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.​ Starting in 2026, the Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant will distribute multiple $25,000 - $100,000 IMPACT Grants to Lee County nonprofit organizations.

On November 6, 2025, The Keokuk Area Community Foundation  and the North Lee Community Foundation held a Grant Reception at Turnwater and awarded have awarded $170,239 to 37 nonprofit organizations.“It is an honor for the Keokuk Area Community Foundation to be able to fulfill our donor’s wishes to support local non-profits."

The North Lee Community Foundation (NLCF) and the Keokuk Area Community Foundation (KACF) are honored to announce the receipt of a significant estate gift from the Sandrock Trust, established by longtime community supporters Dr. Austin Sandrock and Carole Wallis - Sandrock. $400,000 annually will be given in grants to nonprofit organizations and schools throughout the greater Tri-State area.

The Keokuk Area Community Foundation, North Lee Community Foundation and Community Foundation of Des Moines County are excited to announce the new online portal to apply for grants, called Grant Lifestyle Manager. GLM is s centralized cloud management system that keeps foundation staff, grantees, applicants, board members, and evaluators all on the same page.