Iowa Grants

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is offering a 50/50% federal matching Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant of $1000 to $10,000 for Iowa Fire Departments serving small communities, prioritizing those who have not received funds previously, have submitted Iowa Wildland Fire Reports, and demonstrate a strong need for wildland fire suppression resources.

The Endowment Challenge Grants, offered by the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF), are designed to bolster the long-term sustainability of nonprofit organizations by facilitating the establishment and growth of endowment funds. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's mission to invest in the future of the community by providing stable operating support for crucial nonprofit services. The program specifically offers matching grants, encouraging organizations to secure additional funding and build a lasting financial foundation. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are established nonprofit organizations that are at least seven years old and hold 501(c)(3) status. A key focus is on organizations based in or serving residents of Linn County, Iowa, or those with existing nonprofit endowed funds at the GRCF. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the financial resilience of these nonprofits, enabling them to navigate cyclical income variances and allocate resources to high-priority areas, ultimately ensuring consistent delivery of their missions. The grant prioritizes the creation and expansion of endowment funds that will provide general operating support. The expected outcomes include increased financial stability for recipient organizations, enhanced capacity to fulfill their missions, and a more secure future for the vital services they provide. Measurable results include the successful establishment of matching endowment funds held at the GRCF, with a funding commitment of $25,000 and a five-year period to meet the match. While a formal "theory of change" is not explicitly stated, the program implicitly operates on the theory that by providing matching funds for endowments, nonprofits will gain the financial stability needed to strategically plan for the future, maintain essential operations, and continue to serve the residents of Linn County effectively. The GRCF's strategic priority is evident in its commitment to fostering long-term sustainability within the nonprofit sector, particularly within its local geographic focus.

The Linn County Grants, facilitated by the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, aim to bolster the quality of life and community development in non-metropolitan areas of Linn County, Iowa. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster thriving communities by investing in programs and projects that address local needs and enhance the well-being of residents outside the immediate urban centers. The grant program seeks to empower smaller communities by providing crucial funding for local initiatives. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, governmental organizations, and non-501(c)(3) organizations utilizing a fiscal sponsor. A key focus is on projects benefiting non-metro Linn County, with a particular emphasis on proposals from organizations based within these communities or those from the Cedar Rapids area that demonstrate strong support and partnerships within the served community. The impact goals are centered around fostering community development and improving the overall quality of life in these non-metropolitan regions. Priority is extended to applications that are well-designed, responsive to existing community conditions, and innovative in their approach. The program also favors initiatives that effectively utilize community resources and are poised to test or demonstrate viable solutions to pressing community issues. Capital projects are also eligible for consideration, indicating a commitment to both program development and infrastructure improvement. The grants support a wide range of activities that can contribute to the vitality of Linn County's smaller towns and rural areas. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of programs and projects that lead to tangible improvements in community conditions. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the $10,000 funding amount and 12-month project period, the emphasis on well-designed, responsive, and innovative programs suggests that successful applications will clearly articulate their anticipated impact. The foundation's strategic priority is to support initiatives that strengthen the social fabric and economic health of Linn County's diverse communities, operating on a theory of change that targeted investment in local initiatives will lead to sustainable community growth and improved quality of life.

This program provides funding to Iowa cities, counties, and land use districts for local historic preservation projects, including National Register nominations and educational initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports public humanities projects in Iowa that foster community engagement and educational programming about the human experience, available to individuals, nonprofits, local governments, and higher education institutions.

This program provides financial support for a variety of arts-related projects in Iowa, targeting organizations and initiatives that promote regional and statewide arts events or align with strategic arts goals.

This program provides training and support for small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations in Iowa focused on arts, culture, history, and humanities to help them overcome unique challenges.

This grant provides funding to states and territories to develop a coordinated early childhood education system that integrates various programs, including Head Start, to improve access and efficiency for families with children from birth to age five.

This program provides financial assistance to developers for constructing new housing in Iowa cities affected by recent disasters, focusing on permanent residences for sale or rent.

The Pella Community Foundation Impact Grants, ranging from $15,000 to $25,000, are available to 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental agencies for projects that significantly improve Pella's quality of life, demonstrate community impact, and show evidence of long-term planning and sustainability.

The Walter F. Goodnough Trust offers grants specifically designed to support the rehabilitation of underprivileged disabled children, aligning its mission directly with improving the health and well-being of this vulnerable population. This core grant program focuses on a critical area of need within the healthcare sector for children facing both disability and financial hardship. The foundation supports this mission by funding hospitalization-based rehabilitation services exclusively within the state of Florida. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are underprivileged disabled children in Florida who require hospitalization for rehabilitation. The overarching impact goal is to facilitate their recovery and improve their quality of life by providing essential financial support for necessary medical interventions. To achieve this, the trust prioritizes health-related programs and aims to ensure that eligible organizations, specifically 501(c)(3) exempt organizations, can access funding to serve these children effectively. Regarding expected outcomes and measurable results, the document notes that specific detailed metrics are not explicitly stated beyond the goal of "rehabilitation." However, the implicit outcome is an improvement in health and functional abilities for the children served. Success would likely be measured internally by proxies such as the number of children assisted, the types of rehabilitation services provided, and potentially the duration or effectiveness of their hospitalization and subsequent recovery. The foundation’s financial support is focused, with an average grant size ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 and an average total giving of $15,000 per year, suggesting a focus on supporting individual or smaller-scale rehabilitation projects. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on creating a direct and measurable impact within Florida's healthcare landscape, particularly for disabled children. This focused approach is highlighted by the geographic limitation to Florida and the specific program area of Health. The trust's theory of change posits that by providing financial grants directly to qualified organizations, they can enable access to crucial rehabilitation services that would otherwise be out of reach for underprivileged families, thereby addressing a core financial barrier to recovery and improved quality of life.

