Community and Economic Development
Name
Application Due Date
Description
Iowa Leadership Bootcamp Grant
September 1, 2025​
This Grant provides training, mentorship, and funding to communities and regions initiating leadership programs. Grantees are required to participate in a half-day bootcamp (October 28 in Indianola) resulting in a work plan and a one-year mentorship.
Empower Rural Iowa
August 30, 2025​
Applications for various grant programs through Empower Rural Iowa recently opened that focus on assisting communities in rural areas facing a variety of issues including child care, housing, and technical assistance.
Theisens' "More for You" Program
July 31 Annually
The Theisen’s More for Your Community Grant Program makes direct grants to non-profit organizations or agencies to jumpstart and/or sustain projects, which most effectively and directly serve the basic needs of families and children which include food, shelter, education,
"Our Town" Program
2026 date to be announced​
Through project-based funding, the program supports activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities over the long term.
Iowa Arts Council Art Project Grant
September 23, 2025​
Eligible projects must involve an arts experience or arts learning opportunity and must demonstrate public value to Iowans through deliberate public engagement and access to project activities.
Union Pacific Foundation Local Grants
Annually
April 1 to May 14​
Prioritizes funding for direct services and efforts that build the capacity of organizations focused on the following causes within our local operating communities: Safety, Workforce Development, Community Spaces, and Environmental Sustainability.
USDA Community Facilities Program
Year round
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas.
National Endowment for the Arts Big Read
January 2026
These grants support community reading programs designed around a single NEA Big Read book. In addition to funding for purchasing the books themselves, each grant recipient is provided with resources to help them succeed.
MidWestOne Foundation
Due the 1st of March, June, September, December
The MidWestOne Foundation supports non-profit groups, institutions, schools, and organizations that enhance the cultural well-being of the communities MidWestOne serves.
AARP Community Challenge
March 2026
The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund "quick-action" projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.
Iowa Tourism Grant
September 2026
This program promotes tourism in Iowa by funding tourism-related marketing initiatives that benefit both local economies and the state's economy.
Downtown Revitalization
Late 2025/ Early 2026
This program supports façade improvements in blighted downtown districts.
Meet in Iowa
May 17 anually
The goals of the Meet In Iowa program remain are to attract, retain, and expand in-person overnight meetings and events, increase mid-week overnight stays in the state, and provide incentive for groups to experience the tourism attractions in Iowa.
National Trust Preservation Funds
Year Round
Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects.
T-Mobile Hometown Grants
End of the months of March, June, September, and December.
The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program will help fund projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections such as a town-square pavilion, a historic building, an outdoor park, a ball field or a library.
Paint Iowa Beautiful
February 2026
Through a partnership between the Keep Iowa Beautiful organization and Diamond Vogel Paint of Orange City, Iowa, groups can receive paint for community enhancement projects and parks.
Derelict Building Program
February 2026
This program is 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, and building renovation expenses.
Youth Garden Grant
2026 date to be announced
Since 1982, the Youth Garden Grant has supported school and youth educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life for students and their communities.
More Information
Big Field Fund
August, 1 Annually
The Big Field Fund awards grants to support publicly-engaged experimental, collaborate, and connective visual arts projects within 80 miles of Iowa City. The fund is a regional regranting program of the Andy Warhol Foundation, and is administered by Public Space One.
Community Catalyst Program
April 15, 2026
​The Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program assists communities with the redevelopment or rehabilitation of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community.
Creative Places Accelerator
August 26, 2026
This a multi-year program where cross sector community teams from small to midsize Iowa communities develop arts-based projects to serve as catalysts for livability, economic development, and community connectedness.
IEDA
Community Attraction and Tourism Grant
Applications accepted while funds are available
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.
Rural Business Initiative Grant
November 7, 2025
The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) to expand its Rural Business Initiative (RBI), aimed at supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in rural Iowa. Community organizations serving towns under 20,000 residents—located within 50 miles of a Wells Fargo branch—can now apply for grants of at least $30,000. These funds may be used for capital improvements, training, strategic planning, and other business development needs.
Destination Iowa Fund
Pre applications accepted on a rolling basis January 15, 2026 and July 15, 2026
Projects will attract visitors and new residents to the state and bolster the quality of life in Iowa’s rural communities. The aim is to make strategic investments that yield lasting results and create a positive ripple effect throughout the community. These projects will not only address immediate needs but also contribute to long-term sustainability and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
Housing Opportunities
Name
Application Due Date
Description
More Information
​ECIHTF Housing Programs
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Applications accepted at any time
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The East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund (ECIHTF) accepts applications from local governments and qualified housing providers needing financial assistance to implement affordable housing projects that will address the mission of ECIHTF.
