Clayton County Foundation for the Future

08/31/2026

08/28/2026

We are dedicated to continuing to provide books each month to Clayton County children!

08/27/2026

By completing this survey, you are providing feedback to help determine a need for crisis response and peer support in NE Iowa communities. Your feedback and answers are confidential.

08/25/2026

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has helped inspire a love of reading in children for over thirty years, including for the last four years in Clayton County. We are grateful for Dolly’s kindness, generosity and passion for helping others.

Like Dolly, the Clayton County Foundation for the Future recognizes the importance of early literacy and has set up an endowment to support our local chapter of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. If you feel moved to make a gift, visit https://dbqfoundation.org/giving-center/clayton-county-early-literacy-endowment

08/25/2026

We have been learning from Clayton County community members about what would make our communities even better and what connects people in our communities through a Voices of America booth at several community events this summer. There will be another opportunity to participate and share your thoughts October 3-4 at Art in the Park Fine Art Festival in Elkader!

❤️🤍💙The Clayton County Foundation for the Future is proud to celebrate America’s 250th birthday by honoring Voices of America.❤️🤍💙

Kelsi Davis is one of eight regional voices lifted up to share the stories of people who hold our community together two and a half centuries after our nation’s founding.

“What really matters to our citizens is at the heart of the Voices of America initiative,” said Emily Sadewasser, the Communication Foundation’s Executive Director. “We value every voice as we work with donors, make grants and serve as a trusted convener addressing shared community needs.”

Kelsi grew up in Clayton County, left for college and then moved back to Elkader in 2021. She has chosen to get involved with community groups, especially around music, and said, “Elkader has a really awesome live music scene. Deb's Brewtopia and Turkey River Cabin Concerts were factors in me settling here, feeling welcome, establishing connections and making friends.”

Protecting natural resources has always been important to Kelsi. She majored in environmental policy and felt a strong connection to those ideals. She is currently the Clayton County Energy District Coordinator. She said, “Renewable energy is for everyone and it's an important tool for us to strengthen our communities regardless of whether you value sustainability, economic strength or both. I have roots and connections here and work in a role aligned with my own values to help people understand energy conservation, so this really is my American dream.”

Voices of America events will be hosted by the Foundation and take place this summer. They will feature a six-foot tall American eagle. Look for the table, take a family photo with the American eagle, and help write the story of our community on America’s 250th birthday. Hearing directly from individuals will help the Foundation make decisions on grants and initiatives in the coming year.

Read all of our Voices of America stories at dbqfoundation.org/pages/voices-of-america

08/20/2026

Register your child for the Clayton County Imagination Library TODAY to receive a free book in the mail each month until they turn five!

https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability

08/19/2026

It's been 3 weeks since the fire at Agri Star Meat Plant in Postville, Iowa, but the impact will be long lasting. Your help is still needed. When you give to the Postville Fire Community Support Fund, your dollars stay in the community to help those whose lives have been upended by this crisis in perpetuity.

Donate here: dbqfoundation.org/postvillefire

08/18/2026

Learn more about volunteering with AmeriCorps Seniors Northeast Iowa RSVP program at several upcoming events in Clayton County!

08/18/2026

Support the future of Volga with a gift to Shaping Volga Endowment! Contact Melissa Fettkether at 319-551-7941 or give online https://dbqfoundation.org/giving-center/shaping-volga

🎉 Double your dollars! 🎉

Thanks to a fantastic Volga Days celebration and your generous support—including the funds raised from our entertaining foot race challenge—we have officially reached $5,800 of our $10,000 match goal!

A huge thank you to Shelley and Christi Shaw for providing this incredible matching challenge! 💙

We are confident that our community will come together to help us raise the remaining $4,200. Meeting this goal brings us one step closer to unlocking an additional $18,000 for Volga!

Remember: every single dollar you invest will forever benefit our community. Because this is an endowment, your gift will continue to grow and create a larger payout for Volga’s future, year after year.

Interested in giving: contact Melissa Fettkether at 319-551-7941 or give online https://dbqfoundation.org/giving-center/shaping-volga

Let’s keep the momentum going! 🙌✨