Best Grants for Veteran Nonprofit Organizations in Iowa

Nonprofit organizations serving veterans and first responders with wellness, rehabilitation, and recovery programs in Iowa can apply for support from the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Gridiron Veterans Scholarship. With a mission to strengthen the military-veteran community, the foundation backs mental health, physical therapy, adaptive training, and holistic wellness services that improve quality of life.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Iowa seeking to run AmeriCorps service programs can apply for the IA AmeriCorps Formula Grant to engage members in community-strengthening projects. With a mission to improve lives through service, Volunteer Iowa provides support for initiatives serving veterans and military families, youth mental health, substance use recovery, poverty, environmental stewardship, and other underserved groups.

Veteran-serving 501(c) or 170(c) nonprofits in Iowa can apply for Regions Bank’s employee matching gifts, which double eligible full-time associate donations to support military and veterans services. Organizations must fall within Regions’ focus areas and be located in its footprint; accredited educational institutions may be located anywhere in the U.S.

Iowa medical students entering their final year of medical school may be eligible for the Dr. William M. Walker Memorial Medical Scholarship, which provides up to US $9,000 for postgraduate medical education. Administered by Community Foundation of the Ozarks, this award prefers veteran applicants and requires a good-standing letter, essay, and recommendation.

Iowa nonprofit organizations serving U.S. military service members or veterans can receive up to US $1,000 in matching donations through Regions Bank’s recent retirees matching gifts program. Eligible 501(c) or 170(c) organizations must be within the Regions footprint and may also work in areas like financial wellness, workforce readiness, housing, or food security.

Military and veteran-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Iowa can seek support for programs that create clear, game-changing benefits for people and communities. Focused on military/veteran, senior, education, and arts initiatives, Burlington Capital invites applications on a quarterly cycle, with proposals due one week before each Foundation Committee meeting.

Early-career active-duty military orthopaedic surgeons in Iowa and across the U.S. can access a traveling fellowship supporting advanced trauma education and observation. The Orthopaedic Trauma Association’s Teague-Gaudin OTA/SOMOS Fellowship funds one-week mentorship experiences at up to three high-volume trauma centers, enhancing clinical skills, leadership, and military-civilian collaboration in orthopaedic trauma care.

Iowa organizations supporting children of fallen U.S. service members pursuing higher education may be eligible for scholarships from the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington’s Pacific Northwest Gold Star Scholarship. Awards are US $2,500 for students connected to Clark, Cowlitz, or Skamania County, WA, with preference for significant financial need and potential renewals.

Veteran and military-affiliated students pursuing full-time post-secondary education may be eligible for scholarships that can support higher education costs, typically around US $1,000. Grants from Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley help those connected to U.S. Marines or Navy FMF units, which may benefit Iowa veteran-focused organizations assisting individual students.

Graduate or undergraduate students pursuing college, a service academy, military college, or ROTC can apply for the Raymond Steve Tumlin Scholarship, awarding US $2,500 for higher education costs. Priority goes to current or former Cobb or Marietta students, which may include veterans or military‑bound students from Iowa who meet Kiwanis-related eligibility.

Iowa law enforcement officers, including military police and other qualifying agencies, can access recognition funding through the NRA Foundation’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award for exceptional acts or service. Organizations serving veterans or public safety in Iowa may nominate eligible officers, with nominations accepted from agency heads, colleagues, community leaders, citizens, and NRA members.

Veteran-serving nonprofit organizations in Iowa planning anti-poverty, education, economic opportunity, or healthy futures projects may be eligible to host AmeriCorps VISTA members. With a mission to strengthen communities through service, Volunteer Mississippi connects organizations to AmeriCorps VISTA resources that build capacity and support veteran and military families as part of a broader national service effort.

Students who are family members of U.S. veterans or enrolled as ROTC sophomores or higher can receive higher education support through the Purple Heart Gary Gutelius Memorial Scholarship, including those from Iowa. With a mission to strengthen community philanthropy, Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley prioritizes relatives of combat-wounded veterans pursuing college or university studies.

Veteran-serving nonprofits and community organizations in Iowa can seek funding to expand education, workforce, and support programs for veterans and their families. Justamere Foundation supports military and veterans services alongside trade education, childhood literacy, and arts education through non-traditional scholarships and program support, working with partners to remove barriers to self-sufficiency.

Nonprofit organizations in Iowa that support veterans, trade education, childhood literacy, or arts education can apply for Justamere Foundation’s Grants That Make a Real Impact to remove barriers to self-sufficiency. Funding can help cover practical needs like equipment or program resources, and applicants are encouraged to connect with the foundation first to discuss mission fit.

