Best Cycling Grants in Iowa

Nonprofits, government units, tribal entities, individuals, and businesses in Iowa can seek emergency funding to preserve historical resources, including documentary collections, historic properties, and museums. Focused on safeguarding threatened assets, the State Historical Society of Iowa invites eligible applicants to request up to US $15,000 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Nonprofit organizations and local governments in Iowa’s Clay County can access funding from Clay County Community Foundation for new or expanded community projects, with awards of US $10,001 - US $25,000. Eligible initiatives include recreation areas, parks and trails, outdoor activities, and other efforts that enhance local quality of life, which may include cycling-related projects.

Enhance Hamilton County Foundation

The mission of the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation is to foster private giving, strengthen service providers and improve the quality of life for citizens in Hamilton County. To these ends, the Foundation will promote endowment collaboration, and public leadership for the benefit of the designated area.

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation was formed in 2005 as an affiliate of the Greater Des Moines Foundation. The founding members of the organization had a vision to ensure that our communities’ charitable programs were supported now and in the future.

EHCF Annual Grant Program - Arts/Culture/Humanities

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation will provide grants to improve the quality of life throughout Hamilton County, Iowa. We want to help develop all our communities into places where people want to live, as well as, to benefit rural areas of the county.

The Foundation supports the spirit of giving throughout Hamilton County by providing outstanding support and services to our donors, volunteers, other charitable-focused agencies, grant seekers, and the community. We achieve this by:

• Helping people realize their dreams of making a difference and finding the best vehicle to achieve that, by designing and implementing their charitable giving plans.
• Facilitating and supporting the works of charitable-focused organizations in Hamilton County through strategic grant making.
• Acting as stewards for the community by managing donor funds.
• Bringing diverse groups together for the common good.

Competitive grants are made available yearly from unrestricted funds, one of which is: Arts/Culture/Humanities – Museums, historic preservation, etc

Enhance Hamilton County Foundation

The mission of the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation is to foster private giving, strengthen service providers and improve the quality of life for citizens in Hamilton County. To these ends, the Foundation will promote endowment collaboration, and public leadership for the benefit of the designated area.

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation was formed in 2005 as an affiliate of the Greater Des Moines Foundation. The founding members of the organization had a vision to ensure that our communities’ charitable programs were supported now and in the future.

EHCF Annual Grant Program - Capital-Based Funding

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation will provide grants to improve the quality of life throughout Hamilton County, Iowa. We want to help develop all our communities into places where people want to live, as well as, to benefit rural areas of the county.

The Foundation supports the spirit of giving throughout Hamilton County by providing outstanding support and services to our donors, volunteers, other charitable-focused agencies, grant seekers, and the community. We achieve this by:

• Helping people realize their dreams of making a difference and finding the best vehicle to achieve that, by designing and implementing their charitable giving plans.
• Facilitating and supporting the works of charitable-focused organizations in Hamilton County through strategic grant making.
• Acting as stewards for the community by managing donor funds.
• Bringing diverse groups together for the common good.

Competitive grants are made available yearly from unrestricted funds, one of which is:

Capital Based Funding– the building of or physical improvement of something

Enhance Hamilton County Foundation

The mission of the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation is to foster private giving, strengthen service providers and improve the quality of life for citizens in Hamilton County. To these ends, the Foundation will promote endowment collaboration, and public leadership for the benefit of the designated area.

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation was formed in 2005 as an affiliate of the Greater Des Moines Foundation. The founding members of the organization had a vision to ensure that our communities’ charitable programs were supported now and in the future.

EHCF Annual Grant Program - Education

The Enhance Hamilton County Foundation will provide grants to improve the quality of life throughout Hamilton County, Iowa. We want to help develop all our communities into places where people want to live, as well as, to benefit rural areas of the county.

The Foundation supports the spirit of giving throughout Hamilton County by providing outstanding support and services to our donors, volunteers, other charitable-focused agencies, grant seekers, and the community. We achieve this by:

• Helping people realize their dreams of making a difference and finding the best vehicle to achieve that, by designing and implementing their charitable giving plans.
• Facilitating and supporting the works of charitable-focused organizations in Hamilton County through strategic grant making.
• Acting as stewards for the community by managing donor funds.
• Bringing diverse groups together for the common good.

Competitive grants are made available yearly from unrestricted funds, one of which is: 

 Education – Schools (of all ages), adult learning programs

Iowa nonprofits and community organizations working on agricultural education, hunger and nutrition, or rural disaster relief and essential services can access funding through Farm Credit Services of America’s Working Here Fund Grant. Awards up to US $25,000 support projects like ag education programs, food security initiatives, first responder equipment, and other rural community needs in eligible service areas.

With a mission to improve lives and strengthen communities, Iowa West Foundation provides Iowa nonprofits and government entities with program, operating, capital, and launch grants supporting belonging, financial stability, opportunity, and well-being. Eligible 501(c)(3) public charities and public agencies in Pottawattamie County and surrounding southwest Iowa may fund community projects, services, and infrastructure, including efforts that enhance biking and active recreation.

Iowa agricultural and forest producers seeking to improve soil, water, habitat, or grazing on working lands can access funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service of Iowa. Focused on environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture, this Conservation Stewardship Program supports whole-operation conservation plans that may benefit farms and ranches managing trails, access, or open space used for biking.

Agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest owners, and Tribes in Iowa can receive financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices that improve environmental quality and farm operations. Focused on sustainable agriculture and resource conservation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Iowa invites land stewards to address soil health, water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience, which may benefit bike-friendly rural landscapes.

