Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~$1.8M–$3.1M (varies by year)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 4–6 weeks after grant cycle closes
• Grant Range: $750–$500,000
• Geographic Focus: City of Ottumwa and Wapello County, Iowa

Contact Details

• Website: www.ottumwalegacy.org
• Phone: (641) 455-5260
• Email: anossaman@ottumwalegacy.org (Amy Nossaman, Grants Program Manager)
• Address: 111 E. Main Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501
• Office Hours: Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; Friday by appointment

Overview

The Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation Inc (EIN: 42-0681060) was established in 2010 following the sale of assets of the Ottumwa Regional Health Center to RegionalCare Hospital Partners. Operating as an Iowa private foundation with approximately $70–$74 million in total assets, the Foundation ensures that proceeds from the health center transaction permanently benefit the community.

The Foundation's mission is to serve as "a perpetual partner" by "investing in the vitality and advancement of the greater Ottumwa community." It operates across four strategic pillars: Economic Prosperity, Education Opportunities, Quality of Life, and Housing Availability. Since its first Bright Ideas grant cycle in 2011, the Foundation has awarded over $6.2 million to 129 nonprofit organizations serving Wapello County. It also administers a major healthcare scholarship program reaching 10 southeast Iowa counties, a youth philanthropy program, and a dedicated cancer patient endowment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund: $2,500–$30,000 per grant (up to $150,000 per cycle) - 3 cycles/year (Feb, Jun, Sep–Oct)

Direct Response Good Practice Grants: Up to $5,000 - Rolling/year-round for capacity building

Strategic Alliance Partnership Grants: $15,000–$25,000/year - Invitation only; multi-year support

Direct Strategic Grants: Up to $500,000 - Board-directed; not open application

Robert McCune Endowment: Varies - Targeted to cancer support; ongoing/rolling

Laboratory Control Ltd. Health Career Scholarship: $1,000–$5,000 per student - Annual; Feb 1–Mar 31

Classroom Champions Teacher Mini Grant: Up to $750 per teacher - School year cycle

Legacy Youth Alliance Grant: Up to $10,000 per cycle - 2 cycles/year; student-led

Priority Areas

The Foundation's four strategic focus areas:

1. Economic Prosperity — Jobs, workforce development, employer attraction/retention, small business support
2. Education Opportunities — K-12, higher education, workforce training, youth development
3. Quality of Life — Arts, culture, human services, food security, accessibility, community amenities
4. Housing Availability — New residential construction, housing incentives, entry corridor improvement, "Mission 500" initiative

The Foundation emphasizes equity and inclusion, explicitly committing to serve communities regardless of racial identity, cultural identity and language, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, or religious beliefs.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (except through scholarship and teacher mini-grant programs)
• For-profit organizations
• Organizations outside Wapello County (except LCL Scholarship extending to 10 southeast Iowa counties)
• Multi-year commitments through the Bright Ideas Fund (single-year grants only)
• Organizations applying more than twice per calendar year to the Bright Ideas Fund

Governance and Leadership

Senior Staff

• Kelly Genners — President & CEO
• Mike Spieler — Vice President of Finance
• Hollie Tometich — Vice President of Communications
• Amy Nossaman — Grants Program Manager (primary contact for applicants)

Board of Directors

Includes representatives from Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa Job Corps Center, local businesses, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Board members bring expertise from education, business, healthcare, insurance, and nonprofit sectors.

Leadership Quotes

"Through strategic grantmaking and community collaboration, we're investing in the people and organizations that make our community stronger, healthier, and more vibrant." — Foundation statement

"This project gives students real responsibility and real experience. Caring for animals builds skills students carry into any career and into their own lives." — Kelly Genners, on the Agricultural Education Center grant

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund:

• Online portal submission only (no paper applications)
• Review grant checklist before beginning
• Tutorial videos available on website
• Organizations may apply once per cycle, maximum two times per calendar year
• Requires 501(c)(3) status or qualified fiscal sponsor

Direct Response Good Practice Grants:

• Available year-round; rolling applications
• Up to $5,000 for capacity-building activities
• Completed within one year of award

Strategic Alliance Partnership Grants:

• Invitation only — not open to unsolicited applications
• Multi-year, complex grants with external consulting support

Decision Timeline

• Bright Ideas Fund: Three cycles per year
  • Cycle 1: February 1–28
  • Cycle 2: June 1–30
  • Cycle 3: September 15 – October 15
• Grants committee reviews and makes recommendations to Board
• Decisions typically within 4–6 weeks after cycle closes

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed, but each Bright Ideas cycle distributes up to $150,000 across multiple grants, typically resulting in 5–40 awards per cycle depending on grant sizes.

