Dubuque Area Tech Grants

The Grants for Tech program, administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque in partnership with the University of Dubuque, supports small nonprofit organizations in the Dubuque area that lack dedicated IT staff. This initiative aims to empower local nonprofits through access to expert technology assessments and funding for strategic improvements in technology infrastructure. The program reflects a commitment to building more effective and resilient organizations by facilitating informed decisions around technology adoption and upgrades. The purpose of the program is twofold: to diagnose existing technology gaps through assessments, and to provide funding for implementing necessary technological improvements. University of Dubuque students conduct thorough assessments of selected nonprofits' current technology setups. These assessments are not monetary awards but rather a service provided to help the organizations understand their technological strengths and weaknesses. The students compile a detailed report, which includes prioritized recommendations and estimated costs for upgrades, purchases, or training to enhance operational efficiency. Organizations interested in this program must first submit an Assessment Application online via the foundation’s GOapply grants management system. The application window opens on August 25 and closes on September 16. Once selected, organizations are matched with student teams from the University of Dubuque who conduct on-site evaluations and develop customized assessment reports. These reports form the basis for the organization’s Project Plan, which must be submitted with an Implementation Chart by January 31, 2026. The Implementation Chart, developed in collaboration with the student teams, outlines the technology upgrades proposed for funding. Grant awards range from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $10,000. Funding may be used for technology hardware, software, training, or services, in accordance with the recommendations in the assessment report. Importantly, this grant requires a matching contribution from the applicant organization. For those with annual budgets under $500,000, a 50% match is required (i.e., $0.50 for every $1 of grant funding). Organizations with budgets of $500,000 or more must match funds dollar-for-dollar. The match may consist of cash, in-kind labor, equipment donations, or services, provided appropriate documentation is available. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, churches, schools, and government entities located in the Dubuque area, provided they do not employ IT staff. Organizations must also comply with anti-discrimination laws and may only submit one proposal per year. Fiscal sponsorship is available for organizations that are not nonprofits but can partner with a designated 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Evaluation is an integral part of the program. It measures outcomes such as improved technological capacity, cost efficiency, and organizational engagement. For assistance, applicants may contact Gretchen Corcoran, the Grants Manager at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, by phone at 563-588-2700 or by email at gretchen@dbqfoundation.org. Foundation staff are available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Ensure timely submission; work closely with student teams to align technology needs with implementation feasibility.