The Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust is still taking applications for grants for the 2025 grant cycle.
This is the 13th year the Barkema Charitable Trust has awarded grants to non-profit organizations, and in that time, has awarded over $10.5 million. Zoe Brown is the trustee of the Barkema Charitable Trust.
“Foster and Evelyn were a great couple. They were hardworking farmers from Alexander until their retirement. And as you can imagine, they were very intelligent business people. I got to know Foster and Evelyn through my previous employment and always had a great amount of respect for them as they always had such a great outlook on life and always having something nice to say about everything. Besides having a strong Christian faith, they lived through the depression and knew the importance of supporting others in the community. I believe the saying, ‘it is better to give than receive’ truly describes Foster and Evelyn. They didn’t just feel bad or pray for others, they did for others. They received immense pleasure from giving generously when they saw the need.”
The Barkema Charitable Trust was organized for the purpose of making grants available to qualified tax-exempt organizations with special consideration given to 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities located within the Belmond-Klemme, CAL, Hampton-Dumont and West Fork school districts. Brown says the application is easy to fill out.
“They need to fill it out, just give the information asked. We appreciate short answers and just make sure that you include with it your letter from the government, your 501(c)(3) letter. And if a trustee or a superintendent or someone needs to sign it other than someone just wanting the money, someone who is with the organization applying.”
Applications are due September 30th and can be obtained by contacting Zoe Brown at PO Box 461, Hampton, Iowa 50441, or email barkematrust@hotmail.com.
