Alliant Energy Foundation Community Grants

The Alliant Energy Foundation Community Grants program is a philanthropic initiative led by Alliant Energy and its foundation to strengthen communities across Iowa and Wisconsin. As part of the company’s broader mission of service and community engagement, this grant program provides financial support to nonprofit and community organizations operating within the company’s service areas. The foundation’s efforts are structured around four key focus areas that reflect the core values and commitments of Alliant Energy: Hunger and Housing, Workforce Readiness, Environmental Stewardship, and Community Safety and Engagement. By targeting these specific domains, the foundation seeks to address critical needs and foster long-term resilience in the communities it serves. The grant program provides funding to a wide array of community-based initiatives. Under Hunger and Housing, support is provided for clothing, baby essentials, nutrition programs, food pantries, school-based food distribution, emergency and transitional housing, and homelessness prevention. Workforce Readiness initiatives include agriculture education, STEM programs, libraries, adult literacy, and employment readiness, particularly for disadvantaged populations and those with disabilities. Environmental Stewardship supports conservation, environmental education, park and trail improvements, and water cleanup projects. Community Safety and Engagement grants focus on aiding first responders with lifesaving equipment, supporting community events, improving playgrounds, and offering disaster relief. Some categories, such as fire safety equipment and playground updates, have standard funding levels of $1,000. Applicants must ensure their projects align with the foundation’s priorities, as funding is not available for certain types of requests. The program explicitly excludes political, religious, and energy-related projects, as well as those associated with for-profit entities, athletic or social clubs, animal welfare, or certain equipment and services. Organizations must be located within Alliant Energy’s Iowa and Wisconsin service areas to qualify. Each organization is eligible for only one grant per calendar year. While past recipients are welcome to reapply, continued funding is not guaranteed, as the foundation strives to support a wide variety of community organizations over time. The application process is managed through the CyberGrants portal, where applicants must submit their materials online. Although applications are accepted year-round, they are reviewed in three distinct funding cycles. These cycles have fixed deadlines: January 15, May 15, and September 15. Corresponding award notifications are issued by April 1, August 1, and December 1, respectively. It is essential for applicants requesting funding for events or time-sensitive projects to be aware of the timing of these cycles to ensure their needs align with the grant timeline. If online submission is not feasible for an organization, the foundation encourages applicants to contact them for alternative submission options. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers. The application primarily asks for details on the proposed program, including alignment with the foundation’s focus areas and community impact. Applicants are encouraged to focus on specific programs or projects rather than general operations or ongoing annual support. While the foundation practices a trust-based philanthropy model, preference is given to well-defined initiatives with measurable outcomes. Award decisions are communicated via email, and applicants are advised to add the @cybergrants.com domain to their safe sender list to avoid missing notifications. Overall, the Alliant Energy Foundation Community Grants offer a structured, accessible opportunity for eligible organizations to receive targeted support for impactful community initiatives. The clear alignment with the foundation’s strategic focus areas, combined with a predictable application cycle and defined funding exclusions, ensures that resources are directed toward projects that best serve community needs while reflecting Alliant Energy’s mission and values.