Eichacker / Lofton Grant Fund Grant

The Eichacker + Lofton Grant Fund, established by the Keokuk Area Community Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life in the Tri-State Area, covering Hancock County, Illinois, Clark County, Missouri, and Lee County, Iowa. This fund supports nonprofit organizations focusing on arts, culture, education, health, and community betterment. Grants up to $10,000 are available to initiate projects that address local needs, promote collaboration, and foster leadership and self-sufficiency within the community.

The Keokuk Area Community Foundation invests in local nonprofit organizations that contribute to improving the quality of life in ourcommunity.
One of George Eichacker’s and Richard Lofton’s proudest achievements was being the founding fathers of the Keokuk Area Community Foundation. George and Richard established the Keokuk Area Community Foundation Grant Fund to support Keokuk Area organizations in arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services.
To honor George and Richard's legacies, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation Board of Directors renamed the Keokuk Area Community Foundation Grant Fund to the Eichacker/Lofton Grant Fund in 2024.
Focus of Support
The Keokuk Area Community Foundation primary geographic focus for support encompasses Hancock County - Illinois, Clark County - Missouri, and Lee County - Iowa. Successful grant applications typically address problems to be solved or opportunities to be seized in Tri-State Area. Grant application requests are considered in the fields of arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services.
Priority Funding
Seed Grants to initiate promising new projects and programs so that those projects and programs are able to demonstrate their usefulness to the community.Projects that will enable non-profit and charitable agencies to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and move toward self-sufficiency.
Projects that address and help resolve important existing or emerging community issues and needs.
Projects that facilitate cooperation and collaboration among organizations and communities in our area.
Projects that identify, enhance, and expand leadership in the community through the support of charitable activities that empower individuals.
Capital expenditures, such as construction, remodeling additions to existing buildings, and equipment purchases.
Projects for which other grants have been approved but require matching funds for completion.

Eligibility

​The Keokuk Area Community Foundation welcomes applications for grants from nonprofit organizations, charities, health care organizations, and educational institutions that have been determined by the IRS to be exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the IRS Code.Qualified 501 (c) (3) nonprofits from Lee County Iowa, Hancock County Illinois, and Clark County Missouri are eligible to apply.All projects should serve the charitable fields of arts and culture, community betterment, education, health care and human servicesRecurring grants for the same program are accepted. No grants for programs, projects or purchases that were completed prior to grant funds being awarded. Grants are for a period of one year.

Ineligibility

Will Not Be Funded:The Keokuk Area Community Foundation will not provide grant funds for purposes that do not directly advance your charitable purposes.Endowment or scholarship funds.Annual fund drives or annual giving campaigns-to reduce or erase a budget deficit or any form of a debt reduction campaign.
Grants for political campaigns or organizations that directly or indirectly participate in a State, Local or National campaigns for any political party or cause.
Requests to establish or maintain scholarship funds.
Requests for specific sectarian religious purposes (however, requests from religious organizations will be considered for general community and humanitarian programs).