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​Rural Innovation Grant Program
Applications due end of August 2026
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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.
Transportation
Name
Application Due Date
Description
More Information
Speed Feedback Signs Program
Year round while resources last
These signs are proven traffic calming devices that will be placed along state highways within a community. The Iowa DOT will procure and install the signs at no cost to the city if the city agrees to accept ownership and will maintain the sign.
Federal and State Recreational Trails
October 1, 2025
Funding to provide and maintain motorized and non-motorized recreational trails and trail-related projects.
Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy (RISE)
Year round while resources last
The Iowa Dept. of Transportation's RISE Program is targeted toward value-adding activities that feed new dollars into the economy and provide maximum economic impact to the State.
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Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP)
October 1, 2025
Funding for highway/street, transit, bicycle/pedestrian or freight projects or programs which help maintain Iowa’s clean air quality by reducing transportation-related emissions.
Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP)
Year round while resources last
Iowa Dept. of Transportation’s Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) provides up to 150 hours of free traffic engineering expertise to identify cost-effective traffic safety and operational improvements as well as potential funding sources to implement the recommendations.
Iowa's Living Roadways Community Visioning
To be Announced
The program takes communities from identifying their surface transportation needs and developing a community vision to initiating project development.
Traffic Safety Improvement Program
To be Announced
The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) provides funds for roadway safety improvements, traffic control devices, research studies, and public information initiatives.
State & Federal Recreational Trails Program
October 1, 2025
The State Recreational Trails program (SRT) provides funds to establish recreational trails throughout Iowa for the use and enjoyment of the public.
Sign Replacement Program
Year round while resources last
The purpose of this program is to replace existing damaged, worn, obsolete, or substandard signs and signposts for cities and counties.
The Outride Fund
To be Announced
The Outride Fund partners with community nonprofits to promote cycling as a tool to improve social, emotional, and cognitive health through grants that are focused on social, emotional, and cognitive health.
Environmental Services
Name
Application Due Date
Description
Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Credits
To be Announced
Developers in Iowa can receive tax credits for redeveloping properties known as brownfield and grayfield sites.
Iowa DNR Brownfields Grant
Accepted year round while funding lasts.
Cities, counties, area development corporations, and non profit organizations that wish to acquire and redevelop brownfield sites are eligible for the program.
CDBG - Water, Sewer, and Stormwater
May 1, and September 1,
Funds awarded through this competitive program assist cities and counties with water, sewer, and stormwater projects.
Derelict Building Program
February 27, 2026
This program is 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, and building renovation expenses.
Community Forestry Program
To be Announced
This program provides reimbursable grants to purchase and plant trees suitable to Iowa in counties impacted by the emerald ash borer (EAB).
Iowa DNR REAP City Parks and Open Spaces
To be Announced
The intent of this Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) program is to protect open spaces, in turn enhancing Iowa residents' quality of life, supporting economic development efforts, and taking precautions to care for the environment.
Wildlife Habitat Grants
Annually November 30 and May 31
The DNR offers 75% cost-share funding to County Conservation Boards for the acquisition and development of lands for wildlife habitat.
Solid Waste Alternative Program
Annually January 2 and July 1
SWAP provides financial assistance toward source reduction, recycling, and education projects such as installing waste reduction equipment, developing educational materials, or purchasing products with recycled content.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Annually March 15
Popular projects in recent years have included skate parks, playgrounds, new and renovated swimming pools, sport complexes, campgrounds, and multipurpose trails. Iowa's cities and counties are eligible to participate.
Alliant Energy Community Tree Planting Program
Annually November 1
The utility provides grants for community-based, tree-planting projects - like parks, gateways, cemeteries, nature trails, libraries, nursing homes, schools and more.
Trees for Kids
To be Announced
This program can awards up to $2,500 to purchase trees and mulch for public community grounds. Youth are required to be engaged in the process, which typically involves the actual planting of the trees.
Food Storage Capacity Grant
On going while resources last
This grant opportunity is designed to expand storage and cold storage 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.
Urban Conservation Grant
Pre-application Due November 21, 2025
Full-application Due February 13, 2026
Eligible projects should implement stormwater management practices that align with the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Project examples include, but are not limited to, bioretention cells, bioswales, native landscaping, permeable pavement, and rain gardens. If awarded, state funds will cover up to 50% of eligible project expenses. Pre-applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on November 21, 2025. For more information check out the link.
Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance Program (WTFAP)
Due November 3, 2025
This annual grant opportunity provides funding to communities for wastewater and drinking water treatment facility projects. In the 2025 round, applicants must commit to start construction before September 2026.
More Information