Linn County Grants

Grant Criteria

Purpose

The Linn County Grants support programs and projects that enhance the quality of life and community development outside the metropolitan area in Linn County, Iowa. *

• Priority is given to applications from non-metro communities in Linn County.
• Capital projects are eligible for consideration.
• Priority is given to programs that are well designed, responsive to community conditions, innovative, make effective use of community resources, and test or demonstrate solutions to community issues.

*The metropolitan area consists of Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins and Fairfax.

Organization Eligibility

• The Community Foundation accepts applications from nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status, governmental organizations, and non-501(c)(3) organizations that have completed arrangements to obtain a fiscal sponsor.
• Organizations based in the Cedar Rapids area may apply for projects benefiting non-metro Linn County with support and partners identified within the community being served.

Ineligible Activities

• Fundraising events and activities
• Re-granting funds to other nonprofits
• Religious activities or efforts supporting an organization’s core religious mission – contact the program officer for clarification
• Scholarships for primary and secondary education and post-secondary degree programs
• Expenses that have occurred or will occur during the grant review process
• Travel out of the region

Maximum Request Amount

$10,000

Duration of Grant

12 months

Grantmaking Equity Statement

The Community Foundation is committed to ensuring equity in our grantmaking strategy. Review the Grantmaking Equity Statement adopted by the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors here.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online here. For detailed instructions on the application process, click here. The documents below are for reference and planning only — all information will need to be entered directly into the online portal.    

***Please note: the following documents are available for informational purposes only. 2025 application documents will be available soon.***

• Linn County Grants Application and Scoring Criteria
• Organization Demographics Form
• Budget Form
• Budget Explanation Key

About the County Endowment Program

The County Endowment Program was created by the Iowa Legislature and is funded by a distribution of gambling revenues to non-gambling counties. Each year, 75% of the funds are distributed to charitable projects within the county. The remaining 25% is placed in a permanent endowment fund at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation and used to benefit the county in perpetuity.

NOTE: The Community Foundation maintains strict standards to uphold the integrity of the grantmaking process. Our Cconflict 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 criteria for competitive grant applications available.