Kowzan-Sandrock fund helps local groups

LEE COUNTY - The North Lee Community Foundation and Keokuk Area Community Foundation have awarded a total of $130,050 to 18 organizations through the 2026 Kowzan-Sandrock Grant Fund. The grants will support projects addressing education, community betterment, arts and culture, recreation, historic preservation, and essential human services throughout Lee County, Iowa.
The Kowzan-Sandrock Grant Fund marks the final grant cycle of 2026 for the two Foundations. With the completion of all three major grant cycles, the North Lee Community Foundation and Keokuk Area Community Foundation have awarded a combined $527,471 in grants during 2026, supporting nonprofit organizations, schools, municipalities, and community initiatives across the region.
The Kowzan-Sandrock Grant Fund honors two remarkable philanthropic legacies whose generosity and commitment to Lee County have helped shape the work of both Foundations.
Joe Kowzan, a longtime Fort Madison community leader and former mayor, was one of the founders of the North Lee Community Foundation in 2005. His dedication to strengthening the community extended well beyond public service. Kowzan helped establish the Lee County Charitable Fund and Emma Cornelis Hospitality House, while also supporting numerous charitable organizations through the Kowzan Family Foundation. His belief in the power of local philanthropy helped establish a foundation for charitable giving that continues to benefit Lee County today.
The fund also recognizes the extraordinary generosity of Dr. Austin Sandrock and Carole Wallis-Sandrock, whose commitment to the community has created a lasting legacy. In 2025, the North Lee Community Foundation received a significant estate gift from the Sandrock Trust, allowing the Foundations to substantially expand their annual grantmaking and scholarship opportunities. Their generosity has helped create a new era of charitable investment in Lee County, providing resources that will continue supporting local organizations and communities for generations to come.
In recognition of these lasting contributions, the North Lee Community Foundation renamed its annual grant program the Kowzan-Sandrock Grant Fund in 2025.
The 2026 Kowzan-Sandrock Grant Fund recipients and their funded projects are:
- Argyle Community Boosters - Concession Stand, Final Stage: Completes the sewer connection needed to make the new ballpark concession stand and restroom facilities operational.
- Central Lee School District - Central Lee Cyberhawks JV Team Creation: Supports the addition of a second competitive robotics team, providing equipment and opportunities for more students to participate in STEM education.
- City of Donnellson - Railroad Park Playground Renovation: Replaces aging playground equipment with modern, accessible play features for children and families.
- Community Action of Southeast Iowa - Efficient Home Help: Provides essential household appliances and beds to low-income Lee County residents facing financial hardship.
- Emma Cornelis Hospitality House - Homeless Shelter: Supports temporary shelter and essential assistance for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
- Fort Madison Area Arts Association - Expanding Creative Spaces and Community Access: Supports expanded fiber arts and pottery facilities, along with exterior improvements to increase visibility and community participation.
- Fort Madison High School Music Boosters - Equipment Replacement: Purchases riser extensions to improve safety for show choir performances and other school events.
- Fort Madison Junior/Senior High School - School-Based Enterprise: Establishes a student-operated print shop offering hands-on experience in graphic design, production, sales, and entrepreneurship.
- Hoerner YMCA - Reaching New Heights: Supports the purchase of a scissor lift to improve safety and reduce ongoing facility maintenance costs.
- Iowa Branch King's Daughters, Camp Lookout - Electrical Safety and Infrastructure Improvement Project: Upgrades aging electrical systems, wiring, outlets, and lighting to improve safety throughout the campground.
- Keokuk Community High School Art - KCSD Central Office Art Gallery: Creates a rotating gallery featuring student artwork and celebrating creativity throughout the school district.
- KEOKUK XII - Youth Apparel and Hygiene Support: Provides clothing, shoes, and personal hygiene essentials for area children and families in need.
- Old Fort Madison Preservation, Inc. - Civil Engineering and Architectural Designs: Supports professional engineering and architectural work for the preservation and revitalization of historic Old Fort Madison.
- Rand Park Pavilion Commission - Bioswale Restoration: Improves stormwater drainage and restores landscaping around the pavilion and Confluence sculpture.
- Southeastern Community College - Blackhawks Care, Lee County Student Stability Initiative: Provides emergency assistance with housing, utilities, transportation, and other essential needs to help Lee County students remain enrolled in college.
- St. John Church of Christ - Suds of Love: Expands access to free laundry services for Lee County individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.
- Three Rivers Conservation Foundation - Pollmiller Beach Recreation Facility Improvements: Supports construction of a modern, ADA-accessible restroom and concession facility at Pollmiller Park.
- United Way of the Great River Region - Winter Warmth Initiative: Provides winter coats, shoes, hats, and gloves to Lee County children in need.
The completion of the 2026 grant cycles represents an important year of philanthropic investment for both Foundations. Through the Hellman IMPACT, Eichacker/Lofton, and Kowzan-Sandrock Grant Funds, more than half a million dollars has been awarded to support organizations working to improve lives and strengthen communities.
The North Lee Community Foundation and Keokuk Area Community Foundation congratulate the 2026 grant recipients and recognize the donors whose vision and generosity make these opportunities possible. Their continued commitment to local philanthropy helps ensure that resources are available to address community needs today while creating lasting opportunities for future generations.
About the North Lee Community Foundation
The North Lee Community Foundation is a donor-driven public foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life throughout Lee County through philanthropy. By connecting charitable donors with community needs, the Foundation supports nonprofit organizations, educational opportunities, and initiatives that strengthen the communities it serves.
About the Keokuk Area Community Foundation
Established in 2004, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation receives charitable gifts from individuals, families, businesses, and corporations to establish permanent endowments benefiting Southeast Iowa, Western Illinois, and Northeast Missouri. Through grants, scholarships, and community partnerships, the Foundation works to create lasting charitable impact throughout the region.