Best Des Moines Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

About Boeing

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company

One of the largest employee-managed funds of its kind in the world, the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company has empowered employees to make a greater impact by pooling their tax-deductible donations for more than 60 years. Employee-led grantmaking committees at 20 Boeing sites provide combined employee donations to nonprofits in their communities through ECF grants.

Charitable or educational organizations can apply for grants from the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company.

Puget Sound Chapter

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Puget Sound is a pooled fund consisting of recurring payroll contributions from generous Boeing employees. It funds local nonprofits that help thousands of families and individuals in the Puget Sound region where Boeing employees live and work.

ECF focus areas

ECF makes grants to 501(c)(3) Health & Human Service nonprofits such as food banks, job-training programs, shelters, transitional housing, mental health services, and low-income medical clinics. ECF seeks the direct client benefit of each grant to ensure that our employees’ contributions directly help those in need.

ECF funding criteria

ECF has two distinct grant categories – Supporting Grants and Capital Campaign Grants.

ECF of Boeing Company: Puget Sound Chapter Supporting Grants

Consideration is given to nonprofits/agencies that are performing well and are seeking to upgrade, replace or modify elements of their infrastructure.

• Supporting grants cannot exceed $50,000. The requested amount cannot be more than 10% of an agency’s gross annual revenue.
• Supporting grants will be considered only for agencies benefiting residents in the Puget Sound Region.
• Supporting grants help agencies continue to effectively provide services through enhanced direct client benefit by aiding them in procuring and/or paying for items such as:
  • Equipment (ex. office, kitchen, industrial, furniture, etc.)
  • Vehicles used to support clients and/or transport food and/or goods (cost of vehicle and accommodations, tax, and licensing only; operating expenses, such as insurance, fuel, etc. is not allowed)
  • Phone systems
  • Cell phones for direct client use
  • Remodels and/or renovations (must hold at least a 10-year lease or own the building)
  • Purchase or construction of new buildings
  • Computers or tablets for direct client benefit and/or use
  • Software for direct client benefit and/or use (ex. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device)
  • Information Technology expenses, without which procured tools would not work
  • External improvements for client safety (i.e. security system, exterior lighting, improved ADA accessibility, new or refinished pavement or concrete)
• Supporting grants which are accepted must be spent as approved within nine (9) months.

Presser Foundation

Passionate about music, Theodore Presser wanted to give back to it. When he died in 1925, he had been widowed twice without any children. The bulk of his fortune was left to The Presser Foundation, which was formally established 14 years after his death. From 1995 to June 2021, The Presser Foundation gave more than $80 million to music organizations, undergraduate and graduate music students, and retired music teachers.

Originally, the Foundation sought to promote the causes of musical education and musical philanthropy by providing scholarships for promising students, supporting the construction of buildings for music organizations, and directing aid to retired music teachers. Over time, the Foundation has evolved to support a broad array of music genres, expand its grantmaking areas, convene its nonprofit partners at special events, and collaborate with fellow funders, while continuing to follow the original intent and wishes of Theodore Presser.

Assistance to Music Teachers

Theodore Presser, mindful of his own early struggles in the profession, was committed to the support of music teachers. He also felt a sense of gratitude for the thousands of teachers who were the primary customers of his music publication business. In 1906, he established the Presser Home for Retired Music Teachers in Philadelphia. When it was no longer practical to maintain an independent facility, the Foundation created the Assistance to Music Teachers Committee to carry on its basic mission of financial support for retired teachers with financial need.

Typically, the Foundation provides modest financial assistance and/or help with the cost of medical insurance. Awards are made to individuals living in the United States whose primary occupation was as a teacher of music. To be considered for Assistance, applicants must be nominated by a music institution for consideration. 

The Kelley Foundation

The Kelley Foundation was established by Robert and Judy Kelley and their daughter Marla. The Kelleys are native Oklahomans and longtime residents of Southern Oklahoma.

The foundation is primarily focused on humanitarian projects in Oklahoma, with an emphasis on Southern Oklahoma. Our mission is to develop and strengthen our community, state, and nation by providing essential resources to those in need.

The Kelley Foundation Grant

The Kelley Foundation is a private, charitable foundation, incorporated under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and operated exclusively for providing support through its gifts and grants to religious, charitable, scientific, and educational institutions which are qualified under section 501(c)(3) and which are not private foundations within the meaning of section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

About RWJF

At the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, we take bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. We take our responsibilities seriously, and pledge to work in ways that reflect our values.

