The Waterloo Community Foundation is inviting applications for its 2025 Fall Grant Cycle. This competitive opportunity aims to strengthen the local community of Waterloo, Iowa, by supporting initiatives in five impact areas: Health and Human Services, Arts & Culture, Education, Economic Development, and Inclusion. The Foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate a clear benefit to Waterloo residents, promote well-being, support cultural enrichment, foster learning, encourage economic opportunity, or advance inclusive practices.
Typical grant amounts are $5,000, and all requests are reviewed by a panel of community members before being approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Projects must take place within the calendar year 2026, starting no earlier than January 1 and ending by December 31. Proposals must clearly define project goals, expected outcomes, and methods for measuring success. Applicants are encouraged to be specific in explaining how the proposed initiative addresses community needs and aligns with one or more of the Foundation's priority areas.
Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s online grant portal, which has recently been updated with a new interface. Returning users can still access historical data through the redesigned dashboard. Required application materials include a copy of the organization’s IRS determination letter or fiscal sponsor documentation, a current board roster, an itemized project budget, and the organization’s current-year operating budget. A prior year budget is optional but encouraged.
Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The application form includes fields for project description, start and end dates, budget details, expected community impact, and how partial funding would affect implementation. Applicants must also state how the grant funds will be used and list any additional funding sources, noting whether each is pending, requested, or committed.
Support is available for applicants needing assistance with the portal or application process. Paige Price is the primary contact and can be reached at paige.price@wloocommunityfoundation.org or by phone at 319-883-6022. There is no requirement for matching funds, and while awards are limited in size, they are intended to create meaningful, measurable outcomes that support long-term community resilience.
Be specific in addressing how the project meets community needs in Waterloo and aligns with one or more of the five priority areas.
