Iowa Workforce Development Grants

This funding opportunity supports tax-exempt organizations, educational institutions, and local governments in Woodbury County, Iowa, to implement impactful economic development projects that create jobs, enhance community services, and improve quality of life.

This program recognizes and supports Iowa communities that implement innovative housing strategies to meet local housing demands, enhancing their competitiveness for federal housing tax credits.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Iowa healthcare employers to develop training programs that create new pathways for workers in high-demand healthcare jobs.

This grant provides financial support to Iowa businesses and farmers for projects that increase the use of local agricultural products, create jobs, and promote long-term economic growth in the farming sector.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Iowa businesses with at least 75 employees to develop or expand child care facilities, particularly in high-demand areas, to help address local child care shortages.

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.

This program provides $1,000 grants to local businesses in Carroll County to improve their storefronts and attract more customers through various facade enhancements.

This grant provides unrestricted funding to nonprofit organizations in Polk, Warren, and Dallas counties, Iowa, that focus on improving the safety, education, and economic empowerment of girls and women.

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 grant provides funding to independently owned grocery stores in rural Iowa to enhance food security and community vitality through technology upgrades and innovative service delivery methods.

This grant provides financial assistance to established growth companies in Iowa's advanced manufacturing, value-added agriculture, and information technology sectors to help them expand into new markets and create jobs in rural communities.

This grant provides financial support to small food processors and value-added agriculture businesses in rural Iowa to help them grow through equipment upgrades and expert consultations.

Applications are now being accepted for the City of Dubuque’s Small Business Support Grant, a program that provides up to $5,000 for small business owners to assist with operating costs. Donor Name: City of Dubuque State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 09/27/2024 Size of the Grant: Up to $5000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal of the Small Business Support Grant program is to cover business expenses while helping the business owner develop strategies for continued success. The City partners with the Fountain of Youth Program to administer the grant. Recipients will be matched with a business mentor and be required to participate in an eight-week personal and professional development program facilitated by Fountain of Youth. These requirements are meant to provide ongoing support to the business owner as they look to improve business practices and increase income. Funds are provided as a reimbursement grant for eligible expenses, based on the recipient’s participation in both personal and professional development activities. The program aims to provide short-term assistance to keep the business operating well, and to position the business owner to improve the business over the long term. Eligible Expenses  Rent/utilities of commercial space (home office not eligible) Salaries for employees (not the owner) Permanent supplies (such as paper clips, scissors, hangers, etc.) Permanent signage Permanent equipment Marketing / ads QuickBooks Training/technical assistance Event space rental Website design Eligibility Criteria The applicant must live inside the city limits of the City of Dubuque. The business must have fewer than five (5) employees. The business must have been operational for at least 12 months before application. The applicant must have filed their 2022 and/or 2023 personal and business income taxes. The applicant must be an individual from a low- to moderate-income household For more information, visit City of Dubuque. Related Posts:Request for Applications for Equitable Energy Future…Business Innovation Grant Program in MinnesotaCity of Laurel Thrive Small Business Grant Program…Town of Trophy Club Thrive Business Grant Program (Texas)Call for applications for Artist Support Grants…2024-25 Artist Support Grants (North Carolina)Female Founder World Grant for Small BusinessesDare Arts Artist Support Grants – North CarolinaScience & Technology Business Startup Grant Program…Science & Technology Business Startup Grant Program…StartHER Grant Program - Texas2025 Food Waste Reduction Grant (North Carolina)Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) – IllinoisApply now for Activate Fellowship 2025Minnesota: AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk…2025 AGRI Value-Added Grant Program (Minnesota)Apply now for Activate Fellowship 2025Minnesota: AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk…2025 AGRI Value-Added Grant Program (Minnesota)Pennsylvania: Fresh Food Financing InitiativePennsylvania: Fresh Food Financing Initiative

