The Jones County Community Foundation (JCCF), an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, provides annual grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, and government entities that deliver services within Jones County, Iowa. The 2025 application cycle opened on September 2 and will close on October 15 at midnight. All awarded projects must begin and conclude within one year of the award date, with a final report due by December 31, 2026.
JCCF’s funding priorities are broad and community-focused. They include improving economic well-being and quality of life, increasing access to education and literacy, advancing health services, preserving heritage, promoting recreation and tourism, and supporting community capital improvements. Specific emphasis is placed on projects addressing grade-level reading proficiency, equity, capacity-building for local nonprofits, and access to healthcare or housing for underserved populations. Conservation and environmental stewardship are also supported, with eligible proposals including public park upgrades, cultural preservation, and habitat protection.
Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria: they must serve Jones County residents, operate as a 501(c)(3), government entity, school, or church, or partner with a fiscal sponsor if not tax-exempt. Organizations may only apply once per calendar year and are not eligible for consecutive-year funding. Additionally, they must comply with applicable anti-discrimination laws. Inherently religious programming, recurring operating expenses, and multi-year funding requests are not eligible.
Applicants must provide a minimum 25% hard cash match for their grant request—no in-kind match will be accepted. The maximum grant request considered is $35,000. Projects are evaluated for community impact, collaboration, avoidance of service duplication, measurable outcomes, and alignment with JCCF’s stated funding priorities.
Applications must be submitted online using the GOapply system by the deadline. Selected applicants will be notified in November and recognized at an award celebration on December 2, 2025. Grantees may also be contacted for clarification meetings during the review process.
For support or clarification, applicants may contact Sheila Tjaden at jccf@dbqfoundation.org or 319-480-4335 during regular business hours, or the general Community Foundation office at 563-588-2700 or grants@dbqfoundation.org.
Secure hard cash match early. Avoid requesting for staffing or rent. Demonstrate measurable outcomes and local collaboration. Attend award ceremony if selected.
