Best Aging Grants in Iowa

Nonprofit organizations supporting children and youth development in Iowa can seek funding for early childhood, middle childhood, adolescent, and community development programs. Dekko Foundation supports these efforts in Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Ringgold, and Union Counties, focusing on helping young people build skills, character, and self-sufficiency that may complement intergenerational and aging-related initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities in northeastern Iowa counties can apply for R.J. McElroy Trust grants to support educational and youth-focused programs. Funding benefits young people through scholarships, fellowships, internships, and other initiatives; organizations serving intergenerational families or older adults alongside youth may be eligible if their work fits the Trust’s education and youth priorities.

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.

Iowa 501(c) organizations, government entities, and state-recognized nonprofits can seek funding to support educational and public service shooting sports programs. Grants from The NRA Foundation help promote firearms and hunting safety, teach firearms history and marksmanship, and support research to improve firearms safety, facilities, and techniques; senior-focused shooting activities may be eligible.

Public 501(c)(3) charities in Iowa planning capital projects like community gathering spaces, STEM education facilities, nature conservation sites, or skilled trades training centers can apply for the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation’s support; awards up to US $25,000 for capital needs. Organizations serving older adults through such facilities may be eligible.

Nonprofit and tribal arts organizations in Iowa and other Midwestern states can use this funding for community-based creative projects and educational events featuring professional artists. Grants from Arts Midwest help cover artist fees, touring costs, accessibility accommodations, and marketing, which may benefit programs engaging older adults or other underserved audiences.

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

Rural 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups serving LGBTQ+ communities in Iowa can seek support for capacity-building and connection efforts. Focused on rural queer organizations, Philanthrofund Foundation’s PRISM Fund backs programs that align with its mission and vision, with particular attention to prioritized communities across its broader upper Midwest service area.

Nonprofit organizations and individual artists running community-focused arts projects in Iowa’s Quad Cities region can receive up to US $5,000 for arts-centered programming that engages residents and creates long-term community benefit. Quad City Arts supports projects in its six-county service area, and senior-focused arts initiatives may be eligible under this program.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, and the Iowa City Community School District in Iowa can receive up to US $5,000 for leadership development programs through the John E Langhorne Leadership Grant. Community Foundation of Johnson County supports projects like leadership trainings, retreats, conferences, coaching, and certificate programs that build leadership capacity for all ages in Johnson County.

Nonprofit organizations, K-12 schools, and individual artists can receive funding for arts education projects serving K-12 students in Iowa’s Quad Cities region through Quad City Arts’ Arts Dollars program, with awards up to US $5,000. Programs that engage older adult volunteers or intergenerational activities with seniors may be especially relevant for aging-focused organizations.

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 and may include senior-focused components within broader intergenerational or community programming.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving seniors or community health in Iowa, including select counties, can apply for grants from Immanuel Community Vision Foundation; awards are US $75,000. Funding supports programs that meet seniors’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, enhance community health, or support ELCA congregations engaged in faith-based service.

Warren County Philanthropic Partnership

Warren County Philanthropic Partnership was formed as a community foundation to distribute Iowa’s County Endowment Fund money and support charitable giving in Warren County, Iowa.

For more than a decade, the foundation has responsibly distributed charitable dollars through grants to community nonprofit organizations. Since our inception, we have awarded more than $1 million into the community for beneficial projects.  As we move into the future, our goal is to continue grantmaking, but also to assist citizens in their charitable giving plans, work closely with city leaders and other organizations for organizational collaboration, and improve the quality of life in Warren County.

WCPP is an Affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and is governed by a Board of Directors under the direction of Warren County Economic Development Corporation, made up of passionate individuals invested in making decisions to improve Warren County.

WCPP Grants

Program Area of Focus

Applications should fall under one of these focus areas: 

• Arts/Culture/Humanities: Museums, historic preservation, exhibits, art and music
• Education: Schools (all ages) and adult learning programs
• Environment/Animals: Environmental protection, beautification, animal-related issues
• Health: General public health, rehabilitation, mental health
• Human Services: Public protection and safety, recreation, youth development (other than education), food insecurity, general human services
• Community and Economic Development: Community improvement and development, capacity-building, tourism, civil rights

Project Type

Projects should fall under one of two types:

• Capital-Based: request refers to the building of or physical improvement or a project that helps maintain or improve an asset, such as equipment, new construction, renovation or replacement.
• Program-Based: request refers to activities or general programmatic support, such as purchase of educational materials or items needed to support a program or service.

Grant Type

Warren County Philanthropic Partnership currently offers three grant options: Community Grant; Trails Grant; and High Impact Grant.

Community Grant

For Community Grants, we are looking for applications which:

• Are for small to large projects which benefit a single community, smaller percentage of the citizenship or for the entire county.
• Address a community need in a community within Warren County or for the entire county.
• Successfully shows the need and how funds will cover equipment, capital and program items necessary to support the community need.

Warren County Philanthropic Partnership

Warren County Philanthropic Partnership was formed as a community foundation to distribute Iowa’s County Endowment Fund money and support charitable giving in Warren County, Iowa.

