FUNDING
OPPORTUNITIES
ECICOG writes and manages a wide variety of federal, state and philanthropic grants. Are there funding opportunities waiting for you?
Development
Iowa Tourism Grant
Due September 27, 2023
The Iowa Tourism Grant (ITG) program promotes tourism in Iowa by funding tourism-related marketing initiatives, meetings and events that benefit both local economies and the state's economy. Applications are available annually. For more information, visit IEDA’s Travel Iowa website.
Wellmark Access to Healthy Foods Match Grant
Due September 20, 2023
The Wellmark Foundation is currently accepting Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) Grant Applications for projects that make it easy to eat healthy and engage in everyday physical activity. Grants are up to $50,000 and require a 50% match. To learn more, please visit the Wellmark Foundation website.
CDBG - Water & Sewer
Due January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 with award announcements in March, June, September and December.
Funds awarded through this annual competitive program assist cities and counties with projects such as sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water and wastewater treatment facility projects, storm sewer projects related to sanitary sewer system improvements and rural water connections. Contact Jennifer Fencl at jennifer.fencl@ecicog.org.
Community Development Block Grants
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced the CDBG programs for FY24. Guidelines, scoring rubrics and informational webinars are available on the IEDA CDBG Website and details on certain CDBG programs are mentioned below:
Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization Planning Fund
Due November 22, 2023
Community leaders can use this program to fund a focused plan for neighborhood revitalization. The goal of this program is to provide economic opportunities and facilities for people, especially those of low- and moderate income. For more details contact tom.gruis@ecicog.org
Downtown Revitalization
Due November 22, 2023
This program supports façade improvements in blighted downtown districts. Contact Tom Gruis at tom.gruis@ecicog.org
Upper Story Housing Conversion
Due November 22, 2023
This opportunity provides up to $500,000 for the conversion of existing downtown building space into new residential units. Contact Tracey Achenbach at tracey.achenbach@ecicog.org
Meet in Iowa
Applications reviewed upon receipt during 2023 30 days before event. Events can only be during 2023
Given the success of the Meet In Iowa program in 2022, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Tourism Office have extended the program into 2023. Modifications have been made to the program for 2023, but the goals of the Meet In Iowa program remain the same – 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. For more information, visit the Meet In Iowa website.
IEDA Sports Tourism Grant
Due 90 days before tourism event
The Sports Tourism grant from the IEDA’s Enhance Iowa program will provide financial assistance for projects that market or promote sporting events in Iowa. Eligible sporting events include professional, collegiate and amateur level sporting events that occur in Iowa. Promotion/marketing activity can occur for up to two years. Cities, counties, Iowa not-for-profit economic development organizations or other Iowa not-for-profit organizations, including those that sponsor or support sporting events are eligible to apply for assistance of up to 50% of the eligible cost to actively promote or market an eligible sporting event. Eligible applicants can apply jointly. For more information, visit the IEDA website.
National Trust Preservation Funds
Due October 1st 2023
Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain required technical expertise, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. Visit the National Trust For Historic Preservation website to find additional information.
T-Mobile Hometown Grants
Due September 30th 2023
T-Mobile is committing up to $25 million over the next 5 years to support small towns across America by funding community projects. 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. For more information, visit the T-Mobile website.
Derelict Building Program
Due February 23, 2024
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources makes the Derelict Building Program available to Iowa towns of 5,000 or fewer residents to address neglected commercial or public structures that have been vacant for at least 6 months. 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. For more information, contact Alicia Presto at alicia.presto@ecicog.org.
Paint Iowa Beautiful
Closed Be prepared to Apply for the 2024 Cycle!
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. Paint Iowa Beautiful program, which provides paint at no charge to a wide variety of public service projects throughout Iowa. For more information, visit the Keep Iowa Beautiful website or contact Jessica Johnson at jessica.johnson@ecicog.org.
Transportation
People for Bikes
Due October 31st
The People For Bikes Community Grant Program supports bicycle infrastructure projects and targeted advocacy initiatives that make it easier and safer for people of all ages and abilities to ride. Click here for more information.
Housing
ECIHTF Housing Programs
Applications accepted at any time
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. Nonprofit, for-profit, and governmental entities are eligible to apply for funding assistance from ECIHTF for affordable housing projects located within the counties of Benton, Iowa, Jones, and Washington. For more information about ECIHTF and other ECICOG Housing programs, visit the ECICOG website or contact Housing Director Tracey Achenbach at tracey.achenbach@ecicog.org.
Environment
Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program Notice of Intent
No Due Date
Later this year, FEMA is expected to announce the Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant program for FY 2023, including Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). Projects submitted for consideration must be consistent with the goals and objectives identified in Iowa’s State Hazard Mitigation Plan and the approved local mitigation plan for the jurisdiction in which the activity is located. The BRIC grant provides an opportunity for communities to initiate shovel-ready mitigation projects that provide protection against natural hazards. Applicants with proposed projects located in a FEMA-identified Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) are eligible for funding only if the jurisdiction in which the project is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Contact Resource Specialist Alicia Presto for more information.
Solid Waste Alternative Program
January 2nd 2024 and July 1st 2024
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) works to reduce the amount of waste landfilled in Iowa through the Solid Waste Alternative Program (SWAP). 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. Eligibility requirements can be found at the Iowa DNR website. Contact Alicia Presto for more information.
Wildlife Habitat Grants
Due November 30th and May 31st Yearly
The DNR offers 75% cost-share funding to County Conservation Boards for the acquisition and development of lands for wildlife habitat. Lands must be open to hunting and trapping. Only those compatible activities such as fishing, hiking, nature study, cross-country skiing, etc., will be permitted. Grant applications for wildlife habitat projects are received two times a year, the last working day in May and in November. For more information, visit the DNR website or contact ECICOG Environmental Director Jennifer Fencl.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Due March 15 Yearly
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program provides match funds of 50% for outdoor recreation area development and acquisition. 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. Visit the Iowa DNR website for more information. Contact Environmental Services Director Jennifer Fencl at jennifer.fencl@ecicog.org for additional assistance.
Alliant Energy Community Tree Planting Program
Due November 1st
Community tree planting program providing funding to promote community-based tree planting projects, encourage energy efficiency, provide education related to the many benefits of trees, and increase environmental awareness through community stewardship. The utility provides grants for community-based, tree-planting projects - like parks, gateways, cemeteries, nature trails, libraries, nursing homes, schools and more. More Information Here
