Best Vocational Rehab Grants in Iowa

Iowa high school and undergraduate students pursuing community college, university, or trade school education can receive scholarships for full-time vocational or higher education costs. United Way and Community Foundation of Greater Fort Dodge administers the Merrill Family Foundation 5M Scholarship, with preference for applicants from Hamilton and Webster Counties and awards announced annually on August 1.

Regional secondary career and technical education planning partnerships in Iowa can use this grant to strengthen high-quality CTE programming, equipment, and professional development. Grants from Iowa Department of Education help regional partnerships coordinate guidance systems and collaborative efforts that expand equitable access to high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand career pathways for students.

Iowa school districts and community colleges developing vocational and technical career academies can access funding through the Iowa Department of Education to expand regional career and technical education centers. Grants support concurrent enrollment, career-themed course sequences, and strong employer-education partnerships, and may benefit Iowa programs focused on vocational rehabilitation and workforce readiness.

Iowa secondary schools and community colleges creating new College and Career Transition Counselor positions in Iowa can access funding through the Iowa Department of Education to support college and career transition services. Grants of Up to US $50,000 over three years help expand vocational and trade education, career preparation, and college persistence support for grades 11–12 students.

Iowa school districts seeking to strengthen vocational and work-based learning programs can use this grant to fund educator preparation, professional development, and credentialing. Iowa Department of Education’s WBL-LIFT program supports recruitment and retention of CTE educators, prioritizing districts with low work-based learning participation that present strong plans to expand high-quality vocational experiences.

Iowa nonprofit organizations planning capital campaigns or major projects for vocational and trade education facilities or programs can apply for First National Bank of Omaha’s capital or major donations. Funding supports construction, renovation, or other large-scale efforts that advance workforce development, education, and related community goals in FNBO’s Iowa service areas.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing, or community arts and culture may be eligible for this program, which includes vocational and trade education. Grants from US Bancorp Foundation support organizations in designated U.S. Bank communities, with priority for leaders of color and efforts advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Norfolk Southern Foundation provides Iowa vocational and trade students with US $5,000 scholarships for post-secondary training in railway-related trades. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a qualifying institution and pursuing careers such as locomotive engineer, conductor, maintenance, welding, electrical, safety, construction, or heavy equipment operation across designated states including Iowa.

With a mission to strengthen economic opportunity, First National Bank of Omaha provides Iowa nonprofits working on vocational and trade education, workforce development, and financial literacy with Impact Grants. Funding supports affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization, small business development and job creation, and adult education that improves financial well-being and economic self-sufficiency.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on workforce readiness, vocational training, or affordable housing can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Builders Program. Selected organizations join a two-year leadership development cohort and receive capacity-building support to advance income creation, job readiness, entrepreneurship, financial resilience, and stable housing for the communities they serve.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Iowa with at least three years of operation and a $100,000+ budget can seek funding for workforce preparation, vocational training, and youth career readiness programs. RBC Foundation USA supports efforts that build in-demand job skills, provide work experiences, and help people bridge education to sustained employment.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits with established education or health programs, including those providing vocational and trade education in Iowa, can seek funding to expand or continue successful initiatives. L.B. Research and Education Foundation supports efforts that close opportunity gaps, especially for underserved adolescents, post-secondary learners, and adults, through innovative, research-informed programming. Awards range from US $10,000 - US $75,000.

Nonprofit organizations in Iowa can seek flexible community sponsorships to support vocational and trade education, workforce development, and related community programs. Focused on affordable housing, small business development, education and workforce readiness, environmental sustainability, arts and culture, community cohesion, and health and wellbeing, First National Bank of Omaha provides unrestricted support tied to events, fundraising, and general operations.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits and eligible government entities can access funding for workforce development, sustainability, and thriving community programs through Marathon Petroleum. Grants support vocational and technical education, skilled trades training, youth development, disaster preparedness, and related community initiatives, with preference for projects in areas where the company has significant operations and measurable community impact.

Students with an epilepsy or seizure diagnosis in Iowa planning vocational, two- or four-year college, or graduate study may be eligible for this higher education scholarship, with awards up to Up to US $1,500. Scholarship America’s Elam Baer and Janis Clay Epilepsy Scholarship also serves residents of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin pursuing similar programs.

State correctional institutions in Iowa offering career and technical education can access funding for supplementary support services that help incarcerated individuals complete vocational programs. Iowa Department of Education’s Perkins V State Training School Grant provides US $20,246 for services that prepare participants for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations, supporting vocational rehabilitation outcomes.

