An Organization with Heart

Mission and History

The mission of Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit corporation organized by member faith groups in Ames and Story County, Iowa, is to provide emergency rent, utility, food, and fuel assistance in an atmosphere of dignity, comfort and encouragement.

In these difficult economic times, hundreds of families in Story County struggle to stay in their homes, keep the heat and lights going, and put healthy food on their table. Good Neighbor’s mission is born of compassion for people.

Before we opened our doors in 1997, people who needed charitable assistance beyond the resources available from other agencies in Story County had no choice but to seek it from widely scattered sites. And even when they were able to find such help from individual faith groups, the funds were limited and sporadic, and the staff was not equipped to make decisions about the requests.

Out of their compassion and vision for stewardship, a few faith groups pooled their resources to organize Good Neighbor. Good Neighbor offers a central location where a qualified Director evaluates requests for assistance and provides counsel and advocacy with the support of dedicated volunteers. Representatives from member organizations form Good Neighbor’s Board of Directors, to provide oversight and direction to the agency.

Funding

Good Neighbor’s funding comes from a variety of sources. Some of them include the following.

1. Contributions from member organizations. Some make annual pledges and build us into their budget, while others simply contribute through giving opportunities (e.g. offerings.) Together, these contributions make up the most substantial portion of our budget.
2. Grants. Good Neighbor participates in the ASSET funding program of United Way, and applies for other state and local grants.
3. Individual Donations. Many individuals contribute monthly or occasionally to Good Neighbor. Some do this by check while others donate online.
4. Special Events. Fundraisers such as our annual combined choir concert give community members opportunities for giving.