Foundation News


Build A Better Grinnell

Add your piece to the Grinnell puzzle and help us Build a Better Grinnell by Completing the Community Group Toolkit anytime during the month of February. The Toolkit is designed to enable any group of two or more Grinnellians (including residents and commuters) to gather together, talk about the strengths and opportunities for improvement in Grinnell and then submit their feedback. The Build a Better Grinnell Committee will use the responses to help key town organizations determine priority areas for the future. Want more information? Visit buildabettergrinnell.blogspot.com or email buildabettergrinnell@gmail.com with questions!

Click here to download your Community Group Toolkit now!


CDAF Staff, CSS Partner Update and Website Changes

Pictured from left are Michelle Gruhn, accounting manager and Vanessa Doty, community relations assistant

Year-end activities at the Ahrens Foundation include a staff realignment and website relaunch to meet the growing program needs of active community partners.

Michelle Gruhn, who joined the Foundation in 2010 as administrative assistant, has been promoted to accounting manager. Gruhn will support the financial accounting operations overseen by CFO Shannon Fitzgerald. She previously worked for the Ahrens Park Foundation and Grinnell-Newburg Schools and holds an associate’s degree in accounting from Marshalltown Community College.

Vanessa Doty has joined the Foundation staff as community relations assistant in a part-time role to assist Melissa Hull, director of community relations. Doty, an Iowa State graduate, previously worked for Cargill and moved to Grinnell in 2005. She will assist the Foundation’s Community Support Services Program which provides back office services for non-profit partners including: Ahrens Park Foundation, Communities for Literate Iowa Kids (CLIK), Community Education Council, Drake Community Library capital campaign, Galaxy Youth Center, Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Grinnell Area Arts Council endowment, Grinnell Community Daycare & Preschool campaign, Grinnell High School Alumni Association, Grinnell Historical Museum endowment, Grinnell Mutual Aquatic Center capital campaign, Grinnell-Newburg Dollars for Scholars, Grinnell-Newburg Educational Excellence, Grinnell Regional Medical Center endowment, Imagine Grinnell, Iowa Transportation Museum endowment, Kids Against Hunger, Mayflower Foundation endowment, Poweshiek County Empowerment, Second Mile capital campaign, and St. Francis Manor Foundation capital campaign.

Since 2006, the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation has offered shared administrative services, and sustainable workspace to a broad range of local non-profits. The Community Support Services program helps the local partners to collaborate and build organizational capacity by providing critical back office support. By bringing together several key organizations under one roof, the Foundation has created collaborative synergy that has spurred key community projects.

“It is important that we maintain the quality of services we provide and adapt to the ever-changing needs of our non-profit partners. Due to the ongoing growth and expansion of the Community Support Services program, it’s essential that we expand our staff and shift job responsibilities accordingly, while operating and managing the Foundation’s charitable programs and grant-making activities,” said Julie Gosselink, president and CEO. “The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation has invested significant resources in this program to help other organizations advance their missions. It’s the Foundation’s hope that our insight, innovation, and leadership will continue to be a source of inspiration to others in the non-profit sector and the field of philanthropy, especially locally."

The staff addition brings the total to six Foundation staff, including a Grinnell College student apprentice; three Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation staff; and three Imagine Grinnell staff in the office on north Penrose. Gosselink said that minor renovations will be made to make the existing office space more efficient for the increased workload and expanded capacity.

The Foundation’s website will also get an upgrade—a new look and the addition of a community calendar—to convey the many program changes. “Beginning January 1, our partners will be able to use the site’s new planning tools and announce their activities such as board meeting dates and fundraising events on the community calendar,” Gosselink said. The community calendar will be updated weekly and will also include activities and events that occur throughout the year at Ahrens Park. The website relaunch at http://www.ahrensfamilyfoundation.org/index.html will also include a video tutorial on the history of the Foundation and Ahrens Park.

Gosselink said that the administrative offices will be closed during the final two weeks of the year—the Foundation’s busiest of the year— “to accommodate some of the new building renovations, close the contribution year, perform donor and partner year-end tasks, and begin planning for next year’s activities.” The Foundation recently announced contributions to the Grinnell College Preschool and Grinnell Community Daycare & Preschool building projects.

"We take pride in supporting local organizations like PALS who have such a strong volunteer base and are able to leverage other resources in the community to achieve funding support," says Julie Gosselink, president and CEO.

