Iowa Grants

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) is accepting applications for its Trees for Kids Grant Program to educate children, teenagers, and young adults about the importance of trees and their myriad benefits, as well as to offer hands-on planting and maintenance experience. Donor Name: Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Iowa DNR funds to plant trees in public areas of communities (park, community center, public school, etc.) are available for this fall. Trees for Kids grants provides reimbursable grants to buy trees and mulch to help increase and diversify tree canopy. To that end, the program requires youth involvement in planting, mulching, and initial watering for all projects receiving funding. A DNR-led demonstration on proper planting, mulching and watering is required at the beginning of each event, and/or for each group involved in the project; projects that incorporate multiple groups working independently of one another will require multiple demonstrations. Funding Information A total of $50,000 in funds are available. Grant funding is competitive, non-match, and awarded in amounts of up to $2,500 per project. Eligibility Criteria Local and state governments such as school districts, cities, and counties, and service organizations with 501(c)3 status can apply for Trees for Kids funding. Service organizations lacking 501(c)3 status can attain eligibility by involving local governments in the holding of funds. Award money may ONLY be used for purchase of trees and mulch; shovels, buckets, gloves, saws, and other supplies, as well as any costs associated with digging, site preparation, and other labor, are NOT covered by grant funding. Projects MUST take place on public or private school grounds, or on public lands such as parks and right-of-ways. Plantings on private property other than private school grounds are NOT eligible for grant funding. For more information, visit Iowa DNR.

This program provides funding to local governments and transportation agencies for improving roads, bridges, and transit infrastructure, including projects for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) is seeking applications for its Community Forestry Grant Program. Donor Name: Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) State: Iowa County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 08/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Iowa Legislature appropriated state infrastructure funds to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) to be used for a community-based tree planting program for derecho recovery tree planting. This Community Forestry Grant is available to state and local governments entities, schools and volunteer organizations and service organizations involved with local urban and community forest services, for planting trees on publicly owned lands owned by state, county or local governments and located within the State of Iowa (DNR lands are not eligible). Qualifying public planting lands include, but are not limited to, street right-of-ways, parks, school grounds, courthouse lawns, public buildings, fairgrounds, cemeteries, libraries and trails. Grant Priorities Priority will be given to: demonstrated need from the impact cost-effectiveness of the $1 for $1 cash match community involvement, meeting Tree City/Campus/Line USA designation, and (5) species/genera diversity and environmental impact. Funding Information The Community Forestry Grant Program provides reimbursable grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 to be used for the purchase and planting of trees suitable to Iowa. Uses of funds Allocated funds may only be used for tree or landscape plantings on public areas in Iowa identified in the application form. Special requests may be made (buildings and vehicles are not eligible) but will require a more detailed description of the request and need. Eligibility Criteria   Applicants must be regional or local units of Iowa state, county or city government, local governmental departments, school districts, volunteer organizations, and service clubs involved with local urban and community forestry resources. Eligible projects must occur on public lands within the state of Iowa (DNR land is not eligible). Examples of planting areas include street landscaping/right of ways, public schools, city and county parks, community sports complexes, public lands arboretums, courthouses, law enforcement facilities, public libraries, cemeteries, fairgrounds, and trails. Eligible areas include the 27 Iowa counties in the 2020 Governor’s disaster proclamation. EAB Reforestation eligible counties include: Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clay, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dickinson, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Lyon, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscatine, O’Brien, Osceola, Page, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Sac, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Story, Tama, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Woodbury, Worth, and Wright. For more information, visit Iowa DNR.

This program provides funding to Iowa cities for improving traffic operations and safety on primary roads through targeted spot or linear enhancements.

This program provides funding to Iowa counties for traffic safety and operation improvements on primary roads outside of cities, covering a portion of construction costs for both single-location and multi-location projects.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states, local governments, and Native American tribes for long-term hazard mitigation projects after a major disaster declaration. The program aims to reduce the loss of life and property in future disasters by funding mitigation measures during the recovery phase of a natural disaster. States receive HMGP funding when a Presidential Disaster Declaration has been made.

