Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Announces Fall Grant Cycle

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation announces its final grant cycle of 2020 for local charitable nonprofits. Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 18, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. CST. Grants will be awarded to organizations that enhance the quality of life in Linn County.

The Community Foundation accepts applications from nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status and non-501(c)(3) organizations that have completed arrangements to obtain a fiscal sponsor. Grant applications can be submitted online at www.gcrcf.org starting Tuesday, August 18, 2020.

For this grant cycle, applications will be accepted for the following funds:

• Funds for the Community Cycle 3: In most years, the Funds for the Community provide the funding source for grants from the Program Fund, Organizational Development Fund, and Endowment Challenge Fund. In 2020, the Funds for the Community has been re-directed to address needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including adapting programing and services in response to operating restrictions. 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. Virtual Planning Sessions held on August 7 and 14 will help foster collaborative efforts. Recordings of the Planning Sessions will be made available.
• 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 sectors that 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 September 18, the Community Foundation continues to accept applications to the COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund. This fund helps address health and human service needs that have emerged from the pandemic and related economic crisis, with a focus on vulnerable populations. Applications may be submitted at any time.

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.