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Search Through Grants for Rural Development in Iowa

The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in Iowa support rural communities in preparing for or recovering from emergencies that threaten access to safe drinking water. Potential qualifying events include droughts, floods, and chemical spills. Grants can fund water transmission line projects up to $150,000 and water source construction up to $1,000,000. This program aims to restore access to clean water, benefiting households and local businesses in eligible rural areas.

The Destination Iowa Fund Grant Program, funded with $6.5 million, aims to enhance tourism in Iowa by supporting cities, counties, and non-profits in developing vertical infrastructure for Primary Destinations. Eligible projects can receive grants covering up to 25% of costs, with minimum project thresholds of $5 million for urban and $1.5 million for rural areas. This initiative seeks to boost community quality of life and drive economic development, particularly in rural regions.

The Needmor Fund for Social Justice aims to promote social justice by supporting community organizing efforts in the Midwest. With a focus on low- and moderate-income communities, BIPOC groups, and other marginalized populations, the fund provides grants for up to three years to organizations committed to long-term empowerment and advocacy. The initiative seeks to foster inclusive participation in democracy, ensuring that all voices are heard in shaping policies affecting their lives.

Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. Home is where life happens, where plans are made, and futures begin. It is the foundation for dignity, health, education, wealth, and community. Yet rents keep going up, paychecks don’t keep pace, and good homes in strong neighborhoods are increasingly out of reach.

The system doesn’t work. It must be changed, and it must be changed by us.

Enterprise has the breadth, scale, and expertise to do it. We support community development organizations on the ground. We aggregate and invest billions to improve housing and strengthen communities across the U.S. We advance housing policy at every level of government. We build and manage communities ourselves. Everything we do is informed by the residents we serve.

Together with our partners, we focus on the greatest need — the massive shortage of affordable rental homes — to achieve three goals:

• Increase the supply of affordable homes
• Advance racial equity after decades of systematic racism in housing
• Support residents and strengthen communities to be resilient to the unpredictable, and make upward mobility possible

Since 1982, we have invested $92.0 billion and created 1.1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We do all this to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging.

National Housing Innovation Grant Competition

Home is foundational. It’s where we plant roots, raise and care for our families, and build community bonds. Yet in every corner of the country, millions of people of all ages and backgrounds need a home they can afford.

Wells Fargo is meeting this moment with a powerful grant opportunity. Together with Enterprise, Wells Fargo has launched the third iteration of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. The 2026 cycle of the housing innovation competition will identify and propel proven, ready-to-scale solutions that transform current practices and increase housing choice and access.

Eligible applicants will compete for five individual grants of $2 million to advance their innovation and drive meaningful, systems-level change in the housing and adjacent industries. Winners will gain access to mentorship and coaching from industry leaders and experts and join a powerful network of Breakthrough Challenge innovators.

Focus Areas

This third cycle of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge aims to meet the nation’s affordable housing challenges across all types of communities: Native, rural, suburban, tribal, and urban.

Proposals must encompass one or more of three focus areas:

• Design and Construction
• Finance
• Service Delivery and Programs

Applicants will be asked to show how their proof of concept or pilot program has achieved clear outcomes and success, and provide a clear pathway to expanding the innovation’s reach and impact

Round 1: Criteria and Scoring

Your innovation must meet the criteria below to advance to the official scoring stage.

Type of Community

Innovations can serve all types of communities:

• Rural
• Urban
• Suburban
• Tribal

Location

Priority scoring will be given to applications from entities that are based in – or whose innovations are designed for – one or more of these 28 states, plus D.C.:

• Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C.

Affordability

Innovations must serve residents at these income levels:

• Rental: 80% AMI or below
• Homeownership: 120% AMI or below
• Workforce housing: 120% AMI or below

The Iowa Farm Bureau offers sponsorships to support events and fundraisers across Iowa, focusing on agriculture, rural communities, and education. Their priorities include promoting health and wellness, fostering youth leadership, and enhancing the viability of farm families. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. However, they do not fund projects outside Iowa, political entities, or construction projects. This initiative aims to strengthen community ties and nurture future agricultural leaders.