Connecting Champions for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Health Professions

RWJF seeks to fund one lead organization or consortium to serve as a national network-weaver for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the health professions. The selected grantee will connect and support leaders, organizations, and institutions across the ecosystem, strengthening relationships, aligning strategy and communications, and facilitating shared learning and collective action. By building the connections and infrastructure needed for collaboration, the grantee will help advance belonging, accountability, and systems change across health professions education and healthcare institutions.

Achieving a healthcare system grounded in equity requires both a diverse health professions workforce and institutions committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). While diverse teams improve quality of care and health outcomes, RWJF has learned that increasing representation alone is insufficient without addressing structural and institutional barriers that shape belonging, leadership, advancement, and accountability. Structural racism and other forms of systemic inequity continue to limit opportunity across the health professions education and healthcare institutions.

Lasting change requires not only supporting diverse leaders, but also strengthening connections among educational institutions, healthcare organizations, professional associations, accrediting and credentialing bodies, students, advocates, community actors, and others within the health professions ecosystem, whose relationships, actions, practices, and mindsets shape health outcomes for the communities they serve. These relationships create the support, trust, shared learning, and coordinated action necessary to advance DEIB and build a more equitable healthcare system. 

In collaboration with Cummins Inc., the American Library Association (ALA) invites applications from U.S. public libraries to participate in A Year of STEM, 12 months of curated STEM programming to foster curiosity and STEM-mindedness in early childhood learners across the country. 

Twenty-five libraries will be chosen to participate in A Year of STEM, receiving professional development to prepare them for the project, copies of a newly created A Year of STEM programming guide developed by librarian advisors, a $5,000 programming stipend, four STEM kits (to be delivered quarterly), and support from ALA’s Public Programs Office staff throughout the project implementation period.

LRPenn.com is home to the novels, plays, and screenplays of LR Penn. His books specializes in Thrillers, Dramatic Comedies, and Film Noir. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, grants may be available to nonprofit theater companies in the United States with 501(c)(3) status that are staging productions of plays written by LR Penn.  

The Preparedness, Innovation and Energy Education (PIEE) program is federally funded and designed to implement innovative strategies to advance energy security, strengthen energy education and reduce energy use.

The PIEE program supports innovative projects that:

• Increase energy resiliency during natural disaster response or recovery efforts through a combination of skill-building and supplies
• Advance economic development by improving energy efficiency in commercial and industrial buildings
• Develop Iowa’s clean energy workforce through energy education

The Iowa Water Trails Mini Grant provides money to water trail developers (county conservation boards, cities, non-profits) to support projects to establish water trails. Water trails enhance recreational experiences for all water recreation enthusiasts. Efforts often involve canoeists and kayakers.The Iowa Legislature appropriated funds for fiscal year 2026 for the development of dam mitigation and water trail projects. A portion of the funds are available competitively for water trail enhancement cost-share grants. Local divisions of Iowa government are encouraged to apply for cost-share assistance for infrastructure or infrastructure improvements along state designated water trails or water trails on track for state designation.

Cost share requirement for this cycle is 20%.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages fish and wildlife programs, ensures the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies, and provides recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks.

Just as importantly, the DNR carries out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water through technical assistance, permitting and compliance programs. The DNR also encourages the enjoyment and stewardship of natural resources among Iowans through outreach and education. Our mission is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Water Recreation Access Cost Share Program

The Water Recreation Access Cost-Share Program (WRAC) is available for constructing or improving boat access facilities to Iowa's lakes and streams. Projects can include:

• Boat ramps
• Loading/off-loading docks
• Other structures to enhance use by the public

The project must have a cost share eligible estimate of $1,000. The application must be submitted and approved prior to expenditure of funds by the local sponsor or it is ineligible.

Funding Possibilities

Approved projects are funded on a 75% state to 25% local cost share. If a political subdivision is managing DNR property under a long term agreement, the funding can be 100% state. 

Sponsors wishing to furnish their own equipment and labor can receive 100% of the cost of materials for the project. 

If federal match dollars are available, the awardee will be notified as construction or design work funded through the grant cannot start until after the beginning of the federal fiscal year which starts annually on October 1. Design, permitting, and bid letting can be completed prior to October 1 if no funding is requested for those actions.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages fish and wildlife programs, ensures the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies, and provides recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks.

Just as importantly, the DNR carries out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water through technical assistance, permitting and compliance programs. The DNR also encourages the enjoyment and stewardship of natural resources among Iowans through outreach and education. Our mission is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Derelict Building Program

The Derelict Building Program is available for Iowa towns of 5,000 or fewer residents to address neglected commercial or public structures that have sat vacant for at least 6 months. 

