Iowa Community Development Grants

Summer Meal Program Expansion Grant Applications for the new Summer Meal Program Expansion Grant program are now open through May 7! Program Overview: The Iowa Department of Education has received $900,000 to support the enhancement and expansion of summer meal programs in currently underserved and eligible areas. Program Details: Funding Source: $900,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Purpose: Enhance and expand summer meal programs in underserved areas. Target Audience: Iowa children ages 18 and under. Programs Supported: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO). Grant Opportunity: Provides additional revenue source for summer meal programs beyond federal meal reimbursement. Allowable Expenses: Enhancing meal quality, incorporating locally grown foods, updating program equipment, conducting program outreach, and operational/administrative personnel expenses not fully covered through meal reimbursement. Eligible Sites for Expansion: Possible new meal site locations include: Schools Community buildings Libraries Apartment complexes Parks Swimming pools Splash pads Churches Other public sites where children gather Non-Congregate Distribution: Non-congregate distribution may be an option for State agency approved sponsors in rural areas unserved by a congregate meal service. Application Deadline: May 7 Don't miss this opportunity to expand summer meal programs and ensure Iowa children have access to healthy meals during the summer break! Apply now!

This grant program is designed to support conservation efforts within Iowa counties. It targets counties that demonstrate a commitment to conservation by allocating at least 22¢ per $1,000 of taxable property value towards such initiatives. The overall mission alignment of this program is to foster environmental stewardship and resource protection across the state, ensuring that local governments have the necessary funding to implement impactful conservation projects. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are the Iowa counties themselves, specifically their conservation departments or entities responsible for managing natural resources. Indirectly, the residents of these counties and the broader environment benefit from the projects undertaken. The impact goals include enhancing natural habitats, preserving critical ecosystems, and providing educational opportunities related to environmental conservation. The program prioritizes a range of activities, including land acquisition for conservation purposes, capital improvements that benefit natural areas, direct resource protection efforts, and environmental education initiatives aimed at raising public awareness and promoting sustainable practices. Notably, the program explicitly excludes funding for sports complexes, playgrounds, and dog parks, maintaining a clear focus on core conservation activities. It also sets specific requirements for multi-use and biking trails, ensuring they align with broader conservation objectives. Expected outcomes include an increase in protected natural areas, improved ecological health of county lands, and greater public engagement in environmental issues through educational programs. Measurable results could include the acreage of land acquired or improved, the number of individuals participating in environmental education, and the specific conservation gains achieved through resource protection projects. The application process requires detailed project descriptions, maps, budgets, and compliance with ADA and civil rights regulations, ensuring that projects are well-planned and accountable. Submissions for this grant are due by August 15, 2024.

This program provides funding to Iowa's small city and county governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations to develop innovative housing solutions that increase availability in rural communities.

This program provides financial assistance to cities, counties, railroads, and spur track owners for repairing and maintaining safe highway-railroad grade crossings.

This grant provides funding for innovative community-based projects that promote joy as a vital element of social justice for Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and AMEMSA communities in the Upper Midwest.

The Fund for Siouxland is an unrestricted endowment fund managed by the Siouxland Community Foundation, aiming to enhance the quality of life in the Siouxland communities. It utilizes the contributions from individuals, families, corporations, and other foundations to support a broad range of initiatives within an approximately 80-mile radius of Sioux City, Iowa. The fund prioritizes projects that collaborate with other agencies, address new and emerging needs with creative solutions, and demonstrate sound financial plans for future sustainability. Projects benefiting larger numbers of people, especially those at risk, are given preference. The grants generally do not exceed $5,000 and are not allocated to religious purposes, annual fund drives, political activities, capital campaigns, endowments, general operating expenses, individuals, budget deficits, or school playground equipment/uniforms. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadline: February 15th to May 15th

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.

This program provides funding to states for projects that maintain, develop, and improve recreational trails, benefiting local communities and outdoor enthusiasts.

This grant provides financial assistance to small businesses in Dubuque, Iowa, to help cover operating costs and support long-term success for income-qualified owners.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to charitable nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, education, and health, to help them implement programs or expand initiatives within the community.

