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| (c) 2010, Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation |
New memoir by Grinnell, IA author, Judith W. Hunter, tells the colorful story of the
late Claude W. Ahrens, founder of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation.
“Grinnell’s Entrepreneurial and Philanthropic Pioneer: A Biography of Claude W.
Ahrens” is a 165-page book edited by Julie Gosselink and produced by the Claude W.
and Dolly Ahrens Foundation. The book unveiling and author's presentation
occurred on December 8th at the new Drake Community Library in Grinnell.
This is the first published work of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation.
Copies of the memoir are now for sale for $22.95 at the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens
Foundation offices. Office hours open to the public are Monday through Thursday,
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you are not in the Grinnell area, please contact us to have
your book shipped to you today!
2010 National Critical Impact Award Winner
The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation is the family foundation
recipient of the Council on Foundations 2010 Critical Impact Award.
For more than 20 years, the Council on Foundation has honored leaders
in the field of philanthropy. The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens
Foundation is being honored for the Community Support Services
program it operates in the Grinnell, IA area. The Community Support
Services program aims to build capacity and promote collaboration
among the local nonprofit community by optimizing back office support
operations and to create efficiencies through shared staff and
administrative functions. The program allows the organizations with
which it collaborates to focus on organizational goals rather than the
details of administration, strengthening work toward the missions of the
nonprofits it serves and allowing them to improve the quality of life for
their communities more efficiently.
To read the entire article, please click here 2010 Critical Impact Award article
The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation is the family foundation
recipient of the Council on Foundations 2010 Critical Impact Award.
For more than 20 years, the Council on Foundation has honored leaders
in the field of philanthropy. The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens
Foundation is being honored for the Community Support Services
program it operates in the Grinnell, IA area. The Community Support
Services program aims to build capacity and promote collaboration
among the local nonprofit community by optimizing back office support
operations and to create efficiencies through shared staff and
administrative functions. The program allows the organizations with
which it collaborates to focus on organizational goals rather than the
details of administration, strengthening work toward the missions of the
nonprofits it serves and allowing them to improve the quality of life for
their communities more efficiently.
To read the entire article, please click here 2010 Critical Impact Award article
| Julie Gosselink, President & CEO, accepts the 2010 Critical Impact Award from the Council's Critical Impact Award Task Force Chair, Linetta Gilbert, in San Diego, CA on February 2nd, 2010. |
Mission Statement: We are a unique and innovative family foundation striving to help meet the needs of Grinnell and its neighboring communities through ongoing support and resources by maintaining and perpetuating an endowment. Our purpose is to provide improved and enhanced quality of life for present and future generations with interest in the areas of parks & recreation, education, and health. |
The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation was established in 1993 as a private, family foundation by the late Claude W. Ahrens. Mr. Ahrens enjoyed a long, successful business career in the playground and agricultural manufacturing fields and desired to return some of the fruits of his labor, particularly to his native Grinnell, Iowa area, with primary support to his special interest in parks and recreation. Claude W. Ahrens has truly set a philanthropic example to all. "Leave It Better Than You Found It" is our motto Vision: To enhance the quality of life for future generations in the Grinnell community and its neighboring communities. Core Values: The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation is guided by six interdependent values: Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, Respect, and Wellness |
2010 Foundations on the Hill in D.C.
Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. provided a warm reception in mid-March to 4 representatives of Iowa’s philanthropic
community participating in the annual Foundations on the Hill. The group met with all 7 Congressional offices and felt positive
about the opportunity to share information and strategies that will continue to support philanthropy at home.
Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) is a national effort, co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations and the Forum of Regional
Associations of Grantmakers, to raise awareness about philanthropy’s key issues on Capitol Hill. This year, the event drew
participation from more than 200 representatives from across the country.
community participating in the annual Foundations on the Hill. The group met with all 7 Congressional offices and felt positive
about the opportunity to share information and strategies that will continue to support philanthropy at home.
Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) is a national effort, co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations and the Forum of Regional
Associations of Grantmakers, to raise awareness about philanthropy’s key issues on Capitol Hill. This year, the event drew
participation from more than 200 representatives from across the country.
From the left: Nancy Van Milligen, Usha Balakrishnan,
Senator Harkin, Angie Dethlefs-Trettin, Julie Gosselink
Senator Harkin, Angie Dethlefs-Trettin, Julie Gosselink
Iowa participants at FOTH included Nancy Van Milligen
(Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque), Usha
Balakrishnan (Community Foundation of Johnson
County), Julie Gosselink (president & CEO of the Claude
W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation) and Angie
Dethlefs-Trettin (Iowa Council of Foundations). While in
Washington, the Iowa representatives were able to meet
with Senator Harkin, Senator Grassley (and Theresa
Pattara, taxcounsel to the Senator), Representative
Latham and Representative Loebsack. Attendees also
met with staff members in the offices of those mentioned
above as well as Representative Braley, Representative
Boswell and Representative King.
(Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque), Usha
Balakrishnan (Community Foundation of Johnson
County), Julie Gosselink (president & CEO of the Claude
W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation) and Angie
Dethlefs-Trettin (Iowa Council of Foundations). While in
Washington, the Iowa representatives were able to meet
with Senator Harkin, Senator Grassley (and Theresa
Pattara, taxcounsel to the Senator), Representative
Latham and Representative Loebsack. Attendees also
met with staff members in the offices of those mentioned
above as well as Representative Braley, Representative
Boswell and Representative King.
Claude W. Ahrens memoir available
During the brief meetings with the Iowa Congressional Delegation, Van Milligen, Balakrishnan, Gosselink and Dethlefs-Trettin
focused mostly on articulating the work happening in Iowa related to philanthropy touching on the issue of rural philanthropy,
IRA Charitable Rollover, excise tax, estate tax and ensuring federal policy established to support our charitable initiatives is
written in a way that includes opportunities for Iowa communities.
focused mostly on articulating the work happening in Iowa related to philanthropy touching on the issue of rural philanthropy,
IRA Charitable Rollover, excise tax, estate tax and ensuring federal policy established to support our charitable initiatives is
written in a way that includes opportunities for Iowa communities.
Ahrens Foundation offices expanding to meet growing demand for services
Staff members of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation
and the Ahrens Park Foundation pause with representatives of
general contractor Septagon Construction during a June 22
groundbreaking ceremony marking the beginning of a
construction project which will more than double the size of the
foundation’s offices on the east side of Grinnell.
Shown (left to right) are Ahrens Foundation staff members vice-
president Susan Witt, administrative assistant Michelle Gruhn,
director of community relations Melissa Hull, CFO/controller
Shannon Fitzgerald and president/CEO Julie Gosselink; Ahrens
Park Foundation operations and facilitiesmanager Troy
Gosselink; and Septagon Construction president Brad Leonard
and project manager Randy Barnes.
Staff changes at the Ahrens Foundation
In May, Melissa Hull (left), longtime administrative assistant of
the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, has been promoted
to its director of community relations. Michelle Gruhn, who has
worked for the Ahrens Park Foundation for 12 years, has taken
over Hull’s role as administrative assistant.
In May, Melissa Hull (left), longtime administrative assistant of
the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, has been promoted
to its director of community relations. Michelle Gruhn, who has
worked for the Ahrens Park Foundation for 12 years, has taken
over Hull’s role as administrative assistant.
Local author, Judy Hunter