Best Mahaska County Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Mission

Strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses. IEDA works to achieve its mission and goals to benefit Iowans while maintaining a high level of transparency. 

Rural Innovation Grant Program

The Rural Innovation Grant program seeks to support creative ideas that address current issues and challenges faced by rural communities. This grant opportunity aims to increase available housing stock in rural Iowa by leveraging funding programs, driving private investment, and rewarding creative solutions. The goal is to provide funds to communities that have demonstrated significant progress on housing initiatives and that propose to bring innovation into implementation with a definitive outcome. 

Funding is awarded on a reimbursement basis — grant recipients will be reimbursed only after eligible expenses have been incurred and paid for approved project activities during the designated time frame.

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship advocates for Iowa’s farmers and protects consumers, animals, our food supply and our shared soil and water resources. Our programs strengthen rural communities, support a thriving agriculture economy, and build a stronger future for all Iowans. 

Urban Conservation Projects Request for Pre-Applications

IDALS is accepting pre-applications for projects that demonstrate strong ties to the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. These projects will focus on adoption and implementation of urban conservation practices that provide nutrient load reductions to water resources in combination with outreach and education components demonstrating how projects will work to support the nonpoint source action items outlined in Section 1 of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy can be viewed at http://www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu.

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to deliver stormwater management strategies and practices. Strong partnerships must be demonstrated with any stakeholders that will be contributing significant resources to the project.

These projects can range from site scale to watershed scale stormwater management practices (a single bioretention cell vs a stormwater wetland). Projects may utilize one or multiple stormwater management practices to manage the water quality improvement goals. The practices must treat for water quality volume, but they may comprehensively manage multiple storm events including the entire unified sizing criteria storms, when possible or practical. This approach can provide large scale water quality and quantity benefits to the applicant.

Priority will be given to applications that can demonstrate the ability to rapidly implement the project and practices funded under this RFPA.

Iowa Workforce Development

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is a state agency committed to providing employment services for individual job seekers and to serving employers by helping them find the skilled workforce they need. 

IWD supports employers through its Business Engagement Division and provides a variety of resources and one-on-one support. This includes helping employers to post jobs, recruit veterans, apply for qualifying federal tax credits, and connect with workforce training programs available through several state programs.

Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Program (84F)

As part of its commitment to growing Registered Apprenticeship (RA) across industries, Iowa provides annual RA program funding through the Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Program (84F). 

The Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Fund (84F) provides financial assistance to apprenticeship sponsors who start or expand new registered apprenticeship programs with 20 or fewer apprentices in eligible high-demand occupations. 

These competitive grants support a newly created RA program with an eligible high-demand occupation by helping with ongoing program costs, fees, or related expenses.

Awarded funds: Given as a one-time reimbursement of expenses incurred in establishing a registered apprenticeship program.

Applicants can apply for more than one grant if they have multiple eligible occupations within their registered apprenticeship program; grant awards for applicants receiving more than one grant in the same calendar year will be capped at $50,000.

Iowa Tourism Grants

The Iowa Tourism Marketing Grant program provides funding for tourism partners around the state to market Iowa's places, attractions and events to out-of-state audiences. The grant may not be used for infrastructure and is not intended to pay expenses associated with the implementation of an event. 

Successful applicants are executing marketing campaigns and initiatives that benefit both the state and local economies. Preference is given to applications that support the overall marketing plan of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, especially in terms of target audience and messaging. The Administrative Rules that govern the program and provide further guidance are in Iowa Administrative Code 261.42.

In September 2025, the Iowa Tourism Office received FY26 applications from private and public tourism-related entities across the state. Thirty-three grants, totaling $299,800, were ultimately awarded funding for implementation of campaigns and projects in calendar year 2026. Individually and collectively, the projects will elevate Iowa on the world stage, increase Iowa’s ability to recruit visitors, strengthen Iowa’s economy and make Iowa a destination. They will also help Iowa recruit a workforce that is exploring new employment opportunities and relocation options while traveling.

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship advocates for Iowa’s farmers and protects consumers, animals, our food supply and our shared soil and water resources. Our programs strengthen rural communities, support a thriving agriculture economy, and build a stronger future for all Iowans. 

Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants

Introduction

Choose Iowa is the state’s signature brand for Iowa grown, Iowa raised and Iowa made food, beverages, and other agricultural products. A marketing initiative overseen by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Choose Iowa builds on the growing demand for local foods.

Choose Iowa creates new markets for Iowa farmers and provides consumers with more local choices. The Choose Iowa Value-Added cost-share grant was created to assist Iowa farmers with their efforts to increase or diversify their agricultural product offerings, add value to agricultural products, enable new technologies and support alternative marketing strategies.

Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants increase sales of Iowa agricultural products by increasing production capacity or expanding market access for value-added projects. The highly competitive cost-share grant expands access to Iowa-grown, Iowa-made, and Iowa-raised food, beverages, and other agricultural products.

Grant funds are paid out as a reimbursement after grant project(s) are completed.

Preference will be given to small and medium-sized businesses. The Iowa Economic Development Authority defines small-sized businesses as having less than 50 full-time employees, medium-sized businesses with 51-250 employees, and large businesses as more than 250 employees. 

National Housing Trust Fund

Federal Resources, Local Compassion

It takes compassion and commitment to create and sustain affordable living options around Iowa. The National Housing Trust Fund does just that. The program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, complements existing federal, state and local efforts to increase and preserve the supply of affordable housing for extremely low-income and homeless families.

How Funds Are Used

Funds may be used for the production or preservation of permanent affordable rental housing through new construction, adaptive reuse and/or rehabilitation projects. Proposed projects addressing the needs of extremely low-income renters—those with incomes below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI)—are a high priority for the Iowa Finance Authority.

Downtown Revitalization Fund

The Downtown Revitalization Fund brings together IEDA’s Commercial Facade and Streetscapes programs under a unified strategy to strengthen the economic and social vitality of Iowa’s downtown districts. Supported by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, these initiatives help communities reinvest in core commercial areas through coordinated improvements to both private building fronts and the public realm. Together, the programs advance HUD’s community development objectives by improving essential public facilities, enhancing local infrastructure, and supporting commercial revitalization within eligible downtown areas. Through targeted façade rehabilitation and transformative streetscape upgrades, the Downtown Revitalization Fund helps communities create safer, more inviting, and economically resilient downtown environments that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses. IEDA works to achieve its mission and goals to benefit Iowans while maintaining a high level of transparency. 

Iowa Finance Authority

We help Iowans take life-changing actions every day; whether you’re buying your first home, making a fresh start, hoping to continue your family’s farming legacy or even working to upgrade a community’s water quality infrastructure. By connecting people with affordable financing resources we help them turn their dreams into untold realities.

FirstHome Program

The FirstHome program can either give you:

• A down payment and closing costs assistance grant OR a 2nd Loan program loan, not both.

FirstHome Down Payment and Closing Costs Assistance: Grants

The down payment and closing costs assistance grant provides homebuyers with a $2,500 grant to assist with down payment and closing costs.

Iowa Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation is the steward of Iowa’s transportation system. We make lives better through transportation.

Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP)

The Iowa DOT is now accepting applications for the Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP). Eligible project activities continue to include improvements to motor vehicle traffic flow, public transit service expansions, and reductions in single occupant vehicle travel.

Program Intent

The intent of the ICAAP program is to help finance transportation projects and programs in Iowa that result in attaining or maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) with a focus on volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and under certain conditions particulate matter. Projects likely to be competitive will be costeffective uses of federal funds that result in increased travel speed, reduce travel delay, or reduce single occupancy vehicle trips and reduce vehicle emissions in areas with higher transportation related air pollution or traffic congestion.

Cost Reimbursement and Required Match

Funds awarded thought the ICAAP Program are provided to project sponsors on a reimbursement basis and are not provided as lump sum or cash payment in advance of costs being incurred. All projects require project sponsors to pay 100 percent costs up front. ICAAP funds may reimburse for up to 80 percent of eligible project costs or up to the approved grant maximum, whichever is less. 

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages fish and wildlife programs, ensures the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies, and provides recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks.

Just as importantly, the DNR carries out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water through technical assistance, permitting and compliance programs. The DNR also encourages the enjoyment and stewardship of natural resources among Iowans through outreach and education. Our mission is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Iowa Habitat and Access Program

Practice Incentive Payment for Habitat Improvement in Exchange for Hunter Access

Imagine improving the quality of habitat on your property with the help of DNR private lands wildlife biologists while receiving incentive payments for the habitat improvements. 

DNR private lands wildlife biologists will work with you to create a wildlife plan providing technical assistance to improve the quality of wildlife habitat on your land. 

The Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) will provide financial incentive payments to you for the completion of those wildlife habitat improvements.

Commitment Requirements

Landowners enter into a cooperative agreement with Iowa DNR to allow the posting of public access areas, hunters to hunt the land and Iowa conservation officers to patrol it. In return, a private lands biologist will walk the land to determine the quality of the landowner’s wildlife habitat and provide a plan to improve it for the species to be hunted. 

