Uplift Grants

The Uplift Grants program, administered by the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA), offers targeted financial support to initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents of Black Hawk County, Iowa. These grants are supported by specific donor-advised funds and are aimed at promoting cultural enrichment, community beautification, and the performance of classical music. Uplift Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to eligible nonprofit and governmental entities for one-year projects. Funding is provided in three designated areas: Trees for Waterloo, Chamber Music, and Opera Music. Each area is associated with a specific funding source and is governed by distinct priorities reflective of donor intent. The "Trees for Waterloo" component focuses on urban beautification, specifically through the planting of street trees in Waterloo's downtown and residential neighborhoods. It is backed by the Dick H. and Immy Young Family Fund and the Young-Magrid Fund. The "Chamber Music" category supports performances of classical chamber music, particularly favoring string ensembles, but also welcoming woodwind, brass, and mixed-instrument groups. This portion is financed by the Howard V. Jones Chamber Music Fund. The third component, "Opera Music," aims to promote professional classical opera performances in Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Funded by the Howard V. Jones Opera Fund, this area prioritizes professional artists and established vocalists who have achieved recognition in the operatic field, including performers from prestigious institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera or Chicago Lyric. Grants are awarded for one year and may be used for a wide range of activities, including operations, programming, capital projects, equipment, and materials. The minimum grant request is $5,000, while the maximum allowable amounts are capped per category: $18,236 for Trees for Waterloo, $7,390 for Chamber Music, and $7,963 for Opera Music. Applicants are encouraged to request the full amount available in each area due to limited expected application volume. Proposals must serve Black Hawk County residents and align with the specified focus areas. To qualify, organizations must be either 501(c)(3) nonprofit entities or government bodies. Tax-exempt entities classified outside of 501(c)(3) may apply only if their project is demonstrably charitable, and they must consult CFNEIA staff prior to applying. Fiscal sponsorship is allowed for projects that do not meet the eligibility criteria directly; in such cases, the fiscal sponsor must be a 501(c)(3) or government entity, with a mission aligned to the sponsored project. Organizations are encouraged to consult CFNEIA, especially if applying for the first time or after a significant gap, to confirm eligibility and proposal alignment. The application process is conducted through CFNEIA’s online grant management portal. Applicants must register or log in to submit a proposal and may save their progress at any point before final submission. Incomplete applications or those submitted in draft mode at the time of the deadline will not be considered. The application window opens on February 15, 2026, and closes at 5:00 PM on April 1, 2026. Only one proposal may be submitted per applicant, with an additional proposal allowed if submitted through a fiscal sponsor. Notification of awards will be issued in mid-April, and successful applicants are expected to sign a Terms of Grant agreement. Final reports documenting outcomes and fund usage are due by July 31, 2027. Grants may not be used for re-granting, inherently religious activities, partisan political or lobbying efforts, or operational support for other foundations. All applications must be submitted online; hard copy and late submissions are ineligible. Support is available through the foundation’s staff, with technical assistance provided until the application deadline. Questions can be directed to Sherita Jenkins via phone or email.