The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation is actively seeking grant applications from nonprofit organizations operating within Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois. The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in enhancing community well-being through strategic investments in three key areas: culture and the arts, education, and social welfare. This aligns with their overarching goal of fostering a vibrant, educated, and supportive community by addressing critical needs and enriching local life. Within the realm of culture and the arts, the foundation prioritizes cultivating and supporting both visual and performing arts, investing in landmark cultural institutions, and backing new, innovative programs that contribute to community enrichment. For education, their focus extends to pre-K–12 education, encompassing after-school and summer programs, creative learning initiatives, life skills and career training, environmental education with a sustainability emphasis, and crucial mental health programs for students and their families. Social welfare initiatives are designed to support accessible programs for individuals and families, specifically targeting at-risk and low-income family services, food and nutrition support, housing security, immigrant and refugee community support, and physical and mental health services. The foundation's funding strategies support a variety of grant types to achieve its impact goals. These include capital campaigns and acquisitions for construction and renovations, operational and/or program grants for up to three years following a capital campaign, and multi-year program grants, also not exceeding three years. These program grants may also cover general operating expense reimbursement. The target beneficiaries are primarily nonprofit organizations serving the specified counties, and through these organizations, individuals and families who will benefit from improved access to cultural experiences, educational opportunities, and social support. Expected outcomes include a more culturally vibrant community, improved educational outcomes and access, enhanced life skills, increased environmental awareness, better mental health support for students and families, and stronger social safety nets for vulnerable populations. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly laid out in its long-term funding priorities and its defined areas of focus. Their theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in these three core areas through various grant mechanisms, they can catalyze positive, sustainable change within the communities of Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and thriving society.

This program provides financial support to property owners and long-term leaseholders in downtown Decorah for exterior building renovations and the conversion of upper-story spaces into residential units, promoting economic growth and community vibrancy.

The City Parks and Open Space Grant, funded by 15% of REAP funds derived from gaming revenues, is a competitive grant program administered by the Iowa Legislature. This program is designed to support cities across Iowa in developing and maintaining their park and open space areas. The mission of this grant program aligns with fostering community well-being and environmental stewardship by providing accessible green spaces for public use. While not explicitly stating a foundation, the grant operates with a strategic priority of enhancing public spaces within cities through a state-level funding mechanism. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are cities across all counties in Iowa, which then, in turn, benefit their residents by providing enhanced recreational and natural areas. The overarching impact goal is to improve the quality of life for Iowa citizens by increasing the availability and quality of public parks and open spaces. This goal is achieved through the allocation of funds based on city size categories, ensuring equitable distribution and impact across different community scales. The grant prioritizes projects that focus on the development and improvement of city parks and open spaces, with a clear exclusion of facilities for organized sports, athletic fields, pools, and playgrounds. This focus ensures that the funds are directed towards passive recreational areas and natural spaces, promoting a specific type of outdoor engagement. The program's theory of change appears to be that by providing financial incentives for cities to develop and maintain these specific types of public spaces, the overall health, happiness, and connection to nature for residents will improve. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number and quality of accessible city parks and open spaces throughout Iowa. While specific measurable results like the number of new parks or acres of open space created are not detailed, the competitive nature and funding distribution by city size suggest an intent for widespread improvement. The grant's no-local-matching-funds requirement also serves to ensure that smaller or less affluent cities are not excluded, thereby maximizing the reach and impact of the program across the state. Applications for this grant are due by August 15, 2024.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois, to implement projects that enhance youth education, promote financial stability, and improve community health.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This grant provides financial assistance to businesses and building owners in downtown Ames for improving their building façades, with a focus on historically significant features.

This grant provides financial support to established nonprofit organizations in Dubuque that create and present arts and cultural experiences, while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This grant provides financial support to government partner communities for creating new public art projects that enhance community engagement and interaction with local water trails and access points.

This program provides funding for farmers and ranchers in the North Central region to develop and share sustainable agricultural practices through research and educational projects.

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