Iowa Business and Commerce Grants

The Rural Child Care Planning Program seeks to support the use of data and analysis by rural communities to determine the specific needs and solutions for child care in their area. Donor Name: Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Child care is a challenge across rural communities in Iowa and across the nation. However, the solutions are often more complicated than the construction of a new facility. Many factors need to be carefully analyzed to determine the feasibility for development of a child care center, expansion of an existing one or support for in-home providers. Through greater understanding of their geographic market, demographics, competition, financials, and other factors, communities can be armed with the information needed to take proactive steps towards addressing child care challenges. Funding from the program will empower communities to assess their current child care environment and develop strategies. The program, defined in Iowa Administrative Code, is administered by the Center for Rural Revitalization, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), in consultation with the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative Task Forces. Funding Information Grant Recipients will be awarded $20,000. Grant Period All project activities and incurred expenses must occur within the eligible contracted funding period of October 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026. Uses of funds  The program provides funding for planning initiatives addressing child care needs through a professional third party partner. Eligible Project Requirements Requirements for Rural Child Care Planning Grant awards include, but are not limited to the following: Applicants must demonstrate the capacity for grants administration. Applications must provide 1:1/2 cash match. Applications must agree to contract with a professional third-party partner for completion of the market study and strategic goals. Applicant communities must identify the third-party organization in their application that will conduct the planning process.  Eligibility Criteria Iowa businesses, colleges and universities, city or county government, federally tax-exempt nonprofit agencies and foundations Projects/programs must exist in and benefit a community in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater. If a countywide project, must be in one of the 88 least populous counties. For more information, visit IEDA.

The Linn County Economic & Community Development Fund supports economic growth and enhance quality of life in Linn County. Donor Name: Linn County State: Iowa County: Linn County (IA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Economic & Community Development grants are for organizations located in Linn County, Iowa, or that have a branch location in Linn County and whose work benefits Linn County residents. Funding Information Economic & Community Development Fund, $100,000 is available. Types of Projects Eligible Grant funds must be used for programs or projects that benefit Linn County residents. Priority is given to requests for programmatic and capital projects over requests for operating support. Grants must be for expenses that have not yet been incurred. Preferred applications will be for projects/programs that accomplish the following: Promote economic and/or community development growth in Linn County Demonstrate return on investment dollars Do not duplicate current economic development initiatives Demonstrate a sustainability plan for project continuation beyond Linn County funding Eligibility Criteria Organizations must be located in Linn County, Iowa, or have a branch location in Linn County, and their work must benefit Linn County residents to be eligible for an Economic & Community Development grant from Linn County. Applicants who have not completed previously funded projects or submitted the required final report for previous Economic & Community Development grants are not eligible for funding without specific Board of Supervisors approval. For more information, visit Linn County.

The Economic Development Match Grant aims to support economic development projects in Woodbury County, Iowa, by encouraging collaboration and higher funding levels. Eligible projects must align with at least one of MRHD’s four focus areas: job creation and retention, workforce development, impactful new projects or services, and community development for improved quality of life. Proposals must be sustainable without further grants, demonstrate community priority, be available to Woodbury County citizens, and leverage diverse resources. The application period runs from June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, with funding decisions announced by August 2, 2024. Awards range from $250,000 to $1,000,000, with a total of $1,000,000 available for the FY24 cycle. Grant recipients must complete projects within four years and match awarded funds dollar-for-dollar. Eligible applicants include educational entities, local governments, and tax-exempt organizations based in Woodbury County, IA. Only one application per funding opportunity is allowed per tax-exempt organization, whereas educational entities and local governments can submit multiple applications from different units. Applications are submitted online via Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager software and must include detailed budgets, proof of eligibility, and letters of support.

