Community Foundation Uplift Grant

The Uplift Grants program is offered by the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa to support quality of life initiatives in Black Hawk County, Iowa. These grants are made available through field of interest funds targeting three specific areas: Trees for Waterloo, Chamber Music, and Opera Music. Each area is backed by dedicated donor funds with clear programmatic intentions. The Foundation’s broader mission is to foster stronger communities through charitable investment and strategic philanthropy. Eligible organizations may request one-year discretionary grants for operations, programming, materials, equipment, or capital projects. Grant funding is competitive and focused on the improvement of life in the county. For the “Trees for Waterloo” area, grants support street tree planting projects for downtown and residential beautification. “Chamber Music” grants promote classical chamber music performances by small instrumental ensembles, including string, woodwind, brass, and mixed groups. The “Opera Music” category prioritizes professional-level classical opera performances in Waterloo and Cedar Falls, including solo recitals by acclaimed vocalists with demonstrated reputations. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or government entities. Tax-exempt organizations classified under a different IRS designation may also apply if the project is deemed charitable; these applicants are required to contact the Foundation to confirm eligibility. Fiscal sponsorship is allowed, provided the sponsor is a 501(c)(3) or government agency and shares alignment with the proposed project. Organizations may submit only one application per grant cycle and may act as a fiscal sponsor for one additional proposal. Incomplete, late, or hard-copy applications are ineligible. Requests must be for a minimum of $5,000. Maximum award amounts vary by funding track: up to $18,236 for Trees for Waterloo, $7,390 for Chamber Music, and $7,963 for Opera Music. The Foundation encourages applicants to request the maximum amount due to the limited number of submissions expected. Awarded organizations must sign a grant agreement and submit a final report by July 31, 2026. Projects involving religious instruction, political activity, or redistribution of funds are not eligible for support. The application opens on February 15 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on April 1. Applicants must apply through the Community Foundation's online grant system, accessible through its website. A technical assistance window remains open until the final deadline. Grant decisions are announced by mid-April, and awards are typically disbursed in June. The Uplift Grants are issued annually and are expected to recur, following a similar application timeline in future years. For additional guidance, especially for first-time applicants, the Foundation recommends reaching out to Angie Widner at 319-243-1355 or via email at awidner@cfneia.org. A downloadable PDF of the full guidelines is available for reference.

Applicants should request the maximum amount allowed per category due to low application volume; first-time applicants should contact the Foundation for guidance.