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 funds with deadlines can be found here.
COVID-19 DISASTER RESPONSE FUND:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Foundation established the COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund to provide rapid response grants to partners working to minimize the immediate impact of COVID-19 for our community. So far, it has funded human service needs that have resulted from COVID-19 for our most vulnerable populations including children, older adults, and the homeless. This fund is distributed to meet evolving needs, particularly those not being met by existing nonprofit, local, state and federal programs.
The COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund helps address 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.
FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY:
Funds for the Community grants are made from permanently endowed funds entrusted to the Community Foundation. Grants are available for both emerging and established organizations and for projects ranging from small, time-limited grants to larger, multi-year commitments.
Due to COVID-19, the Community Foundation announced a flexible strategy to adjust the 2020 Funds for the Community to provide support to nonprofit organizations that reflect the realities of the pandemic and economic crisis. 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 is being re-directed to address organizational and community needs in Linn County resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funds for the Community Cycle 1: Supports nonprofit organizations to sustain and maintain essential functions, and to maintain the safety net for vulnerable populations.
Funds for the Community Cycle 2: Supports 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.
Funds for the Community Cycle 3: Priorities TBD
Linn County Fund: 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 Fund: Supports the immediate needs of nonprofit organizations. Awards: Up to $2,500
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.
- 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
CREATING SAFE, EQUITABLE AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES FUND:
The Creating Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities Fund was established in 2018 in partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids, Linn County and the Cedar Rapids Community School District. The purpose is to address the inter-relational factors that lead to youth violence in Cedar Rapids as identified in the Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities (SET) Task Force.
Creating Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities Fund: Supports programming that addresses the inter-relational factors that lead to youth violence in Cedar Rapids.
GIRLS WITH GOALS FUND:
Girls With Goals Fund: Supports nonprofit organizations working to empower girls ages K-8 in Iowa by working to inspire girls to recognize their inner strength, celebrate all the characteristics that make each girl one of a kind, spark the interest and confidence in girls to pursue studies and careers in traditionally male-dominated fields and empower girls of all ages through mentorship.