The Economic Development Match Grant is designed to bring other funders together, and to support economic development projects within Woodbury County that need potentially higher levels of funding and collaboration. Donor Name: Missouri River Historical Development State: Iowa County: Woodbury County (IA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The project submitted must align with at least one of MRHD’s four economic development focus areas: creation and retention of jobs,  development of a critical job force,  new project or service having a substantial impact on the community, and  improved quality of life and community development project.  To be considered, proposals must: be sustainable after the allowable grant period and not require additional grants to maintain over the long term, The project outcomes should be clearly stated, measurable and if applicable, have a sound evaluation process.  be a demonstrated priority by the community (supporting evidence is required), This may be demonstrated in a variety of ways. Examples include survey results, studies or reports, and letters of support from stakeholders, government officials and community leaders.  exhibit an intention to be made available to citizens of Woodbury County. Proposals should demonstrate the lasting impact to the community and how the project will impact economic development in Woodbury County and/or the target population. leverage private, public and/or community resources and maximize collaboration with stakeholders throughout the community. Projects should demonstrate an effort to utilize local resources and community partners. include a project budget with line-item detail for expenditures and income. The project budget should be clearly laid out and supported by quotes, bids, or other documentation. It must also include evidence of the match, or how that support is attainable within required time to complete the project. be complete and concise. Proposals should include available images and marketing materials of the completed project along with their detailed description. Funding Information In total, $1,000,000 is available for the FY24 grant cycle. Maximum Award: $250,000 up to $1,000,000. Eligibility Criteria  Applications will only be accepted from educational entities, local governments, and tax-exempt organizations whose principal place of business and project are in Woodbury County, IA.    Tax-Exempt Organizations may only submit one (1) application per funding opportunity, whereas Local Governments and Educational Entities may submit more than one (1) application per funding opportunity as “individual units” within these organizations are considered separate and may each submit one (1) application per funding opportunity. Each funding request must be for a distinctly different project or a distinctly different phase of a larger, multi-phase project. For more information, visit MRHD.

Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa’s Black Hawk County Grants one-time grants awarded to organizations and projects that benefit residents of Black Hawk County, Iowa. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa State: Iowa County: Black Hawk County (IA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Areas Arts and Culture Access- Programs that offer new and expanded access to arts and cultural opportunities. Infrastructure– Programs and projects that protect history and make long-lasting impacts in the community. Talent Development- Programs that help grow the visual and performing creative class in their community Community Betterment Economic Development– Programs that create or expand businesses, create new jobs opportunities, and leverage outside financial support. Civic Engagement– Programs that support civic action, service learning, and cross-cultural understanding. Shared Amenities- Through the creation or expansion of public amenities like parks and trails, libraries, farmers’ markets, etc. Education and Youth Development Child Care-Programs that address the academic, health, and social/emotional needs of children pre-kindergarten. Mentorship-Through K-12 programs that provide guided and continuous mentoring, coaching, and teaching during or outside regular school hours that improve academic performance. Career Readiness- Through 9-12 programs that support postsecondary attainment and workforce readiness. Environment and Animal Welfare Conservation- Through projects that protect ecosystems and minimize their use of natural resources. Restoration- Through projects that work to re-establish the healthy functions of ecosystems. Education- Programs that foster a stronger awareness and understanding of environmental and sustainability issues. Health Case Management- Programs that provide guided and continuous behavioral healthcare and wellness services. Prevention- Programs that focus on education, physical health screening, and suicide prevention. Access- Programs that expand access to high-quality physical and mental healthcare Human Service Case Management- Through programs that help people overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. Prevention- Programs that focus on prevention of child abuse, violence, and substance abuse. Basic Needs- Programs that meet basic human needs of food, shelter, housing, transportation, and emergency assistance. The Community Foundation prioritizes requests that align with their community initiatives and program areas and embraces organizations that work to address two or more of these. The Community Foundation has identified community initiatives to provide focus on what we fund and how they spend the time in community initiatives and leadership. Those include: Advancing Racial Equity – They are committed to supporting organizations and initiatives that are BIPOC-led and/or support BIPOC populations. Expanding Child Care – They strive to increase equitable, accessible, and sustainable child care opportunities. Enhancing the Arts – They work to enrich and enhance an inclusive arts community that amplifies diverse voices and viewpoints. Strengthening Workforce Readiness – They support the community-wide need to create a more qualified, prepared workforce for the future. Building Nonprofit Capacity – They want to build the capacity of their nonprofit partners so their work is strengthened to serve their community well. Funding Information The majority of competitive grants range from $5,000 to $25,000. Eligibility Criteria Organizations must provide benefits to the people of Black Hawk County and meet the following criteria: Be classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or be a government entity. Tax-exempt organizations classified as other than 501(c)(3) are also eligible if and only if the project is deemed charitable. For groups, projects, or initiatives that do not meet the above eligibility requirement, we will consider projects submitted through a fiscal sponsor. Fiscal sponsors must be classified as a 501(c)(3) or a government entity. CFNEIA prefers the fiscal sponsor’s mission closely align with the sponsored project. Applicants must be current with all state and federal reporting requirements. In addition, the following conditions must be met: Applicants must not have any past due grant reports for previous CFNEIA grants. Applicants with a separate supporting, eligible organization (like a “friends of” or a foundation) can apply through either the organization or through its supporting organization, but not both. The Foundation encourages applications to be submitted through the supporting organization. The Foundation will consider requests for capital campaigns but will not provide multiple grants (in subsequent years) for the same campaign. For more information, visit CFNEIA.

