Search Through Cedar Rapids Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

Charitable Contributions

Costco Wholesale’s primary charitable efforts specifically focus on programs supporting children, education, and health and human services in the communities where we do business. Throughout the year we receive a large number of requests from nonprofit organizations striving to make a positive impact, and we are thankful to be able to provide support to a variety of organizations and causes. While we would like to respond favorably to all requests, understandably, the needs are far greater than our allocated resources and we are unable to accommodate them all.

Warehouse Donations:

Warehouse donations are handled at the warehouse level - please consult your local warehouse for up-to-date information regarding their donations contacts and review process.

Grant Applications

If the request is under consideration, you may be contacted by staff for any additional information needed. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, and decisions are made based on several factors, including: type of program; identified community need not otherwise available; indication that evidenced based data will establish measurable results of intended outcomes; community collaboration; broad base of financial support; project budget and operating expenses.

Background

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation seeks to dramatically improve the lives of underserved communities across the globe by supporting scalable, innovative, and impact-first solutions that leverage existing systems and stakeholders. Our goal is to find social entrepreneurs with dynamic products or services that have a proven ability to positively impact the lives of underserved people, and nurture those organizations at the early stages by providing capacity, capital, and community.

Our application process is designed to be open and accessible, and we accept applications year round from across our priority geographies and sectors. Borrowing from our venture capital legacy, we find exceptional entrepreneurs and provide them with: 

Capacity

• The core of DRK’s model is deep and extensive operational and technical support for each portfolio organization, both through dedicated hands-on Board service and specialist capacity-building resources for fundraising, board and organizational development, leadership, financial support, and scaling strategy,

Capital

• DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, and

Community

• DRK convenes our portfolio and alumni annually, facilitating connections and community. 

What We Fund

DRK Foundation funds early-stage social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest social and environmental problems using bold, scalable approaches.

What stage of growth does DRK Foundation typically fund?

Early stage: Organizations who are early stage, which we define as post-pilot and pre-scale. This typically means: 

• Your program, product or service is already being used in the market or in the field, 
• You have early indication that your model is having its intended impact on the beneficiary populations,
• Your organization is relatively young (ideally between two and five years old, although we will consider both younger and older organizations).

Venture funding: In the case of for profits, we typically support Seed to Series A organizations, and never lead rounds; we also generally but not exclusively refrain from participating in financings exceeding a $15M USD post-money valuation.  

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation invests in local nonprofit organizations that contribute to improving the quality of life in our community. Our grants support innovation, sustainability and capacity building.

Purpose

Rapid Response Grants support emergency expenses and emerging opportunities for nonprofit organizations that serve Linn County, Iowa. This fund is intended for infrequent use in unique circumstances. Please note, funding is for organizations, not individuals.   

Maximum Request Amount and Duration of Grant: $2,500 and up to 12 months

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

We have strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country that are working to advance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus areas include basic needs like food and housing, workforce development and education, and community development. In addition to our philanthropic investments, we also encourage our employees to make a difference by offering robust employee giving and volunteering programs, including the opportunity to direct funds to organizations they support through volunteer efforts, and a matching gifts program that doubles their individual giving to causes they care about. Last year, we invested $350 million in the communities we serve, and employees contributed more than 1 million volunteer hours and directed $65 million through individual giving and matching gifts to support nonprofits.Through our regional U.S. sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities.Sponsorships supporting communitiesBank of America welcomes your sponsorship proposal for opportunities that make our communities a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in providing support to address needs vital to the health of our communities through a focus on:

• preserving neighborhoods;
• educating the workforce for 21st century jobs;
• addressing critical needs such as hunger and emergency shelter;
• arts and culture;
• the environment; and
• diversity and inclusion programs.

Grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion based on our current funding strategies focused on housing, jobs and hunger. 

Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation collaborate with a wide range of nonprofit organizations that align with our strategic funding priorities. We prioritize our funding to activities and programs that have a broad reach and support the needs of underserved communities. We aspire to have a positive impact on the communities we serve by using our financial and volunteer resources and business expertise in collaboration with community organizations to help solve complex societal problems.

• Financial health
• Housing affordability
• Small business growth
• Sustainability

We may also support other local needs in eligible communities such as disaster relief, arts and culture, civic engagement, education, human and social services, and workforce development. However, opportunities are limited as our intent is to direct the majority of our giving within our major focus areas.

