The Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation, a partner of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA), offers annual grant funding to organizations serving Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. The Foundation supports projects that improve the quality of life for local residents and emphasizes charitable solutions that address urgent and long-term community needs. A local advisory committee reviews all applications to ensure alignment with community priorities.
The 2025 grant cycle opens on March 1, 2025, and closes on April 15, 2025. Funding decisions will be announced and awarded in June 2025. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Other tax-exempt organizations may also apply if their proposed projects are charitable in nature; however, they must contact the Foundation to confirm eligibility before submitting a proposal.
Grant-funded projects must benefit Cerro Gordo County and fall into one or more of the Foundation’s primary focus areas, which include arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, and human services. Grants are awarded through a competitive process, with past annual distributions exceeding $140,000 to support a variety of community programs.
Applications must be submitted through CFNEIA’s online grant management system, where applicants can register or log in, find the relevant grant, and work on their proposals. Resources and guidance for grantseekers are also available on the CFNEIA website to help strengthen applications.
With a total of $284,734 awarded in 2023 and $2.4 million distributed since 2005, the Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation continues to play a significant role in supporting local nonprofits and community initiatives. Donors can support this work through contributions to the Foundation’s Impact Now and Impact Forever funds, which ensure flexible and ongoing support for county needs.
