Creating Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities Fund

Purpose
The Creating Safe, Equitable & Thriving Communities Fund was established in 2018 through a partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids, Linn County, and the Cedar Rapids Community School District to address inter-relational factors that lead to youth violence in Cedar Rapids. Grants from this fund work toward creating a safe, equitable and thriving community.

Focus and Goals
The Creating Safe, Equitable & Thriving Communities Fund offered its first grant cycle in March 2019 for summer programming and the second grant cycle in October 2019. The fund distributed over $160,000 in grants in 2019. It funded programs that approach systemic causes of economic, racial and academic disparities and/or aims to avoid, reduce or stop high risk behaviors that can lead to involvement with the criminal justice system. Priority is given to projects informed by research and evidence-based practices, and to applicants who involve directly affected community members in program design and implementation. Eligible expenses (in addition to usual programmatic expenses such as staff, space, and supplies) may include addressing barriers to access such as transportation, childcare, meals/incentives, etc.

Eligibility

• The Community Foundation accepts applications from nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status and governmental organizations.
• Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations should contact Rachel Rockwell for further discussion at rachel.rockwell@gcrcf.org.
• Collaboration between public, private, grassroots and nonprofit organizations is encouraged. Multiple organizations may submit a joint application for a collaborative project.

Ineligible Activities

• Fundraising events and activities
• Religious activities: contact program officer for clarification
• Expenses for projects and programs that have already occurred or will occur during the grant review process

Maximum Request Amount
$50,000

Duration of Grant 
12 months

Application Deadline 
October 1, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. CST

Application
Download the SET Fund Application
Download the SET Fund Budget Template

Questions? Contact
Rachel Rockwell, Program Officer, at rachel.rockwell@gcrcf.org or at 319.200.4007.

To learn more about the Creating Safe, Equitable & Thriving Communities Fund, click here.

NOTE: The Community Foundation maintains strict standards to uphold the integrity of the grantmaking process. Our conflict of interest policy applies to grant committees, board and staff requiring recusals in cases of conflict of interest. The Community Foundation review processes are methodical and transparent, with scoring tools for competitive grant applications available in the online applications.