Landowners have the choice to do the work themselves or select the contractor of their choice to complete the work described in the contract. A sample IHAP agreement is available or your local private lands biologist will share a copy with you.

The length of contracts vary from 3 to 10 years.

The enrollment process is as follows: 

• DNR staff person conducts a field visit to determine wildlife habitat needs for the property based on wildlife species expected to be hunted on the site.
• A wildlife habitat plan for the property is developed by DNR and landowner.
• Based on wildlife habitat plan, DNR staff person completes and submits program application. Applications are ranked and reviewed with all other applications submitted within the same 30-day period.
• Landowners are notified of their acceptance within 30 days.
• Selected landowner signs IHAP contract with DNR, detailing DNR and landowner commitments including habitat work to be completed.
• State of Iowa signs a contract with the landowner to complete habitat work outlined in IHAP contract.
• DNR staff person provides technical assistance during the habitat installation process, including providing payment to the landowner upon completion of habitat work.
• DNR places “open for public hunting September 1 through May 31” signs on boundaries by August 31.
• DNR monitors site throughout contract period to ensure habitat improvement projects are successful.
• As with wildlife management areas, DNR conservation officers patrol IHAP sites and enforce applicable laws and regulations.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages fish and wildlife programs, ensures the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies, and provides recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks.

Just as importantly, the DNR carries out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water through technical assistance, permitting and compliance programs. The DNR also encourages the enjoyment and stewardship of natural resources among Iowans through outreach and education. Our mission is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP)

Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) is a State of Iowa program that invests in, as its name implies, the enhancement and protection of the state's natural and cultural resources. Iowa has a diverse array of natural and cultural resources, and REAP is likewise diverse and far reaching.

REAP provides money for projects, primarily through grant programs.

REAP Grants: County Conservation

This money is available to counties, only if they are dedicating at least 22¢ per $1,000 of the assessed value of taxable property in the county for county conservation purposes, through competitive grants. This money is available to counties for land easements or acquisition, capital improvements, stabilization and protection of resources, and environmental education, etc. The DNR administers the county conservation grant program.

The Preparedness, Innovation and Energy Education (PIEE) program is federally funded and designed to implement innovative strategies to advance energy security, strengthen energy education and reduce energy use.

The PIEE program supports innovative projects that:

• Increase energy resiliency during natural disaster response or recovery efforts through a combination of skill-building and supplies
• Advance economic development by improving energy efficiency in commercial and industrial buildings
• Develop Iowa’s clean energy workforce through energy education

The Iowa Water Trails Mini Grant provides money to water trail developers (county conservation boards, cities, non-profits) to support projects to establish water trails. Water trails enhance recreational experiences for all water recreation enthusiasts. Efforts often involve canoeists and kayakers.The Iowa Legislature appropriated funds for fiscal year 2026 for the development of dam mitigation and water trail projects. A portion of the funds are available competitively for water trail enhancement cost-share grants. Local divisions of Iowa government are encouraged to apply for cost-share assistance for infrastructure or infrastructure improvements along state designated water trails or water trails on track for state designation.

Cost share requirement for this cycle is 20%.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages fish and wildlife programs, ensures the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies, and provides recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks.

Just as importantly, the DNR carries out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water through technical assistance, permitting and compliance programs. The DNR also encourages the enjoyment and stewardship of natural resources among Iowans through outreach and education. Our mission is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Water Recreation Access Cost Share Program

The Water Recreation Access Cost-Share Program (WRAC) is available for constructing or improving boat access facilities to Iowa's lakes and streams. Projects can include:

• Boat ramps
• Loading/off-loading docks
• Other structures to enhance use by the public

The project must have a cost share eligible estimate of $1,000. The application must be submitted and approved prior to expenditure of funds by the local sponsor or it is ineligible.

Funding Possibilities

Approved projects are funded on a 75% state to 25% local cost share. If a political subdivision is managing DNR property under a long term agreement, the funding can be 100% state. 

Sponsors wishing to furnish their own equipment and labor can receive 100% of the cost of materials for the project. 

If federal match dollars are available, the awardee will be notified as construction or design work funded through the grant cannot start until after the beginning of the federal fiscal year which starts annually on October 1. Design, permitting, and bid letting can be completed prior to October 1 if no funding is requested for those actions.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages fish and wildlife programs, ensures the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies, and provides recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks.

Just as importantly, the DNR carries out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water through technical assistance, permitting and compliance programs. The DNR also encourages the enjoyment and stewardship of natural resources among Iowans through outreach and education. Our mission is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

Derelict Building Program

The Derelict Building Program is available for Iowa towns of 5,000 or fewer residents to address neglected commercial or public structures that have sat vacant for at least 6 months. 

