Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation Gives $25,000 to Iowa and South Dakota Area Nonprofits in 2025

MADISON, WI – The Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation is proud to announce its latest round of community giving, awarding more than $179,000 to 39 Midwestern nonprofits, including $25,000 to Iowa and South Dakota 501(c)(3) organizations.

Since its founding in 2002, the Foundation has contributed over $2.6 million to nonprofits (in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and South Dakota), continuing the legacy of Gordon Flesch Company (GFC) founder, Gordon Flesch, whose mission was rooted in giving back to the neighborhoods that shape the company’s success.

In addition to its annual grant program, the Foundation responds to urgent needs through targeted disaster relief efforts. This year, it provided emergency funding to aid flood recovery efforts in Texas and Milwaukee.

Organizations in Iowa and South Dakota receiving grants in 2025 are:

• Rock Steady Boxing - Mason City (rocksteadyboxing.org) equips affiliates and empowers coaches to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s Disease through a non-contact, boxing-based fitness curriculum.
• Americans for Independent Living (americansforindependentliving.org) works to empower individuals and families by providing rehabilitation and housing so they can strive within the community.
• Bread Break (breadbreak.org) works with businesses to collect unused, otherwise discarded surplus and prepared food and distributes it to agencies which feed those in need.
• Hawkeye Area Down Syndrome Association (hadsa.org) provides education, support and advocacy to those individuals, their families, friends and professionals in the Eastern Iowa area that are blessed by Down syndrome.
• Why We Wave Foundation (facebook.com/p/Why-We-Wave-Foundation-61571919909066) empowers pediatric cancer patients and their families by providing essential financial support for everyday expenses, ensuring they can focus on what truly matters—healing, togetherness and creating cherished memories.
• Simon Says Shoes (simonsaysshoes.org) provides new shoes to children in need, ensuring they can walk with confidence and dignity.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County (bbbsjc.org) matches and supports youth in 1-to-1 relationships with caring adults.
• Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls (jlwcf.org) advances women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training.

GFC has a longstanding tradition of charitable giving and philanthropy. Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, employees and leadership chose to redirect funds from their annual recognition dinners to support victims. That heartfelt gesture, led by Gordon Flesch’s sons—John, Tom and Bill Flesch—sparked the creation of what is now the Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation.

What sets the Foundation apart is its employee-driven approach as it is managed entirely by company associates. Each year associates nominate local community organizations that are close to their hearts. The Foundation’s board of directors annually reviews nominations and selects award recipients based on impact, mission alignment and community need.

“We’re honored to support these incredible nonprofits as they continue their work to uplift and empower our communities,” said Kelly Moran, President of the Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation. “It’s inspiring to see the difference these organizations make every day and we’re grateful to play a small part in their journey.”

For more information about the Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation, or to apply for the next round of grants, visit our website or download our brochure. 

About Gordon Flesch Company

The Gordon Flesch Company is one of the largest independent providers of office technology solutions in the nation. Family-owned since 1956, the Gordon Flesch Company employs 585 people throughout 29 offices in the Midwest, with their corporate office in Madison, Wisconsin. They deliver unique business process expertise to solve challenging problems and achieve organizational goals. This includes integrating industry-leading software and hardware to build custom solutions that are supported by technical expertise, customer service and flexible, in-house financial services. Follow us on X at @GordonFlesch.