Iowa Youth Grants

The Junior League of Sioux City, through its Mildred Anderson Community Grants program, supports short-term community need projects with a focus on volunteer participation. Established in 1990 with a generous donation, these grants promote charitable activities within the Siouxland tri-state area. Grant recipients are selected through a competitive process and must meet certain eligibility criteria including not having received a grant in the prior year, not being involved in a current Junior League project, and utilizing community volunteers in their projects. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadline: October 1st to January 15th

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

The City of Dubuque’s Small Business Support Grant is a program designed to assist small business owners with operating costs, offering up to $5,000 in reimbursement for eligible expenses. The program's core goal is to cover immediate business expenses while simultaneously equipping business owners with strategies for sustained success. The City partners with the Fountain of Youth Program to administer the grant, integrating a developmental component into the financial aid. The grant targets small business owners residing within the City of Dubuque limits. Eligible businesses must have fewer than five employees, have been operational for at least 12 months, and the applicant must have filed their 2022 and/or 2023 personal and business income taxes. A key criterion for eligibility is that the applicant must be an individual from a low- to moderate-income household, ensuring the support reaches those who need it most within the community. The program's priorities and focus are twofold: providing short-term financial assistance and fostering long-term business improvement. Recipients are required to participate in an eight-week personal and professional development program facilitated by Fountain of Youth and will be matched with a business mentor. This structured support aims to help business owners enhance their practices and increase their income, moving beyond just immediate financial relief. Expected outcomes include not only the continued operation of businesses due to covered expenses but also improved business practices and increased income for participating owners. The reimbursement model, contingent on participation in personal and professional development activities, reinforces the program's commitment to both immediate aid and sustainable growth. The grant details do not mention a specific "foundation" or its mission alignment, strategic priorities, or theory of change, as this is a city-run grant program.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers with employment services, training, and housing solutions.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) Trees for Kids Grant Program is designed to educate children, teenagers, and young adults about the importance of trees and their many benefits. It also aims to provide hands-on experience in tree planting and maintenance. This program aligns with a mission to increase and diversify tree canopy in public areas within Iowa communities, supporting environmental stewardship and community engagement. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are youth in Iowa, specifically children, teenagers, and young adults, who will gain direct experience with tree planting and care. Indirectly, the entire community benefits from increased tree canopy in public spaces such as parks, community centers, and public schools. The program's impact goals include fostering environmental education, promoting community involvement in green initiatives, and enhancing the ecological health and aesthetic appeal of public lands across Iowa. The program prioritizes projects that involve significant youth participation in planting, mulching, and initial watering. A key focus is on ensuring proper techniques are learned through required DNR-led demonstrations. Funding is specifically allocated for the purchase of trees and mulch, reinforcing the program's core objective of tangible tree planting. Projects must occur on public or private school grounds, or on public lands like parks and right-of-ways, ensuring the benefits are widely accessible. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tree canopy in participating communities, as well as an enhanced understanding among youth about tree care and environmental benefits. Each project aims to result in successfully planted and mulched trees, with initial watering ensuring their establishment. The program's theory of change posits that by engaging youth directly in these activities and providing necessary resources, a greater appreciation for nature will be cultivated, leading to more resilient and diverse urban forests across the state. This initiative contributes to the DNR's broader strategic priority of conserving and enhancing Iowa's natural resources for current and future generations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government entities in Chickasaw County to implement projects that enhance the community's quality of life across various sectors, including arts, education, health, and environment.

The Ackley Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, is offering grants to support charitable capital projects, activities, services, programs, and organizations. The core mission of this grant program is to enhance the quality of life for residents of Ackley, Iowa, aligning with the Foundation's broader goal of fostering a community where people desire to live, work, play, and stay. This strategic focus ensures that all funded initiatives contribute directly to the betterment of the local community. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are the people of Ackley, Iowa. The program aims to create a positive and lasting impact across various sectors, including Art and Culture, Community Betterment, Education & Youth Development, Environment and Animal Welfare, Health, and Human Services. The overarching goal is to address community-based needs and improve the overall well-being and vibrancy of Ackley. Funding priorities emphasize requests that demonstrate a clear community need, broad community support, and benefits for the entire community. High priority is also given to organizations that can leverage funding and support from other sources, showcasing matching funds in their budgets. Furthermore, the Foundation values initiatives that maximize community resources through cooperation and collaboration with other local organizations, avoiding service duplication. The capacity of the organization and its staff to achieve desired results, as well as the long-term sustainability of the project without continuous financial reliance on the Ackley Community Foundation, are also critical considerations. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in the quality of life for Ackley residents, such as enhanced cultural opportunities, stronger community bonds, improved educational outcomes for youth, better environmental stewardship, and increased access to health and human services. The Foundation's theory of change posits that by strategically investing in these key areas, it can catalyze positive social and economic development, leading to a more attractive and thriving community for all its inhabitants. The minimum request amount is $500, with most grants ranging from $500 to $3,000, ensuring a broad range of projects can be supported.

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

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities that aim to improve the quality of life in Howard County, Iowa, through projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and community betterment.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that improve the quality of life in Franklin County, focusing on areas such as arts, education, health, and community development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers, focusing on enhancing job training, education, employment services, housing stability, and youth development initiatives.

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 grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities in Benton County, Iowa, to support projects that enhance community life across various sectors such as arts, education, health, and environment.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities that aim to improve the quality of life for residents in Kossuth County, Iowa, through various community-focused projects.

This grant provides funding to local nonprofit organizations and government entities in Grundy County to support projects that improve community life in areas such as arts, education, health, and environmental welfare.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government units in Muscatine County, Iowa, to support projects that improve community quality of life through measurable outcomes and collaboration.

This grant provides financial assistance to young people and families facing challenges related to education, poverty, housing, gender, and health, enabling them to access essential resources and support.

This grant provides financial support to grassroots community organizing groups in the Midwest that focus on empowering low- and moderate-income populations, particularly those historically excluded from civic participation, to drive systemic change and promote social justice.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Rock Island County, Illinois, and Scott County, Iowa, to address community needs in areas such as education, food security, housing, and immigration support, while empowering high school students to engage in philanthropy.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and local government units in O’Brien County, Iowa, for projects that enhance community quality of life across various fields such as education, health, and the arts.