UERPC Announcement of Funding Opportunities

The Fund Alert is a list of grants and possible funding sources assembled by Upper Explorerland along with other regional councils of government from throughout the state who want to assist you in locating financial assistance for your projects.
Updated: January 16, 2025 | Posted: January 16, 2025
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Greetings! Below is a list of funding opportunities that may fit your community needs.

**We are always happy to help with your grant writing efforts, but if you are interested in having UERPC assist, please make your request at least two months prior to the grant deadline. In some instances, more lead time may be necessary. We can also review your grant at any time as well. Please note that fees apply for these services.**

Grant/Loan Program
Program Purpose
Due Date
Tax-exempt groups may qualify for reimbursements for energy efficiency improvements. Eligible groups include: school districts, state and local governments, tribal and native entities, rural energy cooperatives, water districts, economic development agencies, certain public universities and hospitals, and more. Qualifying projects include: solar, wind, electric vehicle charging stations, battery storage and community solar for neighborhoods.
Ongoing
Assists schools and child care centers with testing and the reduction of lead in their drinking water.
Ongoing until available funding has been awarded
To expand storage options of recovered food items. Food banks, food pantries, and other non-profit organizations receiving food for distribution to food insecure Iowans are eligible to apply.
Ongoing until available funding has been awarded
Enhancing the ability of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to terrorist or other extremist attacks.
January 8
Increasing the availability of local foods in schools and helping connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for school meals through three grant options:
  • Implementation Grant
  • State Agency Grant
  • Turnkey Grant
January 10
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to nonprofit organizations and local government entities in communities that are located within the state of Iowa for public health-related initiatives and projects in the recipient communities.
January 13
Providing grants in the core program areas of arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, health, and human service.
January 15
Improves the health, well-being and quality of life for military service members and veterans exposed to trauma as well as their families and caregivers through experiences of art.
January 15
Awards to cities, counties and non-profit organizations proposing to invest in vertical infrastructure to increase tourism to the state.
January 15 and July 15
Assists communities with the redevelopment or rehabilitation of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvest in the community.
Pre-application due:
January 30
Provides training and $4,000 to support city staff to develop, implement, and enhance volunteer engagement strategies that align with their unique needs and objectives.
January 30
Awards grants to theater companies that produce Shakespeare’s works in middle schools, high schools, and juvenile justice facilities throughout the United States. Two opportunities:  Juvenile Justice and Schools.
Intent to Apply: January 30
Due: February 13
Provides support to selected nonprofit organizations around the country to host dynamic community-wide reading programs, each designed around a single Big Read title.
Intent to Apply: January 23
Due: January 30
Match up to $25,000 per project to expand the availability of Iowa grown, Iowa raised, and Iowa made foods, beverages, and other ag products.
January 31
Provides resources to deliver the benefits of parks and recreation to all.
Due:  January 31
Designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States.
Available: January 6
Due:  January 31
Offers free paint to a diverse range of community projects, enhancing the aesthetics of neighborhoods and public spaces.
February 14
Grants for community development, community promotions, community education and similar matters for the benefit of persons residing in Allamakee County, Iowa.
Available: January 15
Due: February 26
Funding to assist small communities and rural counties in addressing derelict buildings through deconstruction, renovation/mothballing, and/or conducting environmental studies.
February 28
Projects and programs with the goal of youth enrichment (priority) or that benefit a broad spectrum of the community or a chronically underserved segment of the population in Clayton County.
Available: February 10
Due: March 21
Improve access to primary health care among rural and/or underserved populations by providing educational loan repayment assistance to eligible primary care medical, dental, and mental health practitioners in exchange for a service obligation located within federally designated health professional shortage areas (HPSA) in Iowa.
April 8
Providing grants to improve life in Clayton County. Focus areas include: education, economic development, recreation, tourism/cultural/arts, and public health and safety.
Pre-application due: April 18
Giving back through sponsorships and donations that help make communities a better place for all who live there with a focus on three areas of; Families and Communities; Health and Wellness; Youth and Education.
Quarterly: September, November, March, June
Grants are given every quarter to a maximum of 25 small towns for community projects that help small towns across America thrive and grow.
Quarterly: September, December, March, June
Looks to accept proposals from organizations seeking to better their local communities.
Quarterly: end of each calendar quarter
Grants supporting daily operating costs for applicants who are working to strengthen our food system, enhance equitable community health outcomes and safeguard our environment and natural resources.
Applications reviewed three times a year: October, February, June
An umbrella group of grant funds intended to encourage preservation at the local level by supporting on-going preservation work and by providing seed money for preservation projects.
Three deadlines per year:  February, June, October
Provides loans and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements.
Three deadlines per year:  September, March, June
Supports programs, projects or endeavors that help young people.
Rolling applications reviewed quarterly: May, August, September, November
Grants to address the unique needs of the communities where Walmart operates.
Three submission periods:
March 1-July 15
Aug 6-Oct 15
Nov 1-Dec 31
Funds projects that provide recreational, cultural, entertainment and educational attractions.
Rolling
Funding for identifiable programs and projects  benefiting groups or communities located in Winneshiek County.
Rolling
Donation requests to support causes that benefit Viafield customers and their families. Giving focus areas include scholarships, youth and community.
Rolling
Sponsors or contributes to a variety of causes that support Fareway’s values.
Rolling
Makes grants to organizations in the United States and internationally. The Foundation accepts applications throughout the year, and grant decisions are made by its Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.
Rolling
Investing in organizations and communities in Iowa and Wisconsin and guided by key focus areas of hunger and housing, workforce readiness, environmental stewardship; and community safety and engagement.
Rolling
Giving focused on supporting fundamental needs in communities: education, hunger and community servants. Programs include:
  • Donation Requests: Available to non-profits impacting a fundamental need
  • Fundraising Program: Pizza fundraising for non-profit youth organizations
  • Cash for Classrooms Grant Program: Annual grant program for schools
  • Class Act Program: Pizza coupons for rewarding students
  • Casey’s Scrip Program: Gift card fundraising
Varies by program
Funding request examples include:  police and fire departments; food pantries; and capital campaign projects.
Rolling
Provides funding to organizations that aim to improve the heart health of people.
Rolling
Leverages the participation of IRDC members to provide rural communities with resources to seize economic development opportunities and make them realities.
Rolling
Supports programs in Dollar General hometown communities that help individuals take their next steps toward a bright future. Program areas:
  • Adult Literacy: Creating access and opportunity for adults to learn
  • Beyond Words: Rebuilding school libraries affected by disasters
  • Family Literacy: Learning for the whole family
  • Summer Reading: Keeping students engaged in reading throughout the summer
  • Youth Literacy: Supporting students on their K-12 education journey
Varies by program

Diana Johnson

Assistant Director of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC)
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