Iowa Education Grants

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

This grant provides funding for local video creators and organizations in Dubuque to acquire equipment for producing non-commercial content for the community's public, educational, and governmental access channels.

The Monona County Community Partners Foundation (MCCPF) grant program aims to address present and emerging needs within Monona County, Iowa, by awarding grants in areas such as Arts & Culture, Civic, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services. The grants are available to nonprofit organizations, units of local government, and public education institutions that serve Monona County and are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The application process opens on December 1, and the deadline is March 1, with final determinations made in the first week of April. Grants typically range from $250 to $15,000, focusing on projects with potential for long-term impact and collaboration with other community groups. The MCCPF provides funding every other year. Applicants funded in 2024 are not eligible for the 2025 cycle. Priority is given to projects that collaborate with other nonprofits and have potential for long-term community impact.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities that enhance the welfare of residents in Fayette County, Iowa, through projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and community development.

The City Parks and Open Space Grant, funded by REAP (Resource Enhancement And Protection), is a competitive grant program supporting cities across Iowa in developing parks and open spaces. This initiative is a core component of the Iowa Legislature's commitment to enhancing the state's natural resources and recreational opportunities, aligning with a broader mission of environmental stewardship and community well-being. The funding originates from gaming revenues, demonstrating a strategic allocation of state resources towards public amenities and green infrastructure. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are the cities within Iowa, which receive the financial support to undertake park and open space development projects. Ultimately, the residents of these cities, as well as visitors, benefit from improved access to recreational areas, enhanced natural environments, and greater opportunities for outdoor activities. The impact goals center on fostering healthier communities, preserving biodiversity through open spaces, and boosting the quality of life for Iowans by creating accessible and engaging public spaces. The grant prioritizes the development of parks and open spaces, explicitly excluding certain types of facilities. Projects that do not qualify for funding include athletic fields, organized sports facilities, swimming pools, and playground equipment. This focus indicates an emphasis on broader, more naturalistic or passive recreational areas rather than specialized sports or play infrastructure. The grant also highlights its commitment to equitable distribution by allocating funds across cities of various sizes, ensuring that both large and small communities have opportunities to benefit. The expected outcomes include the successful development and enhancement of numerous city parks and open spaces across Iowa. Measurable results would involve the number of new or improved park acres, the types of new amenities created (excluding the proscribed items), and potentially an increase in public engagement with these spaces. The program's design, which requires no local matching funds, removes a significant barrier for many communities, increasing accessibility and the likelihood of successful project implementation. The strategic priority is to leverage state gaming revenues to directly improve local community infrastructure related to environmental and recreational assets, embodying a theory of change where targeted state investment leads to widespread local environmental and social benefits. Applications for this program are due by August 15, 2024.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government units in Nebraska and Western Iowa to support projects that enhance college access, youth development, economic opportunities, community amenities, and overall community capacity.

The Black Hawk County Gaming Association (BHCGA) Grant Program is designed to support initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the Cedar Valley, making it a stronger and better place to live, work, and play. This program aligns with the BHCGA's mission to invest in community development by awarding grants to governmental entities and nonprofits with valid 501(c)3 or 501(c)19 status. The overarching goal is to foster community improvement through strategic funding. The program primarily targets governmental entities and qualified nonprofit organizations serving the Cedar Valley. The impact goals are centered on creating better cities, neighborhoods, and inclusive spaces, strengthening organizational capacity, and promoting collaborative community initiatives. By supporting these entities, the BHCGA aims to address local needs and contribute to a more vibrant and resilient community. The BHCGA prioritizes requests for capital improvements that contribute to better cities, neighborhoods, and inclusive spaces. Additionally, it focuses on capacity-building plans that help organizations develop stronger skills, processes, and resources, thereby enabling them to better serve the Cedar Valley. Collaborative approaches that align with broader community initiatives are also highly valued, reflecting the BHCGA's strategic emphasis on collective impact. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in community infrastructure and public spaces, enhanced operational effectiveness and sustainability of local organizations, and increased alignment and effectiveness of community-wide efforts. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the focus on "better cities, neighborhoods, and inclusive spaces," "stronger skills, processes, and resources," and "collaborative approaches" suggests that successful projects will demonstrate measurable progress in these areas, contributing to a stronger Cedar Valley.

The Iowa Arts Council, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, administers Art Project Grants to support high-quality arts and cultural projects in Iowa. These grants are available to individual artists and various organizations, including nonprofits, schools, and government agencies located in Iowa. For artists, the grants support a range of arts-related activities, prioritizing projects that exhibit artistic excellence and serve Iowans. Organizations can apply for grants to fund arts events, performances, exhibitions, and other arts-related activities, with a focus on community engagement and public value. Applications are accepted online, with a deadline of May 15, 2024, for the funding period of July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Grant renewed every year.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, local government units, and public educational institutions that serve Monona County, focusing on projects that enhance community well-being in areas such as arts, education, health, and the environment.

