Best Technology Grants in Iowa

Nonprofits, schools, and public agencies in Iowa can seek funding for traffic safety, driver education, or financial literacy initiatives through the Auto Club Group Foundation, with typical awards of US $5,000 - US $15,000. Technology-focused projects, including passive speed enforcement equipment like speed display signs, may be competitive if they advance these priorities.

Iowa 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, and IRS-recognized tribes working in STEM education, early learning, or environmental science can seek project support that advances innovative, equitable solutions. Focused on systemic change, Change Happens Foundation prioritizes national or global initiatives, with occasional community grants that may benefit Iowa-based technology and education programs.

Nonprofit organizations and schools planning community events in Iowa and other eligible Honda communities can apply for American Honda Motor’s sponsorships, with awards up to US $25,000. Funding supports parades, festivals, galas, runs, walks, and similar cultural or recreational events, which may include technology or digital literacy components that engage local residents.

Nonprofit organizations in Iowa serving agricultural education, hunger and nutrition, or rural disaster relief and essential services can apply for Farm Credit Services of America’s Working Here Fund grants, with awards up to US $25,000. Rural programs that incorporate technology for ag education, food distribution, or first responder equipment may be especially competitive.

Keokuk Area Community Foundation

Established in 2004, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation receives charitable gifts and grants from individuals, families, business, and corporations to establish permanent endowments for the benefit of Southeast Iowa, Western Illinois, and Northeast Missouri.

The mission of the Keokuk Area Community Foundation is to build endowments to assist community needs, foster growth for leadership, and create flourishing nonprofit organizations, charities, schools, and churches. 

Kowzan / Sandrock Grant Fund

It’s been twenty years since the North Lee Community Foundation founders dreamed of what could happen if they pooled their resources and worked with others to resolve their community’s challenges and build on their strengths. The mission they embraced was to give back to Lee County, create leaders, and promote nonprofit organizations. The Sandrock Trust and Joe Kowzan were instrumental in spreading that mission. To honor both Joe Kowzan and Sandrock, the North Lee Community Foundation renamed its grant fund the Kowzan/Sandrock Grant Fund in 2025.

All projects should serve the charitable fields of arts and culture, community betterment, education, health care and human services.

Agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest landowners, and Tribes in Iowa can receive financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices that improve environmental quality and farm operations. Grants from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Iowa help address soil health, water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and on-farm energy and resource conservation, which may benefit tech-enabled conservation or monitoring projects.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - Iowa

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Public 501(c)(3) charities in Iowa planning capital projects can apply for Ash Grove Charitable Foundation grants, with awards up to US $25,000 for construction, renovation, or facility improvements. Organizations incorporating STEM education, skilled trades training, nature-focused projects, or community gathering spaces that may include technology or digital literacy components may be competitive.

Iowa nonprofits and schools offering hands-on manufacturing and technology workforce programs can apply for US $25,000 - US $100,000 from American Honda Motor. Grants from American Honda Motor help Iowa education and workforce initiatives build skills in design, data analytics, AI, automation, and manufacturing engineering for a future-ready talent pipeline.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits and schools running environmental sustainability programs can seek US $25,000 - US $100,000 for decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient resource use projects. Grants from American Honda Motor help eligible states, including Iowa, fund initiatives like energy efficiency upgrades, onsite solar or wind, recycling, composting, and other green infrastructure efforts in Honda communities.

Nonprofit organizations and schools supporting disability care and mobility technology in Iowa can apply for Honda USA Foundation’s Mobility Pillar Award, offering US $25,000 - US $100,000 for programmatic support. With a mission to expand mobility access, the foundation funds therapeutic and adaptive programs, comprehensive care, and mobility modifications or assistive technology in Honda communities.

Nonprofits, schools, and government agencies in Iowa communities of Ft. Madison and Keokuk can seek funding for education, economic opportunity, and community capacity projects that benefit local residents. Grants from Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation help eligible organizations support workforce development, community development, and related initiatives, which may include technology access or digital literacy components.

Licensed child care centers in Dubuque County, Cascade, or Dyersville can seek support for AccessDubuqueJobs.com investments to promote childcare career opportunities and strengthen their workforce in Iowa. Focused on workforce and technology-related recruitment tools, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque invites eligible providers participating in Child Care Assistance to apply.

Iowa child care centers needing help with required staff compliance costs can access funding through the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, including sites in Dubuque County and the cities of Cascade and Dyersville. Grants provide more than US $145 per employee for HHS-required expenses like background checks, CPR/First Aid training, and physical examinations, which may benefit tech-enabled child care operations.

Licensed child care centers in Dubuque County and the cities of Cascade and Dyersville can receive up to US $5,000 for HHS-approved professional development and center-wide technology upgrades. Grants from Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque help Iowa providers strengthen child care services and support staff who deliver direct care year-round.

