Iowa P.E.O. Project Fund Inc

1 Iowa Project Fund Inc. (IPPF) This is the umbrella organization for the Sarah Porter Beckwith Friendship Fund and the Iowa Cottey College Scholarship Fund. IPPF invests and administers all the funds collected to assist in these worthwhile opportunities. IPPF has a conservative investment policy and only uses the interest money from these investments, plus the individual donations and chapter gifts, each year to provide grants and scholarships. IPPF has given over $1 million dollars so far to deserving Iowans. The more donations, the more we can assist families throughout Iowa and the young women attending Cottey College. The Sarah Porter Beckwith Home was located in Mt.

2 Pleasant and was a retirement home for sisters. Originally assistance came from what was known as the Welfare and Trust Fund. As the needs changed, the Friendship Fund was established to assist sisters in need. As the mission expanded to help Iowa neighbors outside the sisterhood as well, the two funds were combined; the home sold in 2000 and one fund was established, now called the Sarah Porter Beckwith Friendship Fund. The individual lifetime grant award from this part of the fund is currently $5,000. Educational assistance is also a part of the Sarah Porter Beckwith Friendship Fund. Any man, woman or child may apply for this assistance to help with education expenses when returning to school, or going for the first time.

3 The individual lifetime grant for educational expenses is currently $2,500. Iowa Cottey College Scholarship Fund (ICCSF) This fund has been around since 1936 when Iowa State Chapter awarded their first scholarship of $450 each to 4 students attending Cottey College. In 1983, the Iowa Cottey College Scholarship Fund became a state Project . A portion of each member s dues goes toward the fund. Each year, scholarships are awarded to Iowa girls attending Cottey. It is easy to apply for assistance for a deserving person. You, as the Sister, receive permission from your chapter to form a committee of at least 2 people. You then interview the family to determine the need and help them fill out the forms.

4 You shouldn t leave the forms with them to fill out; you need to help answer questions along the way. All applications must have the IPPF Application Form and the Family Financial Statement. The Educational Application and the College Verification Form are also required if you are asking for that assistance. All forms are available at the Iowa website at ask your Chapter President or Technology Chair to help you get logged in. Once the paperwork has been completed, you take that information back to your chapter for a vote. The chapter committee people need to write a letter to accompany the application, explaining how you met the person(s), what you feel the needs are, and how your chapter will continue to support the applicant along and after the decision.

5 The applicant may also write a letter explaining in their own words how this assistance will help, and what they want to achieve by getting this financial help. Please remember that it does take time to process all of the paperwork, and allow at least 45-60 days for processing and responses. IPPF is there to help. The more donations that we receive, the more grants and scholarships we can award. There is an Iowa State Chapter Project Transmittal form that your chapter can use (or you as an individual can use) to send in your gifts. Also, if your chapter gifts total $500 or more in a fiscal year, you will qualify as a Catherine Mick Chapter and be recognized at State Convention.

6 Catherine Mick, a past Iowa State President, was the person that provided leadership and guidance of the Sarah Porter Beckwith Home for over 20 years and the establishment of the Iowa Project Fund Inc. Iowa Project Fund Inc Sarah Porter Beckwith Friendship Fund Iowa Cottey College Scholarship Fund