The Iowa Legislature, through its REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) funds, offers a cost-share grant program primarily focused on land acquisitions. This program dedicates one-tenth of the Open Spaces portion of REAP to partner with private organizations for land acquisition, covering 75% of the costs. The remaining 25% is expected to be funded through private contributions. The core mission of this grant is to facilitate collaboration between private conservation groups and the state to achieve dual objectives: providing outdoor recreation opportunities for the public and protecting critical habitats across all Iowa counties. This aligns with a broader strategic priority of fostering public-private partnerships for environmental stewardship and enhancing public access to natural resources. The primary beneficiaries of this program are private conservation groups seeking to acquire land for conservation and recreation purposes. Ultimately, the impact extends to the general public in Iowa, who gain access to expanded outdoor recreation areas, and to the diverse ecosystems within the state, which benefit from enhanced habitat protection. The program's goals are centered on increasing the amount of protected land and improving access to natural spaces, thereby contributing to the state's environmental health and residents' well-being. The program's priorities and focus are clearly on land acquisition, specifically through a cost-sharing model. It emphasizes the importance of private contributions to complement state funding, encouraging a collaborative approach to conservation. The state's role in managing the acquired properties on behalf of the public after acquisition underscores a commitment to long-term stewardship and public benefit. The grant is not limited to specific counties but is available across all counties in Iowa, indicating a broad and inclusive approach to conservation efforts throughout the state. The expected outcomes of this grant program are a measurable increase in protected land acreage within Iowa and the expansion of outdoor recreational opportunities for its citizens. By covering a significant portion of land acquisition costs, the program aims to incentivize and enable more private conservation groups to undertake such projects. Measurable results would include the number of acres acquired, the types of habitats protected, and the accessibility of new recreational sites. This aligns with a theory of change that posits that by financially supporting private conservation efforts and ensuring state management, significant environmental and recreational benefits can be achieved for the public good.

The City of Dubuque’s Small Business Support Grant is a program designed to assist small business owners with operating costs, offering up to $5,000 in reimbursement for eligible expenses. The program's core goal is to cover immediate business expenses while simultaneously equipping business owners with strategies for sustained success. The City partners with the Fountain of Youth Program to administer the grant, integrating a developmental component into the financial aid. The grant targets small business owners residing within the City of Dubuque limits. Eligible businesses must have fewer than five employees, have been operational for at least 12 months, and the applicant must have filed their 2022 and/or 2023 personal and business income taxes. A key criterion for eligibility is that the applicant must be an individual from a low- to moderate-income household, ensuring the support reaches those who need it most within the community. The program's priorities and focus are twofold: providing short-term financial assistance and fostering long-term business improvement. Recipients are required to participate in an eight-week personal and professional development program facilitated by Fountain of Youth and will be matched with a business mentor. This structured support aims to help business owners enhance their practices and increase their income, moving beyond just immediate financial relief. Expected outcomes include not only the continued operation of businesses due to covered expenses but also improved business practices and increased income for participating owners. The reimbursement model, contingent on participation in personal and professional development activities, reinforces the program's commitment to both immediate aid and sustainable growth. The grant details do not mention a specific "foundation" or its mission alignment, strategic priorities, or theory of change, as this is a city-run grant program.

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.

Arts Midwest is offering Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants of up to $67,000 to small arts and culture organizations rooted in communities of color, providing general operating support for those with annual expenses up to $500,000 in selected states.

This grant provides unrestricted funding to nonprofit organizations in Polk, Warren, and Dallas counties, Iowa, that focus on improving the safety, education, and economic empowerment of girls and women.

The City Parks and Open Space Grant, funded by the Iowa Legislature via REAP funds derived from gaming revenues, is a competitive grant program allocating 15% of REAP funds to cities across Iowa. The primary mission of this program is to support the creation and enhancement of city parks and open spaces. This aligns with a broader strategic priority to invest in community green infrastructure and quality of life initiatives within the state. The target beneficiaries of this grant are cities throughout Iowa, with grant distributions based on city size categories. The program's impact goals center on fostering healthier, more vibrant communities by increasing access to and improving the quality of natural recreational areas. It specifically excludes athletic fields, sports facilities, pools, and playgrounds to maintain a focus on passive recreation and natural landscapes. The program's priorities and focus are clearly defined: to support city parks and open spaces. This includes projects that enhance biodiversity, provide environmental benefits, and offer residents opportunities for outdoor enjoyment and relaxation. The competitive nature of the grant ensures that funds are directed towards projects demonstrating the greatest potential for impact and alignment with the program's objectives. Expected outcomes include an increase in the total acreage of protected and improved parkland and open space within Iowa cities. Measurable results could include the number of new or renovated park facilities, increased public engagement with green spaces, and enhancements to local ecosystems. The underlying theory of change is that by investing in natural public spaces, the program will contribute to improved public health, environmental sustainability, and overall community well-being, reflecting a strategic belief in the value of accessible green infrastructure.

This grant provides financial support to high school seniors from Washington County, Iowa, who are pursuing trade-related degrees at accredited community colleges or technical schools, with the goal of encouraging them to return to the local workforce after graduation.

The Donaldson Foundation dedicates its efforts to making a positive impact in communities where Donaldson Company employees reside, focusing on supporting educational initiatives. It extends grant invitations exclusively to applications with an educational aim, scrutinizing each based on criteria such as educational focus, the need of beneficiaries, impact, sustainability, and connection to communities near company locations. Eligible recipients are required to be IRS-recognized tax-exempt entities. Funding is available in the Twin Cities and several U.S. locations where Donaldson has significant operations, with grants reaching up to $20,000. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Cycle 2 deadline: January 15th

This scholarship provides financial support for students in Iowa who have been directly affected by childhood cancer, either as patients or siblings, to help them pursue higher education.

This funding opportunity supports cities, counties, and organizations in Iowa to implement urban conservation projects that reduce nutrient pollution and improve water quality through stormwater management and community education.

This funding opportunity is designed to support local nonprofits, government entities, and public school agencies in Buena Vista County with various project needs.