Funding Opportunities

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Our Grants 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: 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. 

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 FUNDS

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.

Girls with Goals Fund: A grant opportunity funded by Women Lead Change supporting nonprofit organizations working to empower girls ages K-8 in Iowa. Awards: Maximum of $1,000

To view the history of funding opportunities offered at the Community Foundation, click here.