Several nonprofits and volunteer organizations presented their 2025 funding requests during the Jan. 25 meeting.

Northeast Iowa Community Action (NEICAC): Carly Schmelzer, operations and development director, described LIHEAP heating assistance, emergency rent and utility assistance, Head Start and pantry operations that served Waverly households in the agency’s most recent program year. NEICAC reported it served more than 800 Waverly residents with roughly $120,000 in direct assistance to households and said most of the funds are federal grants administered locally. Schmelzer asked the council to continue city support and noted the agency is reviewing options for a larger, more accessible food‑pantry location.

Waverly Senior Center: Cindy Campbell, chair, summarized year‑round programming that supports social engagement and nutrition for older residents and requested $10,000 in city funding to help pay program staff salaries and facility operations.

Waverly Chamber / Main Street: Chelsea Peterson asked the council to continue funding for the chamber and Main Street programs used for business support, downtown programming and tourism promotion; her request for annual hotel‑motel tax support reflected funds earmarked under city policy.

Human Equity and Diversity Commission: Chair Andy Hanson outlined the commission’s request (about $5,000) for community‑building programs, education and outreach; he said funds would support block parties, book studies and marketing/printing for inclusion efforts and offered to return with a more detailed line‑item budget.

Heritage Days: Theresa Arnholtz, representing the volunteer Heritage Days committee, summarized last year’s events and asked for a $6,000 city grant to help maintain free community events, fireworks and parades. She also asked the city to consider opportunities for a larger, more accessible food‑pantry location for NEICAC and others.

Council members asked about board roles and municipal representation for agencies that require certain board compositions; NEICAC told the council federal program rules set board membership requirements, but the agency offered to provide regular briefings to the council and maintain public access to board minutes.

No formal council action on outside funding requests was recorded during the Jan. 25 briefing; the council will consider the nonprofit funding requests as part of the budget review process.