GreenState Foundation

The GreenState Foundation of the GreenState Credit Union was founded to further invest in our communities in the areas of Financial Education, Housing and Children’s Health. We feel passionately about these causes and know that each of them will give all of us a brighter, more secure, future. Whether it’s educating our community to make informed financial decisions, affording a home to build equity and participate in the American Dream, or improving the mental and physical health of our youth, our Foundation is actively changing lives,

GreenState Credit Union's mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. We give back by volunteering time and donating funds to support local organizations and charities that allow our communities to thrive. GreenState is proud to support a variety of events and programs. Our committee meets monthly to evaluate applications and determine funding based on eligibility and compliance within our donation guidelines.

Our primary areas of focus are:

• Financial Education & Economic Empowerment
• Children's Health
• Affordable Housing & Homeownership
• Underserved Communities

GreenState Credit Union Donations

The GreenState Foundation is accepting grant requests for projects or programming that directly support the following three areas of philanthropy:

Financial Education & Economic Empowerment

Education around finance encourages fiscally responsible behavior. We pursue equitable projects and programs that help possess the skills, experience, and knowledge to make informed decisions.

Children's Health

Our children are our future, and we seek out organizations that provide direct or supportive services for their mental and physical health needs.

Affordable Housing & Homeownership

We believe a stable home is the foundation for everything in life. Being able to afford a safe place to live is a key part of the American dream of opportunity.

Funding must be used to support communities within our geographic footprint. Currently, our funding is available in the following geographic regions:

• Iowa - Des Moines, Grinnell, Fort Dodge, Cedar Valley, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Quad Cities & surrounding metros
• Illinois - Quad Cities, Rockford, Freeport, Suburban Chicago
• Nebraska - Omaha

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds

The Greater Cedar Rapids 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, and religious activities.

GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation

Eligible Categories: Program or Capital or Sponsorship

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa by partnering with donors, funders, and other community collaborators to achieve high-impact philanthropy; supporting nonprofit organizations that address our community’s needs and opportunities; and convening people to learn, share ideas, and develop solutions for the future. The Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization with over $223 million in assets and over 1,000 different charitable funds.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation invests in local nonprofit organizations that contribute to improving the quality of life in our community. Our grants support innovation, sustainability and capacity building.

Organization Support Grants

Organization Support Grants support general operating costs and capacity-building projects for nonprofits that impact the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa. 

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa by promoting charitable giving; connecting donors to the causes they care about; strengthening nonprofits through grants and support; and providing leadership on community issues that involve charitable giving. The Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization with over $194 million in assets and over 1,000 different charitable funds.

Mission

To help donors give in meaningful ways, to strengthen nonprofits, and to provide leadership that supports a vibrant community.

Priorities

The Community Foundation’s grantmaking program invests in innovation, sustainability and capacity building across the spectrum of the entire nonprofit sector including education, health and human services, arts and culture, environment and public benefit.

PROGRAM SUPPORT GRANTS

Program Support Grants support new, innovative programs and sustain current and/or ongoing programs that demonstrate impact on the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa.

This fund is intended to target the programmatic work of an organization and is not intended to assist with capital infrastructure projects (bricks and mortar) projects.

New initiatives are always limited to a maximum of $15,000. Ongoing programs are up to $30,000 depending on organizational budget. Duration of Grants is 12 months.

The Carleen and Eugene Grandon Charitable Foundation was established in 2004 by Carleen M. Grandon. However, its genesis began years before with many philanthropic gifts to various organizations during the 1980’s and 1990’s. These gifts primarily focused on cultural, healthcare and educational endeavors by organizations located in the Greater Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. During this time, Carleen Grandon was active on various boards of charitable organizations and developed a deep sense of improving the community through charitable giving. Since its inception, the Foundation has focused its giving to programmatic endeavors as opposed to building programs. While building projects have a place, the Foundation believes funding of programs provides more direct benefit to the individuals being served by the funded organizations.  

Carleen and Eugene Grandon Charitable Foundation Grant

The Carleen and Eugene Grandon Charitable Foundation provides grants to support qualified nonprofit organizations that align with the Foundation's funding interests in the following area:

• Cultural Arts

Mrs. Grandon possessed an enthusiasm for the cultural arts; she found joy in music and theatre, in particular through opera, singing and the piano. The Foundation continues to honor Mrs. Grandon's passion by providing grants to charitable organizations for programs that seek to promote such endeavors within the Greater Cedar Rapids Community.

