Leadership for Five Seasons Class of 2023 donates over $40,000 to Foundation 2, Tanager

CEDAR RAPIDS — To cap off a year of leadership education and community betterment projects, the Leadership for Five Seasons Class of 2023 recently presented checks to Foundation 2 Crisis Services and Tanager.

The 2023 class of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance’s prestigious leadership program donated more than $40,000 to the local nonprofits, which support mental health services in the community.

“Foundation 2 is honored to accept this check to help us further our mission to be a trusted support when life gets tough by connecting with people in crisis 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” Emily Blomme, chief executive officer at Foundation 2 Crisis Services, said in a statement. “The last few years have been challenging and we are proud of the impact our nonprofit has had in the helping to address the mental health needs of the community.”

Okpara Rice, chief executive director of Tanager, said in a statement it also is an honor that Tanager was selected as a recipient for the 2023 class project.

“We serve over 4,000 children, teens, and young adults each year and these funds will help us continue to offer programs that focus on prevention, treatment, and outreach,” Rice said.

Leadership for Five Seasons is an annual 10-month-long program produced by the Economic Alliance that looks to develop top talent through a formal leadership curriculum, offering participants community knowledge, connections and inspiration to make a positive impact on the community.

The 39 Leadership for Five Seasons class members from businesses and organizations throughout the Cedar Rapids metro raised more than $40,000 this year and decided how to use the funds to support the community. Additionally, the class built putt-putt golf holes for Foundation 2’s largest fundraiser and contributed several hours of manual labor in preparation for the organization’s move to its new downtown location.

Foundation 2 is pursuing a more than $3 million renovation of the historic Witwer Building at 305 Second Ave. SE to serve as its new headquarters facility. The project will consolidate the organization’s five existing buildings into one hub to better help people seeking care and to offer trainings.

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The project received a share of $40 million Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds awarded to 24 nonprofit projects using federal COVID-19 relief funds allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act. Linn County awarded $2.3 million and the city of Cedar Rapids awarded $250,000, both using ARPA funds.

“It wasn’t difficult to agree on what our class project should be this year,” Rachael Holland, director of marketing at AMPERAGE Marketing & Fundraising and member of the 2023 Class, said in a statement. “As community leaders, we’re passionate about making a difference in people's lives and in our region. Mental health has impacted all of us in one way or another. Supporting organizations that provide brain health services not only strengthens our community but literally saves lives. And that’s a big deal.”

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