Best Grants for 501(c)(3) in Iowa

The Gridiron Veterans Scholarship, provided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, offers essential financial support for military veterans and first responders. This initiative focuses on wellness, rehabilitation, and recovery programs, ensuring participants can access mental health services, physical therapy, and holistic resources. The foundation prioritizes those facing emotional and physical challenges, empowering them to overcome barriers and improve their quality of life through customized, evidence-based support.

The NRP Research Grant Program offers up to $50,000 for healthcare professionals to explore optimal neonatal resuscitation methods. It encourages innovative research addressing gaps in transitional physiology and effective teaching of resuscitation skills. Applications must focus on evidence-based practices and demonstrate potential for meaningful impact in delivery room care. Researchers from Canadian and US institutions are eligible, though applications primarily focused on quality improvement without a research emphasis will not be considered.

The Anderson-Rogers Foundation Grant supports U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations focused on environmental protection, animal welfare, climate change mitigation, and social support. Established in 2001, this family foundation prioritizes innovative projects and general operating support for small organizations facing financial constraints. Note that applicants must first submit a letter of inquiry, as the foundation does not fund scholarships or grants to individuals or religious organizations, nor does it support organizations outside the U.S.

The Coaching Enhancement Grant by the NCAA Division III aims to increase diversity in assistant coaching roles by providing financial support to member institutions. Over two years, selected schools receive $15,000 to cover salaries, requiring a matching contribution. This initiative encourages ethnic minority and gender representation, allowing up to 11 institutions to benefit annually, thus enhancing inclusivity in collegiate sports.

The LFF: Nature-Based Climate Action Grant aims to support initiatives that leverage natural systems to combat climate change. By funding projects focused on tree planting, prairie restoration, and carbon sequestration, the program seeks to engage communities and enhance understanding of climate challenges. Ideal applicants include rural organizations working to create measurable environmental impacts while fostering collaboration and policy change. This grant represents an opportunity for organizations ready to take significant strides in addressing the climate crisis.

The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant by the NCAA Division III aims to bolster ethnic minority and gender representation in senior athletics administration roles. With an annual budget of $1.6 million, it supports up to 46 schools and conferences over five years. Eligible institutions must be active NCAA Division III members and meet various requirements. This grant encourages diversity in leadership, fostering an inclusive environment for student-athletes.

The Coaching Enhancement Grant - Division II aims to enhance diversity in NCAA coaching by providing financial support for new assistant coaching positions. This grant specifically targets increased representation of ethnic minorities and women in athletics. Selected schools receive funding for three years to cover salaries and benefits, totaling $370,000 annually for up to 21 institutions. Eligible schools must be active NCAA Division II members committed to these diversity efforts.

The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant - Division II offers financial support to enhance ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles across NCAA Division II institutions. With an annual budget of $860,000, the grant aims to fund up to 20 schools and conferences each year. Eligible applicants must be active Division II members and are encouraged to collaborate with their human resources departments during the proposal process, ensuring compliance with grant requirements.

RFP for School Based Services

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (the Agency) is providing this notice of intent to release a request for proposal (RFP)  for provision of medical, mental/behavioral, and dental health services utilizing rural Iowa schools as the site of service. 

The Dunkin’ Prom Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to bring joy to teenage patients unable to attend their own prom due to illness. By funding hospitals to host prom-like events, the program ensures these patients experience this significant milestone. Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000, supporting the creation of memorable events with themes, food, entertainment, and formal wear for the teens, making a positive impact in their lives.

The Van Program by Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa offers vital transportation services to at-risk and underprivileged children. Over 40 years, the program has provided over 400 vans to nonprofits, ensuring children can attend medical appointments, therapy sessions, and recreational activities. This initiative supports families facing financial strain while fostering community connections and inclusivity. With a mission to enhance the lives of children with special needs, Variety is committed to making a positive impact across Iowa.

The Iowa STEM Teacher Externship program connects secondary STEM educators with local workplaces to enhance their teaching practices. Externs work 200-240 hours over 5-6 weeks during the summer, earning up to $5,000 and three graduate credits from the University of Northern Iowa. This initiative aims to align education with the evolving needs of Iowa's STEM industries, providing valuable real-world experience for teachers and fostering stronger community ties.

