Best Grants for Special Education in Iowa

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Iowa communities near Valero operations that provide basic needs, education, health care, or civic and environmental services can apply for support from Valero Energy Foundation. Grants may benefit special needs education programs that fit these priorities in places like Albert City, Charles City, Fort Dodge, Hartley, Lakota, and surrounding areas.

Nonprofit organizations, government units, and groups serving Adair County in Iowa can apply for the Empowering Adair County Grant, with awards up to US $10,000 for community development, public services, tourism, recreation, and arts projects. Special education or disability-focused programs that fit these priorities may be eligible through a qualifying fiscal agent if needed.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local governments can seek US $10,001 - US $25,000 to launch or expand projects improving quality of life in Clay County, including educational and youth-focused initiatives. Grants from Clay County Community Foundation may benefit special education programs that fit its priorities in education, health and human services, and recreation.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local government units in Iowa’s Cherokee County can apply for Cherokee County Legacy Foundation’s Gold Grant; awards US $10,001 - US $25,000 for new or expanded projects. Funding can support special needs education, youth development, health, recreation, arts, economic development, and other quality-of-life initiatives in the county.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Iowa working on K–12 or higher education, youth services, or related research may be eligible for funding to improve instruction, access, and youth development. Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust supports educational and youth-focused programs, which can include initiatives serving students with disabilities and special education needs.

About Us

The Pocahontas County Foundation was organized in 2005 to promote and enhance community based philanthropy in Pocahontas County. The Foundation receives funding to facilitate endowment-building and grant-making throughout the county. Seventy-five percent of these funds will be awarded through grants to charitable organizations for educational, civic and public purposes in Pocahontas County.

Pocahontas County Foundation Grant

The Pocahontas County Foundation will provide grants to improve life in Pocahontas County, Iowa. We want to support development of all our communities into places where people want to live, as well as to benefit rural areas of the county.

Each year we hold a mandatory meeting in October to discuss any new application procedures and answer questions. One member from any group or non-profit organization must attend this meeting in order to receive grant funding. The 2026 Grant Info meeting will be held in October 7, 2026 at the Pocahontas County Conservation Office beginning at 6:30 pm. The grant deadline is 5:00 p.m. on November 20, 2026. 

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local government units planning new or expanded programs can seek funding for education and related community projects that enhance quality of life in Clay County. Clay County Community Foundation Simple Grants offer up to US $3,000 for initiatives such as youth development, recreation, health, arts, and other local services, which may include special education programming.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local government units in Clay County, Iowa can seek US $3,001 - US $10,000 to start or expand projects improving quality of life, including education, health, recreation, and community activities. Clay County Community Foundation supports efforts that may benefit special needs students through inclusive programs and services.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local government units in Iowa’s Clay County can apply for Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines’ CCCF Standard Grant, awarding US $3,001 - US $10,000 for new or expanded community betterment projects. Education, health, arts and culture, human services, recreation, and related special needs education initiatives may be eligible.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local governments can seek up to US $3,000 for new or expanded community projects, including education and special needs education initiatives. Focused on quality of life, Cherokee County Legacy Foundation also supports activities, parks, health and human services, and economic development within Cherokee County.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local government units in Cherokee County can apply for Cherokee County Legacy Foundation’s CCLF Silver Grant; awards US $3,001 - US $10,000 for new or expanding projects. Programs may include special needs education, youth and family services, recreation, health, arts, and other quality-of-life initiatives in the county.

Nonprofit organizations and local government units serving the 51001 zip code can seek project funding for arts, education, health, human services, environment, and civic initiatives that benefit Akron, Iowa. With a mission to enhance community quality of life, Siouxland Community Foundation prioritizes projects that address emerging needs, leverage other resources, and engage volunteers.

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines improves quality of life for all by promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about and providing leadership on important community issues…we’re simply better together. 

Taylor County Endowment Foundation

Mission of the  Taylor County Endowment Foundation:

It is the mission of the Taylor County Endowment Foundation to distribute funds for educational, cultural, civic and charitable purposes for the benefit of the greater community of Taylor County, Iowa. Principles have been established to assure equitable and effective grant making of these funds, thus enhancing the quality of life for citizens of Taylor County, Iowa.

The Taylor County Endowment Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life throughout Taylor County by investing in area nonprofits through our grant programs and by providing individuals, families and area businesses who love our communities with a way to give back.

Taylor County Endowment Foundation Grants

What we Support

The Taylor County Endowment Foundation will provide grants to build community strengths and develop leadership potential. Areas of Foundation giving are health and human services, recreation and environment, arts and culture, community betterment, education, and youth development. The Foundation will fund special projects, but will not fund ongoing operational expenses. 

