Aid to Agencies Grant Program

The City of Iowa City administers the Aid to Agencies program, which offers flexible operational funding to nonprofit organizations serving residents with low to moderate incomes. The program is designed to support services that directly address the community’s pressing needs in areas such as shelter, food security, healthcare, childcare, housing stability, and transportation. This initiative is part of the city’s broader commitment to improving quality of life and ensuring equitable access to essential services for all residents. For FY27, approximately $30,000 in funding is anticipated to be available under the Non-Legacy Aid to Agencies funding round. This round will be the last of its kind as the City transitions to a biennial competitive funding process beginning in FY28, which will remove the Legacy and Non-Legacy classifications. Each nonprofit agency may apply for up to $15,000, with a minimum grant award of $5,000. These funds are not intended to serve as a permanent funding source, and eligibility does not guarantee funding, as per City Resolution 23-320. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in good standing that did not receive Legacy Aid to Agencies funding from the City for FY27. Applications must propose programs that directly serve Iowa City residents meeting HUD-established low-to-moderate income criteria. Furthermore, proposals must address one or more community-identified priorities, including homelessness and shelter services, food insecurity, healthcare (including mental and behavioral health), childcare and youth services, housing stability, or transportation. Agencies that serve high-barrier populations such as immigrants, refugees, people experiencing homelessness, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence will receive additional consideration. Applications for the FY27 Non-Legacy Aid to Agencies program are due by noon (12 p.m. Central Time) on Friday, January 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted via the online portal, and late, incomplete, or ineligible submissions will not be accepted. The application portal opened on December 29, 2025. Following submission, a review process will occur in early 2026. Commissioners will evaluate applications and submit clarifying questions by February 20, 2026. Applicants must respond by March 6, 2026, with final recommendations to be submitted to the Housing and Community Development Commission on March 13, 2026. Final award decisions will be made by the City Council at a later date to be determined. Agreements for awarded grants typically cover the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, with fund disbursements occurring in September 2026 and February 2027. Reporting requirements include an annual report by July 31, 2026, and biannual progress reports by January 31, 2027, and July 31, 2027. Depending on the organization’s financial review structure, applicants must also submit either an audit or IRS Form 990, along with a year-end profit and loss statement approved by their Board of Directors. For additional information or questions, applicants may contact Sam Turnbull at [email protected] (319-356-5237) or Brianna Thul at [email protected] (319-356-5240). The official application guide and materials can be found on the City of Iowa City website.