Warrior Assist Foundation

Founded in 2020, Warrior Assist Foundation is dedicated to supporting those who serve or have served in the U.S. armed forces and their families.

Grants

Warrior Assist Foundation offers grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that dedicate at least 85% of their annual expenditures to provide assistance to active duty and reserve military personnel, their spouses and children, veterans, or spouses and children of veterans.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Connecting people, passion and resources

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.

Our Mission is to build and manage our community’s permanent endowment and lead the community to strengthen the lives of its people.

We envision a magnetic and interconnected West Michigan community.

Integrity, Excellence, Inclusion, Sustainability and Bold Aspirations

Give and Receive Openly, Build Trust with Each Other, Create Brave and Safe Space, Embrace Vulnerability, Accountability

Our North Star

For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must make sure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. It is only by connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities that we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.

Opportunities for students

Apply for scholarships to support your ambitions

Each year Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports hundreds of students on their college or career training journeys. We are excited to remove barriers to academic success so that students like you can pursue what you're passionate about.

Scholarship Fund Details

Support for West Michigan Students

Attending college or trade school increases opportunity and opens doors to careers. Donor partners who establish a scholarship fund give students a boost on their path to higher education. Students who complete the general scholarship application are considered for these scholarships.

Open to full time undergraduate students who are residents of Kent County, and are a child of a veteran of first responder who was killed or disabled while on duty.

The Armando "Frank" Quaglia Veteran's Scholarship, offered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, supports full-time graduate or upper-level undergraduate students from Kent or Ionia County pursuing healthcare or engineering degrees. With a minimum 3.0 GPA, preference is given to veterans and their families. This scholarship aims to eliminate barriers to education, fostering academic success and connecting students to opportunities in West Michigan's inclusive community.

Veterans with a service-connected condition causing infertility, including those living in Iowa, can apply for the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s VIVA fertility grants to help pay for treatment at Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) clinics. This program offers financial assistance and connections to resources for military and veteran families pursuing fertility care.

Military service members and veterans in Iowa undergoing breast cancer treatment can receive up to US $1,000 to address financial hardships such as transportation, childcare, housing, food, or medical costs. National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Military Patient Relief Fund supports eligible individuals from all U.S. branches, including Reserves and National Guard, within 12 months of treatment.

Veterans of the U.S. military pursuing post-secondary education can receive a one-time US $1,000 scholarship for tuition and related costs through the Guyon Scholarship for Veterans. Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region provides this non-renewable award to veterans with financial need attending accredited 2- or 4-year colleges, universities, or technical schools.

Students entering a technical/trade school or a two- or four-year college whose parent serves at specified U.S. military installations may be eligible for this scholarship, including those connected to Iowa. The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region supports higher education and vocational training for military families, which may benefit veteran-focused organizations assisting such students.

The U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation honors exceptional graduates with the Distinguished Graduate Award, recognizing their significant contributions to the nation and communities over the past 40 years. This prestigious award celebrates those who exemplify the core values of integrity, service, and excellence, serving as an inspiration for current cadets and graduates. Nomination is exclusive to U.S. Air Force Academy alumni, reinforcing the legacy of the Long Blue Line.

The U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation's Leadership Achievement Award recognizes alumni who have exemplified exceptional leadership, integrity, and character in their professional endeavors. This prestigious honor is awarded to graduates who have achieved notable accomplishments 16 to 39 years post-graduation, thereby enriching the legacy of the Long Blue Line. Nominations must be submitted by fellow graduates and reapplication is necessary for previous nominees.

The Sullenberger Award for Courage, presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation, recognizes exemplary acts of bravery by graduates of the Academy. This prestigious award honors those who demonstrate outstanding leadership and service, reflecting the core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence. Nominations can be submitted by anyone, and the award celebrates acts that positively impact the Academy and its legacy.

The U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation presents the Young Alumni Excellence Award to honor recent graduates who exemplify leadership, service, and excellence. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant professional or philanthropic contributions within 0 to 15 years of graduation. Nominees must maintain high standards of integrity and character, reflecting the prestigious values of the Air Force Academy while positively impacting their communities.

The Military-Civilian Charitable Foundation Scholarship aims to support children of active or retired military personnel in the San Antonio area by providing scholarships for higher education. Established in 1954, this foundation integrates military and civilian communities, emphasizing the importance of education for military families facing unique challenges. Scholarships are available to high school seniors across all military branches, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to fostering patriotism and community support.