Nonprofit organizations, local government units, and public education institutions serving Ida County in Iowa can seek US $250 - US $15,000 for projects enhancing local quality of life. Siouxland Community Foundation’s Ida County Community Betterment Foundation supports initiatives in education, human services, health, arts and culture, environment, and civic improvement, which may include special needs education programs.

Nonprofit organizations, local governments, and public education institutions serving Monona County in Iowa can access funding through Siouxland Community Foundation for projects in arts, education, health, human services, environment, and civic improvement. Programs supporting students with disabilities or special needs education in these areas may be competitive for US $250 - US $15,000 project grants.

Nonprofit organizations, public education institutions, and local government units serving Lyon County in Iowa can apply for grants of US $250 - US $10,000 to support community programs in areas like education, health, human services, and arts. Grants from Siouxland Community Foundation may benefit special needs education initiatives that fit these priority areas.

Focused on community development and education, Siouxland Community Foundation invites Iowa nonprofits and local government units serving Sioux County to apply for project grants. Funding from US $250 - US $15,000 can support K–12 and early childhood education, youth services, disability services, and related programs that enhance quality of life in Sioux County.

Organizations in Iowa improving health information access and education for underrepresented groups can apply for National Library of Medicine’s Health Information Outreach Award, with grants of US $25,000 for health information outreach projects. Programs serving special education populations through health literacy or biomedical information access may be eligible.

Iowa educational, agricultural, and youth organizations running youth-led farm safety projects can access funding from the University of Iowa; awards US $800 for agricultural injury prevention activities. Projects must be planned and conducted by youth with adult mentors, and may benefit groups incorporating special education or disability-related safety education in rural communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local government units serving O’Brien County in Iowa can seek US $250 - US $15,000 for projects in education, health, human services, arts, environment, and civic improvement. Grants from Siouxland Community Foundation may benefit special education programs that address significant local needs and demonstrate strong planning and impact.

Nonprofit organizations in Marion County, Iowa can apply for Marion County Community Foundation’s Simple Grant, offering up to US $3,000 for projects that enhance local quality of life. Programs in education, including special needs education, as well as health, culture, recreation, religion, and heritage preservation may be eligible.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities serving Jasper County residents can seek project funding for education, special needs education, and other community priorities. Jasper Community Foundation supports creative programs and capital projects in arts, environment, health, human services, recreation, economic development, and more that enhance quality of life, especially collaborative efforts with broad community impact.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government units serving the Siouxland tri-state area in Iowa can seek funding for arts, education, health, human services, and civic projects from the Siouxland Community Foundation, with awards up to US $5,000. With a mission to enhance quality of life, it supports projects that may include special needs education within 50 miles of Sioux City.

Children’s health and education 501(c)(3) organizations in Iowa can seek funding for brick-and-mortar projects, equipment, programming, and other tangible items that directly impact at-risk and special needs children. Grants from Variety the Children's Charity of Iowa help support pediatric care, camps, transportation, and services that may benefit special education populations.

Iowa public school districts seeking to build or expand secondary career and technical education programs that culminate in industry-recognized credentials can apply for competitive Credentials to Careers Grants. Grants from the Iowa Department of Education offer up to US $50,000 per eligible credential for assessment fees, instructional materials, equipment, software, and other direct credential-attainment costs. Districts serving students with special needs may be eligible if their CTE pathways align with approved credentials.

Iowa and Nebraska 501(c)(3) organizations providing large-scale youth arts or educational programming can access funding through Omaha Community Foundation for programmatic support, with grants of More than US $20,000. Programs should engage at least 1,000 students annually in performing or visual arts, or in natural science, technology, zoological, botanical, or historical education.

RFP for High-risk OB and Neonatal Transport

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (the Agency) is providing this notice of intent to release a request for proposal (RFP) to fund approximately three High‑Risk OB and Neonatal Transport projects that will strengthen Iowa’s rural perinatal system by expanding EMS capacity to safely transport high‑risk pregnant individuals and newborns to appropriate levels of care. These projects will equip EMS agencies with specialized training, tele‑OB support, and neonatal‑specific equipment to improve outcomes and ensure timely, coordinated access to advanced maternal and neonatal services. A core objective of this initiative is to establish consistent, reliable transfer patterns across a statewide hub‑and‑spoke network so rural facilities can efficiently route patients to the right care at the right time.

Purpose

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) # PHTHOET27002 is to solicit applications that will enable the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (referred to as Agency) to select the most qualified applicants to implement the High-Risk OB and Neonatal Transport Initiative. This initiative will strengthen Iowa’s emergency maternal and neonatal care system by funding equipment purchases, non-reimbursable clinical services, workforce initiatives, continuing education and training.