Kowzan / Sandrock Grant Fund

The Kowzan / Sandrock Grant Fund is a North Lee Community Foundation grant opportunity serving Lee County, Iowa. The fund honors Joe Kowzan and the Sandrock Trust, including Dr. Austin Sandrock and Carole Wallis-Sandrock, whose charitable support helped expand North Lee Community Foundation grantmaking and scholarship activity. The fund is connected to the foundation's broader mission to give back to Lee County, create leaders, and promote nonprofit organizations. The grant supports charitable projects in Lee County that address community needs and opportunities in areas such as arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services. The foundation gives preference to projects that suggest practical approaches to community problems, generate professional and volunteer support, strengthen nonprofit effectiveness or stability, increase civic participation, build community connections, and develop community leadership. Eligible project types include capital projects and program projects. Capital projects may include upkeep or repair of buildings and facilities, purchase of new equipment or technology, upgrades, or replacement of existing equipment. Program projects may include new programs or initiatives, as well as growth or expansion of existing programs and activities. Priority may also be given to seed grants, cost-reduction and efficiency projects, collaborations, leadership-building charitable activities, capital expenditures, and projects needing matching funds after other grants have been approved. Grant funds may not be used for purposes that do not directly advance charitable purposes. Ineligible uses include endowment or scholarship funds, annual fund drives, annual giving campaigns, deficit reduction, debt reduction campaigns, political campaigns or organizations participating in campaigns, requests to establish or maintain scholarship funds, and specific sectarian religious purposes. Religious organizations may be considered only for general community and humanitarian programs. Eligible applicants include Lee County 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipalities, churches, and schools with charitable intent. General foundation guidelines also state that nonprofit organizations, charities, health care organizations, and educational institutions exempt under Section 501(c)(3) may apply, and that municipalities, churches, and schools with charitable intent will be considered. One grant per organization is allowed. Recurring grants for the same program are accepted, but projects or purchases completed before grant funds are awarded are not eligible. Applications must be completed through GLM and submitted with all required documents. The application period is August 3, 2026 through October 5, 2026. Grants are awarded for a period of one year. Grant awards are available up to $10,000.

Emphasize practical approaches to community problems, community support from professionals and volunteers, realistic funding, nonprofit effectiveness or stability, civic participation, community vitality, diverse community connections, leadership development, collaboration, cost reduction, efficiency, self-sufficiency, and charitable activities that address important existing or emerging community needs.