Montgomery County Community Foundation Grant Program

The Montgomery County Community Foundation, in partnership with the Red Oak Heritage Foundation and as an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation, was established in 1998 to serve the residents of Montgomery County, Iowa. Its mission is to improve the quality of life in the county by addressing community needs in areas such as civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The foundation prioritizes funding projects that create a lasting impact and strengthen the fabric of the community. Through its advisory committee, the foundation makes local decisions on how grant dollars are distributed to maximize benefits within Montgomery County. The Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa, including Montgomery County, operate both spring and fall grant cycles each year. For the fall 2025 cycle, applications are accepted from July 15 through September 1. Applications must be submitted online through the grant portal, as printed or incomplete applications will not be considered. Advisory boards in each county review submissions, and notifications are typically made in late October or early November for fall applications. Awarded projects must expend funds by May 31 of the following year, ensuring timely use of grant dollars. The process is competitive, and no project is guaranteed funding, though the foundation seeks to support both capital and program needs. Funding is generally prioritized for capital projects and items of permanence, such as building improvements, renovations, or equipment purchases. Program support is also considered, particularly for projects addressing critical community needs, though operational support is usually a lower priority unless for one-time capacity improvements. The foundation typically does not support consumables, salaries, training fees, promotional items, fundraising activities, or recurring operational expenses. Requests for endowments, deficit financing, or projects such as band uniforms or holiday decorations are also excluded. Only one proposal per agency or project is allowed, except when acting as an approved fiscal sponsor. Eligibility is limited to federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charities and municipal entities serving Montgomery County. Iowa nonprofit status alone is not sufficient. Organizations without 501(c)(3) designation may apply through a fiscal sponsor, which must be a recognized nonprofit or government entity and provide a signed fiscal sponsorship agreement. Examples of organizations often requiring fiscal sponsorship include public libraries, fire departments, fair boards, and county extension offices. Applications involving fiscal sponsors must include the sponsor’s information, as grant checks are disbursed to the sponsor, who is responsible for oversight of the funded project. The online application includes detailed sections on organizational information, financials, project description, evaluation methods, sustainability, and budget details. Applicants must provide a clear summary of their project, an itemized budget specific to the request, and explain how success will be measured. The system requires applicants to enter board member details, service reach, and financial data to support their case. Evaluation deadlines require that all funds be expended and outcomes reported by May 31 for fall cycle awards. Applications and accompanying information become the property of the foundation and may be used for educational or promotional purposes. Applicants with questions can contact Sunni Kamp, Southwest Iowa Foundations Director, at 402-933-4188 or via email at sunni@omahafoundation.org. Additional support is available through the Omaha Community Foundation office at 402-342-3458 or 800-794-3458. Applications are managed entirely online via the Grants Lifecycle Management system, and applicants are advised to add system emails to their safe senders list to ensure timely communication. The Montgomery County Community Foundation provides a vital local funding source for organizations committed to advancing the well-being of residents and strengthening the community.

Be concise, avoid all caps and bullets, ensure budget matches request, add grant portal emails to safe senders list