For nearly 60 years the City of Columbus Junction has been funding local organizations in the interest of community improvement through their United Fund.

Sometimes referred by other towns as a community chest, the United Fund gathers donations from Columbus Junction residents and then divides the pool with non-profit organizations that serve Columbus Junction, Columbus City, Fredonia, Cotter, Conesville, and Letts. Community Development Director Mallory Smith talks about the fund’s longevity, “The United Fund really is something that, success leads to more success, because if people can see the results of their donations, then they’re more likely to donate. If you live and work around here everyday you’re going to see things that are organizations at work or actual purchases, gardens that were planted or the safety sirens that are in town. Every day you’re going to see things that United Fund was part of.”

Some of the organizations that have received funds in the past have been Keep Columbus Beautiful, the Louisa County Fair, and the Great Beginnings Preschool. Some citizens donate to the fund through a payroll deduction, as Smith says “Our biggest donor base is the Tyson employees. A lot of people think that it’s Tyson Corporate but it’s not, it’s the Tyson employees, it’s people that are working hard, raising families, and our still managing to donate to United Fund.”

The fund collects over $20,000 every year. Applications for organizations seeking support from the fund are due May 31.