What Is a Community Foundation?
A community foundation is a nonprofit organization created by and for the people of a specific geographic area. Its purpose is to strengthen communities by supporting local charitable initiatives through grants, partnerships, and endowment funds.
The Hiawatha Community Foundation (HCF), like the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (GMCF), connects donors with the causes they care about most. Our goal is to make charitable giving simple, effective, and impactful for Hiawatha and the surrounding Brown County region.
How Community Foundations Work
Community foundations build and manage a variety of charitable funds that address a wide range of community needs. These funds are created by individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations who want to give back, whether during their lifetime or as part of their legacy.
Through prudent investment and long-term stewardship, community foundations help grow charitable resources over time. The result is a permanent source of funding to support local priorities.
Our Role in the Community
The Hiawatha Community Foundation serves as a central resource for charitable giving in Hiawatha and the surrounding Brown County communities. We:
• Help donors establish customized charitable funds
• Provide nonprofit organizations with long-term financial stability through agency funds
• Award grants to support education, health care, community development, the arts, and other key areas
• Serve as a trusted partner to local governments, civic groups, and businesses to address community needs
Why Community Foundations Matter
Community foundations are uniquely positioned to understand local needs, respond to emerging challenges, and foster collaboration among donors, nonprofits, and community leaders.
By building permanent endowments, we ensure that charitable resources are available to meet both current and future needs, creating a lasting impact across generations.
Learn More
To explore how you can be part of this work, visit our Fund Types and Giving Options page or contact us to begin a conversation about your philanthropic goals.