Claude W. Ahrens has truly set a philanthropic example to all. “Leave it Better Than You Found It” is the motto of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation. Through this Foundation, the Ahrens Foundation Corporation, the Ahrens Park Foundation, the Claude W. Ahrens Charitable Trust, and his personal giving, over $45 million dollars has been granted to many worthwhile organizations and projects within the state of Iowa, especially to Claude’s native city of Grinnell, IA.
To date, over $30 million has been awarded by the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation.
Sample Grants Awarded in 2023
Please note that the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2024.
Ahrens Park Foundation – Operations and Capital Improvements
$544,169.00
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept. – Senior Walkers program at GARC
$3,300.00
Dolly Ahrens Achievement Scholarship – 14 Scholarships for GHS Graduating Seniors
$35,000.00
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation – Central Park Inclusive Playground – 1st payment
$5,000.00
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation – Central Park Inclusive Playground – Imagine Grinnell support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation – Grinnell Education Partnership – Snacks for SLIK Summer program provided by Grinnell Food Coalition
$566.00
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation – STRIPES Shoes for the Soles program – Imagine Grinnell support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation – TT Cranny Renovation/Tiger Football Club – 2nd payment
$25,000.00
Grinnell Historical Museum – Capital Campaign – 1st payment
$10,000.00
Grinnell Lions Club – Ag Appreciation Day
$250.00
Grinnell-Newburg Community School District – Fluency and Fitness for Kindergarten Students/P.O.W.E.R. Kids program
$575.00
Grinnell Rotary Club – Annual Chicken Dinner to support Kites Over Grinnell event
$450.00
Grinnell School of Music – Imagine Grinnell support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
Grinnell School of Music – Capital Campaign – Teacher Workspace – 1st payment
$5,000.00
LINK, Inc. – Mentoring program/Annual Bowl A Thon
$400.00
LINK, Inc. – Snacks for LINK Summer program
$2,500.00
Partner Programs – Support for Individuals and Families
$252,332.00
Poweshiek County Fair Association – Poweshiek County Fair Extreme Bull Riding
$400.00
Poweshiek Housing Assistance Fund – Imagine Grinnell support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
Read 2 Lead – “Leave It Better Than You Found It” Award
$5,000.00
We Care – GHS After Prom Party
$250.00
Sample Grants Awarded in 2023
Please note that the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2023.
Ahrens Park Foundation – Operations and Capital Improvements
$418,964.44
American Cancer Society – Hoops for Hope Event
$250.00
Brooklyn Community Development – Operations
$500.00
Build a Better Grinnell 2030 – USDA Rural Placemaking Innovation match – Build a Better Grinnell 2030 Project
$10,000.00
Central Iowa Shelter & Services – Real Estate Study for Poweshiek County
$2,166.67
CIRSI – Imagine Grinnell Support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept. – Kindergarten Swim Lessons
$2,675.00
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept. – Senior Walkers Program at GARC
$3,870.00
Dolly Ahrens Achievement Scholarship – 14 Scholarships for GHS Graduating Seniors
$35,000.00
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation – TT Cranny Renovation/Tiger Football Club
$25,000.00
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce – Grinnell Farmers Market
$5,250.00
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce – RAGBRAI Grinnell
$5,000.00
Grinnell Area Mental Health Consortium – “Leave It Better Than You Found It” Award
$5,000.00
Grinnell Area Mental Health Consortium – Memory of George Drake
$250.00
Grinnell Community Early Learning Center – Reach for the Stars Campaign
$2,500.00
Grinnell College – Storytime Art in the Park
$1,294.00
Grinnell Lions Club – Ag Appreciation Day
$250.00
Grinnell Ministerial Association – Funding for Gas Vouchers
$1,500.00
Grinnell-Newburg Community School District – Band Instruments
$3,518.00
Grinnell-Newburg Community School District – Elementary Social Emotional Learning Kits
$822.00
GYBSA – Operations
$2,183.50
Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center – Memory of Dr. Willard “Sandy” Boyd
$100.00
Lend A Hand & 10 Partner Programs – Support for Individuals and Families
$284,447.32
LINK, Inc. – LINK Mentoring/Annual Bowl A Thon
$400.00
LINK, Inc. – Snacks for LINK and SLICK Summer Program
$2,500.00
Local Foods Connection – Imagine Grinnell Support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
MICA – Poweshiek County Family Resource Support for Increasing Food Needs
$5,000.00
PALS – Imagine Grinnell Support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
P.O.W.E.R. Kids – Start Up Fund
$1,000.00
Poweshiek County Fair Association – Poweshiek County Fair Extreme Bull Riding
$200.00
Poweshiek Leadership Program – Annual Golf Outing
$100.00
Read 2 Lead – Back to School Campaign
$500.00
The Iowa Kitchen – Imagine Grinnell Support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
We Care – GHS After Prom Party
$250.00
Sample Grants Awarded in 2022
Please note that the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2022.
