Gilchrist Helps MercyOne Create New Garden Space

A beautiful outdoor garden can help ease the anxiety of those seeking medical care. It’s one of the reasons the Gilchrist Foundation chose to support MercyOne Siouxland Foundation’s renovation of its Garden Space at 6th and Jones streets. The Foundation awarded MercyOne a $5,000 project grant in 2022 to help complete the project. The updated and enhanced Garden Space gives patients an area to relax, reflect and rejuvenate.

MercyOne Garden Space Project

Before the renovation, the space was completely overgrown.

MercyOne Siouxland Foundation used the Gilchrist Foundation’s grant, along with $15,000 given by a donor, to work in three phases to clean up and replant the Garden Space. Stumps were removed, overgrown plants were trimmed and cleared, and new plants and mulch were added. The result is an area that is welcoming for patients and guests.

The MercyOne Siouxland Foundation supports the mission of MercyOne Siouxland by generating and providing resources and promoting community involvement. Two of its popular fundraising events include the MercyOne Siouxland Gala and MercyOne Women’s Night Out.

The MercyOne Siouxland Foundation, a separately incorporated 501(c)3 Corporation, is governed by a 20-member board. Gifts and funds raised help establish or enhance programs, improve or build facilities (like the Garden Space) and purchase equipment that would otherwise be unavailable due to budget constraints. It’s the type of organization the Gilchrist Foundation supports with its annual grants.

Each year, the Gilchrist Foundation awards more than a million dollars in grants to nonprofit organizations. The Foundation gives a preference to those organizations located in the Sioux City area with interests that include wildlife and conservation, arts and public broadcasting and disaster relief.

The Gilchrist Foundation’s Micro-Grants

The 2023 grant application process has already passed but organizations whose interests align with the Foundation can apply for a micro-grant at any time during the year.

The micro-grant program, established in 2014, offers one-time grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations looking to improve or promote the Foundation’s areas of interest. Micro-grants allow nonprofit groups to receive funding for smaller projects. Criteria for the award include the opportunity to bring theater, music, art, green spaces, parks, wildlife and conservation efforts into the lives of Siouxland residents.

Micro-grants can be applied for by completing and submitting the micro-grant application online or by downloading, printing and completing the PDF application and submitting it by mail to:

Security National Bank

601 Pierce St.

Sioux City, IA 51101

About the Gilchrist Foundation

Jocelyn Gilchrist created the Gilchrist Foundation in honor of her family. She used the wealth accumulated by them to give back to the community, especially in the areas that were her biggest passions, which included arts and wildlife as well as public broadcasting and disaster relief. After her death in 2008, the Gilchrist Foundation continued to support these philanthropic interests.

For more information about the Micro-Grant Project, contact Security National Bank at 712-277-6586 or wealth@snbonline.com.