Fall Grant Deadline Delayed Due to Derecho Disaster

New Grant Deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. CST

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation will delay its fall grant cycle deadline to October 1, 2020, from its previous September 18, 2020 date, to allow nonprofit organizations additional time to assess needs and complete applications in the wake of the derecho on August 10. Grant applications can be submitted online at www.gcrcf.org starting Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

Additionally, decisions regarding summer grant awards for the Community Foundation’s Funds for the Community Cycle 2 and the Endowment Challenge Fund have been delayed from August 27, 2020 to September 10, 2020.

Applications being accepted for the fall cycle include:

• Funds for the Community Cycle 3: Grants of up to $20,000 will support actions that allow nonprofit organizations to survive and maintain essential functions, including altering programs and program delivery models, constituency retention strategies, and planning for extended closures and/or phased reopening.
• Linn County Fund: Supports efforts that enhance the quality of life and community development in Linn County (outside of the metro areas of Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins and Fairfax). Grant awards are generally up to $10,000.  Organizations based in the Cedar Rapids area may apply for projects benefiting non-metro Linn County.
• Creating Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities Fund: Supports efforts that address the inter-relational factors that lead to youth violence in Cedar Rapids. Priority is given to projects informed by research and evidence-based practices, and to applicants who involve directly affected community members in program design and implementation. The maximum request amount is $50,000.
• Competitive Donor-Advised Funds: Supports nonprofits that align with the funding priorities of the donor-advisors. The Community Foundation accepts grant applications for a number of local corporations and family foundations. The programs, grant award sizes, and activities to be funded are determined by each donor-advisor and may include programmatic or operating support, capital campaigns, event sponsorships and religious activities. CRST International and McGrath Automotive Group are accepting applications during this cycle.
• Cedar Grove Signature Fund: This new fund will support organizations in all nonprofit sectorsthat impact the quality of life in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. However, human services, education, and arts and culture will be the primary focus. Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply for program needs, capital campaign funding, event sponsorships, or projects that build efficiencies in the organization’s management systems and structures. Religious activities for religious purposes are not eligible. This is a donor-driven fund and the decision-making and timing of grant awards will be determined by the donor.

Besides the applications due on October 1, the Community Foundation continues to accept applications to the COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund and continues distributions from its newly established Disaster Recovery Fund to support immediate needs from the Derecho disaster. Both of these funds address health and human service needs that have emerged from these crises, with a focus on vulnerable populations.

More information about the grant opportunities can be found here.

For more information on Funds for the Community, Competitive Donor-Advised Funds, or Cedar Grove Signature Fund, please contact Elizabeth Cwik at 319.774.2372 or elizabeth.cwik@gcrcf.org.

For more information on the Linn County Fund, please contact Rochelle Naylor at 319.774.2373 or rochelle.naylor@gcrcf.org.

For more information on the Creating Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities Fund, please contact Rachel Rockwell at 319.200.4007 or rachel.rockwell@gcrcf.org.