Ahrens Park Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Maintenance and capital improvements for Ahrens Park
$480,890.00
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept.– CDAF Kindergarten Swim Lessons
$1,920.00
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept.– New Basketballs at the GARC
$600.00
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept.– Senior Walkers Program at the GARC
$2,775.00
Dolly Ahrens Achievement Scholarships – 11 Scholarships for GHS Graduating Seniors
$27,500.00
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation – #GrinnTogether Community Campaign
$2,500.00
Grinnell Area Arts Council – Imagine Grinnell Support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
Grinnell Community Early Learning Center – Reach for the Stars Campaign
$2,500.00
Grinnell Fire Department – Imagine Grinnell Support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
Grinnell Lions Club – Ag Appreciation Day
$250.00
Grinnell-Newburg Community School District – “Leave It Better Than You Found It” Award
$5,000.00
Grinnell-Newburg Community School District – Imagine Grinnell Support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
Grinnell Police Officers Association – Imagine Grinnell Support for 100 People Who Care
$100.00
Grinnell Rotary Club – Chicken BBQ Event/Kites Over Grinnell
$300.00
GYBSA/Grinnell Little League – Operations
$6,360.00
Iowa Women’s Foundation – Tribute for Rachael Kinnick
$150.00
LINK – Mentoring Program
$400.00
LINK – Tiger Packs Support of Summer Program Snacks
$2,500.00
MICA Poweshiek County Family Resource – Grinnell Food Coalition support of food insecurity
$5,000.00
Lend A Hand & 9 Partner Programs – Funding for Individuals and Families
$226,757.00
Poweshiek Leadership Program – Annual Golf Event & Professional Leadership
$50.00
Strand 3 Theatre – Merchant Movie Series
$75.00
We Care – GHS After Prom Party
$250.00
Sample Grants Awarded in 2021
Please note that the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2021.
Ahrens Park Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Maintenance and capital improvements for Ahrens Park
$351,162.10
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept.– Kindergarten Swim Lessons
$525.00
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept.– Senior Walkers Program at the GARC
$2,220.00
Dolly Ahrens Achievement Scholarships–11 Scholarships for GHS Graduating Seniors
$27,500.00
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation–“Mask Up” Community Campaign
$2,500.00
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation–Nonprofit Funding for Gifting Grinnell Campaign
$9,359.20
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation–S.H.E. COUNTS Scholarships for First Generation Female College Students
$6,000.00
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce–Chamber Dollars for Tiger Packs Christmas Packages
$5,275.00
Grinnell Community Early Learning Center–Reach for the Stars Campaign
$2,500.00
Grinnell Fire Department–Fire Prevention
$100.00
Grinnell Lions Club–Ag Appreciation Day
$250.00
Grinnell United Methodist Church–Food Program
$10,184.46
Iowa Council of Foundations–Race Forward Professional Development Training in Grinnell
$1,500.00
Liberty Ministries–Food Program
$10,184.46
LINK–Mentoring Program
$400.00
LINK–”Leave It Better Than You Found It” Award
$5,000.00
Partner Programs–Funding for Individuals and Families
$370,766.22
Poweshiek Leadership Program–Professional Leadership
$100.00
Second Mile–Christmas Share Program
$500.00
Strand 3 Theatre–Merchant Movie Series
$75.00
Sample Grants Awarded in 2020
Please note that the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2020.
Ahrens Park Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Maintenance and capital improvements for Ahrens Park
$313,224.31
American Cancer Society – Hoops for Hope
$100.00
American Cancer Society – Poweshiek County Relay for Life
$1,000.00
Bailey Park Elementary School – Gift In Memory of Jodie Gallagher
$500.00
Dolly Ahrens Achievement Scholarships – 15 Scholarships for GHS Graduating Seniors
$37,500.00
Giving Gardens – Start Up Fund
$1,000.00
Grinnell Newburg School Foundation – Internet Hot Spots
$1,500.00
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce – Grinnell Games
$6,000.00
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce – Premier Investor
$7,500.00
Grinnell Community Early Learning Center – Equipment
$500.00
Grinnell Heritage Center – Start Up Operations
$5,000.00
Grinnell Lions Club Ag – Appreciation Day $250.00
LINK – Start Up Operations
$5,000.00
Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund – Emergency Relief for Grinnell Area Nonprofits
$5,000.00
Poweshiek County Fair Foundation – “Leave It Better Than You Found It” Award
$5,000.00
Poweshiek Housing Assistance Fund – Start Up Fund
$1,000.00
S.H.E. Counts – Sponsorship of Tickets
$425.00
Sample Grants Awarded in 2019
Please note that the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2019.
