Harrison County Community Foundation Grant Program

The Harrison County Community Foundation, established in 1997 as an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation, provides grant funding to improve the quality of life in Harrison County, Iowa. Its mission is to support community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The foundation’s grant programs aim to fund projects that will have a lasting impact on the county and are overseen by the local Community Foundation Advisory Board, which makes final funding determinations. The advisory committee for Harrison County includes Lori Thomsen as Chair, Kerry Stueve as Vice Chair, and members Matt Fouts, Todd Noah, and Ashley West. Grant opportunities are offered on a semiannual basis, with a spring and fall cycle. For the fall 2025 cycle, applications are accepted from July 15 through September 1 via the online grant portal. The spring deadline each year is February 1, with funding decisions made in late March or early April, and funds required to be fully expended by December 31 of the award year. The fall deadline is September 1, with funding decisions in late October or early November, and projects completed by May 31 of the following year. Crawford and Page counties accept only open proposals during the spring cycle and operate by invitation only during the fall cycle. All applications must be submitted online, and deadlines are strict, even if they fall on weekends or holidays. Eligible applicants include federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charities and municipal entities serving Harrison County. Iowa nonprofit status alone does not qualify an organization without the federal designation. Organizations without their own 501(c)(3) status may apply using a fiscal sponsor, which must be a qualified 501(c)(3) public charity or a governmental entity such as a city or county board of supervisors. Fiscal sponsors must confirm their approval through a sponsorship agreement form sent by the foundation after submission. If awarded, grant checks are issued to the fiscal sponsor, who assumes responsibility for fund distribution. Entities such as public libraries, fire departments, county extensions, conservation boards, and fair boards often require fiscal sponsorship unless they have independent charitable status. Funding priorities generally focus on capital support for items of permanence, such as equipment purchases, facility renovations, or construction projects. Program support is also considered for specific, defined activities with set objectives and costs. Operating support is a lower priority and typically only considered for one-time, nonrecurring needs that enhance an organization’s capacity to fulfill its mission. Proposals should respond to a clear community need, offer effective or promising solutions, leverage community resources, and have a sustainability plan. Applications from tax-supported organizations, religious groups, cemetery associations, veteran or labor organizations, social clubs, and fraternal organizations are less likely to receive funding unless fiscally sponsored. Grants are generally not awarded for endowment campaigns, deficit financing, annual fund drives, consumables like salaries or food, training fees, band uniforms, or holiday decorations. The application process involves providing detailed organizational and project information, including title, description, financials, sustainability plan, focus area, type of request, number of individuals served, and a budget breakdown matching the requested amount. Applicants must also verify property permissions if the project involves improvements to property not owned by the applicant. No additional materials should be submitted unless requested. All applications become property of the foundation and may be used for educational and promotional purposes. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact Sunni Kamp, Southwest Iowa Foundations Director, at 402-933-4188 or sunni@omahafoundation.org. Additional support is available from Sarah Beth Ray at sarahbeth@omahafoundation.org or 402-342-3458. Detailed application instructions and program information are available through the county’s page on the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa website.

Submit early, ensure completeness, avoid ineligible expenses, ensure fiscal sponsor agreement if applicable