Foundations that fund community development in Iowa
These 25 foundations made grants to community development in Iowa in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Pella Rolscreen Foundation C/O Pella Corporation
- $25,000 to Carroll Athletic Association, Carroll: General operations
- $19,850 to Friends of Rock Valley, Rock Valley: General operations
- $10,050 to Hawarden Parks and Recreation Committee, Hawarden: General operations
How to apply: No specific form
Restrictions: Limited to areas in which pella corporation employees live.
Warren Htimmerman Charitable Trust
- $12,325 to Manning Betterment Foundation, Manning: Child care signage / awning
- $8,800 to Manning Betterment Foundation, Manning: Hillside splash shade area
- $5,000 to Halbur Development Corporation, Halbur: Courts
How to apply: Fill out standard grant application prepared by the trust along with the organization information, purpose of grant request, evaluation standards, and the organization's budget.
Deadlines: June 29th
Restrictions: Half of the distributions will be awarded in the city of manning and its immediate area. The other half will be distributed in carroll county. The trust was created exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes...
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation
- $30,000 to Bremer County Fair Association, Sumner: Capital - 4h/ffa youth enrichment center
- $15,000 to College Hill Partnership, Cedar Falls: Seerley park improvements
- $12,000 to Leader Valley Foundation, Waterloo: Operating support
How to apply: Applications should be submitted in writing identifying the purpose and amount requested. The application should be accompanied by financial statements and proof of 501(c)(3) organization status or verification that the organization will use the funds exclusively for public...
Restrictions: All awards must be to charitable, scientific, literary, or educational organizations within the meaning of irc section 501(c)(3) or exclusively for public purposes or as otherwise described in irc section 170(c)(1).
First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation Inc
- $3,500 to Newbo City Market, Cedar Rapids: General Operating Support
- $2,588 to Leon Chamber of Commerce, Leon: General Operating Support
- $2,500 to Hamburg Economic Development Corporation, Hamburg: General Operating Support
How to apply: Refer to Foundation website for online application.
Deadlines: Refer to Foundation website for online application.
Restrictions: The grants are intended to serve the communities of interest to First Interstate Bank.
Wells Fargo Foundation
- $100,000 to Iowa Center for Economic Success, Des Moines: The iowa center - general operating support
- $80,000 to Iowa Community Capital, Boone: Solidarity & able up microfinance general operating support
- $10,000 to Newbo City Market, Cedar Rapids: Small business programming
How to apply: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/grant-process/
Deadlines: Applications are accepted from february 1 through october 1.
Restrictions: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/grant-process/
Dupaco Rw Hoefer Foundation
- $20,000 to Newbo City Market, Cedar Rapids: Needs based
- $10,000 to 247 Blac, Waterloo: Needs based
- $5,000 to The Iowa Center for Economic Success, Des Moines: Needs based
How to apply: Grant Application Form at https//www.dupaco.com/community/ways-we-give/
Restrictions: The encouragement of education, promotion of charity, and to contribute to organizations or causes which enhance the quality of life.
Alliant Energy Foundation Inc
- $5,000 to Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood Association, Cedar Rapids: The shakespeare garden revitalized
- $3,000 to Iowa Nonprofit Alliance, Cedar Falls: 2024 iowa nonprofit summit
- $2,000 to New Albin Improvement League, New Albin: Matching gift
How to apply: Giving for good grant request: -identification of nonprofit organization applying for funding -description of project, including funding details, timeline, and goals of project -description of the problem or opportunity the project is addressing
The West Bancorporation Foundation Inc
- $2,500 to Parks Area Foundation, Des Moines: Funding for rendezvous on the river event series
- $2,500 to Taste of the Junction Inc, West Des Moines: Funding for multi-cultural event
- $2,500 to Des Moines Performing Arts, Des Moines: Funding for applause education series
How to apply: Written request including reason for the request and type of organization submitting request
Deadlines: January 1, april 1, july 1, and october 1
Restrictions: Focus on human services, education, and arts & culture in the des moines and iowa city, ia and rochester, mankato, owatonna, and st. Cloud, mn areas
Land O'lakes Foundation
- $83,928 to Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc, Graettinger: Member co-op matches
- $7,500 to Hunger Free Kids of Sioux County, Sioux Center: Member co-op matches
How to apply: The organization has multiple grant programs. For more information please visit: https://foundation.landolakesinc.com/home#grant-donation-guidelines
Restrictions: See website
Greenstate Foundation
- $25,000 to 100 in 24 of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids: Transitional housing program
- $15,000 to One Economy, Des Moines: Economic empowerment
How to apply: Greenstate foundation application- 501(c)(3)- the individual submitting an application should disclose the following information: organization name, tax id, address, organization website, mission statement, organizations primary contact/leadership information, name of...
Deadlines: None.
Restrictions: No restrictions at this time. Greenstate foundation does have an outcome report so after the end of any program or project funded, the funded organization must complete that requirement to be considered for future grants.
Pipestone Give Inc
- $3,558 to Friends of Rock Valley, Rock Valley: Helping the rock valley community after local flooding
- $1,000 to Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc, Spencer: Addressing the effects of poverty on individuals and families.
