Via Press Release: 

The Keokuk Area Community Foundation has awarded a total of $172,221 to 27 organizations through the 2026 Eichacker/Lofton Grant Fund. The grants will support projects addressing arts and culture, community betterment, education, health and human services throughout Lee County, Iowa; Hancock County, Illinois; and Clark County, Missouri.

Applications for the 2026 grant cycle were accepted from April 28 through June 29. Eligible applicants included nonprofit organizations, municipalities, churches and schools with charitable intent, with individual grant awards available up to $10,000.

The Eichacker/Lofton Grant Fund honors George Eichacker and Richard Lofton, two of the founding fathers of the Keokuk Area Community Foundation. Among their proudest achievements was helping establish the Foundation and creating a grant fund dedicated to strengthening organizations and communities throughout the greater Keokuk area.

In recognition of their leadership, generosity and lasting commitment to the region, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation Board of Directors renamed the Keokuk Area Community Foundation Grant Fund the “Eichacker/Lofton Grant Fund” in 2024.

The 2026 Eichacker/Lofton Grant Fund recipients and their funded projects are:

 

America’s First Great Dam Foundation, Inc. – Recoating Roofs at 426–428 Main: Purchases roof coating and supplies to help protect and preserve two historic Main Street buildings used by the Keokuk-Hamilton Dam Museum.

Clark County Council on Aging – Home Delivered Meal Program: Provides nutritious meals and wellness checks to homebound seniors in Clark County, helping them remain independent in their homes.

Clark County Food Pantry – Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Purchases pantry staples and emergency food supplies for Clark County residents experiencing food insecurity and financial hardship.

Domestic Violence Intervention Program – Neighbors Helping Neighbors: DVIP/RVAP + Lee County: Expands outreach, community partnerships and volunteer engagement to connect more Lee County survivors with domestic and sexual violence support.

First Christian Church – Loads of Love: Provides free laundry services to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, housing insecurity or crisis.

Food Bank of Iowa – Fighting Childhood Hunger in Lee County: Supports the distribution of nutritious food to Lee County children who lack reliable access to enough food.

Fort Madison Lions Club – Iowa KidSight Vision Screening Camera Project: Purchases a new screening camera to continue providing free early-childhood vision screenings throughout Lee County.

God’s Way Christian Center – Feeding the Less Fortunate: Supports ongoing meals, food pantry services, clothing, toiletries and holiday assistance for Lee County residents in need.

Hancock County Health and Wellness Coalition – Modernizing Dental Care for Hancock County: Replaces aging dental equipment to maintain access to affordable, high-quality dental care in Hancock County and surrounding rural communities.

Hearts of Hancock Humane Society – Canine Environmental Enrichment Project: Adds climbing and interactive structures to reduce shelter dogs’ stress, encourage positive behavior and improve their chances of adoption.

Hoerner YMCA – Phase I Roof Repairs and Building Preservation: Supports critical roof repairs that will prevent further water intrusion, protect programming spaces and preserve the community facility.

Iowa Community Care Foundation – Game On: The Next Season, Building Momentum in Keokuk: Sustains and expands Keokuk’s community Special Olympics team through transportation, uniforms, adaptive equipment, facility access and competition fees.

KARE–Keokuk Association for Rights and Equality – Juneteenth: Supports a community celebration featuring educational, cultural, youth and family activities that promote Black history, equality and unity.

KPLAY Playgrounds for All – Phase 5: Sona Interactive Arch: Adds an interactive dance and play arch featuring games, physical activities and educational challenges for children and adults of all ages and abilities.

Keokuk Cares – Adopt-a-Yard Expansion Project: Expands free recurring lawn care for seniors, veterans and residents with physical or financial limitations through additional equipment and local provider partnerships.

Keokuk Homeless Alliance – Security Cameras Inside and Outside the Keokuk Homeless Alliance Building: Installs indoor and outdoor security cameras to improve safety for shelter guests, staff, volunteers and the surrounding neighborhood.

Keokuk Saddle Club – Bring the Arena Home: Installs lighting around the club’s new arena so equine events can be held safely during cooler summer evenings.

Lee County 911 Education Association – Lee County 911 Public Safety Expo: 911 Simulator: Purchases a hands-on simulator to teach residents how to recognize emergencies, call 911 and communicate effectively with dispatchers.

Lydia’s House – Website for Recovery: Develops a searchable website and mobile-friendly application process to connect women seeking sober living with Lydia’s House and other recovery resources.

Montrose Fire Rescue – SCBA Air Packs: Replaces outdated self-contained breathing apparatus equipment to improve firefighter safety, emergency response capabilities and compliance with current safety standards.

New Testament Christian Church – Multi-Purpose Building Cooling System: Repairs the cooling system in a community facility used for food distributions, school activities, public events and youth programs.

Old Fort Madison Preservation, Inc. – Civil Engineering and Architectural Designs: Funds site surveys, flood-mitigation permitting and professional plans for revitalizing Old Fort Madison and constructing a new Living History Center.

The Talbot Home for Sober Living – Congregate Kitchen and Dining Update: Replaces deteriorated flooring and an aging refrigerator to create a cleaner, more efficient shared kitchen and gathering space for residents in recovery.

Three Rivers Conservation Foundation – Chatfield Park Shelter Amenity Improvements: Adds picnic tables, waste receptacles and electrical service to improve the comfort and functionality of Chatfield Park’s refurbished shelter.

Toys for Tots Foundation – Toys for Tots of Lee County, Iowa, and Clark County, Missouri 2026 Distribution: Purchases toys for the annual Christmas distribution serving children from families experiencing financial hardship.

United Way of the Great River Region – Back-to-School Backpack Program: Provides backpacks filled with school supplies to low-income students throughout the tri-state area.

YMCA Test Kitchen – YTK Cooking and Learning: Provides hands-on cooking, nutrition and life-skills education for fourth- through sixth-grade students, including free meals and workforce experience through the YTK Café.

Through the Eichacker/Lofton Grant Fund, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation continues George Eichacker’s and Richard Lofton’s vision of supporting organizations that improve lives and create stronger communities throughout the tri-state region.

The Keokuk Area Community Foundation congratulates each of the 2026 grant recipients and recognizes the important work these organizations are undertaking to address local needs, expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life for area residents.

 About the Keokuk Area Community Foundation

Established in 2004, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation receives charitable gifts and grants from individuals, families, businesses, and corporations to establish permanent endowments for the benefit of Southeast Iowa, Western Illinois, and Northeast Missouri.