Foundations that fund environmental groups in Iowa
These 25 foundations made grants to environmental groups 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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Alliant Energy Foundation Inc
- $205,545 to Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids: Ev bus sponsorship
- $2,694 to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines: Matching gift
- $2,156 to Trees Forever Inc, Marion: 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
American Water Charitable Foundationinc
- $73,200 to Nahant Marsh Education Center, Davenport: General purpose
- $43,759 to Partners of Scott County Watersheds, Davenport: General purpose
- $4,500 to Keep Scott County Beautiful, Davenport: General purpose
How to apply: See application forms on internal company web site
Deadlines: No set deadlines
Restrictions: Must be 501(c)(3) charitable organization that furthers the charitable purposes of the foundation.
First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation Inc
- $2,500 to Friends of Webster County Conservation, Fort Dodge: General Operating Support
- $2,500 to Montgomery County Conservation Foundation, Red Oak: General Operating Support
- $2,500 to Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids: 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.
The Mcknight Foundation
- $200,000 to Iowa Business for Clean Energy, West Des Moines: to support the launch of an Iowa Green Bank to access federal, state, and private finance...
- $150,000 to Iowa Environmental Council, 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.
Wells Fargo Foundation
- $50,000 to Trees Forever Inc, Marion: Planting our future campaign planting & one million trees initiative
- $25,000 to Trees Forever Inc, Marion: Planting our future campaign planting & one million trees initiative
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/
Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation
- $25,000 to Iowa Great Lakes Foundation, Des Moines: General operating support
- $25,000 to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines: General operating support
How to apply: Written applications should include: an overview of the organization; goals & needs for the project or program; proposed activities and relationship to project or program; dollar amount requested, with detailed budget; list of board of directors members; copy of irs...
Deadlines: Proposals may be submitted at any time and are reviewed on a revolving basis.
Restrictions: Major grants are usually limited to nashville, tn, the lake region of northwest iowa, selected areas of florida, south dakota, and colorado. Proposals related to environmental and conservation concerns will be considered on a national...
Union Pacific Foundation
- $20,000 to Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids: Dei capacity building
- $10,000 to Carroll County Conservation Foundation, Carroll: Arts and culture
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...
Pella Rolscreen Foundation C/O Pella Corporation
- $20,125 to Friends of Mahaska County Conversation Inc, Oskaloosa: General operations
- $2,450 to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines: General operations
How to apply: No specific form
Restrictions: Limited to areas in which pella corporation employees live.
The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment Inc
- $10,000 to Soil and Water Conservation Society, Ankeny: Making retail conservation real
- $1,000 to Soil and Water Conservation Society, Ankeny: Swcs annual conference
How to apply: Refer to the foundation's website, www.campbellfoundation.org, for guidance.
Deadlines: Ongoing
Restrictions: Refer to the foundation's website, www.campbellfoundation.org, for guidance.
Beth E Reinhart Charitable Trust
- $5,000 to Build A Better Belmond, Belmond: Installation of new community pool
- $5,000 to Friends of Beeds Lake Inc, Hampton: Playground equipment
How to apply: The trust has a grant application form that is to be completed by organizations applying for funding. The applicant must demonstrate the necessity and feasibility of the special project for which the funds will be used and provide a copy of its irs tax exempt determination...
Deadlines: Grants must be submitted by august 31 of each year.
Restrictions: Funds must be used to benefit special projects for the benefit of children which shall include educational activities, recreational activities, youth programs, delivery of health care services and any other charitable purpose benefitting...
Home State Bank Charitable Foundation
- $5,200 to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines: General Operations
- $1,000 to Whiterock Conservancy, Coon Rapids: General Operations
How to apply: In writing, with a brief explanation of the intended use of requested contribution.
Restrictions: Must be to charitable, religious, literary, educational or other worthy institutions or organizations.
John H & Ann Ghrist Family Foundation
- $2,000 to Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Des Moines: Operations
- $2,000 to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines: Operations
How to apply: Applications should contain all necessary information concerning the purpose of the grant, loan, etc., including where the applicant can be contacted.
Restrictions: Grants will be made to 501(c)(3) organizations that are not private foundations.
Sterling Fund and Fellowship Foundation
- $1,000 to Jefferson County Farmers and Neighbors, Fairfield: General
- $1,000 to Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, West Branch: General
How to apply: www.jpmorgan.com/onlinegrants
Restrictions: Limited to organizations that are public charities described by irc section 501 c 3 no grants are made to individuals.
John Ruan Foundation Trust
- $300,000 to Iowa Confluence Water Trails, Des Moines: Sports, Athletic
How to apply: No special form
Chester P Luick Memorial Trust
- $110,000 to Build A Better Belmond, Belmond: Upscale the trail
How to apply: No specific form required however all supporting data should be included.
Restrictions: Grants are limited by the governing instrument for the benefit of inhabitants of the city of belmond and the surrounding community.
The Schmidt Family Foundation
- $100,000 to Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, West Branch: Working towards a resilient and equitable food system
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/
Emc Insurance Foundation
- $50,000 to Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 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
Fred Maytag Family Foundation
- $50,000 to Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Des Moines: 2024 grant awards - general support
How to apply: Proposal format
Deadlines: Applications accepted march 1st and september 1st,
Restrictions: Preference is given to newton and central iowa organizations
Gartner Family Foundation % Michael G Gartner
- $50,000 to Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Des Moines: Capital campaign
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.
R J Mcelroy Trust
- $50,000 to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines: 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
Young Family Foundation of Waterloo
- $35,000 to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines: Wildlife preservation
How to apply: Letter of explaination and amount requested.
Restrictions: Northeast iowa area for environmental, recreation, and educational activities or improvement.
Lloyd Family Foundation
- $20,000 to The Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Shenandoah: Donation
How to apply: Application per entity form.
Deadlines: By march 10th of each year.
Restrictions: Page county iowa and surrounding couties: graphic arts and journalism
Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation
- $20,000 to Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 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).
Daniel J & Ann L Krumm Charitable Trus
- $16,000 to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines: General suppport
How to apply: No specific form is used; current exemption letter requested.
Restrictions: Organizations exempt under irc section 501(c) which are not private foundations.
A M & Helen L Saylor Foundation C/O David M Heuberger
- $15,000 to Friends of Beeds Lake, Hampton: General Operations
How to apply: In writing, with a brief explanation of the intended use of requested contribution.
Deadlines: None.
Restrictions: Must be to charitable, religious, literary, educational or other worthy insitutions or organizations.
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