The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation challenged PALS to raise $10,000, with the foundation matching all donations dollar for dollar up to that amount. More than 180 donors helped the organization surpass the goal.

“It is amazing to see the tremendous community support PALS received to meet this challenge,” says Rich Gogg, PALS president. “PALS is thankful for the opportunity to be part of the challenge. We truly appreciate the support from the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, and want to thank our community for helping PALS raise so much money.” Gogg adds, “PALS will receive more than $26,000 which will help us continue to care for the stray and unwanted animals of our county.”

PALS is a non-profit animal shelter located just south of Grinnell at 4167 20th Street. The shelter is completely community and grant supported.

Anyone interested in more details about PALS may call 641-236-4288 or visit www.HelpPalsAnimals.com.

To read more about the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, visit www.AhrensFamilyFoundation.org.

Ahrens Foundation Supports Recreation, Playground at New College Preschool Laboratory

GRINNELL, IA — Area preschoolers who attend the Grinnell College Preschool Laboratory just got a new playdate—the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation.

The Foundation, which supports Grinnell community projects in education, health, and parks and recreation, will contribute $41,000 to the new preschool’s playground and recreation area. The playground equipment installation brings the new facility in the 1000 block of Park St. one step closer to opening in late January, at the beginning of second semester.

“Our founder, Claude Ahrens, believed in recreational experiences for children beginning at early ages. This gift honors his legacy and our mission of community development and recreational opportunities,” said Foundation President Julie Gosselink.

The preschool, directed by Karen Veerhusen-Langerud, serves approximately 50 local children each year and is a real-time laboratory for approximately 100 Grinnell College psychology students who observe and interact with the preschoolers for introductory coursework. An additional 20-40 upper-level college students conduct developmental psychology research projects there.

The new $1.75 million preschool laboratory, expected to be completed by January 23rd, features areas for large and small motor skills, a classroom with in-floor heating, an observation room, meeting and research spaces, and an entryway with open courtyard.

Monica Chavez-Silva, director of community enhancement and engagement for the college, expressed the importance of community partnerships in projects like the new preschool. “The Ahrens Foundation gift is a wonderful example of the productive collaborations we are fortunate to have in Grinnell. We are very grateful to the Foundation for recognizing the benefits of this new high-quality facility for our community’s preschoolers and in support of inquiry-based learning by our psychology students.”

The popular laboratory program is currently housed in a 1970s-style building at 1207 Park St. which will be removed next summer. Furnishings and materials will be moved into the new building during winter break.

Grinnell Community Daycare & Preschool Addition

After school fun in Grinnell received an early holiday gift from the Ahrens Park Foundation. At a groundbreaking on Dec. 6, the Foundation officially announced a construction project at the Ahrens Family Center that will add two new classrooms for the center’s school-age program, new restrooms and storage areas, and new shaded areas in an expanded playground.

Kathleen Barnes, director of the Grinnell Community Daycare & Preschool, said that the growing K-4 school-age and summer program needed “permanent, private space to call home.” The after-school program currently serves 40 students in the center’s open gymnasium, and with the new addition will have dedicated quarters.

“We’re excited for the possibilities with age-appropriate playground facilities and classrooms,” Barnes said. “Our hope is to be in the new space in time for our summer program.”

The Ahrens Family Center opened in 1994 to house the daycare and preschool, and the school-age program returned in 2009.

Julie Gosselink, president of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, said that the building addition will be funded by the Ahrens Park Foundation, which operates Ahrens Park, Ahrens Family Center and Grinnell Athletic and Recreation Center. Construction will begin immediately to the south of the current center for the 2000 sq. ft. addition, which totals 4000 sq. ft. with the roofline of the expanded shade and awnings.

“One of the features of the new project is green space with an awning for shade for the existing and new playground,” Gosselink said. “We developed the construction plans to preserve and extend green space for outdoor activity and a garden for the kids to learn from. These green spaces are an important part of the Ahrens Park Foundation’s recreational and wellness objectives.”