The Connecting Joy Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to enhance the hospital experience for children battling illness through engaging gaming programs. This initiative supports children's hospitals and nonprofits by funding equipment, staffing, and connectivity, ensuring children can enjoy gaming at their bedside. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, the program focuses on offering joy and distraction, helping young patients cope with their hospital stays while facilitating connections with peers.

Grant Purpose and Requirements:

Districts identified with a Priority rating on the Iowa School Performance Profile are eligible for support to build district-level capacity and strengthen alignment of processes through professional development. Grant funds must be used for professional learning that aligns with and supports district and building action plans, ensuring effective implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) and high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). Professional development should focus intentionally on identified student groups, particularly students with disabilities, and align the district’s IDEA-DA designation with building-level ESSA action plans. District plans must include monitoring of professional learning through implementation of district-level EBPs, regular data collection, embedded coaching, and ongoing analysis to support reflection and refinement. Anticipated outcomes include a reduction in the achievement gap between the overall student population and identified student groups, improved overall school performance, and the establishment of a sustainable system of support to ensure coordinated and intentional implementation of building-level improvement plans.

The Asian Cultural Council's New York Fellowship offers a transformative six-month program for artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia. Participants engage deeply with New York City's vibrant cultural landscape, attending performances, exhibitions, and workshops while building networks with local communities. This unique opportunity fosters peer-learning and individual artistic development, encouraging fellows to incorporate their experiences into their practices and contribute to their home cultures. The fellowship emphasizes exploration, exchange, and support, culminating in a rich cultural immersion.

The Open Spaces Protection program, part of Iowa's Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP), allocates funds for state acquisition and development of lands and waters. With 28% of REAP funds, it supports both land acquisition and facility development, fostering private conservation efforts through cost-sharing arrangements. Additionally, a portion is dedicated to maintaining the scenic quality of designated rivers. This initiative enhances outdoor recreation opportunities and protects critical habitats across Iowa.

The ASP Conservation Small Grants program is dedicated to supporting primate conservation efforts. It invites proposals for conservation research or related projects, including education, with awards up to $3500. This initiative encourages ASP members, especially those in habitat countries, to submit impactful projects that contribute to broader conservation goals. The program emphasizes funding for local salaries, research supplies, and educational materials, ensuring the sustainability of primate conservation efforts.

656019 - FY27 RFP PHTHMRH27002 for Sexual Violence Prevention

Purpose 

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) #PHTHMRH27002 is to solicit applications that will enable the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (referred to as Agency) to select the most qualified applicant to provide sexual violence prevention programming through a statewide organization representing programs serving victims of sexual violence and the continuation of a training program for Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) members.  

Additionally, the work and services completed with this contract will 1) grow capacity for sexual violence prevention activities across Iowa, 2) create social and physical environments that reduce risk factors for developing problematic sexual behaviors and perpetrating sexual violence and/or increase protective factors while focusing on key impacted communities, and 3) develop Iowa specific best practice and standards of care within victim advocate, public health, and medical settings in collaboration with state-level partners. 

Sexual violence prevention programming should focus on addressing social norms, social drivers of health, parent engagement with children about not causing sexual harm, and community programming which supports the development of non-violent social problem-solving skills. All programs are required to be evidence-informed and data-driven. 

Program Description

The Iowa Department of Education’s Bureau of Iowa College Aid is offering a grant opportunity for community colleges: the Pathway to Completion Grant, which is aimed at re-engaging students who have stopped out of college due to being unable to register for classes because they owe minimal amounts of institutional debt. The origins of this grant stem from Take 2, Hawkeye Community College’s successful program focused on this same goal. By removing institutional debt as a barrier to students returning to classes, Hawkeye and Take 2 continue to show a positive return on investment for both the college and students. 

The Pathway to Completion Grant seeks to replicate the success of Take 2 at the statewide level. Successful grantees will join a Community of Practice, including leaders from Hawkeye, to share knowledge, strategies, and best practices related to re-enrolling Iowans to complete postsecondary programs.

The Asian Cultural Council's Individual Fellowship provides artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia and the United States with opportunities for self-directed cultural exchange and research in unfamiliar regions. This program supports activities such as interviews, workshops, and archival research, fostering cultural immersion and collaboration. With a funding limit of $35,000, the fellowship encourages innovative proposals that enhance creative perspectives and relationships among peers, while also ensuring strong eligibility criteria for applicants.

