The River Bluff Community Foundation, established in 2005, is a local philanthropic organization committed to building endowments, addressing community needs, and supporting charitable giving in Clinton and Camanche, Iowa. As part of its mission to enhance quality of life in the region, the Foundation administers the Impact Grant, an annual funding opportunity aimed at strengthening nonprofit organizations that directly serve the local population. This grant reflects the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to fostering community development, promoting civic engagement, and encouraging collaborative solutions.
The Impact Grant offers financial support to initiatives that target key community concerns such as health and human services, education, neighborhood development, environmental preservation, services for children and families, and cultural programming. Grants range from $500 to $5,000, and priority is given to projects that propose innovative approaches or aim to expand existing programs with demonstrable impact. The funding is designed to be catalytic, helping organizations launch or grow efforts that will benefit Clinton and Camanche residents.
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and public institutions operating within Clinton and Camanche. Additionally, organizations that do not hold nonprofit status may apply through a fiscal sponsor that is a recognized 501(c)(3). All applicants must adhere to applicable nondiscrimination laws. The Foundation explicitly excludes funding for individuals, endowment contributions, annual fundraising, deficit financing, multi-year pledges, or building funds.
Applications open on August 15 and must be submitted by September 30 through the Foundation’s online grant management system, GOapply. Each organization may only submit one application per year, and typically only one project per organization will be funded annually. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered. The Foundation expects grantees to submit a brief report via email on how the funds were used within one year of receiving the grant or upon completion of the project.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation for assistance with the application process or the GOapply system. The office can be reached at 563-588-2700 or via email at rbcf@dbqfoundation.org during business hours: Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The grant timeline suggests a yearly cycle, with applications opening in mid-August and closing at the end of September.
Grantees may also be asked to share photos of their funded projects for future marketing use. To apply again in future years, organizations must document how any prior awards were used. This ensures transparency and accountability, aligning with the Foundation’s emphasis on responsible grant stewardship and long-term community benefit.