Iowa school districts can apply for the Iowa Department of Education’s Credentials to Careers Grant, offering up to US $50,000 to build or expand secondary CTE programs leading to state-approved industry-recognized credentials. Funds may cover assessment fees, instructional materials, equipment, software, and other costs that directly support credential attainment in high-demand career pathways.

Organizations providing youth mentoring and vocational support to ORR-eligible refugee youth ages 15–24 in Iowa can apply for US $61,250 - US $245,000 to deliver mentoring and case management services. Focused on vocational and educational advancement, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services invites programs that promote positive civic and social engagement for these young people.

Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering workforce development, vocational training, or related community programs can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants; awards range from US $5,000 - US $30,000. Eligible projects must primarily serve a Union Pacific community and fit priority areas like workforce development, safety, community vitality, or environmental sustainability.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Illinois Mutual Employees’ Children Scholarship Fund 

The Illinois Mutual Employees’ Children Scholarship Fund was established by Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company to provide scholarship support for the children of employees who are graduating from high school or are undergraduate college or vocational students who will be enrolled full time.

For general scholarship questions, please contact Illinois Mutual’s Community Relations Department. For questions about the application process or required materials, contact the Community Foundation of Central Illinois at 309-674-8730 or amanda@communityfoundationci.org.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

MidAmerica National Bank’s Employees Children Scholarship Fund

The MidAmerica National Bank’s Employees Children Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 by MidAmerica National Bank to provide scholarship support to the children of bank employees. It is open to students graduating from high school or currently enrolled in an undergraduate college or vocational program.

Elias Eade Jr. Scholarship

This scholarship was created in honor and memory of Elias Eade Jr. by his children. Elias Eade Jr. was a lifetime resident of Olean who faithfully served God, his country, his family and the Olean community. Mr. Eade was a graduate of Olean High School and St. Bonaventure University and a member of the Olean business community for many years. Mr. Eade was an entrepreneur, leader and a man of great strength and integrity with an unprecedented work ethic. Candidates must be a graduating senior of a high school in Cattaraugus County with good academic standing and leadership skills and who plan to continue their education at a trade school or 2- or 4-year college or university. Candidates must answer an essay prompt of their choice from the three prompts provided by the fund advisors.

Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship

Established in memory of Gregory D. Spring, this scholarship is for a graduating senior from Allegany-Limestone Central School, Ellicottville Central School, Franklinville/Ten Broeck Academy, Portville Central School, Hinsdale Central School or Olean High School with a preference for a student who intends to pursue a degree or certification in a trade or technical program. 

Ginger D. Schroder Cattaraugus County Legislative District 2 Scholarship

The Ginger D. Schroder Legislative District 2 Scholarship is given to a graduating high school student residing in Cattaraugus County Legislative District 2 who will pursue a trade degree or 2-or 4-year college degree.

About AWS

We Move Welding Forward

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals.

Welder Training Scholarship

The AWS Welder Training Scholarship is for students seeking welder training in a certificate program less than two years in length through a trade school, community college, or other facility providing welder training.

Up to 800 - $1,000 Welder Training Scholarships will be awarded annually.

Ezekiel Hennessey Mitchel Scholarship Fund

The Ezekiel Hennessey Mitchel Memorial Scholarship is designated for graduating high school seniors from Benton, Polk, Lincoln, and Linn Counties pursuing careers in vocations such as the following:

• Home building trades
• Tile setting
• Carpentry
• General contracting
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• HVAC
• Welding
• Entrepreneurship and/or small business development
• Other trades defined by Benton Community Foundation

Students must attain certificates or degrees from accredited trade schools, technical schools, or community colleges. 

Knights of Pythias Scholarship Fund

In 1950, the membership roster for the Corvallis lodge of the Knights of Pythias, Valley Lodge No. 11 had more than 250 names, but membership declined over the years and the club subsequently disbanded. In 1992, as remaining members began discussions about how to distribute the assets of the lodge, Benton Community Foundation (BCF) emerged as a natural choice.

“We felt it would be best to keep the money in the community where our members lived and worked,” said Bob Bareinger, a member in the organization since 1943 and an officer since 1954. The lodge tried to give BCF the entirety of assets, including the deed to the building, but the Oregon Chapter that has jurisdiction over it stepped in and required the assets to be distributed differently. BCF received one-third of the lodge assets, which means that the Knights of Pythias will continue to serve the youth of Benton County in perpetuity by providing annual scholarships to graduates of Benton County high schools.