Theisen’s More for Your Community Grant Program

The Theisen’s More for Your Community Grants program is an annual funding initiative supported by Theisen’s, a retailer with multiple stores. The program aims to make a meaningful impact in communities located within a 60-mile radius of any Theisen’s store by supporting agencies that effectively address basic needs. The grant specifically seeks to help organizations serving families and children, targeting critical areas such as food, shelter, education, safety, and health. By focusing on these fundamental aspects, the program endeavors to foster stability and improve quality of life for vulnerable groups within Theisen’s store communities. The program’s funding scope is strictly limited to programmatic initiatives. Eligible applicants must propose projects or services that directly support basic health and human needs, children’s needs, educational programming, food security, or programs and services for youth. Notably, the grant does not support events, fundraisers, sponsorships, conferences, travel expenses, religious organizations for religious purposes, or capital campaigns. This ensures that the available funding is concentrated on essential services and direct-impact activities rather than ancillary costs or indirect activities. Typical awards from this program average $1,600, with the minimum grant amount set at $100 and the maximum at $5,000. The number of awards varies annually, depending on the pool of qualified applicants and the available funding. The funding can be used only for program expenses that fall within the priority areas established by Theisen’s and must adhere strictly to the specified guidelines. To be eligible, applicants must operate within 60 miles of a Theisen’s store. Organizations that do not have their own nonprofit status may still apply by designating a qualified 501(c)(3) organization as a fiscal sponsor and submitting a completed fiscal sponsorship agreement. This opens the opportunity to a broader range of local service providers, provided they partner with an eligible nonprofit. The application process is managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. The application period opens on June 16 and closes on July 31, with recipients notified in mid-October. Interested applicants are advised to review the sample application, project budget template, and the lists of previous recipients to understand expectations and priorities. For application support or technical assistance with the online system (GOapply), applicants may contact Gretchen Corcoran at the Community Foundation during specified business hours by phone at 563-588-2700 or email at grants@dbqfoundation.org. Application requirements include a clear project budget, program description, and, if applicable, the fiscal sponsorship agreement. The evaluation focuses on how well the applicant’s program aligns with the grant’s stated priorities and its potential for direct, measurable impact on families and children in eligible communities. Adhering to deadlines and providing all requested documentation is essential for a successful application.