The Program’s main focus is landfill diversion through the recycling and reuse of building materials and the elimination of hazards both inside and out posed by these empty structures.  

For applicants who are seeking funding assistance with: 

• conducting asbestos inspections
• asbestos abatement
• structural engineering analysis
• phase I and phase II site assessments
• building deconstruction
• building renovation expenses

Iowa Department of Education

The Department provides oversight to the state education system that includes PK-12 public elementary and secondary schools, nonpublic schools that receive state accreditation, area education agencies, community colleges, and teacher preparation programs. The Department works to remove barriers for pursuing education beyond high school. The Department also establishes and enforces rigorous standards and licensing for Iowa educational practitioners to effectively address the needs of students.  

Teachers Accelerating Learning Grant

The Teachers Accelerating Learning grant opportunity was created for districts to develop measures of teacher effectiveness and recognize teachers who significantly accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth with supplementary pay. This grant opportunity is open to public school districts.

Participating districts commit to:

• Develop systems to identify and recognize teachers who accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth based on transparent and objective qualitative and quantitative metrics.
• Develop a methodology for recognizing highly effective teachers, which must include the EVAAS growth measure for grades 4-8: Review, update and validate classroom EVAAS rosters for ISASP-tested grades and subjects; Participate in training on the EVAAS system, reports, and classroom rostering.
• Offer supplementary teacher pay for up to 25% of teachers who significantly accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth.

Funding & Use

Awards support supplementary teacher pay for two years who demonstrably accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth.

• Administrative costs may not exceed 5% of the total award. 95% of the total award must support supplementary teacher pay.
• Max per teacher amount: $15,000 total: Teacher is defined as instructional staff, including teachers, instructional coaches, and interventionists.

Iowa Department of Education

The Department provides oversight to the state education system that includes PK-12 public elementary and secondary schools, nonpublic schools that receive state accreditation, area education agencies, community colleges, and teacher preparation programs. The Department works to remove barriers for pursuing education beyond high school. The Department also establishes and enforces rigorous standards and licensing for Iowa educational practitioners to effectively address the needs of students.  

Credentials to Child Care Careers (C4) Grant

Grant supports districts and accredited, nonpublic schools, in providing students with a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) through local Family and Consumer Science (FCS) programming, while building the child care workforce through community partnerships with licensed child care centers.

Introduction

The Iowa Department of Education is seeking applications from Iowa school districts interested in providing a Family and Consumer Science (FCS) course series while partnering with a licensed child care center to provide service/practice hours to participating Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. Interested districts will receive a Department-approved early childhood curriculum aligned to the Child Development Associate (CDATM) Credential. The CDA is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE) and is a key stepping stone to career advancement in the early education system. Grant awardees will use the approved curriculum paired with hands-on service hours to support students in completing the requirements for a CDA Credential. 

Application fund requests should be based on program size and the proposed implementation plan to be used across the school years.

Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Program (84F)

Supports newly established RA programs in high-demand fields.

The Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Program (84F) specifically provides funding for sponsors who create a new RA program in an eligible high-demand occupation or add a high-demand occupation to their existing program.

Available Funding

• $760,000

Awarded Amount

• One-time reimbursement of expenses incurred in establishing a registered apprenticeship program, up to a maximum of $25,000.

CDBG Downtown Revitalization

Supported by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, these initiatives help communities reinvest in core commercial areas through coordinated improvements to both private building fronts and the public realm. Together, the programs advance HUD’s community development objectives by improving essential public facilities, enhancing local infrastructure, and supporting commercial revitalization within eligible downtown areas. Through targeted façade rehabilitation and transformative streetscape upgrades, the Downtown Revitalization Fund helps communities create safer, more inviting, and economically resilient downtown environments that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Commercial Facades

The Commercial Facades Program assists communities with impactful downtown exterior improvement projects that eliminate slum and blight conditions.  

Projects include primarily front and highly visible side facades of commercial or mixed-use buildings in a traditional downtown setting.

The maximum grant amount is $650,000. Applicants must address blighted items on a minimum of eight buildings (addresses) to request a grant of $650,000 and a minimum of six buildings (addresses) to request anything less than the maximum.  

Project buildings must be situated within a downtown target area in which at least 25% of all buildings are determined to be in fair or poor condition. Determination of building status is made through individual surveys and documentation (pictures/ descriptions) demonstrating that the building is in fair or poor condition. A local funding match, typically from the city and the participating property owners, is required.