How to apply: No form currently.
Deadlines: None.
Restrictions: Organization must be a 501(c)3, provide their irs determination letter, and meet the mission of pipestone give. The mission is as follows: here at pipestone, we value our teams, communities, and those in need. We showcase those values...
The Schmidt Family Foundation
- $350,000 to Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Des Moines: Encouraging a just transition away from fossil fuels, working towards a resilient and...
How to apply: Online process, please see details at the websites: https://tsffoundation.org/ https://www.schmidtmarine.org/
Deadlines: Online process, please see details at: https://tsffoundation.org/. Https://www.schmidtmarine.org/
Restrictions: Online process, please see details at the websites: https://tsffoundation.org/ https://www.schmidtmarine.org/
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
- $120,000 to Newbo City Market, Cedar Rapids: Support for the newbo city market to provide additional outreach services to target bipoc...
How to apply: Submit requests through the foundation's grant application and information portal at: https://kauffman.fluxx.io
Deadlines: Since aug 2024, proposals require deadlines, consistent info, and defined funding limits.
Restrictions: Grant amounts vary depending on the scope of the specific project and the size of the organization. Grant applicants are asked to review our strategic direction and funding guidelines. If there is a strong match, we request applicants to...
Emc Insurance Foundation
- $100,000 to Des Moines Performing Arts, Des Moines: For general support or for a capital fund drive of the respective organization
How to apply: The following information should be provided: 1.Intended use of funds, 2.Verification of IRS 501(c)(3) status, 3.List of major donors
Restrictions: Generally only Iowa-based charitable organizations are funded
The Mcknight Foundation
- $100,000 to Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Des Moines: for general operating support
How to apply: Please see the end of the return for the additional attachments containing the information for Lines 2b - 2d.
Iowa West Foundation
- $50,000 to Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau, Council Bluffs: Fy 25 council bluffs sporting event attraction & retention project
How to apply: Https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/grantmaking/application-process/
Deadlines: Https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/grantmaking/application-process/
Restrictions: Https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/grantmaking/what-we-fund/
Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc
- $30,000 to Earlham Chicks With Checks Inc, Earlham: Community programming support
How to apply: In-writing
The Joseph and Edward Ryan Memorial
- $25,000 to We Lead, West Liberty: Support
How to apply: Preprinted form
Deadlines: Meet every calendar quarter
Restrictions: Net income distributed each year for charitable projects within the west liberty school district.
R J Mcelroy Trust
- $21,500 to Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, Waterloo: Program support
How to apply: Grant applications are filled out online through their website at www.mcelroytrust.org. Applications must include the project name, project summary, start/end date, how the grant aligns with mcelroy's strategic mission, type of funding needed, total cost of project, and how much...
Deadlines: The trust considers grant proposals throughout the year.
Restrictions: Education projects - youth in northeast iowa
Brouwer Family Foundation
- $15,157 to Eddyville Community Foundation, Eddyville: Sale ring innovation project
How to apply: The foundation has a grant application that requests the following information for each prospective grant: 1. Name, address, telephone and website. 2. Geographic focus. 3. 501(c)(3) determination number or tax identification number. 4. Primary contact person and their contact...
Deadlines: There are semiannual submission deadlines each year by the following dates: may 24th november 1st
Restrictions: Donee organization must be a 501(c)(3) organization.
Union Pacific Foundation
- $15,000 to Low Moor Hometown Pride, Low Moor: Outdoor recreation and education
How to apply: Grant application available online during specific periods.
Deadlines: May 31, 2025 for 2025 applications.
Restrictions: The foundation administers the philanthropic program of union pacific corporation and union pacific railroad company. Grants are awarded to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located in union pacific communities that best align with the...
Gartner Family Foundation % Michael G Gartner
- $15,000 to Center at Sixth, Des Moines: Fund to construct a new mixed-use project of commercial space in addition to live/work...
How to apply: Applications should contain all necessary information concerning the purpose the grant, loan, etc., including where the applicant can be contacted, and proof of 501 (c)(3) public charity status.
Restrictions: Grants will be made to 501(c)(3) organizations that are not private foundations.
First Security Foundation
- $10,000 to Grow Rockford Together Association, Rockford: General fund
How to apply: Application / charitable donation request form may be obtained from richard herbrechtsmeyer during regular business hours
Restrictions: Charitable organizations serving the following iowa communities only: aredale, charles city, dumont, hampton, ionia, manly, marble rock, nora springs, riceville, rockford, rockwell, rudd, thornton
Leonard A Good Testamentary Trust
- $10,000 to Dayton Community Club, Dayton: Charitable
How to apply: See attached sample
Restrictions: Priority is given to solicitors from central iowa
Martha Ellen Tye Foundation
- $9,000 to House of Compassion, Marshalltown: Annual contribution
How to apply: Narrative, explanation of purpose of grant, proof of tax-exempt
Deadlines: March 1, june 1, september 1, and december 1
Restrictions: Organizations located in marshall county, ia or san antonio, tx
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