Karen Sevdi, executive with the Story County Community Foundation, updated the Ames City Council on the foundation’s grant programs during public forum on Aug. 26.

Sevdi said the foundation is fully staffed for the season and expects to offer about $200,000 for community grants this cycle. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government agencies—examples she listed were libraries, fire departments, police departments and parks and recreation programs. She said applications are due Sept. 30.

Sevdi pointed council members to a handout summarizing last year’s awards—about $190,000—including countywide public-library equipment purchases (hotspots and tablets) and small-business awards to Peace and Freedom Bakery and Frozen Gains. She said this year the foundation intends again to award small-business grants for startups and that it will celebrate its twentieth anniversary on Oct. 2 at Reiman Gardens, where it will announce a $100,000 special impact grant.

Councilors thanked Sevdi for the briefing and noted that city departments and local nonprofits could consider applying.