• New charter schools seeking authorization for the upcoming school year who also intend to apply for CSP funding
• Existing charter schools seeking to expand. Note that charters awarded CSP start-up funds are not eligible to apply for expansion funds. 

Start-up: Prepares new charter schools to open and operate.

Expansion: Grows high-quality EXISTING charter schools by raising enrollment or adding grades (program changes alone do not count).

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Mission

Strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses. IEDA works to achieve its mission and goals to benefit Iowans while maintaining a high level of transparency. 

Community Attraction and Tourism Grant

The Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) program provides grant funds to assist projects that provide recreational, cultural, entertainment and educational attractions. The funds help communities create transformational projects that enhance the vitality of a region and the state overall. The CAT Grant Program is designed to assist communities in the development and creation of multiple-purpose attractions and tourism facilities. Funds must be primarily used for vertical infrastructure (land acquisition and construction, major renovation and major repair of buildings and recreational trails.)

Amounts or percentages from cities, counties, and private sources will vary by project, there is no minimum amount or percentage required.

Eligible projects must have 65% of financing/fundraising secured at time of the application. 

No more than 50% of the project can be funded by state dollars, including the amount awarded with CAT Fund funding.

Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism Fund Program

The Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant Program is designed to assist communities in the development and creation of multiple-purpose attraction and tourism facilities. The Program is governed by Iowa Code Chapter 15F, Subchapter II and 261 Iowa Administrative Code 211.

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Mission

Strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses. IEDA works to achieve its mission and goals to benefit Iowans while maintaining a high level of transparency. 

Opportunities and Threats Fund

A portion of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are reserved for communities facing an imminent threat to the public requiring immediate assistance. These funds may also be used by communities seeing an opportunity to demonstrate sustainable community activities.

The program is funded through the federal CDBG program. The goal of this program is to provide economic opportunities for people, especially those of low- and moderate income.

Health and Safety Threat Projects

• An immediate threat must exist to health, safety or community welfare that requires immediate action
• The threat must result from unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances or events
• Must meet one of the three national objectives of the CDBG program
• No known alternative project or action would be more feasible than the proposed project
• Sufficient other local, state or federal funds (including the competitive CDBG program) either are not available or cannot be obtained within the time frame necessary to address the problem

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Mission

Strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses. IEDA works to achieve its mission and goals to benefit Iowans while maintaining a high level of transparency. 

Opportunities and Threats Fund

A portion of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are reserved for communities facing an imminent threat to the public requiring immediate assistance. These funds may also be used by communities seeing an opportunity to demonstrate sustainable community activities.

The program is funded through the federal CDBG program. The goal of this program is to provide economic opportunities for people, especially those of low- and moderate income.

Opportunity for Sustainable Community Activities

• Must meet one of the three national objectives of the CDBG program
• Consistent with sustainability and smart growth principles
• Provides a beneficial impact on the standard of living and quality of life of proposed beneficiaries
• Ready to proceed and be completed in a timely manner
• Leverages the maximum amount of local funds possible
• Will continue to remain viable after CDBG assistance
• Meets funding standards established by the minimum funding criteria set forth in the rule
• Applicants provide adequate information to Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) on total project design and cost, as requested
• Innovative and could be replicated in other communities
• Meets or exceeds the minimum building and site design criteria established by the IEDA

Court Reporter Equipment Grant

Students enrolled in a court reporter training program in Iowa. The maximum award is up to $2,000 to reimburse students for the purchase of court reporter equipment and software for the court reporter training program.

Dennis Van der Meer Tennis Foundation

A 2021 International Tennis Hall of Famer, Dennis was the founder of the Professional Tennis Registry Foundation (PTR Foundation), now called Dennis Van der Meer Tennis Foundation, Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), and the Van Der Meer Tennis University.

Dennis Van der Meer Tennis Foundation is a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Dennis Van der Meer Tennis Foundation provides support to deserving individuals and organizations globally. The foundation is also focused on bringing tennis within reach to countless people worldwide.

Nehemiah Atkinson Humanitarian Grant

This grant reflects the Foundation’s dedication to giving and serving others. It is awarded to individuals who have shown an extraordinary commitment to enhancing the lives of those around them.

The Foundation supports projects that promote and preserve the legacy, vision, and spirit of our founder, Dennis Van der Meer. We will only consider funding for educational, life enrichment, mentoring, and tennis programs.