Melissa Hull, director of community relations for the Ahrens Foundation, said , “It's crucial for the center's after school and summer camp programs to have efficient space of their own. The current set up is limiting and ineffective for the center's growing needs. The expansion and additional playground equipment will allow the school-aged program to evolve and develop new opportunities that they couldn't do in the past because of space limitations. "

The daycare and preschool currently has a $150,000 fundraising campaign underway for technology upgrades, classroom libraries, playground equipment, furnishings and equipment, and staff training and development. Barnes said that she expects that campaign, which is currently two-thirds complete, may be extended to accommodate equipment, furnishings , for the new addition. “We are extremely grateful for the Ahrens Park Foundation’s willingness to support e center as family needs change,” Barnes said.

The City of Grinnell and the Ahrens Park Foundation has partnered to create additional recreational opportunities for Grinnellians. The City's Parks & Rec Department has recently moved to the Grinnell Athletic & Recreation Center (GARC) at Ahrens Park.   

Seniors have always walked at the GARC for free prior to the city's move.  With a recent grant provided by the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation,  seniors will continue to walk for free.   It was Claude's vision to always provide a free indoor space for the seniors of our community to remain active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Challenge Grant for Grinnell Community Daycare & Preschool

The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation has recently announced a $30,000 challenge grant to jumpstart the Grinnell Community Daycare & Preschool center's fundraising campaign for technology upgrades, classroom libraries, playground equipment, furnishings and equipment for two new classrooms, and staff training anddevelopment.  Grinnell College is joining us in supporting the campaign by extending our challenge with and additional $30,000, bringing the total one-for-one matching grant to $60,000.

Leave It Better Award Honoree Named

Members of PALS and the Ahrens Foundation came together to celebrate PALS as the 2011 recipient of the "Leave It Better" annual award in August, 2011

In recognition of the Poweshiek Animal League Shelter's (PALS) work to save more than 2,000 animals since 2004, the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation announced that PALS has received the 2011 "Leave It Better Than You Found It" award.  The annual award honors groups or organizations that make a difference in Grinnell and surrounding communities.

"PALS" makes a tremendous difference throughout Poweshiek County," said Julie Gosselink, president and CEO of the Foundation.  "We are pleased to recognize the compassionate and noble work of this all-volunteer organization."

Rich Gogg, president of PALS, accepted the $5,000 award on behalf of the organization.

"We are so grateful for not only this award, but also the help you provide the entire community," Gogg said.  "To help launch us further down the road with this award is tremendous."

Meet our New Grinnell College Student Apprentice

Anna-Lisa Bowans '12 Grinnell College The 2011-2012 Apprentices in Non-Profit Management and their Directors. Back row (left to right): Emily Stanfield '12 (Imagine Grinnell), Julie Gosselink (Ahrens Foundation), Sarah Smith (Imagine Grinnell), Melissa Strovers (Office of Community Enhancement and Engagement), Grace Carroll '12 (POW I-80), Lea Greenberg '14 (Arts Council), Maddie Gardner '12 (Office of Community Enhancement and Engagement), Angela Harrington (Chamber of Commerce) Front row: Monica Chavez-Silva (Office of Community Enhancement and Engagement), Casey Strickler '12 (Chamber of Commerce), Anna-Lisa Bowans '12 (Ahrens Foundation), Judy Arendt (Arts Council)

Grinnell College has chosen six new students to serve partner organizations in the Grinnell community through the Apprenticeships in Non-Profit Management program.

The program, inaugurated last year, places Grinnell College students in paid positions with local non-profit organizations. The program's unique structure, most notably the one-year commitment of students to their organization, offers many benefits to the apprentices and their host organization. This year's Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation's student apprentice is Anna-Lisa Bowans. Bowans is a senior economics major and global development studies concentrator from Iowa City, IA. Anna-Lisa pursued the apprentice program to become more involved in the broader Grinnell community and hone critical skills in non-profit management. Beyond her work at the Ahrens Foundation, she leads Global Commons, a new student group on campus, and facilitates Hindi Chai Time. After graduation, Anna-Lisa plans to return to India for an additional year of fieldwork experience working with a grassroots development nongovernmental organization.

Ahrens Foundation Offices Expanded to Meet Growing Demand for Services and Staff

The Ahrens Foundation offices building expansion and renovation project is now completed, doubling its current size to accomodate more office space, conference rooms, restrooms, and an additional community event space. Grand opening celebrations occurred on February 10th and 11th.

The Ahrens Foundation offices building houses staff of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation and Ahrens Park Foundation. Staff of the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Imagine Grinnell, and several Grinnell College students involved with the Grinnell College student apprenticeship and federal work-study programs work at the foundation administrative offices as well.