Cass County Community Foundation Grants

The Cass County Community Foundation, established in 1998 as an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Cass County, Iowa. As part of the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa, the foundation supports projects that address civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The objective is to fund initiatives that have a lasting and positive impact within the county. The program is administered by the Cass County Community Foundation Advisory Committee, which includes local leaders who review all applications and make final funding determinations. The grant program operates in two annual cycles—spring and fall—although Cass County accepts applications in both cycles. For the fall 2025 cycle, applications are accepted from July 15 through September 1 and must be submitted through the online grant portal. Applications are reviewed competitively, and funding is not guaranteed. Available funding amounts are posted on the county’s webpage. The foundation generally prioritizes capital support projects, such as equipment purchases, building projects, and renovations, but also funds programs addressing significant community needs. Operating support is considered a lower priority and is generally limited to one-time, non-recurring needs that strengthen organizational capacity. Eligibility is restricted to federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charities and municipal entities serving Cass County. Iowa nonprofit status alone is insufficient. Organizations without qualifying status may apply using a fiscal sponsor that is either a qualifying 501(c)(3) or a governmental entity. Common applicants needing fiscal sponsors include public libraries, fire departments, county extension offices, and county conservation boards. A fiscal sponsorship agreement must be completed after submission, and any awarded funds are disbursed to the fiscal sponsor. Applications missing required sponsor information will not be considered. The online application requires organizational information such as legal name, tax ID, contact details, board membership, and a brief description of the organization. Applicants must also submit project details, including description, evaluation methods, sustainability plans, number of individuals served, request type, focus area, summary, funding amounts, and itemized project costs. Applications must respond to a demonstrated or emerging community need, present proven or promising solutions, and offer a clear plan for financial sustainability. Projects less likely to receive funding include those from tax-supported organizations, religious groups, cemetery associations, veteran and labor organizations, and projects involving consumables, band uniforms, or holiday decorations. For the fall 2025 cycle, applications close at 11:59 p.m. CST on September 1. Successful applicants will be notified in late October or early November. Funds must be fully expended by May 31 of the following year, and grantees are required to complete an evaluation by that date. The application portal is hosted on the Grants Lifecycle Management platform, and applicants should ensure that the email used to register is the same one that will receive all grant-related communications. For questions about the grant program, applicants can contact Sunni Kamp, Southwest Iowa Foundations Director, at 402-933-4188 or sunni@omahafoundation.org. Additional information, including eligibility details, application instructions, and lists of previous recipients, can be found on the foundation’s website. The Cass County Community Foundation encourages projects that leverage community resources, demonstrate long-term benefit, and enhance the overall well-being of Cass County residents.

Applications must be clear, concise, and complete. Do not use all caps or bullet points. Round figures to the nearest whole dollar. Submit only through the online system