Ahrens Park Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Operations Ahrens Park
$351,701.00
American Cancer Society – Poweshiek County Relay for Life
$1,000.00
Big Brothers, Big Sisters – Bowl for Kids’ Sake
$400.00
City of Grinnell Parks and Recreation — Kindergarten Swimming Lessons
$720.00
City of Grinnell Parks and Recreation — Senior Walkers at GARC
$3,885.00
Dolly Ahrens Achievement Scholarships – 15 Scholarships for GHS Graduating Seniors
$37,500.00
Early Childhood Endowment — Start Up Funding
$2,500.00
Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa – PALS Animal Water Fountain
$250.00
Grinnell Connected PTO – “2018 Leave It Better Than You Found It” Award
$5,000.00
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce – Downtown Holiday Decorations
$250.00
Grinnell Community Daycare and Preschool – Enrichment Programming
$850.00
Grinnell Heritage Center – Start Up Operations (1st payment of $10,000 pledge)
$5,000.00
Grinnell Lions Club – Ag Appreciation Day
$250.00
Grinnell Rotary Club – Community Chicken Dinner
$250.00
Mid-Iowa Community Action – Head Start Classroom Renovations (2nd payment of $10,000 pledge)
$5,000.00
Poweshiek County Fair Foundation – Bull Riding Event
$250.00
Unity Point Health/Grinnell Regional Medical Center – Commemorative Community Sculptures of Mollie Tibbetts
$6,846.00
Unity Point Health/Grinnell Regional Medical Center – Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center – In Honor of Todd Linden
$5,000.00
We Care — After Prom Party for Grinnell High School Students
$250.00
Sample Grants Awarded in 2018
Please note that the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2018.
Ahrens Park Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Maintenance and capital improvements for Ahrens Park
$510,222
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept. – GARC admissions for senior walkers
$3,150
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept. – Kindergarten swim lessons
$900
Dolly Ahrens Scholarships, Grinnell, IA – Scholarships for Grinnell-Newburg high school students
$25,000
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation – Central Park campaign
$15,000 (3rd payment of 3 year $50,000 pledge)
Mid-Iowa Community Action – Classroom renovations
$5,000
Second Mile, Grinnell, IA – Christmas Shares program
$1,000
Social Justice Action Group – 2017 Winner of the “Leave It Better Than You Found It” award
$5,000
Sample Grants Awarded in 2017
Please note that the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2017.
Ahrens Park Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Maintenance and capital improvements for Ahrens Park
$350,739
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept. – GARC admissions for senior walkers
$3,165
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept. – Kindergarten swim lessons
$720
Dolly Ahrens Scholarships, Grinnell, IA – Scholarships for Grinnell-Newburg high school students
$25,000
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation – Central Park campaign
$15,000 (2nd payment of 3 year $50,000 pledge)
Grinnell College Community Service Center – Summer intern for Grinnell Community Daycare & Preschool
$403
Grinnell Education Partnership – 2016 Winner of the “Leave It Better Than You Found It” award
$5,000
Second Mile, Grinnell, IA – Christmas Shares program
$1,000
Sample Grants Awarded in 2016
Please note that the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2016.
Ahrens Park Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Maintenance and capital improvements for Ahrens Park
$385,426
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept. – GARC admissions for senior walkers
$6,435
City of Grinnell Parks & Recreation Dept. – Kindergarten swim lessons
$1,530
Crisis Intervention Services, Grinnell, IA – General support
$500
Dolly Ahrens Scholarships, Grinnell, IA – Scholarships for Grinnell-Newburg high school students
$25,000
Genesis Development, Grinnell, IA – Equipment needs
$1,500
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation – Central Park campaign
$20,000 (1st payment of 3 year $50,000 pledge)
Grinnell Area Arts Council – 2015 Winner of the “Leave It Better Than You Found It” award
$5,000
Grinnell-Newburg Educational Excellence – Grand Piano campaign
$3,000
Second Mile, Grinnell, IA – Christmas Shares program
$1,000
Sample Grants Awarded in 2015
Please note that in 2015 the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation changed its financial year end to June 30th, which created a shorter granting year.