• Education

The Grandons were lifelong learners and teachers who had a profound understanding of the importance of education for individuals, families and the larger community to thrive. The Foundation continues these efforts through grants to charitable organizations with programs that seek to provide educational support to individuals within the Greater Cedar Rapids Community so they may reach their full potential.

• Health and Wellness

As a physician and a nurse, Dr. and Mrs. Grandon devoted much of their time and talents in careers that serve others by improving the health and wellness of individuals within the Community. The Foundation similarly provides grants to charitable organizations in the Community for programs that continue this tradition of service to improve the health and wellness of individuals in need within the Greater Cedar Rapids Community.

The Foundation provides grants that support programs, rather than building projects. This limitation is based on Dr. and Mrs. Grandon's firm belief that funding programs provide the greatest and most direct benefit to individuals served by the non-profit organizations. 

How and Why Giving Back to Communities is Important to O’Reilly

From O’Reilly Auto Parts’ inception, O’Reilly co-founder C.H. “Chub” O’Reilly instilled the culture of maintaining high standards for every endeavor, including the area of building civic pride. With Chub’s good example to guide them, all four of his children adopted a business and family philosophy of “giving back” to the community as the Company grew and prospered. Supporting a large number of charitable organizations in all communities in which we operate has long been a focal point for O’Reilly Auto Parts. In order to make an even greater impact, the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation was established in 2020.

O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc.

Impact

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation complements O’Reilly Auto Parts’ role as the Friendliest Parts Store in Town. The Foundation serves as an additional conduit to connect with, support, and strengthen the communities in which O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work. The Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of the O’Reilly family as dependable community partners, seeking to support critical services in times of need to build stronger communities.

Mission

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation strives to have a lasting, positive impact in the communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work by supporting organizations and programs which address issues critical to improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals and families. In particular, the Foundation will concentrate its giving in support of organizations and programs addressing economic stability and mobility, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief.

Economic Stability and Mobility

Advocating for and endowing programs which provide assistance with issues including hunger, homelessness, and poverty for the economic betterment of the communities in which we operate.

Workforce Development

Promoting programs which aid in workforce readiness, technical training, and literacy, including children’s literacy, to ensure the continuance of an educated society and a capable, innovative workforce.

Health and Social Services

Championing and prioritizing matters of health, including mental and behavioral health, access to basic needs such as medical and dental care for underprivileged communities, and providing funding for organizations focused on childhood development and children’s advocacy as well as care and support for victims of domestic violence.

Disaster Relief

Providing funding and visibility to organizations specializing in providing relief from natural disasters and state of emergency, including providing temporary shelter, food, water, and hygiene or sanitation products to those affected and aiding in cleanup efforts.

Application Requirements

We will consider three principal types of grants:

Project Support Grants support specific projects or programs aligned with our mission. These requests may include some funds earmarked for the overhead costs associated with running a project.

General Operating Support Grants provide limited general operating support for the core operations or organizations whose missions and activities are aligned with our mission. These grants will often help the grantee build organizational, programmatic, and fundraising capacity. Operating support is not intended to help organizations in fiscal crisis. Applicants must have a current strategic or business plan that clearly outlines the organization’s goals and presents a plan for achieving results. Operating support grants must not exceed 15% of an organization’s total agency budget.

Capital Support Grants provide limited support for capital campaigns to fund the acquisition and construction of facilities, existing property renovation, or the purchase of major equipment. The program has a comprehensive approach to funding capital initiatives, which also includes funding for increased program capacity. A feasibility study may be required for capital initiatives to be considered.

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa by partnering with donors, funders, and other community collaborators to achieve high impact philanthropy; supporting nonprofit organizations that address our community’s needs and opportunities; and convening people to learn, share ideas, and develop solutions for the future. The Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization with over $223 million in assets and over 1,000 different charitable funds.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds

The Greater Cedar Rapids 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, and religious activities.

Altorfer Inc.

