evelyn Gamrath, Mildred Ferguson, Pete & Fern Crafton, Lee T. Gobble, Scott & Edith Jordan, Edd & Darlene Felgar, the Dale Kraus Family, T.L. & Dorothy Henderson, John Jackson, Dr. Robert Tree, Pat Thoma Wheeler, Matt Patton, Mike & JoAnne Ruby, Jim & Joan Salts, Jack & Ruth Sellars, Kathlyn Tompkins-Gentry, Joseph Mandarino, Ben & Judy Bower, Susan Shafer, Pat & Barb McMahon, Carl & Mary Zillman, the Nady family, Dave & Sherri Neff, Donna Clark, John & Deb Martin, James & Marilyn Taylor, Edie Graby, Tommy Thompson, Richard Kurka, and many other valued donors.
The first community grants were awarded in 1999 in the amount of $47,000.00. In 2025, grants were awarded to 24 Jefferson County organizations totaling $252,810. Since 1999, The Greater Jefferson County Foundation has awarded over $3.6 Million in grants to the Jefferson County community. This includes pledges for community projects such as the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, The Park & Rec Pool & Gym Project, the Cambridge Little Achievers Daycare, and, most recently, the Fairfield Fire Station Project.
The Foundation’s Scholarship Program began in 1988 with a $20,000.00 donation for the first scholarship fund and has grown to over $1 Million dollars, funding over 60 scholarships in 2025 totaling over $150,000.00. Most recently, the Foundation is proud to be the administrator of The Rex Crockett Memorial Scholarship for the child of a Dexter Laundry employee, and new scholarships include the Arc Scholarship for students majoring in Special Needs Education, Jack & Edie Graby and the Taylor Scholarship for students majoring in Agriculture, and the Overland Scholarship, for students majoring in Fashion, Textiles, Resource Development, Merchandising, Product Management, or Entrepreneurship.
None of these remarkable accomplishments would be achievable without the consideration and forethought of our valued donors. To make a charitable contribution to the Foundation (501©3), contact your financial advisor, or our office at gjcf0758@windstream.net, or 641-472-0758.