Grant Opportunities Adjusted for 2021

Published: December 14, 2020 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

As part of our effort to remain responsive to the needs of our community, the process for administering competitive grant programs was altered in 2020. Due to the unique challenges of providing services during the pandemic, the Community Foundation’s core grant programs were temporarily reorganized to provide more generalized support.

Funds typically earmarked for programmatic or capacity-building projects were instead distributed as general operating support. Additionally, 2019 grantees were encouraged to use grant funding wherever it was needed most.

“Most organizations had to alter programming and cancel fundraisers,” said Elizabeth Cwik, Senior Program Officer. “Providing flexible grant dollars was a way for us to support those organizations through this difficult year.”

As the pandemic continues to impact our community, and as organizations adjust to a new normal, the Community Foundation continues to look for innovative and efficient ways to support those organizations.

To help build long-term sustainability, the Organizational Development Fund will be reorganized into the Organization Support Fund. This fund will continue to support capacity-building projects while also offering general operating support grants for organizations with budgets under $5 million.

“As we looked toward 2021, we tried to learn from the adjustments we made this year,” said Rochelle Naylor, Senior Program Officer. “Organizations are facing so many challenges right now, and by maintaining flexibility we can help them respond to whatever may arise.”

The Program Fund, now known as the Program Support Fund, will continue to support programs that impact the quality of life in Linn County.

More information on funding opportunities in 2021 can be found here. The next grant deadline is on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. CST.

Visit the Nonprofit Giving Center and the Nonprofit Calendar to search for a nonprofit fund, organization, cause, or event to support.
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