Clinton County Development Association (CCDA) Grant

The Clinton County Development Association administers a semi-annual grant program designed to distribute funds to qualified organizations serving the residents of Clinton County, Iowa. The organization operates with a mission to improve the overall vitality and quality of life in the county through support of educational, social, cultural, and environmental initiatives. Funding decisions are guided by a formal allocation policy established by its Board of Directors, which ensures that grants are awarded using a consistent and objective framework. Each year, the Board determines the total funds available for distribution and allocates those resources across two funding cycles: Spring and Fall. The primary purpose of the grant program is to support projects that generate measurable community benefit within Clinton County. Eligible projects must be physically located within the county and must align with qualifying charitable, civic, educational, or public purposes. The program explicitly excludes funding for operational costs, debt reduction, deficit spending, political activity, and projects benefiting individuals directly. The funding is intended for discrete projects rather than ongoing organizational expenses, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on tangible community impact. Funding is distributed through two semi-annual grant pools with identical application rules. Organizations may apply for up to $75,000 per grant. A mandatory cost-sharing requirement applies, requiring applicants to secure at least 25 percent of total project funding from non-CCDA sources. While in-kind contributions of labor or land do not count toward this requirement, in-kind materials may qualify. Any awarded funds must be distributed within one year of the funding announcement or will revert back to the general fund for future allocation. Eligibility is limited to organizations that meet specific tax-exempt criteria under federal law, including governmental units and nonprofit entities such as those classified under sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(10), and 501(c)(19). Organizations must also demonstrate compliance with non-discrimination laws and must be in good standing with any previous CCDA grants. Projects must be located within Clinton County, and applicants must provide documentation verifying their tax-exempt status and organizational compliance. Additional requirements apply for organizations applying under group exemptions or on behalf of another nonprofit entity. The application process is conducted entirely online, and applicants must adhere strictly to submission deadlines. Spring grant applications are due by 4:30 PM on the second Wednesday of March, while Fall grant applications are due by 4:30 PM on the second Wednesday of August. Following submission, applications undergo a structured review process that includes screening, scoring by directors, and final funding announcements approximately three months after submission deadlines. The evaluation process includes verification of eligibility, compliance with funding requirements, and alignment with community impact goals. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle with clearly defined milestones for each funding round. For Spring grants, screening is completed by mid-April, scoring by mid-May, and announcements occur in June. For Fall grants, screening concludes in mid-September, scoring by mid-October, and announcements are made in November. Organizations may submit up to two applications per cycle but are limited to having no more than two open grants at any given time. These constraints ensure equitable distribution of funds and encourage responsible project management among recipients.