The Iowa Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) supports landowners in protecting and enhancing working agricultural lands through conservation easements. It offers financial assistance and technical support for maintaining agricultural practices while preserving wetlands and grasslands. Enrollment is open to eligible partners, including tribes and local governments, while prioritizing applications that maximize agricultural land protection. ACEP contributes up to 75% of the easement's market value for lands of special environmental significance.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local governments in Cherokee County, Iowa can seek project funding to enhance quality of life, with awards ranging from US $10,001 - US $25,000. Cherokee County Legacy Foundation supports new or expanded initiatives in areas like recreation, trails, health, education, arts, and economic development that may include biking-related projects.

Iowa nonprofits and government entities supporting children in poverty can access funding through the Todd and Mary Heistand Family Foundation for practical programs in health, education, and community well-being. Organizations offering biking or cycling-related initiatives that build job skills or support low-income youth in the Omaha–Council Bluffs region and western Iowa may be competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving senior care or community health in Iowa can apply for grants from Immanuel Community Vision Foundation, with awards around US $75,000. Eligible projects must benefit residents in select Iowa counties and may include programs addressing seniors’ physical, emotional, or spiritual needs, broader community health, or ELCA congregational ministry.

Nonprofit organizations and qualified government agencies in Iowa seeking support for community projects can apply for grants up to US $7,500. Quad Cities Community Foundation supports a wide range of charitable programs in Cedar County, including initiatives that may involve biking or active living, provided applicants meet its diversity, reporting, and grant cycle requirements.

Nonprofit and charitable projects in Iowa’s Van Buren County can seek support for community programs, including arts, culture, health, human services, community betterment, and historic preservation. Focused on broad community needs, Quad Cities Community Foundation invites applicants to request up to US $5,000, which may include initiatives that incorporate biking or cycling elements.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipalities, and the Iowa City Community School District seeking project funding can access support through the Community Foundation of Johnson County’s Coralville Community Fund Grant. Awards up to US $10,000 back charitable initiatives located in or significantly serving Coralville residents, which may include community-based biking or cycling programs and infrastructure.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations, government entities, and educational institutions serving Scott County, Iowa residents can apply for Scott County Regional Authority grants to support defined programs or projects. Organizations offering biking or cycling-related education, recreation, safety, or community services in Iowa may be eligible if their work benefits Scott County residents.

Iowa animal welfare nonprofits and licensed pounds or shelters can access funding for projects that directly improve conditions for Iowa’s animals. Local organizations with cycling-related programs that also operate shelters, rescues, or humane education may be eligible. The Miccio Foundation offers US $1,500 - US $10,000 for spay/neuter, medical care, facility upgrades, and adoption support.

Nonprofit organizations, governments, tribal entities, businesses, and individuals in Iowa can receive up to US $50,000 to preserve and interpret historic properties through the State Historical Society of Iowa’s Historical Resource Development Program. Funding can support National Register-listed sites, surveys, equipment, public education, and related historic preservation activities that may complement cycling-related heritage projects.

Nonprofits, mission-oriented for-profits, and eligible housing authorities with proven, ready-to-scale affordable housing innovations can apply for Enterprise Community Partners’ national Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge; awards US $2,000,000 for each selected project. Iowa organizations working on equitable, affordable rental or homeownership solutions in design, construction, finance, or service delivery may be eligible.

Nonprofit, community-based, law enforcement, prosecutor, and other governmental organizations in Iowa supporting victims of violent crime can apply for criminal justice grants to aid their work. Grants from the Iowa Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General, Victim Assistance Section help fund victim services, investigations, prosecutions, evidence collection, and related training, which may benefit programs serving cyclists who experience violence.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

Nonprofits, churches, schools, and government entities significantly serving Johnson County, Iowa and focused on immigrant and refugee support can seek funding through the Community Foundation of Johnson County’s 5224GOOD Grant. Awards of more than US $12,000 can strengthen local services, which may benefit organizations whose cycling programs also support immigrant and refugee communities.

Building resilient rural communities.

Supporting communities across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

The mission of the Taylor Family Farms Foundation is to collaborate with knowledgeable and trusted philanthropic partners to build resilient rural communities.

We believe that strong partnerships and local insight are essential to creating lasting impact. By working alongside experienced organizations, we ensure resources are directed where they are needed most.

Fall 2026 Grant Cycle Details

Grant Guidelines and Eligibility

Reliable emergency services are essential to every community. In rural areas, those services are often provided by volunteers who step forward when their neighbors need them most.

The Taylor Family Farms Foundation is now accepting grant applications from emergency services providers serving rural communities.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, schools, and municipalities that are eligible to receive funding from a public foundation.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on youth, family, housing, or community development programs in Iowa can seek funding for specific projects or organizational needs. Ochylski Family Foundation supports human and social services across the U.S.; Iowa biking and cycling groups with qualifying community-focused programs may be eligible for US $50,000 - US $75,000 grants.

The Programmatic Support - Education Pillar Award by Honda aims to enhance workforce readiness in the manufacturing sector. It supports nonprofit organizations and schools focused on hands-on programs in design, software/data analytics, and AI/machine learning. Eligible applicants must be US-based and have 501(c)(3) status. The initiative prioritizes projects that train individuals for manufacturing roles, develop technical skills, and introduce automation to prepare for evolving industry demands, ultimately fostering economic prosperity in local communities.

The American Honda Foundation provides programmatic support to nonprofit organizations and schools in the U.S., empowering impactful initiatives aligned with community needs. Funding opportunities are available through Honda corporate and Honda USA Foundation, focusing on projects that enhance education and community welfare. Eligible organizations must have nonprofit status or be recognized educational institutions. The application process opens each fall, with funding decisions announced the following spring, ensuring alignment with Honda's commitment to social responsibility.