The Community Foundation of Johnson County celebrated 25 years of community impact, generosity, and collaboration at our 25th Anniversary Community Celebration, held October 30 the new Hy-Vee Center at Centennial Park in North Liberty. The event brought together donors, nonprofit leaders, and community members to honor the Foundation’s quarter-century of charitable giving.
CFJC Celebrates 25 Years of Impact at Community Celebration
November 3, 2025
Community Foundation of Johnson County Celebrates 25 Years of Impact at Community Celebration
The Community Foundation of Johnson County celebrated 25 years of community impact, generosity, and collaboration at our 25th Anniversary Community Celebration, held October 30 the new Hy-Vee Center at Centennial Park in North Liberty. The event brought together donors, nonprofit leaders, and community members to honor the Foundation’s quarter-century of charitable giving.
“Tonight, we celebrate more than a milestone,” said Shelly Maharry, CFJC President & CEO. “We honor a grassroots effort—set forth by caring community leaders and nurtured through collaboration—to build a stronger, more connected community where everyone belongs and thrives.”
A Legacy of Generosity
Guests gathered at the newly completed Hy-Vee Center—a project made possible through the collaborative efforts of the CFJC, the City of North Liberty, and numerous funding partners. The Foundation played a key role in launching a charitable giving fund for the park and awarded a $50,000 Jaynane Lillig Impact Grant to support the project, helping attract an additional $1.4 million in public and private funding.
The evening highlighted the CFJC’s deep roots in civic engagement, beginning as a project within the Community Leadership Program of Greater Iowa City, Inc. In 1999, participants of the Community Leadership Program envisioned a permanent vehicle for local philanthropy, which led to the official incorporation of the Community Foundation of Johnson County a year later. Today, the CFJC manages over $73 million in charitable assets and has awarded more than $34 million in grants, fueling nonprofit innovation and community partnerships across the county.
The evening’s program featured remarks from CFJC President & CEO Shelly Maharry and founding fundholder Dick Schwab, along with presentations from Mary Westbrook of 5224GOOD, Charlie Nusser and Anna Moyers Stone announcing the Community Impact Grants recipients, CFJC board members Thais Winkleblack and Cathy Pugh presenting the Legendary Leader Awards, and Lisa Bluder and Kathryn Wittneben unveiling the CFJC’s Heart of Johnson County Legacy Society.
The CFJC also celebrated the power of collective giving through 5224GOOD, a learning and giving circle founded in 2014. Presented by Mary Westbrook, the group has granted more than $500,000 to local nonprofits, with this year’s focus on immigrant and refugee support in Johnson County.
$250,000 Awarded in Community Impact Grants
As part of the celebration, the CFJC awarded $250,000 in Community Impact Grants to ten local nonprofits addressing critical community needs. These grants serve as investments into major projects operated by local nonprofit organizations that will substantially increase the quality of life for Johnson County residents. This year’s recipients were:
- Domestic Violence Intervention Program & Rape Victim Advocacy Program – Kenneth Drive Transitional Housing Project
- Early Explorers Childcare Center – Infant Care Room Conversion
- Healthy Kids School-Based Clinics – Dental Care for Uninsured Teens
- Houses Into Homes – Express Bed Delivery Pilot Program
- Iowa City Bike Library – Youth Bike Coordinator Initiative
- Open Heartland – Keystone Project for Immigrant and Refugee Support
- Shelter House – Fresh Starts Transportation Replacement
- Table to Table – Food Access Network Collective Sourcing Pilot
- The Housing Fellowship – Affordable Housing ICCSD Student Build
- United Action for Youth – SPARK Talks Youth Engagement Program
Announcing the Legendary Leader Awardees
The CFJC also presented its Legendary Leader Awards. Formerly named the Community Impact Awards, the Legendary Leader Awards are non-competitive awards that honor outstanding individuals, businesses, families, and organizations making meaningful community contributions through their philanthropic work:
- Community Collaborator: Greater Iowa City, Inc. – Community Leadership Program | Mackenzie DeRoo & Lexie Rudolph
- Community Partner: Todd Jacobson
- Community Convener: 5224GOOD (represented by founders Mary Westbrook and Anne Vandenberg)
- Community Catalyst: Dick Schwab and Katherine Burford
Launching the Heart of Johnson County Legacy Society
To close the evening, Director of Philanthropy Kathryn Wittneben and Lisa Bluder announced the launch of the Heart of Johnson County Legacy Society, a new initiative encouraging donors to include CFJC in their estate plans. Founding members include David and Lisa Bluder, who serve as honorary co-chairs of the legacy campaign.
“Legacy gifts are among the most powerful ways to create lasting community impact,” said Lisa Bluder. “They ensure that the causes we care about today continue to thrive for generations to come.”
The CFJC also released its 2025 Annual Report, noting a record-breaking $4.2 million in grants awarded this year, and announced its continued partnership with Greater Iowa City, Inc. as a sponsoring organization for the upcoming Greater Iowa City Annual Meeting on November 20.
Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s CFJC Community Celebration. We look forward to another 25 years of impact!