Claude W. & Dolly Ahrens Foundation

06/17/2026

This Friday!!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GXQCdwpg3/

Swimming with Mermaids? ❌ Sorry, not happening
Photo Ops and Games? 😎 Definitely happening
Child Pre-registration Required?☑️One per attending child
Adults Pre-registration? ❌Adult do NOT need tickets
Cost? 🆓FREE🆓

06/17/2026

A local favorite! Where every dog has its day 🐾

06/17/2026

✨ Introducing Grinnell Gathers: A New Community Series ✨

We’re excited to share a new, year-long series focused on philanthropy, connection, and how we can all play a role in strengthening our community. ❤️

Grinnell Gathers—a partnership between the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, and Grinnell College—will bring together neighbors, businesses, and organizations to explore the many ways to get involved and make an impact right here in Grinnell.

👉 The first session will focus on local philanthropy—what it looks like, who’s involved, and how you can be part of it.

📅 Thursday, June 18
⏰ 5–6 PM
📍 Renfrow Hall (Civic Innovation Pavilion)
🎟 Free & open to the public (no RSVP needed!)

If you’ve ever wondered how to get more connected or give back in meaningful ways, this is a great place to start.

June 6, 2026 The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, and Grinnell College announce a new series, Grinnell Gathers. This free, year-long series offers an in-depth look at the many ways communities come together and how community members can get involved....

06/14/2026

Great day at the Brooklyn Flag Festival 🇺🇸 with our longtime partner, Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation!

We loved getting the chance to visit with so many people from the Brooklyn community and share a little about our work together over the past 20 years, especially the programs and funds supported through both of our Foundations across Poweshiek County.

Such a fun event and great turnout! Thanks to everyone who stopped by! 😊

06/12/2026

🧡 It takes a village—and a Tiger Pack—to combat youth hunger in our community. 🐅
Did you know that roughly 35% of students in the Grinnell-Newburg School District qualify for free or reduced-price meals? While school is out for the summer, our mission to keep Grinnell’s kids nourished never stops.

Tiger Packs works hard to support our local youth: 🎒 Providing kid-friendly, nutritious weekend food bags to PreK-8th grade students. 🍏 Supplying fresh fruit weekly to our Middle and High School students. 🛒 Supporting the Grinnell High School Food Market with easy takeaway meals and pantry staples.

Every dollar donated goes directly toward purchasing food and fresh produce to ensure no child goes hungry. Help us prep for a strong upcoming school year and keep our community supported.
👉 Donate today to make a direct impact: https://ahrensfamilyfoundation.org/tiger-packs/

06/11/2026

🤝 True community change happens when we work together.

At the Grinnell Food Coalition, our mission is to facilitate community-driven food solutions across the Grinnell area. Instead of operating in a silo, we bring together local organizations, pantries, and passionate neighbors every other month to look at the big picture of local food access.

By funding community partners through our micro-grants—like our rolling $1,000 Seed Grants and our bi-annual $5,000 Harvest Grants—we ensure resources go exactly where they are needed most.

When you give to the Grinnell Food Coalition fund, you aren’t just supporting one project—you are investing in an entire network of local food solutions.

❤️ Help us strengthen our community's safety net. Click the link to donate today: https://ahrensfamilyfoundation.org/grinnelfoodcoalition/

06/05/2026

The Claude W. & Dolly Ahrens Foundation would like to recognize and thank Grinnell College and the Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation for their incredible commitment to our community. 🏫

Their combined $475,000 investment in the Grinnell-Newburg School Foundation(GNSF) – School Facilities Fund is helping bring the full vision of the new elementary school at Ahrens Park to life, supporting key elements that will benefit our students for generations to come.

This is what community partnership looks like. Thank you for stepping up for our kids and investing in our future. 🧡🖤

👉 Read more:
Grinnell College: https://www.grinnell.edu/news/grinnell-college-grinnell-mutual-announce-lead-gifts-new-elementary-school-campaign?fbclid=IwY2xjawSPx8tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETJuMnFVc2pEdFRxN3hheVpOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuyiPjs3eZ-Ffmn1Ly9JAAt7zA57UxPwGFCi5lR4S-w9rA0yaaeXdTdH-0Ay_aem_uDdE4xTiGb28inlQjwbifw

Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation: https://www.grinnellmutual.com/about-us/newsroom/donation-to-grinnell-elementary?fbclid=IwY2xjawSPvTdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeuSTCphyAk6SPxvIVaMB-WzLJjyNe0trw344eO49MEEC7x3zZ-9aFRxzIBhs_aem_OpmT_BUCRsJs9tXHa1ez9A

05/30/2026

Our AmeriCorps members would love to hear from you!!! 🧑🏼‍🌾🫜

☀This summer, the Claude W. & Dolly Ahrens Foundation has 2 AmeriCorps service members who are excited to serve the Grinnell community! As the Giving Gardens get ready for the summer, we want to know what YOU would like to grow! We have open spaces in the Bailey and Fairview Gardens. As of now, we are planning on growing tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, sweet and spicy peppers, summer and winter squash, zucchini, and broccoli between those two gardens.

👇Comment below if there are any fall plants/vegetables you would like to have and we’ll do our best to accommodate the most requested.

05/30/2026

The Grinnell Food Coalition Community Partner meeting is open to anyone in the community with an interest in food access. Please join us at our next meeting:

📅 June 3rd from 8-9:30am
📍 Foundation offices at Ahrens Park
💻 Or virtually- send an email to [email protected] for the link

05/29/2026

🎶 What an incredible night! 🎶
Thank you to everyone who came out to the New Resident Welcome and Music in the Park last night to celebrate with us - and to mark 20 years of partnership with the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation!🍦🍰

We are so grateful to be part of such a supportive, vibrant community. Truly, we have the best community around!

A big shoutout to the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Grinnell Area Arts Council and all involved with Summer Music in the Park creating such a fun, welcoming space for all of us to gather.

Thank you for all you do to keep the arts thriving in our community! 🎨🎵