Iowa Youth Grants

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) Trees for Kids Grant Program is designed to educate children, teenagers, and young adults about the importance of trees and their many benefits. It also aims to provide hands-on experience in tree planting and maintenance. This program aligns with a mission to increase and diversify tree canopy in public areas within Iowa communities, supporting environmental stewardship and community engagement. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are youth in Iowa, specifically children, teenagers, and young adults, who will gain direct experience with tree planting and care. Indirectly, the entire community benefits from increased tree canopy in public spaces such as parks, community centers, and public schools. The program's impact goals include fostering environmental education, promoting community involvement in green initiatives, and enhancing the ecological health and aesthetic appeal of public lands across Iowa. The program prioritizes projects that involve significant youth participation in planting, mulching, and initial watering. A key focus is on ensuring proper techniques are learned through required DNR-led demonstrations. Funding is specifically allocated for the purchase of trees and mulch, reinforcing the program's core objective of tangible tree planting. Projects must occur on public or private school grounds, or on public lands like parks and right-of-ways, ensuring the benefits are widely accessible. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tree canopy in participating communities, as well as an enhanced understanding among youth about tree care and environmental benefits. Each project aims to result in successfully planted and mulched trees, with initial watering ensuring their establishment. The program's theory of change posits that by engaging youth directly in these activities and providing necessary resources, a greater appreciation for nature will be cultivated, leading to more resilient and diverse urban forests across the state. This initiative contributes to the DNR's broader strategic priority of conserving and enhancing Iowa's natural resources for current and future generations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government entities in Chickasaw County to implement projects that enhance the community's quality of life across various sectors, including arts, education, health, and environment.

The Ackley Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, is offering grants to support charitable capital projects, activities, services, programs, and organizations. The core mission of this grant program is to enhance the quality of life for residents of Ackley, Iowa, aligning with the Foundation's broader goal of fostering a community where people desire to live, work, play, and stay. This strategic focus ensures that all funded initiatives contribute directly to the betterment of the local community. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are the people of Ackley, Iowa. The program aims to create a positive and lasting impact across various sectors, including Art and Culture, Community Betterment, Education & Youth Development, Environment and Animal Welfare, Health, and Human Services. The overarching goal is to address community-based needs and improve the overall well-being and vibrancy of Ackley. Funding priorities emphasize requests that demonstrate a clear community need, broad community support, and benefits for the entire community. High priority is also given to organizations that can leverage funding and support from other sources, showcasing matching funds in their budgets. Furthermore, the Foundation values initiatives that maximize community resources through cooperation and collaboration with other local organizations, avoiding service duplication. The capacity of the organization and its staff to achieve desired results, as well as the long-term sustainability of the project without continuous financial reliance on the Ackley Community Foundation, are also critical considerations. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in the quality of life for Ackley residents, such as enhanced cultural opportunities, stronger community bonds, improved educational outcomes for youth, better environmental stewardship, and increased access to health and human services. The Foundation's theory of change posits that by strategically investing in these key areas, it can catalyze positive social and economic development, leading to a more attractive and thriving community for all its inhabitants. The minimum request amount is $500, with most grants ranging from $500 to $3,000, ensuring a broad range of projects can be supported.

The Fund for Siouxland is an unrestricted endowment fund managed by the Siouxland Community Foundation, aiming to enhance the quality of life in the Siouxland communities. It utilizes the contributions from individuals, families, corporations, and other foundations to support a broad range of initiatives within an approximately 80-mile radius of Sioux City, Iowa. The fund prioritizes projects that collaborate with other agencies, address new and emerging needs with creative solutions, and demonstrate sound financial plans for future sustainability. Projects benefiting larger numbers of people, especially those at risk, are given preference. The grants generally do not exceed $5,000 and are not allocated to religious purposes, annual fund drives, political activities, capital campaigns, endowments, general operating expenses, individuals, budget deficits, or school playground equipment/uniforms. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadline: February 15th to May 15th

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities that aim to improve the quality of life in Howard County, Iowa, through projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and community betterment.

This program provides operational funding to nonprofit organizations that assist low to moderate-income residents in Iowa City by addressing critical needs such as shelter, food security, healthcare, and transportation.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that improve the quality of life in Franklin County, focusing on areas such as arts, education, health, and community development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers, focusing on enhancing job training, education, employment services, housing stability, and youth development initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois, to implement projects that enhance youth education, promote financial stability, and improve community health.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities in Benton County, Iowa, to support projects that enhance community life across various sectors such as arts, education, health, and environment.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities that aim to improve the quality of life for residents in Kossuth County, Iowa, through various community-focused projects.

This grant provides funding to local nonprofit organizations and government entities in Grundy County to support projects that improve community life in areas such as arts, education, health, and environmental welfare.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government units in Muscatine County, Iowa, to support projects that improve community quality of life through measurable outcomes and collaboration.

This grant provides financial assistance to young people and families facing challenges related to education, poverty, housing, gender, and health, enabling them to access essential resources and support.

This grant provides financial support to grassroots community organizing groups in the Midwest that focus on empowering low- and moderate-income populations, particularly those historically excluded from civic participation, to drive systemic change and promote social justice.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Rock Island County, Illinois, and Scott County, Iowa, to address community needs in areas such as education, food security, housing, and immigration support, while empowering high school students to engage in philanthropy.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and local government units in O’Brien County, Iowa, for projects that enhance community quality of life across various fields such as education, health, and the arts.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois, focusing on programs that address basic human needs, benefit youth, or enhance community welfare.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Lee County, Iowa, that serve youth under 19, focusing on programs that address social, economic, and educational challenges faced by young people.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that benefit residents of Carroll County and Sac County in Iowa.