Eligible Categories: Program or Capital

Fund Priorities:

• Health and human services
• Educational programming
• Community development

Duration of Grant is 12 months. Average Award is $2,400.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa by partnering with donors, funders, and other community collaborators to achieve high impact philanthropy; supporting nonprofit organizations that address our community’s needs and opportunities; and convening people to learn, share ideas, and develop solutions for the future. The Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization with over $223 million in assets and over 1,000 different charitable funds.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds

The Greater Cedar Rapids 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, and religious activities.

Bloomhall Family

Eligible Categories: Program or Capital

Priorities: Health-related activities

Duration of Grant is 12 months.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa by partnering with donors, funders, and other community collaborators to achieve high impact philanthropy; supporting nonprofit organizations that address our community’s needs and opportunities; and convening people to learn, share ideas, and develop solutions for the future. The Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization with over $223 million in assets and over 1,000 different charitable funds.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds

The Greater Cedar Rapids 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, and religious activities.

Diamond V

Eligible Categories: Program or Capital

Priorities:

• Health-related activities

Duration of Grant is 12 months. Average Award is $7,500.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa by partnering with donors, funders, and other community collaborators to achieve high impact philanthropy; supporting nonprofit organizations that address our community’s needs and opportunities; and convening people to learn, share ideas, and develop solutions for the future. The Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization with over $223 million in assets and over 1,000 different charitable funds.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds

The Greater Cedar Rapids 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, and religious activities.

Lil’ Drug Store Products

Eligible Categories: Program or Capital or Sponsorship

Priorities: Projects within Cedar Rapids

Duration of Grant is 12 months. Awards: Up to $5,000.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa by partnering with donors, funders, and other community collaborators to achieve high impact philanthropy; supporting nonprofit organizations that address our community’s needs and opportunities; and convening people to learn, share ideas, and develop solutions for the future. The Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization with over $223 million in assets and over 1,000 different charitable funds.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds

The Greater Cedar Rapids 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, and religious activities.

World Class Industries

Eligible Categories: Program

Priorities:

• Basic health and human services
• Classroom education for Iowa Core Standards
• Capital improvements to support priority program areas. Please submit a program application for these improvements to provide context.

Duration of Grant is 12 months. Award Range is $500 to $10,000.

Gupta Family Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, USA. Our mission is to support organizations that provide focused intervention in the lives of people who have been disadvantaged in some way to help them become self-reliant. We take a very broad view of “disadvantage” to include anything that holds a person back from realizing their potential, such as poverty, physical or mental disability, social alienation, etc. The foundation also supports relief agencies that serve people affected by emergencies such as natural disasters.

The foundation evaluates and awards annual and multi-year grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000 (USD). Our focus is on funding smaller organizations all around the world that are led by individuals with a deep personal commitment to their missions. 

Our selection criteria include:

• Mission alignment
• The organization is run by the founder or, if not, by a successor who embodies the original inspiration, passion and commitment of the founder.
• At least 90% of grant monies reaches the intended beneficiaries.
• The organization is non-sectarian, i.e.,
  • It does not, directly or indirectly, support or condone the proselytization of any religion,
  • It is not supported by or affiliated to a religious organization.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa by partnering with donors, funders, and other community collaborators to achieve high impact philanthropy; supporting nonprofit organizations that address our community’s needs and opportunities; and convening people to learn, share ideas, and develop solutions for the future. The Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization with over $223 million in assets and over 1,000 different charitable funds.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds

The Greater Cedar Rapids 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, and religious activities.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds are different from other grants offered at the Community Foundation because they are donor-driven. The funding priorities, exclusions, decision-making and timing of grant awards are determined by the donor advisor.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds are not related to the Program Support or Organization Support Grant programs. Therefore, applications to Competitive Donor-Advised Funds are not subject to the application limits for those two grant programs.

Purpose

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation accepts grant applications for a number of local corporations and family funds. Funding priorities are determined by each donor-advisor and may include:

• programmatic or operating support,
• capital campaigns,
• event sponsorships, and
• religious activities.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds: McGrath Automotive Group

Eligible Categories: Program, Capital or Sponsorship

Priorities: Children’s needs

Duration of Grant is 12 months. Average award is $3,000

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa by promoting charitable giving; connecting donors to the causes they care about; strengthening nonprofits through grants and support; and providing leadership on community issues that involve charitable giving. The Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization with over $194 million in assets and over 1,000 different charitable funds.

Mission

To help donors give in meaningful ways, to strengthen nonprofits, and to provide leadership that supports a vibrant community.