Donor Name: Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (National Park Service) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: Draft: August 9, 2024; Final: September 3, 2024 Size of the Grant: Not specified Grant Duration: Not specified Details/Overview: The Certified Local Government (CLG) grant program is open to Iowa cities, counties, and land use districts that have signed a CLG Agreement with the State of Iowa and the National Park Service. The grant supports historic preservation projects for CLGs in good standing and current with annual reports. Draft applications are due by August 9, 2024, and final applications by September 3, 2024.

Donor Name: Iowa Legislature (via REAP funds) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: August 15, 2024 Size of the Grant: Not specified (Ceilings based on city size) Grant Duration: Not specified Details/Overview: The City Parks and Open Space Grant, funded by REAP, supports cities through competitive grants to develop parks and open spaces. Funded by gaming revenues, the grant excludes athletic fields, organized sports facilities, swimming pools, and playground equipment. Grants are distributed across cities of various sizes with no local matching funds required, and applications are due by August 15, 2024.

This program provides funding to local governments for implementing cost-effective safety improvements on roads to help reduce serious accidents and fatalities.

The City of North Liberty is accepting applications for its 2025 Social Service Grant to the North Liberty residents. Donor Name: City of North Liberty State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: These funds are for both annual funding and smaller projects and contributions to innovative programs; the city council has emphasized the focus on new services benefiting North Liberty residents. Grant Period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 For more information, visit City of North Liberty.

Donor Name: Iowa Legislature (via REAP funds) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Cost-Share Grant Deadline: August 15, 2024 Size of the Grant: 75% of land acquisition costs covered by REAP Grant Duration: Not specified Details/Overview: One-tenth of the Open Spaces portion of REAP is dedicated to cost-sharing land acquisitions with private organizations, covering 75% of acquisition costs while the remaining 25% is funded through private contributions. This program allows private conservation groups to collaborate with the state to provide outdoor recreation and protect critical habitats, with the state managing the property on behalf of the public. Applications are due by August 15, 2024.

Donor Name: Iowa Legislature (via REAP funds) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: August 15, 2024 Size of the Grant: Not specified (based on city size) Grant Duration: Not specified Details/Overview: The City Parks and Open Space Grant allocates 15% of REAP funds to cities through competitive grants, funded by gaming revenues. The program aims to support city parks and open spaces, excluding athletic fields, sports facilities, pools, and playgrounds. Grants are distributed across different city size categories, with applications due by August 15, 2024, and no local matching funds required.

This program provides funding to local governments and agencies for safety improvements at public highway-railroad crossings, helping to install and upgrade signal devices and enhance crossing safety features.

The Iowa Community Cultural Grant program helps cities, county governments, tribal councils, and nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations support the development of community programs that provide jobs for local Iowans while promoting Iowa’s cultural, ethnic, and historical heritages through festivals, music, drama, cultural programs, and tourism projects. The program is administered by the Iowa Arts Council within the Iowa Economic Development Authority and is funded through an appropriation by the Iowa Legislature.

Donor Name: Not specified State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: August 15, 2024 Size of the Grant: Not specified Grant Duration: Not specified Details/Overview: This grant program is available to Iowa counties that allocate at least 22¢ per $1,000 of taxable property value for conservation. Eligible projects include land acquisition, capital improvements, resource protection, and environmental education. The program excludes funding for sports complexes, playgrounds, and dog parks and has specific requirements for multi-use and biking trails. Applications must include detailed project descriptions, maps, budgets, and compliance with ADA and civil rights regulations, with submissions due by August 15, 2024.

This program provides funding to Iowa's local governments for the construction and improvement of public boat access facilities at lakes and streams.

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

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

This funding opportunity supports local governments in beautifying roadside areas along primary highways by providing financial assistance for planting seeds or live plants.

Donor Name: Iowa Legislature (via REAP funds) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: August 15, 2024 Size of the Grant: Not specified (based on city size) Grant Duration: Not specified Details/Overview: The City Parks and Open Space Grant allocates 15% of REAP funds to cities through competitive grants, funded by gaming revenues. It excludes athletic fields, organized sports facilities, pools, and playgrounds. Grants are distributed across city size categories, and no local matching funds are required. Applications are due by August 15, 2024.