Greater Des Moines offers general operating support to all eligible arts, culture, heritage and interpretive sciences organizations in the Greater Des Moines region. Donor Name: Bravo Greater Des Moines State: Iowa County: Polk County (IA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The mission is to leverage community resources to maximize impact of arts, culture and heritage to advance regional priorities.  Funding Information Awards will generally fall within the following target ranges:  First  Annual Operating Expenses: $2 million and above  Maximum Annual Award: $500,000 Second Project Period The 2025 grant period (GC25) runs January 1 – December 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria Be a 501(c) organization exempt from tax under the Internal Revenue Code with at least 6 months of active programming history or be an agency, division or department of the State of Iowa which operates a facility open to the public. Have headquarters in and conduct most of its activities within one of Bravo’s partner local governments. Demonstrate a primary organizational purpose of arts, culture, interpretative science, and/or heritage that focuses on the collection, preservation, production, presentation and/or promotion of artistic expression, traditions, customs, or stories within creative, educational, or historic contexts. Mission language, programming, public access, support materials, partnerships, and budget must all clearly illustrate arts, culture, interpretative science or heritage as the organization’s primary purpose (at least 60%) in Greater Des Moines. Ineligible applicants for operating support include, but are not limited to: Individual artists Fiscally sponsored organizations Private organizations, clubs or groups that do not offer public programming Political, religious, or academic organizations Public libraries Those formed with the express purpose of fundraising on behalf of, supporting and/or promoting applicants that are not otherwise eligible for funding (e.g. friends societies, etc. for libraries, political, religious or academic organizations) Nonprofit organizations whose primary mission and work advances other sectors such as social services (food, housing, childcare, schools, mental health and wellness, etc.), economic development, business and entrepreneurship, financial services, sports and recreation, technology, etc., even if arts and culture programming is used to deliver some of the organization’s mission. For more information, visit Bravo Greater Des Moines.

The Iowa Tourism Grant Program, funded by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, offers grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to Iowa-based tourism-related entities for marketing initiatives, meetings, and events that align with IEDA's marketing plan, with a total of $300,000 available for projects to be implemented in the 2025 fiscal year.

Humanities Project Grants offer support for public humanities projects that encourage contemplation, spark conversation and engage the community. Donor Name: State Historical Society of Iowa State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Eligible projects will use the humanities as the central resource to involve and benefit diverse groups of Iowans through educational programming that explore the human experience. Funding for the Humanities Project Grant is made possible by an appropriation from the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal agency, to the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. The program is administered by the State Historical Society of Iowa on behalf of the department.  Funding Information Applicants may request funding for eligible one-time project expenses that are incurred and expended within the eligible funding period.  Minimum Grant Request: $2,500 Maximum Grant Request: $30,000 Funding Period All project activities and incurred expenses must occur within the eligible funding period of November 1, 2024–October 31, 2025. Eligible Projects Eligible projects should focus on the humanities and must demonstrate public value to Iowans through deliberate public engagement and access to project activities. Types of eligible projects could include community discussions, lecture series, workshops, films, interpretive exhibits, podcasts, etc. Projects that involve the creative or performing arts could be eligible as long as they are a catalyst in a project in which humanities are central, and include interpretation and/or discussion of performances, concerts, literary and art works. Humanities must be central to the project. Subject areas include archaeology, comparative religion, cultural anthropology, ethics, folklore, gender studies, history, jurisprudence, languages, law, linguistics, literature (including novels, poetry, drama, and other forms of written expression, both modern and classical), philosophy, and the interpretation (not the creation) of the arts. Aspects of the social sciences, such as political science and sociology, that can help to explore the humanity and discover meaning in the lives and community are also included.  Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants must be one of the following types of entities. Entities who do not meet these requirements are not eligible to apply. Organizations Federally tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated and physically located in Iowa Physical location of the organization is defined as maintaining a current home office and registered agent address in Iowa defined by Iowa Code 490.501 as well as maintaining a primary staff presence physically located and working in Iowa Federally tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization physically located in a border state community immediately adjacent to Iowa. The organization must be registered to do business in Iowa with the Secretary of State’s office. An eligible border state organization must demonstrate that the funding request significantly impacts the cultural vitality of Iowa and predominantly serves Iowans. Unit of local, county or federally-recognized tribal government physically located in Iowa Units within institutions of higher education that are physically located in Iowa that have the humanities as their core mission and offer public programs are eligible. However, institutions of higher education are limited to one application, from one unit, and may neither apply for nor receive grant funds for multiple units. Individuals Individual filmmaker or humanities expert A humanities expert is defined as someone with an advanced degree in a humanities discipline or someone who is otherwise well-qualified to bring a humanities perspective, such as a historian, library or museum professional, culture bearer, or individual who is an acknowledged cultural expert within their community. Current, legal Iowa resident who is 21 years of age or older and physically located in Iowa Residence is defined by Iowa Code 422.4 and Iowa Administrative Code 701.38.17 (422) An application from an individual must support a project that is initiated and managed by the individual, not an organization. The project must be designed to benefit the individual and may not benefit an organization with which the individual applicant has a formal affiliation such as employment or volunteer service. Applicants who represent a group must apply as an individual and clearly state their individual role in the project proposal  For more information, visit State Historical Society of Iowa.