Priorities

The Community Foundation’s grantmaking program invests in innovation, sustainability and capacity building across the spectrum of the entire nonprofit sector including education, health and human services, arts and culture, environment and public benefit.

Endowment Challenge Grant

The Endowment Challenge Grant is a matching grant supporting nonprofit organizations in building endowments in Linn County, Iowa. The matching endowment fund is opened and held at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation after notification of funding. Nonprofit endowment funds are an investment in the mission and the future of the organization by providing general operating support, stability during cyclical income variances, and income for areas of high importance to the organization.

Grant award is $25,000. Organizations have five years in which to meet the match.

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.

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

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.

Background

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation improves the quality of life in Linn County, Iowa by partnering with donors, funders, and other community collaborators to achieve high impact philanthropy; supporting nonprofit organizations that address our community’s needs and opportunities; and convening people to learn, share ideas, and develop solutions for the future. The Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization with over $223 million in assets and over 1,000 different charitable funds.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds are different from other grants offered at the Community Foundation because they are donor-driven. The funding priorities, exclusions, decision-making and timing of grant awards are determined by the donor advisor.

Competitive Donor-Advised Funds are not related to the Program Support or Organization Support Grant programs. Therefore, applications to Competitive Donor-Advised Funds are not subject to the application limits for those two grant programs. 

Purpose

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation accepts grant applications for a number of local corporations and family funds. Funding priorities are determined by each donor-advisor and may include programmatic or operating support, capital campaigns, event sponsorships, and religious activities.

CRST International

Eligible Categories: Program or Capital or Sponsorship

Priorities: Arts and culture

Duration of Grant is 12 months. Award Range is $500 to $30,000

Helping Build Better Futures

Our mission is to deliver great value to our customers every day. For over four decades, our deep commitment to the principles of providing value and caring for others has helped define our culture. It extends beyond the walls of our stores, distribution centers, and offices, and into our local communities around the world. The intersection of these principles defines our global community mission:

Deliver great value to our communities by helping vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future.

Our Social Impact Areas

We bring our community relations mission to life around the world by focusing our giving on four social impact areas where we believe we can have the most impact and are critical to helping families and children succeed and thrive.

Basic Needs

We are passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations that help fill critical basic needs such as a warm meal, clean clothing, and a safe place to sleep for vulnerable families.

Education & Training

Our efforts have focused on quality enrichment and extracurricular programs that provide skills, resources, and opportunities to support school and career success for children, teens, and young adults.

Patient Care & Research

We support organizations that deliver services to families and children facing health challenges and life-threatening illnesses.

Empowering Women

We support programs that provide services ranging from help for those fleeing domestic violence, to others that offer education, training, and job placement resources.

Aegon Transamerica Foundation

The Aegon Transamerica Foundation supports non-profit organizations that help improve the well-being of the communities where Transamerica employees live and work. The nonprofit, private foundation evaluates grant requests based on their location and priorities.

The Aegon Transamerica Foundation was formed on June 30, 2000, when the Aegon USA Charitable Foundation and the Aegon Transamerica Foundation merged.

Our grant programs are designed to empower our neighbors to provide people in our communities the resources to live life on their terms.

What we support

The Aegon Transamerica Foundation focuses on financial and social empowerment to create more inclusive communities where people can live longer, more fulfilling lives. The nonprofit organizations we support must:

• Encourage self-reliance and empower people socially by enhancing their adaptability, skills and capabilities
• Empower people financially by building financial awareness and knowledge and providing relevant tools
• Be active in a market where we operate
• Include opportunities for employees and stakeholders to contribute (time, effort, knowledge)
• Be a distinct and innovative initiative

Social empowerment

We support partnerships that enhance the opportunities and capabilities of people in our communities; broaden social networks, interactions, and aspirations; and increase access to essential services.

• Increase accessibility to the arts for youth and the underserved
• Advance community development, civic engagement, and leadership
• Advance inclusion and diversity
• Promote health education, nutrition, medical services, or disease prevention
• Increase access to food, housing, and clothing
• Build resilient communities 
• Encourage self-reliance and empower people socially by enhancing their adaptability, skills and capabilities

Financial empowerment

Partnerships that build financial awareness, knowledge, and skills, or provide tools to become more financially resilient. 

 

• Provide and promote education and personal development, especially in financial literacy
• Provide access to job skills training