Licensed child care centers in Dubuque County and the cities of Cascade and Dyersville can use this grant to supplement staff wages and retain qualified caregivers. Grants from Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque offer up to US $1,000 per full-time employee and US $500 per part-time employee for incentive-based bonuses, with certain staff eligibility requirements.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities in Iowa seeking support for technology access and digital literacy projects can apply to the John K & Luise V Hanson Foundation. With a mission to enhance quality of life, the foundation funds initiatives in north central Iowa, especially Forest City, that strengthen families through education, youth development, and community programs.

Healthcare organizations in Iowa recruiting providers for rural communities can receive up to US $120,000 in incentives such as relocation support or signing bonuses through Iowa Health and Human Services. Funding must go directly to healthcare providers who commit to serving at least five years, helping strengthen rural health care access and delivery.

Iowa nonprofits, schools, and government entities serving Black Hawk County residents can seek one-year funding for operations, programs, equipment, materials, and capital projects, typically ranging from US $5,000 - US $25,000. Black Hawk County organizations working on technology access or digital literacy within arts, education, health, human services, environment, or community betterment may be eligible.

Iowa youth-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, churches, government entities, and fiscally sponsored groups can seek up to US $1,000 to support youth programs and projects. Jackson County organizations that build life skills and address priorities like STEM, healthy living, leadership, communication, the arts, or agriculture may be eligible through the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s PBnJ Youth Philanthropy Board.

Organizations running agricultural cooperative education programs in Iowa and other CHS trade area states can apply for CHS Foundation’s Cooperative Education Grant to support program-related costs. Eligible projects educate middle school through college students and young producers about the ag cooperative business model, using technology and innovative approaches with clear engagement strategies and measurable outcomes.

Iowa 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofits, public school districts, political subdivisions, and religious organizations can apply for Prairie Meadows Race Track & Casino’s Youth Sports and Recreational Grants, awarding US $1,000 - US $50,000 for equipment, uniforms, facilities, technology, and other enhancements. Projects must primarily serve youth 19 and under in specified central Iowa counties and may include tech-related upgrades.

Nonprofit and governmental health and human service organizations in Floyd County, Iowa can receive approximately US $20,000 for capital improvements to buildings, facilities, and equipment. The Andres Memorial Trust supports hospitals, medical research facilities, and housing for older adults or indigent residents; Iowa groups upgrading technology as part of these capital projects may be eligible.

Network member organizations in Iowa using technology to expand access to health and biomedical information can apply for the National Library of Medicine’s Health Information Outreach Award, with awards of US $25,000. Funding supports projects that improve digital access to NLM resources, health literacy, and health equity, especially for underrepresented populations.

Abous Us

For Good. Forever

Established in 2004, the Keokuk Area Community Foundation receives charitable gifts and grants from individuals, families, business, and corporations to establish permanent endowments for the benefit of Southeast Iowa, Western Illinois, and Northeast Missouri.

The mission of the Keokuk Area Community Foundation is to build endowments to assist community needs, foster growth for leadership, and create flourishing nonprofit organizations, charities, schools, and

The Hellman Lee County Impact Fund

Merlin Hellman (1935 – 2021) lived a life of service for Lee County. He was a man people called for help and advice, a man who was there for his family, friends, neighbors and community. Merlin served on multiple area boards of directors, including the Boards of Marquette and Aquinas, Parish Councils, and Diocesan Stewardship Committees. He was a founding member of the Southeast Iowa Economic Development Committee, but he was most proud of his volunteer accomplishments.

North Lee County’s philanthropic story began with Merlin’s generosity. Merlin established the North Lee Community Foundation, the Lee County Charitable Fund and funded endowments to support Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, Holy Family Parish, the Fort Madison Public Library and Hope Haven.

The North Lee Community Foundation and the Lee County Charitable Fund honor the life Merlin Hellman by creating the Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant. Starting in 2026, the Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant will distribute multiple $25,000 - $100,000 IMPACT Grants to Lee County nonprofit organizations.

Iowa school districts can apply for grants supporting secondary career and technical education programs that lead to state-approved, industry-recognized credentials, including technology-related pathways. Grants from Iowa Department of Education may fund assessment fees, instructional materials, equipment, software, and other costs that directly support credential attainment, with awards up to US $50,000 based on credential tier.

Iowa and Nebraska 501(c)(3) organizations running youth cultural, arts, or educational programs, including technology and natural science, can access funding through Omaha Community Foundation. Grants of More than US $20,000 support primarily programmatic work for organizations serving at least 1,000 students annually, with most awards focused on the Omaha metro and some extending across Nebraska and southwest Iowa.