Best Story County Grants for Nonprofits in Iowa

501(c)(3) nonprofits advancing economic opportunity, affordable housing, or community arts and culture in Story County, Iowa may be eligible for this funding. With a mission to strengthen communities, US Bancorp Foundation provides sustainable, high-impact grants to organizations in designated U.S. Bank communities, prioritizing those led by people of color and addressing multiple Work, Home, and Play pillars.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and youth in Story County, Iowa can apply for Dan Paul Foundation grants to support health, education, development, and welfare programs, including early childhood, child advocacy, homelessness, and poverty services. Grants from Dan Paul Foundation help Story County nonprofits with projects that enrich and protect young people worldwide, with awards up to US $15,000.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

Nonprofit and NGO programs using technology for crisis response, education, economic empowerment, or climate resilience, including those serving Story County, Iowa, can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants up to US $100,000. Grants from Cisco Systems Foundation help organizations serving predominantly economically underserved communities scale innovative, early-stage solutions rather than ongoing operations.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with audited expenses over $2 million that run proven social service programs can apply for William Randolph Hearst Foundation grants of more than US $100,000. Funding supports program, capital, or general operations, and Story County, Iowa organizations addressing poverty, housing, food access, jobs, youth, or reentry may be competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Story County, Iowa collaborating on community arts and culture projects can apply for the Roger Berger Grant for the Arts, supporting opera-focused and other cultural programming. Eligible projects may include live performances, educational sessions, and multi-year initiatives that create positive, innovative arts experiences for residents.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities in McCallsburg, Iowa can apply for project funding that benefits McCallsburg residents. Grants from Story County Community Foundation help Story County, Iowa nonprofits and public agencies address local community needs, with awards determined by the McCallsburg Legacy Fund balance and approved by the McCallsburg City Council.

Story County, Iowa nonprofits and government entities in McCallsburg can access funding through the McCallsburg, Iowa Legacy Grant for community betterment projects in arts, education, health, human services, environment, and related areas. Administered by Story County Community Foundation with the City of McCallsburg as fiscal sponsor, awards depend on the Legacy Fund’s current spendable balance.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries in Story County, Iowa can seek funding for environmental and human services programs through the Lawrence Foundation; awards typically range from US $5,000 - US $10,000. The foundation offers unrestricted program or operating support for U.S.-headquartered organizations working locally or globally within its priorities.

Nonprofit organizations in Story County, Iowa seeking project or program support can apply for US $1,000 - US $20,000 to advance community, cultural, educational, environmental, health, and social service initiatives. With a mission to help smaller projects where modest funding has big impact, Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation provides U.S. 501(c)(3)s with flexible support across these areas.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

About Us

Who We Are

We unite people, ideas, and resources to transform lives across Story County, working toward our vision of a connected and thriving community.

Making a Difference since 1953

Since 1953, United Way of Story County (UWSC) has been a trusted leader and convener, mobilizing our community to create lasting change. We believe transformation happens when neighbors, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers unite around shared goals.

A connected and thriving Story County.

Unite people, ideas, and resources to transform lives in Story County.

Investing in You

We provide grants to local nonprofits that are dedicated to serving Story County in our focus areas of health, education, and financial security. These grants aim to empower organizations that are making a difference in our community, helping them to enhance their programs and reach more individuals in need.

Community Impact Grants

These grants support unanticipated, emerging, or other distinct under-funded needs that further the mission of UWSC.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Story County, Iowa with programs for seniors, community health, or faith-based ministry can apply for grants of US $75,000. Immanuel Community Vision Foundation supports initiatives that meet seniors’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, strengthen community health, and assist ELCA congregations demonstrating strong leadership and sustainable, well-planned projects.

Graduating high school seniors passionate about wellness-related fields, such as physical education or physical therapy, can receive US $500 scholarships to pursue higher education. Administered by the Community Foundation of Rappahannock River Region, this award prioritizes hardworking students facing financial need or other barriers and may benefit Story County, Iowa students with similar backgrounds and interests.

Story County, Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofits and aligned for-profit organizations can access funding to tell powerful stories about their work in preservation, education, or wellness. The Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation’s Storytelling Grant supports projects that highlight real-world impact in areas like wildlife conservation, historic preservation, early childhood education, mental health, and outdoor access; awards are more than US $50,000.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education who have overcome extraordinary life challenges may be eligible for the James Ledwith Memorial Scholarship, offering up to US $2,000. Albuquerque Community Foundation provides Story County, Iowa students and others with support for college, university, or vocational study aligned with their life dreams and professional goals.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

Developers and housing organizations in Story County, Iowa can access tax credits and refunds for workforce housing development or rehabilitation through the Workforce Housing Tax Incentive Program, with awards up to US $1,000,000. Iowa Health and Human Services supports projects that expand affordable housing, including grayfield/brownfield, upper-story, and small-city developments that meet minimum unit requirements.

Nonprofit organizations in Story County, Iowa with strong, replicable community partnerships addressing significant social issues may be eligible for the Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award. This national U.S. competition honors exemplary collaborations between nonprofit, public, private, and social sector partners that measurably improve lives and model innovative, scalable approaches.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental agencies with existing funds at Story County Community Foundation can receive up to US $5,000 in Story County, Iowa to build organizational capacity and grow their SCCF-held funds. Story County Community Foundation provides local nonprofits with support for governance training, strategic planning, sustainability, technology, and marketing projects that strengthen long-term community impact.

Focused on youth civic engagement and racial justice, this mini-grant invites Story County, Iowa nonprofits, public schools, local governments, and community partners to host Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day events. Eligible applicants can request US $500 - US $1,000 for activities that promote activism, anti-racism, anti-bullying, and encourage students to walk, bike, or roll to school.

Historic Black churches and related 501(c)(3) stewards in Story County, Iowa can seek US $50,000 - US $500,000 to preserve and better utilize historic Black houses of worship. The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserving Black Churches program funds capital projects, planning, staffing, endowments, and cultural programming for these significant heritage sites.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government units in Story County, Iowa can seek funding for community betterment projects that benefit local residents. Grants from Story County Community Foundation help Story County, Iowa organizations address needs in arts, education, health, human services, environment, families, youth, inclusion, and civic engagement, including seed money for new programs or collaborative efforts.

Small for-profit businesses in Story County, Iowa can apply for Story County Community Foundation’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Grants, with awards up to US $5,000 to grow or launch projects by October 1, 2027. While nonprofits are not eligible, nonprofit partners supporting local entrepreneurship may benefit when nearby small businesses expand.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government units in Story County, Iowa can seek project funding of US $10,000 - US $25,000 to address significant community needs and improve residents’ lives. Story County Community Foundation supports initiatives in arts and culture, education, health, human services, environment, community benefit, and related community betterment efforts.