State Historical Society of Iowa

The State Historical Society of Iowa is the official historical repository of the State of Iowa, providing grants, education, and outreach about Iowa’s history.

The society preserves and provides access to Iowa’s historical resources through programs, exhibitions and projects while advocating for Iowa’s past and serving as a connector to the future.

Historical Resource Development Program

The program provides grant funding to help preserve, conserve, interpret, enhance, and educate the public about Iowa’s historical assets. The Historical Resource Development Program provides funding for documentary collections, historic preservation and museums. 

Emergency Historical Resource Development Program

Emergency HRDP applications will be accepted each year on July 1. Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The differences between the regular grant application process and the emergency application process are as follows:

• Please contact the grants manager by email or phone to see if funds are available.
• Attach a cover letter that explains the threat to the resource.
• The threat to the resource cannot be due to delinquency on the part of the current owner.
• If new ownership is the reason for the emergency, the new owner must have taken ownership within the previous 12 months.
• The maximum grant request is $15,000.
• Funds become available at the beginning of each fiscal year, July 1st. There isn’t a specific deadline. Submit the application as soon as it is ready, as long as it is not prior to July 1st if you are requesting funds from the next fiscal year.
• Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all emergency funds for each grant category are expended.
• A staff grants steering committee reviews the applications. Allow up to 30 days for review.
• Eligible properties in the historic preservation category will have an opinion of eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places from the State Historic Preservation Office.

The Legacy Youth Alliance Grant supports youth-led projects and organizations in Wapello County, aiming to enhance education and health opportunities for local youth. The fund prioritizes innovative initiatives that demonstrate community impact and collaboration. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profits or those with a fiscal sponsor. Notably, it excludes funding for individuals, for-profits, and projects lacking youth focus. The foundation seeks to empower youth through impactful programs.

Purpose

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) # PHTHORC26009 is to solicit applications that will enable the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (referred to as Agency) to select the most qualified Rural organizations in Iowa to receive funding support for medical equipment procurement and installation, including Minor Alterations and Renovations if needed. The goal of this opportunity is to provide new lines of service not currently available in the region and/or increase the sustainability of providing high quality healthcare in Rural communities. This work implements a portion of the Hometown Connections initiative of the Iowa Healthy Hometowns Project, funded through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. 

The Stimulating Hematology Investigation: New Endeavors (SHINE) program aims to enhance nonmalignant hematology research aligned with the goals of the NIDDK, NIA, and NHLBI. It invites R01 grant applications focused on innovative and early translational hematology topics, fostering growth in this critical research area. Key deadlines for applications span from February 2025 to October 2027, allowing for both standard and renewal submissions.

The Historical Resource Development Program Annual Grant supports the preservation, conservation, and education of Iowa's historical resources. Established by the Code of Iowa, it offers funding to nonprofit corporations, governmental units, and individuals, with a focus on projects that enhance economic and cultural development. While grants can reach $100,000, applicants are encouraged to request up to $50,000. Key priorities include projects involving trained professionals and documentary collections with significant historical value.

Office of the Attorney General

The attorney general is the State of Iowa's chief legal officer. The attorney general has general charge, supervision and direction of the state's legal business. The Office of the Attorney General provides legal advice and representation to most of the state's major departments, boards, commissions, authorities, officials and institutions. The office further represents the State of Iowa in state administrative law and Iowa District Court matters, the Iowa Court of Appeals, the Iowa Supreme Court, lower federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Criminal Justice Grants

The Victim Assistance Section of the Iowa Department of Justice (“Department”) seeks applications from qualified nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, law enforcement offices, prosecutor offices and other governmental organizations to support victims of violent crimes through the criminal justice system.

Purpose

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to distribute state and federal funding to eligible applicants who will respond to, and support victims of violence, investigate, or prosecute crimes against women, collect evidence, or provide training to those who perform these duties. 

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources offers small grants for research and education projects that enhance wildlife diversity in Iowa. Funded through donations, these grants support initiatives that promote conservation and stewardship of natural resources. Eligible projects can receive up to $5,000 and must be executed within Iowa's borders. The program encourages public education efforts in addition to research, fostering a deeper understanding of Iowa's natural heritage.