The Matt and Shanda Carstens Family Foundation was created to make a difference in rural communities across the Midwest. As active community members from small rural towns, Matt and Shanda Carstens, along with their three children Claire, Camden and Carolyne are committed to driving meaningful change throughout their home state of Iowa and surrounding communities.
Strong rural communities are vital to our country. The Carstens have witnessed firsthand the challenges local communities are facing and are committed to making a difference to ensure a better future for millions across rural America.
Something that often isn’t talked about enough in rural communities is the importance of public education. Our founder and Chair of the Board, Shanda Carstens, is a dedicated advocate for equal access to quality education no matter how small your community may be, and is committed to continuing the rich tradition of public education for generations to come. The Matt and Shanda Carstens Family Foundation looks forward to partnering with parents and local community advocates to keep these schools at the heart of our communities.
Creating a brighter future for our children also means supporting the family-owned and Main Street businesses that we all cherish. These businesses are at the center of our community and are essential in ensuring a future for rural.
The Matt & Shanda Carstens Family Foundation is all about championing rural communities, supporting small businesses, and preserving the magic of small-town traditions.
Our philanthropy is focused on three general priorities where we have the resources and knowledge to make a widespread and lasting impact.
Supporting Public Education
Supporting education is critical to foster a thriving society. Fundraisers, scholarships and awards are catalysts for positive change, providing financial resources and recognition to deserving students and educators. Investment in education forms the bedrock of a prosperous and enlightened community, state and country, ultimately driving progress and innovation across all sectors.
Empowering Future Generations
Raised in Iowa, Matt and Shanda are both active leaders in their communities and are committed to ensuring small towns across Iowa and beyond have strong community advocates working to support our children. This pillar of our work focuses on amplifying the impact of the great work already being done at the community level by working closely with non-profit organizations, institutions, and corporations to foster a brighter future for the next generation.
Ensuring Rural Vitality
Maintaining the vitality of small towns across Iowa and surrounding communities is very important to the Carstens Family. Matt and Shanda are dedicated to providing support for rural businesses and communities, especially women-owned businesses, and supporting community events and annual celebrations that commemorate important local traditions.
We are a family-focused foundation that is committed to supporting rural communities across the Midwest with a focus on rural vitality and education.
Letter from the Chair
On behalf of the board, let me begin by expressing gratitude to our friends and supporters. I’m honored to share in this important work with you and feel so blessed to be able to give back to our community in a meaningful way. Through our foundation we focus on giving in the areas of public…
Letter from the Chair
On behalf of my family and our board, I want to reiterate our support for the Perry community. I am heartbroken for all of those impacted by the tragic act of violence that recently occurred. As a rural Iowa native and as a mother, I cannot comprehend the level of sadness, pain, fear and shock being experienced by the Perry parents, teachers and community. Rural life and rural education are meant to be safe places for our children, and moments like this shatter that belief and tests the very core of who we are as a community.
Our foundation is committed to supporting rural communities across the Midwest with a focus on rural vitality and education. This is our passion, our purpose. As a foundation, we are working closely with Landus to offer necessary mental and personal support and services for all of those struggling and grieving. You can find those services here, https://www.landus.ag/landus-cares.
We stand with the Perry community and all of those affected. I urge all of us to come together stronger than ever to support the Perry community and all our rural communities and schools. This community is what makes Iowa so special, and it is up to all of us to protect its future.
Sincerely,
Shanda Carstens
Photo Gallery
