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. For more details about grant eligibility, deadlines and how to apply, click below:
GRANT PROGRAMS
Program Support Grants: Supports new and innovative programs and sustains current and/or ongoing programs. Awards: Maximum of $25,000 in any given year
Organization Support Grants: Supports nonprofits in strengthening their ability to carry out their mission. Awards: $1,000 to $25,000
Endowment Challenge Grants:Â 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
Rapid Response 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. This fund provides philanthropic support during disaster response – Including the COVID-19 pandemic, derecho or other disasters.
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.Â
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Eligible Categories: Program or Capital or Sponsorship
- Priorities: Projects within Cedar Rapids
- Awards: Up to $5,000
- Eligible Categories: Program or Capital or Sponsorship
- Priorities: Children’s needs
- Ineligible:
- Travel expenses
- Projects/organizations outside of Linn County
- Average Award: $2,500
- 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.
To view the history of funding opportunities offered at the Community Foundation, click here.