The Rural Child Care Planning Grant Program in Iowa aims to assist rural communities in analyzing their child care needs. With a $20,000 grant, applicants must provide a $10,000 cash match to secure funding for strategic solutions. This program focuses on planning initiatives that engage professional partners to address child care challenges, thereby benefiting communities with populations of 20,000 or fewer. It emphasizes data-driven approaches to enhance local child care services.

The CHS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing agricultural education through its Teacher Grants program, providing up to $50,000 for innovative projects. This initiative aims to engage students in experiential learning within rural communities across various states. By supporting teachers and their creative ideas, the foundation fosters educational growth and prepares future agricultural leaders, ensuring a sustainable and empowered agricultural sector. This commitment reflects CHS's broader mission of community support and development.

The Benton County Community Foundation, part of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Benton County, Iowa. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, it supports a range of initiatives including arts, education, health, and community betterment. By fostering charitable giving, the Foundation aims to create lasting legacies and drive positive change, ensuring vibrant and thriving communities for current and future generations.

The Butler County Grants, administered by the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, aim to enhance the quality of life for residents in Butler County. With a focus on supporting nonprofits, the foundation prioritizes projects that address vital community needs, encourage additional funding, and serve a substantial number of people. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities that meet specific criteria. The foundation seeks to create vibrant communities through impactful grant-making.

The Fayette County Community Foundation, part of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, is dedicated to enhancing the welfare of Fayette County residents. It supports diverse initiatives including arts, education, health, and community betterment. Grants prioritize projects that address critical needs, foster collaboration, and promise sustainable benefits. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or government entities, with a focus on charitable projects that uplift the community. Funding is not available for operational costs or religious activities.

The Kossuth County Community Foundation (KCCF) supports initiatives that enhance life in Kossuth County, Iowa. By providing grants, KCCF aims to foster community development and improve rural living conditions. Eligible organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities, can apply for funding that prioritizes community needs and sustainability. The foundation emphasizes multi-generational projects and collaboration, ensuring that resources are maximized for the benefit of all residents in the area.

The Floyd County Community Foundation, part of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, focuses on enhancing the quality of life in Floyd County through strategic grants. Established in 1956, the foundation supports various sectors, including arts, education, health, and community betterment. By fostering generosity and community action, they aim to create equitable opportunities for all residents. Their commitment to responsible stewardship ensures that donor contributions are effectively utilized for community enhancement.

The Rural YMCA Grant Program in Iowa offers $250,000 to improve facility infrastructure at rural YMCA locations. This funding, from the Iowa Legislature, supports projects that address social needs in youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Eligible projects include renovations, land acquisition, and site development, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, requiring a cash match of at least 50% of the requested amount.

The Center of Excellence Grant aims to establish regional hubs within a hub-and-spoke care model to enhance healthcare access for rural Iowans. This initiative, backed by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, focuses on improving care coordination in maternal health, mental health, specialty care, and chronic disease management. By leveraging shared resources and collaboration among healthcare providers, the program seeks to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care, ultimately promoting innovation and improving health outcomes in underserved communities.

Purpose

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) # COMPADM26002 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 technical assistance to Rural Iowa healthcare organizations and providers. This technical assistance will support providers with planning, partnership building, assessment and evaluation, and overall implementation of Hub and Spoke models of care in the areas of maternal and child health, mental/behavioral health, cardiovascular health, and/or chronic disease prevention and management.  

This technical assistance should allow Rural healthcare organizations to achieve success in future Health Hubs Projects of Iowa's Rural Health Transformation Grant. Activities in the Health Hubs Project will include the development of hub and spoke models for health care, including the development of rural provider strategic partnerships and agreements. It will also include developing and implementing arrangements for exchanging best practices, coordinating care across regions via telehealth and referral networks, expanding access to specialty services in a financially sustainable manner, streamlining or centralizing functions to create cost savings, improving the financial viability of rural providers, preserving independence of rural providers, keeping care local in rural communities when appropriate and possible, and developing models of sustainability for rural health care. The Contractor will support the Health Hubs on the items listed above, while also assisting with long-term sustainability planning, workforce development, and telehealth integration. 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 Chickasaw County Community Foundation, part of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in Chickasaw County through impactful grants. With a focus on arts, education, health, and community betterment, the foundation supports projects that demonstrate sustainability and long-term benefits. Organizations eligible for funding must meet specific criteria, including being a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or government entity, ensuring effective use of resources to address community needs.

