What do bike trails, an art center, and (several!) clean water projects have in common? A group of locals who rolled up their sleeves four decades ago.
episode summary
episode summary
tales from the iowa great lakes
Hey there, change-makers! This episode was so fun to dig into—because, honestly, it’s kind of a hidden history, right? We’re talking about a timeline that only goes back about 40 years, but the impact? Huge.
That’s why we wanted to highlight some of our favorite projects and causes that The Okoboji Foundation has supported over the decades.
The first few images below come straight from stories we covered in the episode—those early grant announcements, news coverage of brand-new projects, and moments that helped set big things in motion. But the ripple effect goes far beyond that.
And of course, there are the ones many of us grew up with and still love—The Dickinson County Trails, Okoboji Summer Theatre, the Bedell Family YMCA, the Okoboji Protective Association, and so many more.
So now we want to hear from you: What’s your favorite way to get involved in the Iowa Great Lakes?We’d love to hear it—send us a message at hello@okobojiproject.com!
episode info
Hey there, change-makers! This episode was so fun to dig into—because, honestly, it’s kind of a hidden history, right? We’re talking about a timeline that only goes back about 40 years, but the impact? Huge.
That’s why we wanted to highlight some of our favorite projects and causes that The Okoboji Foundation has supported over the decades.
The first few images below come straight from stories we covered in the episode—those early grant announcements, news coverage of brand-new projects, and moments that helped set big things in motion. But the ripple effect goes far beyond that.
And of course, there are the ones many of us grew up with and still love—The Dickinson County Trails, Okoboji Summer Theatre, the Bedell Family YMCA, the Okoboji Protective Association, and so many more.
So now we want to hear from you: What’s your favorite way to get involved in the Iowa Great Lakes? We’d love to hear it—send us a message at hello@okobojiproject.com!
episode info
episode info
episode source material
episode source material
Interviews with Tom Bedell, Sue Richter, Mindy Gress, Ali Schmitz. Mark and Polly Peterson, Holly Skopec
The Dickinson County News
Annual Reports, Okoboji Foundation archives
Keep Exploring
Keep exploring
Check out The Okoboji Foundation's website and Facebook page
In 2025, Youth in Philanthropy broke (YET ANOTHER!) fundraising record, according to Explore Okoboji