Iowa Private Grants

The Community of Health Grants program seeks to partner with organizations that share the Foundation's mission and values, aiming to improve the health and dental health of Iowans. The Foundation focuses on strengthening and transforming health services through investments in projects that align with its core initiatives. These projects must fit within three strategic areas of focus, supporting the Foundation's goal of a healthier Iowa community. Grant renewed every year. Annual Fall deadline: September 1st

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Iowa that help women and girls overcome barriers to economic independence, such as housing, transportation, education, employment, childcare, and mentorship.

The "Grants for Tech" program, an initiative by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD), aims to support nonprofits in the Dubuque area that lack dedicated IT staff. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen local organizations by enhancing their technological capabilities. By providing funding for technology improvements, training, and services, CFGD seeks to empower these nonprofits to operate more effectively and achieve greater growth within the community. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are 501(c)3 nonprofits, churches, schools, and government organizations within the Dubuque area that do not currently employ IT staff. The program's impact goals are centered on improving the operational efficiency and overall strength of these organizations through technological advancements. A key focus is on addressing the digital divide for smaller nonprofits, ensuring they have access to the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in an increasingly digital world. The program prioritizes technology assessments through a partnership with the University of Dubuque, which allows nonprofits to identify their specific technological needs. Following assessments, the grant will fund improvements, provide essential training, and cover the costs of various technology services. This comprehensive approach is designed to provide holistic support rather than just one-off funding, ensuring sustainable technological growth and development within the recipient organizations. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the operational effectiveness of participating nonprofits, improved delivery of services to their constituents, and a stronger organizational capacity. While specific metrics are not explicitly detailed beyond the "more effective and grow stronger" statement, it can be inferred that these outcomes would be measured through the successful implementation of technology solutions, increased staff proficiency, and ultimately, a greater positive impact on the communities they serve. This grant program reflects the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque's strategic priority of investing in the organizational health and capacity of its local nonprofits. Their theory of change appears to be that by addressing a critical operational need like technology, they can create a ripple effect, leading to more resilient, efficient, and impactful organizations. This, in turn, contributes to a stronger, more vibrant Dubuque community as a whole.

The Junior League of Sioux City, through its Mildred Anderson Community Grants program, supports short-term community need projects with a focus on volunteer participation. Established in 1990 with a generous donation, these grants promote charitable activities within the Siouxland tri-state area. Grant recipients are selected through a competitive process and must meet certain eligibility criteria including not having received a grant in the prior year, not being involved in a current Junior League project, and utilizing community volunteers in their projects. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadline: October 1st to January 15th

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

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.

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

Our grantees work to build on the entrepreneurial spirit, strong community ties, and untapped potential within Native nations, communities of color, rural communities, and other resilient communities who have fewer opportunities to thrive on their own terms. We envision strong, vibrant communities where people are connected to good jobs and have the financial capability to build their assets and provide a secure future for their families and communities. A Need to Close the Opportunity Gaps Our economic system doesn’t work for everyone. It widens income and opportunity gaps, restrains economic mobility, and traps people and communities in a cycle of poverty and injustice. A disproportionate number of Native Americans, people of color, refugees, immigrants, and rural Americans are living in crisis—or just a paycheck away from it. Nationally, six in 10 families of color don’t have the cash on hand to cover basic expenses—like rent, medical emergencies, or the need to fix a car—for three months.

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.

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 projects that improve community health and healthcare services in Muscatine and surrounding areas.

The Forecast Public Art’s Midwest Memory Grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, is open to non-profit organizations in rural Midwest communities, aiming to elevate and preserve the stories of BIPOC communities through monuments, with a focus on addressing systemic inequities and advancing racial justice.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska that focus on improving financial literacy and employment readiness to help individuals achieve financial stability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to artists and organizers in Nebraska and Iowa who are working to challenge societal norms, foster community engagement, and promote collaboration through their creative endeavors.

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.

This grant provides financial support to tax-exempt organizations in Boone County, Iowa, for projects that enhance community well-being in areas such as arts, education, health, and environmental protection.

This grant provides funding for innovative community-based projects that promote joy as a vital element of social justice for Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and AMEMSA communities in the Upper Midwest.

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