The Lee County Charitable Fund has officially renamed its annual IMPACT Grant to the Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant, honoring the legacy of longtime community leader, philanthropist, and North Lee County advocate Merlin Hellman.
The Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant is open for application now and will award grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to eligible Lee County, Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and qualified governmental entities. Applications must be submitted by April 6, 2026.
Administered by the Lee County Charitable Fund, a volunteer grant committee made up of board members from the North Lee Community Foundation and the Keokuk Area Community Foundation, the IMPACT Grant is designed to support large-scale projects that create meaningful, long-term benefits for Lee County residents.
The grant’s new name honors Merlin Hellman, whose life reflected a deep commitment to service, stewardship, and community responsibility. A founding member of the North Lee Community Foundation and instrumental in the establishment of the Lee County Charitable Fund, Hellman served on numerous boards and organizations throughout Lee County. His philanthropy helped strengthen schools, libraries, faith communities, and human service organizations across the region.
“As one of the founders of the Lee County Charitable Fund, Merlin Hellman worked alongside community leaders throughout the county to provide critical grants and resources for schools, nonprofit organizations, charities and health care organizations from all corners of Lee County,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Roger Ricketts, “Merlin’s vision of the Lee County Charitable Fund and the Community Foundations in Lee County enabled generous donors and community leaders to believe that we, all of us working together, would and should make a big impact for all who call Lee County their home. It is with pride that we honor Merlin’s legacy and vision for our county with the Merlin Hellman IMPACT Grant.”
Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend the KACF & NLCF Grant Workshop Luncheon on February 25, 2026, to be held at Fort Madison’s Turnwater Reception Room. The workshop will provide an overview of the application process, funding priorities, and tips for submitting a strong proposal.
Grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application materials can be found at leecountycharitablefund.org. Additional information is available at northleecf.org and keokukfoundation.org.