Murals & More inspires locals with its public arts projects, decorating Cedar Rapids with endless color and beauty.
Philanthropy
Nonprofit of the Month: Dream Catchers Foundation Inc.
Dream Catchers Foundation Inc. comprises a group of volunteer, licensed beauty professionals in Des Moines, all using their talents to support women, men and children with chronic or terminal illnesses, along with their caregivers.
Nonprofit of the Month: Iowa Quilt Museum
A favorite of sewists and visual arts aficionados, the Iowa Quilt Museum, based in Winterset, sets out to promote appreciation of the art of quilting. Here, Carissa Heckathorn, director, discusses the museum’s first-ever Iowa Quilt Festival, a three-day event with nationally known instructors taking place this summer.
Nonprofit of the Month: The Iowa Theater
Winterset-based The Iowa Theater is a historic, multi-use nonprofit movie theater and performance space, inviting visitors and locals alike to gather and be entertained. Marianne Fons discusses what the theater means to its community and the nonprofit’s upcoming Valentine’s Day gala.
Nonprofit of the Month: Animal Rescue League of Iowa
Standing behind the belief that all animals deserve a second chance, Des Moines-based Animal Rescue League of Iowa works to promote animal welfare, strengthen the human/animal bond and prevent the overpopulation of pets.
Nonprofit of the Month: Iowa Farm Sanctuary
Iowa Farm Sanctuary, located in Oxford, provides a safe haven to rescued farm animals in need of love and compassion. Here, Shawn Camp, executive director and co-founder, discusses Iowa Farm Sanctuary’s first-ever 5k, the challenge of aiding farm animals in an agricultural state and how the rescue positively affects humans just as much as its cows and goats.
Nonprofit of the Month: Dogs Forever
With a commitment to saving the lives of hard-to-place and homeless dogs, Cedar Rapids-based Dogs Forever is an Adoption Guarantee shelter. Here, Lisa Carrara, secretary, and Joyce Thompson, president, discuss how the pandemic has altered Dogs Forever’s day-to-day, the nonprofit’s goals for 2021 and various fundraising events that locals can enjoy this month.
Nonprofit of the Month: Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival
Each year, more than 400,000 revelers head to the three-week-long Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, taking place June 14 to July 4, to see Iowa’s largest fireworks display and enjoy dozens of family events. The nonprofit provides a vast array of entertainment and educational opportunities for those living in the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area.
Nonprofit of the Month: Variety – the Children’s Charity
From providing all-inclusive playground equipment to giving bikes to kids who have never had one, Des Moines-based Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa is dedicated to improving the lives of children who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill or living with special needs. Since it was founded in 1975, The nonprofit has raised more than $119 million to support the children of Iowa.
Animal Rescue League of Iowa Hosts Coloring with Kittens
On Wednesday, Jan. 13, enjoy a relaxing night of coloring, cuddling kittens and drinking a meow-osa with Animal Rescue League of Iowa at its newest event, Coloring with Kittens.