Funding Opportunities

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Our Program Team is available to answer any questions about our grant opportunities and application process. To meet our team, click here.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation provides a variety of grant funding opportunities. Available grant programs with deadlines can be found here. A Grant Opportunities Chart can be reviewed and downloaded here. A video highlighting adjustments to grant opportunities in 2021 can be viewed here.

GRANT PROGRAMS

Program Support Grants: Supports new and innovative programs and sustains current and/or ongoing programs. Awards: Maximum of $30,000 in any given year

Organization Support Grants: Supports nonprofits in strengthening their ability to carry out their mission. Awards: $2,000 to $15,000

Endowment Challenge Grants: Supports nonprofit organizations with a matching grant to help in their effort to support an endowment to create sustainable funding. Awards: $25,000 with five years to meet the match

Linn County Grants: Supports programs or projects that enhance the quality of life and community development outside the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area. Awards: Up to $10,000

President’s Grants: Supports the immediate needs of nonprofit organizations. Awards: Up to $2,500

Disaster Recovery Fund: Supports Linn County communities during disasters to provide resources where they are needed most. As our community faces extraordinary challenges from the devastating derecho in Iowa on August 10, 2020, this fund provides philanthropic support to assist Linn County communities during recovery.

COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund: Supports health and human service needs that have emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and the related economic crisis, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations.

Creating Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities Fund: Supports programming that addresses the inter-relational factors that lead to youth violence in Cedar Rapids.

Cedar Grove Signature Fund: Supports organizations in all nonprofit sectors that impact the quality of life in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with a focus on human services, education, and arts and culture. Grants from this fund are determined by the donor.

COMPETITIVE DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS

The Community Foundation accepts grant applications for a number of local corporations and family foundations. Funding priorities are determined by each donor-advisor and may include programmatic or operating support, capital campaigns, event sponsorships or religious activities. 

Altorfer Inc.:

  • Eligible Categories: Program or Capital or Sponsorship
  • Priorities:
    • Historic preservation
    • Community development
  • Ineligible:
    • Individual public schools
    • Projects outside of Linn County
  • Average Award: $2,400

Bloomhall Family:

  • Eligible Categories: Program or Capital
  • Priorities: Health-related activities
  • Ineligible:
    • Fundraisers/sponsorships (instead, consider applying for a program for which you are raising funds)
    • Conferences
    • Travel expenses
    • Religious organizations for religious purposes

CRST International:

  • Eligible Categories: Program or Capital or Sponsorship
  • Priorities: Arts and culture
  • Ineligible:
    • Individual public schools
    • Religious organizations for religious purposes
    • United Way agencies may not apply for program support but may apply for capital requests
  • Award Range: $500 to $30,000

Diamond V:

  • Eligible Categories: Program or Capital
  • Priorities:
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Education with STEM as a high priority
    • Environment
    • Food Security
    • Programs and services for youth
  • Ineligible:
    • Fundraisers/sponsorships (instead, consider applying for a program for which you are raising funds)
    • Conferences
    • Travel expenses
    • Religious organizations for religious purposes
  • Average Award: $7,500

GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation:

  • Eligible Categories: Program or Capital or Sponsorship
  • Ineligible:
    • Individual public schools
    • Travel expenses
    • Religious organizations for religious purposes
  • Average Award: $7,000

Lil’ Drug Store Products:

  • Eligible Categories: Program or Capital or Sponsorship
  • Priorities: Projects within Cedar Rapids
  • Awards: Up to $5,000

McGrath Automotive Group:

  • Eligible Categories: Program or Capital or Sponsorship
  • Priorities: Children’s needs
  • Ineligible:
    • Travel expenses
    • Projects/organizations outside of Linn County
  • Average Award: $2,500

World Class Industries:

  • Eligible Categories: Program or Capital
  • Priorities:
    • Basic health and human services
    • Classroom education
  • Ineligible: Fundraisers/sponsorships (instead, consider applying for a program for which you are raising funds)
  • Award Range: $500 to $10,000

DONOR-ADVISED FUND

Friends Helping Friends Foundation Fund: A grant opportunity for animal service organizations in Cedar Rapids and Marion. For more information, including eligibility and application details, visit www.crfriendsfoundation.org/animal-welfare-grant-program.