Linn County Grants

The Linn County Grants program, administered by the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, is designed to enhance quality of life and support community development outside the metropolitan areas of Linn County, Iowa. These grants aim to support nonprofit and community initiatives that are responsive to local needs and demonstrate innovation, impact, and effective use of resources. The program is part of Iowa’s County Endowment Program, which distributes a portion of gambling revenues to benefit non-gambling counties. Each year, 75% of the funds are granted to local projects while the remaining 25% supports a permanent endowment. The program prioritizes applicants from non-metro communities, defined as areas outside Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, and Fairfax. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, governmental organizations, and non-501(c)(3) entities with confirmed fiscal sponsorship. Organizations based within metropolitan areas may apply only if the project exclusively benefits non-metro Linn County and demonstrates meaningful community partnerships. Grants may be used for either programmatic activities or capital projects, such as facility improvements. Grant awards are limited to a maximum of $10,000 for a 12-month period. Ineligible uses include fundraising efforts, re-granting funds, religious programming, scholarships, travel outside the region, and expenses incurred before or during the grant review period. The application process includes a robust narrative that addresses the organization’s practices, community engagement, equity strategies, and implementation plans, as well as detailed budgeting and anticipated outcomes. Applications are submitted via the Community Foundation’s online portal. Each request must be accompanied by a project budget using the provided template, financial statements, and optional supplemental materials. Evaluation is based on scoring criteria including project design, budget justification, organizational capacity, community impact, and equity practices. Reviewers also consider alignment with current community conditions and whether the project originates from and serves a non-metro population. The next grant deadline is Friday, September 12, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Central Time. All funding decisions are made through a transparent review process. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Program Officer Sanjana Raghavan at sanjana.raghavan@gcrcf.org or 319.200.2279 with any questions.

Align proposals with non-metro priorities; emphasize local partnerships and geographic fit