Grants Overview

YSS, Ember Youth Recovery Campus, Ames

Making an Impact through Grants

The Story County Community Foundation supports projects that enhance quality of life in Story County, Iowa, by addressing community needs in arts and culture, education, health and human services, the environment, and civic engagement.

Funding for our grants program comes from a portion of gaming revenue through the State of Iowa Community Endowment Program and with private donors.

Questions regarding our grants may be directed to Karin Sevde, Executive Director: ksevde@storycountyfoundation.org. or by phone, 515-232-9200.

Eligibility

Grants are available only to Story County, Iowa – based 501(c)(3) nonprofits or qualifying government units that provide public benefit (e.g., public libraries, fire and rescue, parks & recreation, other municipal departments) for residents of Story County, Iowa.

Organizations without IRS status may apply through a fiscal sponsor. A fiscal sponsor is an organization that receives and manages grant funds on behalf of an applicant, handling payments and required documentation. The sponsor must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a 170(c)(1) government entity. When selecting a sponsor, look for an organization that aligns with or benefits from your project. If using a fiscal sponsor, a signed sponsorship agreement must be included with the grant application.

Applicants with an active grant extension or an outstanding final report from a prior grant are ineligible to receive a grant until previous projects and the final grants report has been submitted and approved.

Due to limited funding, priority is given to organizations that have not received a grant in the past three years.

The Foundation will not consider funding requests for:

A capital fundraising campaign, which is a time-limited effort to raise significant funds for a specific project, including solicitation, events, or fundraiser fees.
Establish endowments – a fund made up of gifts and bequests that are subject to a requirement that the principal be maintained intact and invested to create a source of income for an organization.
Operational expenses such as staff salaries, office rental, utilities, and office supplies.
Grants or scholarships to individuals, including subsidies to agencies to cover individual activities or participation fees, scholarships or travel expenses.
Programs covering a budget deficit or easing budget deficiencies.
Programs requiring participation in a religious activity or promotion of religious ideology.
Projects not serving residents of Story County, Iowa; Projects may be multi-county, but the Story County Community Foundation grant-funded portion must benefit solely Story County residents.
One-time or annual events or festivals.
Political causes and activities, candidates or legislative lobbying efforts.
Private foundations.

20th Anniversary Impact Grant

This year we celebrated our 20th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the Story County Community Foundation awarded a $100,000 Impact Grant to Story County Conservation. This grant will be used to restore the beach and water quality at Hickory Grove Park and to fulfill Carol and Bob Deppe’s dream of incorporating their acreage into a conservation area for Story County.

We are proud to be a part of these amenities for all to enjoy for years to come.

Previous Grant Awards

2025 Grant Award Recipients

Camelot Theater Foundation – Retractable Screen, Interior Renovations, Nevada

Food at First – Dining Room Furniture, Ames

Boys & Girls Club of Story County – Outdoor Sports Equipment, Ames

ChildServe – Indoor Play Gym, Ames

The Salvation Army – Food Pantry Items, Ames

City of Zearing – City Library Renovations, Zearing

RedShirt Foundation – Hope in the Hallways, Suicide Prevention, Gilbert

Maxwell Area Renewal Committee – Public Library, ADA-compliant Automatic Door, Maxwell

