Shelby County Community Foundation Grants

The Shelby County Community Foundation, established in 1998 as an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation, administers a grant program aimed at improving the quality of life in Shelby County, Iowa. This program operates within the larger Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa network, which covers nine counties in the region. The foundation’s mission is to address community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. Funding is designed to support projects that have a lasting and permanent impact on Shelby County residents. Applications are reviewed by a local advisory committee consisting of community representatives, who make funding determinations. The program offers two annual cycles, spring and fall. For Shelby County’s fall 2025 grant cycle, applications are accepted from July 15 through September 1. The decisions are typically announced in late October or early November, and awarded funds must be fully expended by May 31 of the following year. Applications are only accepted through the designated online portal, and applicants are encouraged to review the Grant Program Fact Sheet, updated as of June 2025, prior to submission. The fact sheet provides eligibility rules, FAQs, and detailed application instructions. Eligible applicants include federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charities and municipal entities that serve Shelby County. Iowa nonprofit status alone does not qualify an applicant. Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may apply through a fiscal sponsor, which must be a qualifying nonprofit or government entity. In such cases, the fiscal sponsor assumes responsibility for receiving and distributing the funds, and a fiscal sponsorship agreement form must be completed. Typical fiscal sponsor arrangements are required for entities such as public libraries, fire departments, county extensions, conservation boards, and similar organizations. Grant funding is primarily intended for capital support, such as equipment purchases, building projects, and space renovations, as well as program support tied to specific activities with defined goals and costs. Operating support is a lower priority, though it may be considered in limited, one-time circumstances to enhance organizational capacity. The program generally does not fund consumables, salaries, promotional items, band uniforms, holiday decorations, endowment campaigns, deficit financing, or general fundraising activities. Tax-supported organizations and religious institutions are eligible but may receive lower priority. The application requires information about the applying organization, its governance, financials, project description, sustainability plan, evaluation methods, and itemized project costs. Each proposal must demonstrate responsiveness to a community need, provide effective or promising solutions, and outline a plan for financial sustainability. Applicants should ensure completeness, as incomplete or late applications will not be considered. The application process is competitive, and no project is guaranteed funding. All submissions become property of the foundation and may be used in donor communications or educational materials. Prospective applicants can obtain assistance by contacting Sunni Kamp, Southwest Iowa Foundations Director, via phone at 402-933-4188 or email at sunni@omahafoundation.org. Additional inquiries may be directed to the Omaha Community Foundation’s main office at 402-342-3458 or 800-794-3458. Applicants are also encouraged to view previous award recipients for insight into the types of projects funded. The foundation emphasizes clear, concise applications and recommends applicants follow all formatting and submission rules as outlined in the fact sheet.

Be complete, concise, avoid ineligible costs, demonstrate sustainability and community impact