The Franklin County Community Foundation, part of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, aims to enhance the quality of life in Franklin County through grant funding. Supporting diverse areas such as arts, education, and community betterment, the foundation encourages local projects that demonstrate sustainability and community impact. Since its inception, it has been dedicated to fostering lasting legacies and meaningful contributions to the community, making Franklin County a better place for its residents.

The Grundy County Community Foundation, part of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, supports charitable projects to enhance life in Grundy County. It aims to foster vibrant communities through grants focused on arts, education, health, and community betterment. With strong emphasis on addressing local needs and sustainability, the Foundation prioritizes proposals that demonstrate community support and collaboration. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities. Applications are welcomed for projects that benefit the residents of Grundy County.

The Tama County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, aims to enhance the quality of life in Tama County through strategic grantmaking. By supporting local nonprofits and encouraging community engagement, the foundation fosters vibrant communities and addresses key local needs. With a focus on opportunity, health, safety, and youth empowerment, the foundation guides its funding priorities to ensure impactful and sustainable community development. Together, they strive to create a thriving region for all residents.

The Winneshiek County Community Foundation, part of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, enhances the quality of life in Winneshiek County through grants that foster community development. By supporting arts, education, health, and environmental initiatives, the Foundation aims to empower local organizations and residents. Its focus on innovative and impactful projects ensures that funds create lasting benefits, while encouraging charitable giving and civic engagement in the region.

The PRISM Fund Grant, offered by PFund Foundation, aims to enhance equity within LGBTQ+ communities in the upper Midwest. It focuses on supporting rural LGBTQ+ organizations through grants, training, and collaboration. The program prioritizes communities disproportionately affected by discrimination, such as queer people of color, gender-expansive individuals, and LGBTQ+ residents of North and South Dakota. By addressing unique regional challenges, the PRISM Fund fosters resilience and connectivity among these underserved populations.

The Bremer County Community Foundation, part of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, aims to enhance life in Bremer County and Readlyn through grants that support community betterment, education, health, and more. Prioritizing nonprofits affected by COVID-19, the foundation encourages sustainable projects that address community needs and show broad support. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or government entities, with a focus on creating lasting community legacies.

The Buchanan County Community Foundation Grants aim to enhance the quality of life in Buchanan County, Iowa, by providing funding for various projects that benefit the community. This includes support for arts, education, health, and community betterment initiatives. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. The foundation prioritizes projects that involve community engagement and demonstrate sustainability without ongoing financial dependence.

The Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation, part of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of residents through impactful philanthropy. Offering grants to support various sectors including arts, education, and health, the foundation aims to foster community betterment and sustainability. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or government entities. The foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate collaboration and long-term benefits for the community.

The Emmet County Community Foundation Grants aim to enhance the quality of life in Emmet County, Iowa, by funding projects that foster community development and engagement. These grants support various sectors, including arts, education, health, and environment, focusing on initiatives that demonstrate collaboration and volunteerism. Organizations eligible for funding must be recognized nonprofits or government entities, ensuring their projects benefit local residents and contribute to sustainable community growth.

The Iowa County Community Foundation, part of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, aims to enhance life in Iowa County through grants. It focuses on fostering vibrant communities and supporting rural areas by funding projects in arts, education, health, and more. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities, with a minimum grant request of $2,500. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that address community needs and promote collaboration.

The Winnebago County Community Foundation provides grants aimed at improving the quality of life in Winnebago County, Iowa. Focused on community betterment, education, health, and environmental initiatives, the foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities. With a minimum grant request of $1,000, it prioritizes projects that address community needs and demonstrate sustainability. Organizations can only submit one application, ensuring a fair review process for all applicants.