Reapplication Policy

• Organizations may apply up to two times per calendar year to the Bright Ideas Fund
• Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent cycles
• No documented waiting period for unsuccessful applicants

Application Success Factors

Geographic and organizational fit is mandatory. Only 501(c)(3) organizations or those with fiscal sponsors operating in Wapello County are eligible.

Align explicitly with the four strategic pillars. Every application should map clearly to Economic Prosperity, Education Opportunities, Quality of Life, or Housing Availability.

Demonstrate measurable community impact. Include concrete metrics, clear outcomes, and evidence of positive impact on Ottumwa/Wapello County residents.

Emphasize uniqueness and creativity. The Bright Ideas Fund supports creative ideas that enrich quality of life. Innovative approaches addressing unmet needs are more competitive.

Show inclusivity and diversity. Applications demonstrating outreach to underserved populations align with Foundation values.

Large grants ($20,000+) require a funding match. The Foundation recommends a 25% match for grants above $20,000.

Use available resources. Review the grant checklist and tutorial videos. Contact Amy Nossaman with questions before applying.

Recent funded examples include:

• Wapello County Trails Council — $30,000 for Oxbow Trail Project
• Iowa Special Olympics — $10,000 for local team support
• Eldon Public Library — $5,000 for newspaper digitization
• Ecumenical Lord's Cupboard — $10,000 for food reserves
• Food Bank of Iowa — $30,000 for kitchen and volunteer center

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Strictly local: Service delivery must be in Wapello County, Iowa
• Three annual opportunities: Bright Ideas cycles in February, June, and September–October
• Strategic alignment is essential: Explicitly reference the Foundation's four strategic pillars
• Match funding for larger grants: Plan for 25% match if requesting over $20,000
• Year-round capacity grants available: Direct Response grants up to $5,000 for organizational needs
• Equity is core: Inclusive programming that serves all community members will resonate
• Preparation matters: Use provided resources including staff contact, checklists, and tutorials

References

1. Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation — Official Website: https://www.ottumwalegacy.org/ — Accessed February 2026
2. Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund page: https://www.ottumwalegacy.org/for-grantees-scholars/bright-ideas-community-enrichment-fund/ — Accessed February 2026
3. Nonprofit Capacity Support Programs page: https://www.ottumwalegacy.org/for-grantees-scholars/capacity-program/ — Accessed February 2026
4. Robert McCune Endowment page: https://www.ottumwalegacy.org/for-grantees-scholars/robert-mccune-endowment/ — Accessed February 2026
5. Legacy Foundation Invests $150,000 in Local Nonprofits (Fall 2025): https://www.ottumwalegacy.org/legacy-foundation-invests-150000-in-local-nonprofits — Accessed February 2026
6. Legacy Foundation Awards $200,000 to Expand Agricultural Education Center: https://www.ottumwalegacy.org/ottumwa-legacy-foundation-awards-200000-to-expand-agricultural-education-center — Accessed February 2026
7. Laboratory Control Ltd. Health Career Scholarship: https://www.ottumwalegacy.org/agenda-for-action/laboratory-control-ltd-health-career-scholarship/ — Accessed February 2026
8. Ottumwa Radio — Legacy Foundation Announces Bright Ideas Grant Recipients: https://ottumwaradio.com/2024/04/legacy-foundation-announces-bright-ideas-grant-recipients/ — Accessed February 2026
9. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer — Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/420681060 — Accessed February 2026
10. Food Bank of Iowa — Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation Grant: https://foodbankiowa.org/organizations/ottumwa-regional-legacy-foundation-grant/ — Accessed February 2026
11. Ottumwa Leadership Academy — Kelly Genners named President/CEO: https://www.ottumwaleadershipacademy.org/kelly-genners-named-president-ceo-of-the-legacy-foundation/ — Accessed February 2026