The City of Davenport is accepting applications for its Dream Project Grants to both current homeowners and new homeowners within the designated Dream area. Donor Name: City of Davenport State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City of Davenport’s Community and Economic Development (CED) staff will be administering The Davenport Dream Project and will provide assistance for residents who would like to apply for the program.  The property must be owner-occupied during this period. The grant can be used for any improvements made to the property. City funds will assist with needed exterior improvements first, and then remaining funds can be used towards interior improvements.  Funding Information Participants purchasing a home in a Davenport DREAM Project neighborhood will be eligible for a grant of approximately $20,000. Eligibility Criteria To qualify for a Davenport DREAM Project grant, applicants must provide proof of current homeowners insurance. The property, or any other property owned by the applicant within the City of Davenport, must have no outstanding liens. Contract owners are not eligible to apply.  Developers may be eligible for assistance for the rehabilitation of a property if the property is maintained as owner-occupied after the sale of the property. For more information, visit City of Davenport.

This program provides financial assistance to developers for constructing new housing in Iowa cities affected by recent disasters, focusing on permanent residences for sale or rent.

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 Rural Housing Assessment Grant program supports the use of publicly available, online information and rural community efforts to interpret publicly available hard data to implement changes through development codes, local ordinances, and housing incentives specific to individual community needs. 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: In partnership with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach’s Rural Housing Readiness Assessment workshops, program funding will empower communities to assess the current development environment and enact changes resulting in the creation of policies and procedures attractive to potential developers. The program is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Center for Rural Revitalization in consultation with the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative Task Forces and ISU Extension and Outreach. The Rural Housing Assessment Grant Program provides funding for housing assessment data collection and ISU Extension and Outreach Rural Housing Assessment Readiness Workshop. Funds may be used to fulfill that process at the discretion of the grant recipient but must contribute to the completion of the housing assessment report, workshop or implementation of the workshop outcomes within the contract period. Funding Information Grant Recipients will be awarded up to $20,000. Funding Period All project activities and incurred expenses must occur within the eligible contracted funding period of October 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026. Eligible Project Requirements Requirements for Rural Housing Assessment Interpretation and Implementation grant awards include, but are not limited to the following: Applicants must demonstrate the capacity for grants administration. Applications must demonstrate the feasibility of completing the proposed activities with the funds requested and contract period. Applications must identify and describe any other sources of funding for the proposed activities. Applications must provide $5,000 cash match for each city or full county partnering on the application. Applications must agree to utilize information available on the Iowa Profile tool. Applications must agree to contract with ISU Extension and Outreach for the facilitated Rural Housing Assessment Readiness Workshop. Applications must identify any additional partner organizations that will be utilized in additional data collection or implementation processes. Eligibility Criteria Local city and county governments, or federally recognized tribal governments physically located in Iowa. 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.