The TrueNorth Legacy Foundation has completed its inaugural grant cycle and announced the distribution of $495,000 in grants to community causes for 2023.
The private, 501(c)3 foundation was established in 2021 by TrueNorth Companies L.C.
“I have always believed that the good that comes from giving far outweighs the gift itself,” said Matt Evans, president of the foundation’s board of directors. “I am incredibly proud to complete our first grant cycle with the TrueNorth Legacy Foundation, in hopes these gifts will make a lasting impact in the communities where we live, work and play.”
The foundation’s board was honored to approve grant funding above and beyond plans for 2023, due to the generosity of individual contributors.
Grant recipients were chosen based on three key criteria: A demonstrated need and future vision of a transformational gift; alignment with the Legacy Foundation’s core pillars of Children & Education, Vibrant Communities, Emergency Response & Preparedness; and champion from within TrueNorth’s colleague base.
The TrueNorth Legacy Foundation has issued grants to support the following community initiatives:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor, Unlocking the Future Capital Campaign
- Tanager, Camp Tanager Phase II Capital Project
- Foundation 2 Crisis Services, Building a Foundation to Mental Wellness Capital Campaign
- Theatre Cedar Rapids, Building Expansion Capital Campaign
- Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, Westside Library Capital Campaign
- Wellspring Community, Print Shop Project Start Up in Denver, Colorado
- Founders Fund Award Winner, to be announced in December 2023
The TrueNorth Legacy Foundation came to fruition through the vision and passion for community of TrueNorth colleague and family member Kirsten Smith, who passed away in January 2022.
“As we continue on our path of evolution, we must keep strategizing on our impact as a community partner and employer,” Ms. Smith said at a TrueNorth event in 2021. “We must continue to invest in and mature our giving alongside the company. If we commit to those two things, then the work that our founders started 20 years ago, and the work we are doing today, will guarantee not only our legacy of impact as TrueNorth – it will ensure lasting legacies for our communities.”
Established in 2021, the TrueNorth Legacy Foundation is a private foundation that furthers TrueNorth Companies’ commitment to community, honoring and perpetuating the philanthropic legacy of the company’s founders. The Foundation strives to ensure grants are provided to causes demonstrating future vision and transformational projects that will enhance organizational impact and address community needs.