The Program’s main focus is landfill diversion through the recycling and reuse of building materials and the elimination of hazards both inside and out posed by these empty structures.  

For applicants who are seeking funding assistance with: 

• conducting asbestos inspections
• asbestos abatement
• structural engineering analysis
• phase I and phase II site assessments
• building deconstruction
• building renovation expenses

Iowa Department of Education

The Department provides oversight to the state education system that includes PK-12 public elementary and secondary schools, nonpublic schools that receive state accreditation, area education agencies, community colleges, and teacher preparation programs. The Department works to remove barriers for pursuing education beyond high school. The Department also establishes and enforces rigorous standards and licensing for Iowa educational practitioners to effectively address the needs of students.  

Teachers Accelerating Learning Grant

The Teachers Accelerating Learning grant opportunity was created for districts to develop measures of teacher effectiveness and recognize teachers who significantly accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth with supplementary pay. This grant opportunity is open to public school districts.

Participating districts commit to:

• Develop systems to identify and recognize teachers who accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth based on transparent and objective qualitative and quantitative metrics.
• Develop a methodology for recognizing highly effective teachers, which must include the EVAAS growth measure for grades 4-8: Review, update and validate classroom EVAAS rosters for ISASP-tested grades and subjects; Participate in training on the EVAAS system, reports, and classroom rostering.
• Offer supplementary teacher pay for up to 25% of teachers who significantly accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth.

Funding & Use

Awards support supplementary teacher pay for two years who demonstrably accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth.

• Administrative costs may not exceed 5% of the total award. 95% of the total award must support supplementary teacher pay.
• Max per teacher amount: $15,000 total: Teacher is defined as instructional staff, including teachers, instructional coaches, and interventionists.

Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Program (84F)

Supports newly established RA programs in high-demand fields.

The Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Program (84F) specifically provides funding for sponsors who create a new RA program in an eligible high-demand occupation or add a high-demand occupation to their existing program.

Available Funding

• $760,000

Awarded Amount

• One-time reimbursement of expenses incurred in establishing a registered apprenticeship program, up to a maximum of $25,000.

CDBG Downtown Revitalization

Supported by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, these initiatives help communities reinvest in core commercial areas through coordinated improvements to both private building fronts and the public realm. Together, the programs advance HUD’s community development objectives by improving essential public facilities, enhancing local infrastructure, and supporting commercial revitalization within eligible downtown areas. Through targeted façade rehabilitation and transformative streetscape upgrades, the Downtown Revitalization Fund helps communities create safer, more inviting, and economically resilient downtown environments that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Commercial Facades

The Commercial Facades Program assists communities with impactful downtown exterior improvement projects that eliminate slum and blight conditions.  

Projects include primarily front and highly visible side facades of commercial or mixed-use buildings in a traditional downtown setting.

The maximum grant amount is $650,000. Applicants must address blighted items on a minimum of eight buildings (addresses) to request a grant of $650,000 and a minimum of six buildings (addresses) to request anything less than the maximum.  

Project buildings must be situated within a downtown target area in which at least 25% of all buildings are determined to be in fair or poor condition. Determination of building status is made through individual surveys and documentation (pictures/ descriptions) demonstrating that the building is in fair or poor condition. A local funding match, typically from the city and the participating property owners, is required.

• New charter schools seeking authorization for the upcoming school year who also intend to apply for CSP funding
• Existing charter schools seeking to expand. Note that charters awarded CSP start-up funds are not eligible to apply for expansion funds. 

Start-up: Prepares new charter schools to open and operate.

Expansion: Grows high-quality EXISTING charter schools by raising enrollment or adding grades (program changes alone do not count).

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Mission

Strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. Through two main divisions – business development and community development – IEDA administers several state and federal programs to meet its goals of assisting individuals, communities and businesses. IEDA works to achieve its mission and goals to benefit Iowans while maintaining a high level of transparency. 

Community Attraction and Tourism Grant

The Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) program provides grant funds to assist projects that provide recreational, cultural, entertainment and educational attractions. The funds help communities create transformational projects that enhance the vitality of a region and the state overall. The CAT Grant Program is designed to assist communities in the development and creation of multiple-purpose attractions and tourism facilities. Funds must be primarily used for vertical infrastructure (land acquisition and construction, major renovation and major repair of buildings and recreational trails.)

Amounts or percentages from cities, counties, and private sources will vary by project, there is no minimum amount or percentage required.

Eligible projects must have 65% of financing/fundraising secured at time of the application. 

No more than 50% of the project can be funded by state dollars, including the amount awarded with CAT Fund funding.