The Rural Housing Assessment Grant program, administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)'s Center for Rural Revitalization, aims to empower rural communities in Iowa. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to revitalize rural areas by enabling communities to interpret publicly available data and implement changes in development codes, local ordinances, and housing incentives. The program's foundation is deeply rooted in the belief that data-driven decisions at the local level are crucial for fostering a development environment attractive to potential housing developers, ultimately contributing to the economic and social well-being of rural Iowa. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are local city and county governments, as well as federally recognized tribal governments located in Iowa. Specifically, projects and programs must exist in and benefit communities with a population of 20,000 or fewer, and not be contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater. For countywide projects, eligibility is restricted to the 88 least populous counties. The impact goals are centered on facilitating the assessment of current development environments, enacting policy changes, and ultimately increasing the availability of suitable housing in these underserved rural areas. The program prioritizes several key areas. First, it focuses on supporting the use of publicly available, online information, encouraging communities to leverage existing data for informed decision-making. Second, a significant focus is placed on partnering with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach for their Rural Housing Readiness Assessment workshops. These workshops are integral to helping communities assess their current housing landscape and identify areas for improvement. The grant funds are specifically designed to support housing assessment data collection, participation in these workshops, and the subsequent implementation of workshop outcomes within the contract period. Expected outcomes include the completion of housing assessment reports, successful participation in the ISU Extension and Outreach Rural Housing Assessment Readiness Workshop, and the implementation of policy and procedural changes that attract developers. Measurable results will be tied to the completion of these deliverables and the demonstrable progress made in adjusting local regulations to be more conducive to housing development. Grant recipients can be awarded up to $20,000, with a funding period for all project activities and incurred expenses spanning from October 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026. The program also requires a $5,000 cash match for each city or full county partnering on an application, ensuring local commitment and investment.

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 program provides financial assistance to local governments and planning agencies in Iowa for a wide range of transportation projects that enhance public roads, bridges, and transit systems.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) is offering its Community Forestry Grant Program, a state-funded initiative designed to support community-based tree planting for derecho recovery. This program is rooted in the Iowa Legislature's appropriation of state infrastructure funds, specifically earmarked for urban and community forestry services. The core mission of this grant program aligns with enhancing Iowa's natural environment and aiding in the recovery of communities affected by derecho events through strategic tree planting on public lands. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are state and local government entities, schools, volunteer organizations, and service organizations actively involved with local urban and community forest services. The overarching impact goal is to facilitate the purchase and planting of trees on publicly owned lands across Iowa, contributing to environmental restoration and community resilience following natural disasters. Eligible planting areas include, but are not limited to, street right-of-ways, parks, school grounds, courthouse lawns, public buildings, fairgrounds, cemeteries, libraries, and trails, ensuring broad community access to the benefits of reforestation. Grant priorities emphasize several key areas to maximize impact and ensure effective resource allocation. Priority will be given to projects demonstrating clear need stemming from derecho impact, cost-effectiveness through a $1 for $1 cash match, robust community involvement, alignment with Tree City/Campus/Line USA designation, and a focus on species/genera diversity and environmental impact. These priorities reflect a strategic approach to fostering sustainable urban and community forests, promoting ecological health, and encouraging local engagement in environmental stewardship. The expected outcomes of the Community Forestry Grant Program include the successful planting of a diverse range of suitable trees across publicly owned lands in Iowa. Measurable results will be tied to the number of trees planted, the extent of community involvement, and the degree to which projects address the specified priorities, particularly in derecho-affected and EAB Reforestation eligible counties. The program's strategic priorities are centered on recovery, environmental enhancement, and community engagement, working towards a theory of change where targeted tree planting leads to stronger, more resilient communities and improved ecological well-being throughout the state. The grants, ranging from $500 to $10,000, are specifically for the purchase and planting of trees, with special requests for other landscape plantings requiring detailed justification.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small nonprofit organizations in the Omaha metro area that focus on improving economic stability, housing, maternal health, and mental health for local residents.

This funding program provides financial support to local organizations within 60 miles of Theisen’s stores that address essential needs for families and children, focusing on areas like food security, shelter, education, and health.

This program provides financial support to Iowa cities for engineering projects that improve traffic safety and flow on primary roads.

This program provides funding to Iowa counties for traffic safety and operation improvements on primary roads outside city limits.

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.