For more than a decade, the foundation has responsibly distributed charitable dollars through grants to community nonprofit organizations. Since our inception, we have awarded more than $1 million into the community for beneficial projects.  As we move into the future, our goal is to continue grantmaking, but also to assist citizens in their charitable giving plans, work closely with city leaders and other organizations for organizational collaboration, and improve the quality of life in Warren County.

WCPP is an Affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and is governed by a Board of Directors under the direction of Warren County Economic Development Corporation, made up of passionate individuals invested in making decisions to improve Warren County.

WCPP Grants

Program Area of Focus

Applications should fall under one of these focus areas: 

• Arts/Culture/Humanities: Museums, historic preservation, exhibits, art and music
• Education: Schools (all ages) and adult learning programs
• Environment/Animals: Environmental protection, beautification, animal-related issues
• Health: General public health, rehabilitation, mental health
• Human Services: Public protection and safety, recreation, youth development (other than education), food insecurity, general human services
• Community and Economic Development: Community improvement and development, capacity-building, tourism, civil rights

Project Type

Projects should fall under one of two types:

• Capital-Based: request refers to the building of or physical improvement or a project that helps maintain or improve an asset, such as equipment, new construction, renovation or replacement.
• Program-Based: request refers to activities or general programmatic support, such as purchase of educational materials or items needed to support a program or service.

Grant Type

Warren County Philanthropic Partnership currently offers three grant options: Community Grant; Trails Grant; and High Impact Grant.

Trails Grant

Awarded to a project specifically benefitting a recreational walking or cycling trail or the entire trail system located within Warren County. For Trails Grants, preference will be given to:

• Projects going toward the maintenance and improvement of trails due to damage or aging.
• Projects improving the safety, use and accessibility of the trails.
• Although priority is given toward maintenance and improvement, we may also consider projects which lead to the beautification and aesthetic appeal of the trails, as well as projects providing something missing from the trail such as benches or drinking fountains.
• May be awarded to the county, county entities or organizations which support trails or to a city where a trail is located. 

Iowa family service and parent education providers in Iowa can access funding through the Iowa Department of Education to deliver educational support services to parents of at-risk children from birth to age five. Eligible applicants include public schools, Head Start agencies, licensed nonprofit child care centers, community action agencies, and other public nonprofit agencies, with priority for programs serving families with infants and toddlers.

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and exempt governmental units in Iowa can apply for the Andres Memorial Trust’s capital grants, averaging approximately US $20,000, to improve buildings, facilities, and equipment. Floyd County hospitals, residential care and nursing homes, and facilities serving aging or indigent adults may benefit, especially those focused on treatment of aging-related conditions and housing.

Municipalities, nonprofit or government first responder departments, and rural fire districts in Iowa counties served by this program can receive up to US $50,000 for safety equipment, training, and facility improvements. Walter Scott Family Foundation’s Jack Lewis Safety Fund may benefit departments whose work supports safer communities for older adults and other residents.

Eligible nonprofits, mission-oriented for-profits, and qualified housing entities with scalable affordable housing innovations can apply for Enterprise Community Partners’ national competition; awards US $2,000,000 for each winning project. Iowa organizations serving low- to moderate-income renters or homeowners may be competitive if their proven models improve housing design, finance, or service delivery for older adults and other residents.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government units in Jefferson County, Iowa can seek funding for community betterment, health and human services, education, environment, arts, and cultural projects. The Greater Jefferson County Foundation provides grants that may support programs benefiting older adults as part of broader community services in the county.

Iowa nonprofits and community organizations serving women through aging-in-place, health, safety, education, or childcare programs in southwest Iowa can access funding through the Community Foundation for Western Iowa’s Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa. Projects must show how they help women become more self-sufficient, thrive in their communities, and improve overall well-being.

Nonprofit or public agencies providing youth mentoring and case management for ORR-eligible refugee youth ages 15–24 in Iowa can access funding through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Grants of US $61,250 - US $245,000 support civic and social engagement plus educational and vocational advancement, which may benefit intergenerational and aging-focused community programs.

Nonprofit and community organizations providing youth mentoring and case management for refugee youth ages 15–24 can access funding from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services in Iowa. Grants of US $61,250 - US $245,000 support positive civic and social engagement and educational or vocational advancement through one-on-one or group mentoring and related services.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering youth cultural, arts, or educational programs in Iowa and nearby Nebraska counties can apply for Omaha Community Foundation’s Jetton Charitable Fund grants of more than US $20,000. Grants primarily support programmatic work engaging large numbers of students in performing and visual arts or natural science, technology, zoological, botanical, or historical education.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible governmental entities in Iowa can receive funding to run programs, capital projects, or sponsorships that build leadership skills among girls in kindergarten through 8th grade. With a mission to uplift youth, Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation provides up to US $1,000 for initiatives that empower and mentor girls, which may benefit aging-focused organizations with intergenerational programs.

The Lee County Youth Services, Inc. (LCYS) Grant aims to support 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Lee County, Iowa, focusing on youth programs. With funding up to $5,000, the grant encourages innovative projects that address community needs, enhance leadership, and promote collaboration. Eligible organizations are those committed to social responsibility and community engagement. The foundation prioritizes projects that build community connections and improve organizational effectiveness, ensuring impactful contributions to local youth and their families.