Iowa Grants

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and municipal entities in Montgomery County, Iowa, to support impactful projects in areas like health, education, and community services.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and municipal entities in Audubon County, Iowa, for projects that enhance community life in areas such as health, education, culture, and social services.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and municipal entities in Mills County, Iowa, to support projects that enhance community well-being in areas such as health, education, culture, and social services.

The Forecast Public Art’s Midwest Memory Grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, is open to non-profit organizations in rural Midwest communities, aiming to elevate and preserve the stories of BIPOC communities through monuments, with a focus on addressing systemic inequities and advancing racial justice.

PRISM (Promoting Rural Interconnections for Sexual Minorities) grants support rural LGBTQ+ organizations from across PFund’s five-state service area. Donor Name: PFund Foundation State: Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The PRISM program works to increase the capacity and connection of rural LGBTQ+ serving organizations through grants, trainings and cohort collaboration. PFund Foundation is awarding its second round of funding LGBTQ+ leaders and organizations from across rural Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and the Native Nations therein. Known as PRISM (Promoting Rural Interconnections for Sexual Minorities), the program creates networks for LGBTQ+ organizations and groups to share resources, learn as a community, and respond to the unique set of issues and challenges facing queer people in small towns and rural areas in the upper Midwest. Funding Information The size of the grants will range between $10,000 and $20,000. Grant Period The grant period will be for 12 months. Eligibility Criteria To apply for a PRISM grant, organizations must meet the following qualifications: Primarily serve LGBTQIA2S+ populations in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and/or the Native Nations therein. Been in operation at least 1-year as of September 1st. Organizations must be based in a rural community or serve rural populations (defined as small and mid-sized towns under 50,000 people). Registered as 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the IRS. Informal groups with a nonprofit organization serving as a fiscal sponsor are also eligible to apply. Have a senior organizational representative able to participate in monthly, virtual cohort meetings. An informational webinar was held on August 6th at 10 am central. Use this link to access a recording. For more information, visit PFund Foundation.

This grant provides financial support for economic, civic, or community development projects in Clinton County, allowing organizations to request up to $75,000 with a required 25% match.

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.

The Community Foundation of Johnson County is excited to announce the 5224GOOD Grants. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Johnson County State: Iowa County: Johnson County (IA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: 5224GOOD is a learning and giving circle dedicated to educating their members about philanthropy and community needs in Johnson County through social and networking opportunities. 5224GOOD partners with the Community Foundation of Johnson County (CFJC) to manage the 5224GOOD Charitable Fund and the 5224GOOD Endowed Fund. For 2024, the granting focus area is Housing Insecurity. The 5224GOOD membership has been engaging with local organizations and learning about the issue of Housing Insecurity in Johnson County.  Types of Support This grant cycle is geared toward program/project support requests. Existing or new programs/projects will be considered. Collaborative projects are encouraged. Funding Information The maximum request amount per application is $25,000. They encourage applicants to request the full $25,000. Eligibility Criteria All applicants should fit the following criteria: 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, churches, the ICCSD, and government entities Those without a 501(c)3 status are encouraged to find a fiscal sponsor to apply Significantly serving Johnson County, Iowa Focus their work on Housing Insecurity For more information, visit CFJC.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is offering a 50/50% federal matching Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant of $1000 to $10,000 for Iowa Fire Departments serving small communities, prioritizing those who have not received funds previously, have submitted Iowa Wildland Fire Reports, and demonstrate a strong need for wildland fire suppression resources.

The Endowment Challenge Grants supports nonprofit organizations with a matching grant to help start and build endowment funds for sustainability. Donor Name: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation State: Iowa County: Linn County (IA) Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 5 Years Details: The matching endowment fund is opened and held at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. Nonprofit endowment funds invest in the mission and the future of the organization by providing general operating support, stability during cyclical income variances, and income for areas of high importance to the organization. Funding Information $25,000 and five years to meet the match. Eligibility Criteria Nonprofit organizations that are at least seven years old (based on the date of the IRS letter of determination) and hold 501(c)(3) status may apply if they meet two or more of the following criteria: The organization is based in Linn County, Iowa The organization serves residents of Linn County, Iowa An awarded Endowment Challenge Grant will only serve residents of Linn County, Iowa The organization currently holds one or more nonprofit endowed funds at the Community Foundation. The fund(s) must have been opened AND have a balance at or above the $10,000 fund minimum at least one year prior to the date of application. For more information, visit GRCF.

Applicants are invited to apply for the Linn County Grants. Donor Name: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation State: Iowa County: Linn County (IA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Linn County Grants support programs and projects that enhance the quality of life and community development outside the metropolitan area in Linn County, Iowa.  Priority is given to applications from non-metro communities in Linn County. Capital projects are eligible for consideration. Priority is given to programs that are well designed, responsive to community conditions, innovative, make effective use of community resources, and test or demonstrate solutions to community issues. Funding Information $10,000 Project Period 12 months Eligibility Criteria 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. Organizations based in the Cedar Rapids area may apply for projects benefiting non-metro Linn County with support and partners identified within the community being served. For more information, visit GRCF.

This program provides funding to Iowa cities, counties, and land use districts for local historic preservation projects, including National Register nominations and educational initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports public humanities projects in Iowa that foster community engagement and educational programming about the human experience, available to individuals, nonprofits, local governments, and higher education institutions.

This program provides financial support for a variety of arts-related projects in Iowa, targeting organizations and initiatives that promote regional and statewide arts events or align with strategic arts goals.

This program provides training and support for small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations in Iowa focused on arts, culture, history, and humanities to help them overcome unique challenges.

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 Pella Community Foundation Impact Grants, ranging from $15,000 to $25,000, are available to 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental agencies for projects that significantly improve Pella's quality of life, demonstrate community impact, and show evidence of long-term planning and sustainability.

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.