At the Iowa Community Vitality Center’s (CVC) fifth annual Community Philanthropy Academy held in Des Moines in early February, the Greene County Community Foundation (GCCF) was honored with one of four state awards given by CVC.

The GCCF was the recipient of “success story” recognition for its recent successful direct mail campaign. Organizer of the campaign and member of the GCCF board of directors, Chris Wilbeck of Rippey, presented an overview of the campaign to those attending the academy, reviewing the goals, messages and results of the effort. This year’s campaign to build the GCCF endowment has now raised nearly $10,000. Wilbeck was part of a panel of representatives of the four community foundations that received the award.

During the academy, participants also learned about other successes and innovations in creating a culture for community philanthropy and building endowments from local and regional community foundation experts.

The GCCF is currently in its third cycle of grantmaking and will soon select grants which will benefit communities throughout Greene county. In the past two years, over $94,000 has been awarded by GCCF to 29 projects enhancing the quality of life in Greene county.

Attending the Academy from Greene County, in addition to Wilbeck, were Craig Hertel, CVC philanthropy coordinator and county director, Iowa State University Extension, Greene county; and Jacque Andrew of Jefferson, president of the Greene County Community Foundation.