GIVEboji

At the Okoboji Foundation, we’re on a mission to enhance the quality of life for everyone. We achieve this by championing charitable giving, connecting passionate donors with causes they deeply care about, and taking a lead role in addressing area needs. Together, we’re a force for positive change.

While we’re fortunate to be part of a generous community, the sheer number of outstanding local nonprofits can make it a challenge to stay updated on the most urgent needs. That’s why we introduced this page as a valuable resource, offering insights into the needs and opportunities within our communities. It provides an avenue for you to offer support to causes that align with your interests and values.

You have the freedom to explore project profiles. Each profile provides an opportunity to gain deeper insight and make a meaningful impact. This is simplified impact at its best.

The Save Turtle Lake and Waterway Restoration Project will restore and preserve Turtle Lake and its interconnected canals, including Paddler’s Path and Wilderness Way. This effort will dredge Turtle Lake and adjacent waterways from their current depths of approximately 2 to 4 feet back to their original depths of six to eight feet, followed by shoreline stabilization measures such as riprap installation and the planting of native grasses. Successful completion of this project will improve water quality, restore habitat to better support native wildlife, prevent sediment from entering West Lake Okoboji, and enhance public access for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and other low-impact recreational use.

Our Summer Chamber Music Festival aims to provide engaging classical music performances that focus on accessible repertoire, venues, and outreach opportunities in the Iowa Great Lakes Region. The 2025 Festival will take place from June 3-6 with performances at Lakeside Laboratory, Pearson Lakes Art Center, and Arts on Grand.

Friends of Lakeside Lab supports Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and its efforts to provide K-12 and collegiate STEM and environmental education, water quality research, and community outreach. Additionally, Friends helps to support the scientists, writers and artists in residence programs. To do this, we need buildings and housing for people of all ages and abilities. Our plans include a new educational and water quality lab building, followed by a dormitory.

We are raising funds to activate Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Dickinson County. Funds for the first two years of the program are needed prior to program launch. Please help us donate to get free books to children from birth to age five. Imagine the difference you can make to children in our community. If you can read, you can learn to do anything!

Construct a new building or “Annex” on the existing Lake Park Heritage Square site which will serve as an educational, recreational, and fun place for families, students and visitors to convene in a civic-center type setting to learn about the heritage of Lake Park, Iowa. With it’s growing popularity, the addition of an Annex to Heritage Square Depot Museum will provide an even greater opportunity to highlight the history of our unique community, and the people who have served in the U.S. Military on behalf of this nation.

Pick a Project; Make a Direct Impact

Waterway Restoration Project - Save Turtle Lake

Restore and Preserve Turtle Lake and the Canals

Wild Prairie Winds

Sponsor Summer Chamber Music Festival

Friends of Lakeside Lab

Innovation and Discovery Lab

Imagination Library of Dickinson County

Give the Gift of Reading

Lake Park Historical Society

Heritage Square Annex Addition

Know of a non-profit project needing funding?

Have a representative fill out the form found on this page to be considered to be on the page above!