Endowing the Performing Arts in Delaware County

Hanson Foundation News

The Foundation announces support for the 2024 Backbone Bluegrass Festival.

The Board of Directors of the Hanson Foundation has awarded a second grant in the amount of $5000 to the Backbone Lake Promotion Association, Inc., parent orgnaization of the Backbone Bluegrass Festival to be used to retain an additional headline act for the festival that runs the last full weekend of July.  This funding completes a two year commitment to assist the Festival in promoting their brand and expanding their patron base.

About The Foundation

The Hansons were long-time educators in the West Delaware (formerly Manchester) school system, Erling as high school band director, and Dorothy as a classroom teacher and librarian.  Their estate generously endowed a foundation to promote and support the performing arts throughout the county.  Entirely separate from the Foundation, they also provided substantial funding for a state-of-the-art performance hall at West Delaware High School.

The mission of the Foundation is to manage and mobilize resources, promote philanthropy directed towards the performing arts, and provide leadership in funding the performing arts in Delaware County, Iowa.  

The Foundation can receive donations under IRC Section 501(c)(3), and is governed by an elected Board of Directors consisting persons with an interest in the community and the performing arts. Currently serving are:  Teresa Greve (Chair), Art Johnson, Sue Morris, Lynn Rasmussen, Rachel York, Mike Ryan, Jacque Lahr, and JoAnn Swinton . Please contact any director for additional information about the Foundation, or send a request to hanson.foundation@gmail.com.

For information on making a donation or bequest to the Foundation, contact any director.  All donations are tax-deductible within the limits of the law.

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