The City of Des Moines introduces the Ladder Up Social Equity Grant program, designed to support community organizations that work towards addressing economic disparities among marginalized and underrepresented residents. This initiative is part of the city's commitment to enhancing economic opportunities and fostering equitable outcomes. Funding Source Each year, the program allocates a total of $100,000 from Local Option Sales & Services Tax revenues to fund these critical efforts. The goal is to boost the local economy and strengthen the purchasing power within the community. Eligibility Criteria Organizations eligible to apply must: Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or have a fiscal partner that is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Be based in Des Moines or demonstrate service to City of Des Moines residents. Have a proven track record of successful economic opportunity programming and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion. Supported Equity Efforts The grant supports a variety of initiatives, including but not limited to: Upskilling Programs: Training and education to enhance job skills. Small Business Support: Start-up assistance and ongoing coaching for underserved residents. Community Outreach: Targeted efforts towards specific marginalized groups. Language Accessibility: Increasing access to services through language support. Proactive Services: Quality services aimed at underserved communities. Economic Connection: Programs that link residents to economic opportunities. Grant Details Award Amounts: Organizations can receive between $10,000 and $25,000. Use of Funds: The grant covers operational costs such as program administration, supplies, and training. Funds must be used to expand or create programs specifically designed to serve historically marginalized communities.

Through the program, IEDA provides financial incentives to nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations; schools; area education agencies; local, county, state and federal governmental agencies; and tribal councils to support a wide variety of arts-related activities. Donor Name: Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Art Project Grants for Organizations program is administered by the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). To be eligible, projects must include artistic excellence and service to Iowans. Priority is given to projects that advance the goals of the Iowa Arts Council 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. Funding Information Applicants may request funding for eligible one-time project expenses that are incurred and expended during the eligible funding period. Minimum grant request: $2,500. Maximum grant request: $10,000. Funding Period The eligible funding period is July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Eligible Projects  Eligible projects must involve an arts experience or arts learning opportunity and must demonstrate public value to Iowans through deliberate public engagement and access to project activities. Types of eligible projects include community events, performances, exhibitions, festivals or workshops dedicated to arts related activities. All project activities must have a clear beginning and end date during the eligible funding period. Applicants may apply for support of an annual event or series only if they can demonstrate how the event or series is unique to the eligible funding period and worthy of support. Project content must change from year to year. Applicants may apply for support of a public art project only if they can demonstrate broad-based community engagement and programming surrounding the project. Eligible Applicants  Eligible applicants must be one of the following types of entities. Entities who do not fall into one of these categories are not eligible to apply. Nonprofit organization incorporated and physically located in Iowa exempt from federal taxes pursuant to Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3). “Physically located in Iowa” means maintaining a current registered office and registered agent address in Iowa pursuant to Iowa Code 490.501 and maintaining a primary staff presence physically located and working in Iowa. Actively registered with the Iowa Secretary of State to do business in the State of Iowa. Entity located in a border community that meets the requirements set out in IEDA’s Border State Policy. A nonprofit organization that has not yet achieved federal tax-exempt status may apply through a fiscal agent. Educational institution, organization or K-12 school whose primary orientation, mission and purposes are education and/or awarding academic credits. Unit of local, county, state or federal recognized tribal government physically located in Iowa. Area Education Agencies. For more information, visit IEDA.

This program provides financial assistance to Iowa cities for the redevelopment or rehabilitation of underutilized buildings to promote economic growth and community revitalization.

Business Innovation & Support Grants are available for small businesses in Iowa with one to 10 employees. This program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered in partnership with the City and Chamber of Commerce, aims to provide financial support to small businesses that have faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant funding ranges from $5,500 to $15,500, and recipients will also receive up to five hours of mandatory business counseling from a pre-approved business coach, with $500 reserved from each cash award for this coaching fee.