Funding Opportunities

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation provides a variety of grant funding opportunities. Available grant funds with deadlines can be found here.

We encourage you to review the Grant Opportunity Chart for a general overview of funding opportunities as well as information regarding your organization’s eligibility based on organizational age and budget.

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.

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

Organizational Development Fund: Supports nonprofits in strengthening their ability to carry out their mission. Awards: $2,000 to $15,000

Endowment Challenge Fund: 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 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. 

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:
    • Educational training
    • Health and human services
  • 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: $4,000

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

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. Funding available

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.