Clinton County Development Association (CCDA) Grant

The Clinton County Development Association (CCDA) operates as a local philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Clinton County, Iowa. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to local organizations and charities that deliver social, cultural, educational, and environmental programs within the county. The CCDA's efforts are aligned with community-driven initiatives, and it supports projects that demonstrate clear, positive impact on the county's residents. Its grantmaking is governed by a detailed policy framework that ensures equitable distribution of resources and adherence to strategic goals. The CCDA offers two semi-annual grant cycles each calendar year: Spring and Fall. The Spring application deadline is the second Wednesday in March at 4:30 PM, while the Fall application deadline is the second Wednesday in August at 4:30 PM. Once applications are received, a structured evaluation follows, including screening and certification (April 15 for Spring, September 15 for Fall), scoring by the Board of Directors (May 15 and October 15, respectively), and funding announcements (third Wednesday in June and November). This predictable timeline allows applicants to plan effectively and align their project timelines with the grant cycle. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations recognized under several IRS code sections, including 501(c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(6), (c)(10), and (c)(19), or be governmental units under 170(c)(1). Projects must be physically located within Clinton County, Iowa, and align with purposes such as charitable, civic, patriotic, educational, or religious. Organizations must be in good standing with the IRS and in compliance with any previous CCDA grant terms. Certain organizations, such as those requesting operational costs, scholarships, or debt retirement, are explicitly ineligible. Additionally, the CCDA requires projects involving tax funds to provide written evidence of governmental support at the time of application. Each semi-annual pool may award grants up to $75,000, subject to a 25% matching funds requirement. Importantly, in-kind labor or land does not count toward this match, though in-kind material donations do. Organizations may apply for up to two grants per cycle but may only have two open grants (with funds still to be reimbursed) at any one time. Applications submitted on behalf of other organizations must include additional documentation verifying the legitimacy and purpose of the final recipient. The CCDA does not fund marketing costs more than once every three years for the same organization. Any unspent grant funds within one year of the funding announcement are reallocated to the general fund. Organizations are expected to spend 100% of awarded funds within the performance period unless an extension is formally granted. The submission process is entirely online, and all applications must be submitted via the CCDA's official website before the deadline. The process includes verification of eligibility, funding match, and compliance with required documentation. The program is recurring on a semi-annual basis, with clearly defined submission and award timelines. As of this analysis, the next application deadline is March 11, 2026, for the Spring cycle. The CCDA emphasizes transparency and accountability in the evaluation and award process. For questions or additional information, organizations are encouraged to visit the CCDA website or contact the association directly through publicly provided means.

Confirm matching funds prior to applying; do not include ineligible expenses like operations or deficits; secure governmental approvals in writing.