2024 Fall Program Support Grant

Program Support Grants support new, innovative programs and sustain current and/or ongoing programs of non-profits that serve Linn County, Iowa. This grant program is intended to target the programmatic work of an organization and is not intended to assist with capital infrastructure projects (bricks and mortar) projects. DEADLINES The Program Support Grants deadlines for 2024 are Friday, March 1 and Friday, September 13 at 4:30 p.m. CST. ORGANIZATION ELIGIBILITY The Community Foundation accepts applications from nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status, governmental organizations, and non-501(c)(3) organizations that have completed arrangements to obtain a fiscal sponsor. Multiple organizations may submit a joint application for a collaborative project – contact Program Officer to discuss this further. Organizations based outside of Linn County may only apply for the Linn County portion of program costs. INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Fundraising events and activities Religious activities or efforts supporting an organization’s core religious mission – contact Program Officer for clarification. Scholarships for primary and secondary education and post-secondary degree programs Expenses that have occurred or will occur during the grant review process (which is approximately 10 weeks from the grant deadline) Travel out of the region Re-granting awarded funds to other nonprofits Capital infrastructure [bricks and mortar] projects Organization received a Program Support Grant in the previous grant cycle If a one-year Program Support grant is awarded in the fall of the previous year, organization may not apply again until fall of the current year. If a two-year Program Support grant is awarded in the fall of the previous year, organization may not apply again until fall of next year. If a time extension was requested to complete a previous grant, please contact Program Officer to confirm eligibility. MAXIMUM REQUEST AMOUNT For organizations with operating budgets greater than $125,000, the maximum request amount is $25,000 per year. Organizations with operating budgets less than $125,000 may request an amount up to 20% of their operating budget per request (rounded up to the nearest $100). The Community Foundation generally does not fund more than 20% of an organization’s operating budget between Program Support and Organization Support grants total in a calendar year. Organizations that are primarily volunteer-driven and/or have a very small operating budget should contact the program officer to discuss the eligible amount for their specific situation. DURATION OF GRANTS 12-24 months (for a two-year request) Grant renewed every year.