Ahrens Park Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Maintenance and capital improvements for Ahrens Park
$293,000
Dolly Ahrens Scholarships, Grinnell, IA – Scholarships for Grinnell-Newburg High School students
$25,000
Galaxy Youth Center, Grinnell, IA – General support
$3,000
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Grade Level Reading Campaign technical grant
$1,250
Rock In Prevention, Grinnell, IA – Poweshiek County school programs
$2,500 (Final payment of $7,500 pledge)
Sample Grants Awarded in 2014
Ahrens Park Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Maintenance & capital improvements for Ahrens Park
$478,674
City of Grinnell, Grinnell, IA – Kindergarten swimming lessons
$630
Dolly Ahrens Scholarships, Grinnell, IA – Scholarships for Grinnell-Newburg High School students
$25,000
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Senior Walking Fund for GARC
$1,970
Grinnell Area Arts Council, Grinnell, IA – Challenge grant for capital improvements
$10,000
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, Grinnell, IA – Growth Collaborative project
$7,500 (2nd payment of pledge)
Grinnell Community Daycare & Preschool, Grinnell, IA – Challenge grant for classroom improvements
$30,000
Grinnell Band Boosters, Grinnell, IA – Grinnell-Newburg High School band uniforms
$3,000
Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell, IA – Chemotherapy chair
$1,280
Rock In Prevention, Grinnell, IA – Poweshiek County school programs
$2,500
S.H.E. Counts, Grinnell, IA – Winner of 2014 “Leave It Better” Award
$5,000
Sample Grants Awarded in 2013
Dolly Ahrens Achievement Scholarship, Grinnell, IA – Scholarships for Grinnell-Newburg High School students
$25,000
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Communities for Literate Iowa Kids (CLIK)
$50,000 (final payment on $125,000 pledge)
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Parks Improvement Fund
$5,000
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Senior Walking Fund for GARC
$2,500
Grinnell-Newburg School District, Grinnell, IA – Swimming lessons for kindergarten students
$1,433
Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell, IA – Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center
$40,000
Rock In Prevention – Poweshiek County school programs
$2,500 (first payment on $7,500 pledge)
Poweshiek County Dental Coalition – Winner of 2013 “Leave It Better” Award
$5,000
Student Entrepreneurs of Grinnell (SEG) – Program support
$2,500
Sample Grants Awarded in 2012
Dolly Ahrens Achievement Scholarship, Grinnell, IA – Scholarships for Grinnell-Newburg High School students
$25,000
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Drake Community Library Capital Campaign
$305,000 (final payment on $505,000 pledge)
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Senior Walking Fund for GARC
$10,000
Grinnell College – Grinnell College preschool playground project
$41,220
Grinnell-Newburg School District – Swimming lessons for kindergarten students
$1,185
Poweshiek Animal League Shelter (PALS), Grinnell, IA – Matching grant
$10,000
Poweshiek County Mental Health Center, Grinnell, IA – Winner of 2012 “Leave It Better” Award
$5,000
Sample Grants Awarded in 2011
Dolly Ahrens Achievement Scholarship, Grinnell, IA, Scholarships for Grinnell High School students
$25,000
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Drake Community Library Capital Campaign
$100,000 (pledge payment on $500,000 pledge)
Grinnell-Newburg School District, Grinnell, IA – Swimming lessons for kindergarten students
$1,038
Poweshiek Animal League Shelter (PALS), Grinnell, IA – Winner of 2011 “Leave It Better” Award
$5,000
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA – Women’s field hockey, golf & soccer programs
$3,000
Sample Grants Awarded in 2010
Association of Small Foundations, Washington D.C. – General support
$1,010
Bailey Park PTO, Grinnell, IA – Playground project
$5,000
City of Grinnell – Lion’s Park playground project
$100,000
Dolly Ahrens Achievement Scholarship, Grinnell, IA – Scholarships for Grinnell High School students
$27,500
Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, Grinnell, IA – Drake Community Library pledge payment (total pledge: $500,000)
$100,000
Grinnell Area Arts Council, Grinnell, IA – Jon Lacina Fund
$500
Grinnell-Newburg Educational Excellence, Grinnell, IA – Final payment of challenge grant for Mini-Grants & New teacher classroom gifts (total pledge: $50,000)
$24,875
Grinnell-Newburg School District, Grinnell, IA – Swimming lessons for kindergarten students
$1,017
Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell, IA – Annual fund drive challenge grant
$10,000
Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell, IA – Blueprint for Health Capital Campaign for renovations
$100,000 (final payment of 6 year pledge: $800,000)
Imagine Grinnell, Grinnell, IA – Winner of 2010 “Leave It Better” Award
$5,000
Iowa Council of Foundations, Des Moines, IA – General support
$300
Rock In Prevention, Des Moines, IA – Grinnell Middle School program
$5,000
West Broad Investment, Grinnell, IA – Program related investment for community development
$50,000