GreatAmerica Financial Services’ employee advised fund completed its annual pledge to donate $500,000 to community organizations by awarding $250,000 to nonprofits in the Cedar Rapids, IA, area in its second such giving cycle of 2023. GreatAmerica also awarded $500,000 from its separate donor advised fund.

The employee advised fund places giving decisions entirely in the hands of employees, who vote from a slate of nonprofit applications.

“We are proud to support our community and have a direct impact on these worthy organizations,” Martin Golobic, CEO of GreatAmerica Financial Services, said. “This complements our employee community who lean toward community giving via board involvement, volunteerism and individual donations.”

GreatAmerica employees voted from a slate of 32 applicants, awarding funding to 16 entities. Those garnering the most votes were awarded funds until all money in the second cycle was spent. The organizations that were ultimately selected included the Catherine McAuley Center, Willis Dady Homeless Services, the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, Families Helping Families of Iowa, No Foot Too Small, Waypoint, Marion Cares, Matthew 25, Boys and Girls Club, Horizons-A Family Service, Chelsey’s Dream Foundation, Kids First Law Center, Junior League of Cedar Rapids, Indian Creek Nature Center and the Wheelchair Ramp Accessibility Program Coalition Each organization was awarded a grand ranging from $2,000 to $25,000.