City of Colo – Basketball Court Replacement, Colo

City of Roland – Britson Park Open-Air Shelter, Roland

Bertha Bartlett Public Library – Story City Story Walk, Story City

City of Collins – Heart of Iowa Trailside Improvements, Collins

Anchored Hope House – Security upgrades, Ames

Roland Historical Society Foundation – Museum Capital Improvements, Roland

Cambridge Historical Association – Siding Replacement, Cambridge

Primary Health Care – Expanding Patient Assistance, Ames

City of Kelley – Community Center Flooring Replacement, Kelley

2025 Small Business Grant Recipients

Blue Crib Customs, LLC – Sawmill, Roland

Iowa Lavender -Patio Improvements and Marketing Materials, Ames

Pedersen Bicycle Services – Website Improvements, Huxley

Chrysalis Therapy – Speech Therapy materials, Huxley

2024 Grant Recipients

Ames Public Library Friends Foundation – Story County Digital Equity Initiative, Ames
Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Community Bed Build, Ames
Slater Parks & Recreation Board – Slater Southside Park Revitalization, Slater
Legal Aid Society – Office Accessibility and Safety Improvements, Nevada
Huxley Fire & Rescue – Physio-Control ACLS Defibrillator Package, Huxley
City of Kelley – City Park Improvements, Kelley
YSS – Ember Youth Recovery Campus Landscaping, Cambridge
Overflow Thrift Store – Improved Recycling Expansion, Ames
Ames Writer’s Collective – New Stage Equipment, Ames
Cambridge Fire & Rescue – eDraulic Combination Tool (Jaws of Life), Cambridge
Maxwell Area Renewal Committee – American Legion Community Building Renovation, Maxwell
Lutheran Services in Iowa – Story County NEST Parent Education & Support, Ames
Ames Soccer Club – Hunziker Youth Sport Complex Irrigation System, Ames
Outdoor Alliance of Story County – Young Birder Library Backpacks, Ames
Story City Historical Society – Pioneer Cabin Restoration Project, Story City
The Samuel Reid American Legion Post 334 – Roofing Project, McCallsburg
KHOI Community Radio – KHOI Comes to You program, Ames
Obria Medical Clinic – Exam Room Flooring, Ames
City of Zearing – NESCO Family Medical Clinic Expansion, Zearing

2024 Small Business Grant Award Recipients

Piece & Freedom Ukrainian Bakery – Signage for New Store Front, Ames
Frozen Gains – Marketing Materials, Ames

2023 Grant Award Recipients

Ames History Museum – Folding Tables and Chairs, Ames
Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa – Baker Subdivision Home, Ames
City of Maxwell – Disc Golf Baskets, Maxwell
Threshold Learning Center – Kids Clubhouse, Zearing
City of Collins – Community Center Flooring, Collins
Wings of Refuge – Basement Renovations, Ames
ChildServe – Specialty Clinics*, Ames
Story Theater Company – Sound Equipment, Ames
City of Ames Fire Department – “Freddie” Equipment, Ames
Friends of Huxley – Splash Pad, Huxley
City of Maxwell – Inclusive Playground Equipment, Maxwell
Bethany Life – Sensory Rooms, Story City
Collins-Maxwell Booster Club – Paint for Restrooms, Maxwell
Kids at First – Breakfast Supplement , Nevada
Ames Pickleball Club, Ames
City of Gilbert – Park Benches, Gilbert
KHOI Community Radio – Portable Broadcasting Equipment, Ames
Colo Fire & Rescue – Department Garage Expansion, Colo
Center for Creative Justice – Communication System, Ames

2022 Grant Award Recipients

Major Grant Award Recipients

Camelot Theater – Theater Restoration Project, Nevada
Bertha Bartlett Library – Kitchenette for the conference rooms, Story City
ChildServe – Day Classroom for those with Autism, Ames
Friendship Ark Homes – New Van, Ames

Community Grant Award Recipients

Old Settlers – Band Stand Enhancement, Maxwell
Nevada Public Library – Story Walk, Nevada Trails, Nevada
Story Theater Company – Q Lab and Mac Mini Program, Ames
City of Collins – Community Center Improvements, Collins
City of Maxwell – City Park ADA Restroom, Maxwell
Friends of Huxley – Splash Pad in City Park, Huxley
Threshold Learning Center – Community Gardens, Zearing
Blast Back to School – Supplies Drive and Distibution, Story County
Raising Readers in Story County – Story Pals, Parent Engagement*, Ames
All Aboard for Kids – Full STEAM Ahead program, Ames
The Community Academy – Educational Kitchenette, Ames
The Salvation Army – Food Pantry, Ames
The RedShirt Foundation – Youth Mental Health Matters, Story City
Food at First – HVAC system and Generator, Ames
Food Bank of Iowa – Fighting Childhood Hunger, Story County

2021 Grant Award Recipients

Major Grant Award Recipients

Mary Greeley Medical Center Foundation – Third Way Project
The Bridge Home – 911 Drop-in Shelter
Nevada Fieldhouse Project – Indoor Play Area

Community Grant Award Recipients

All Aboard Kids – High Needs Classroom
Arc of Story County – Project SEARCH
Ballard Community Performing Arts – Protable music stands
Big & Small Tortoise Rescue and Sanctuary – Community Biology Educational program
Boys Scouts of America – Willson Pond Addition in Nevada
ChildServe – Development of Children’s Mental Health Services
City of Gilbert – Upland Trail
Community & Family Resources – Document Translation Project
Friendship Ark – Handicap Acessibility Improvement Project
Food at First – Energy efficient and increased capacity equipment
Food Bank of Iowa – Fighting childhood hunger in Story County
Harmony Clothing Closet – MAKEOVER Project
Raising Readers in Story County – 500 Days: Smart start for Story County babies*
Threshold Learning Center – Renovation of barn

2020 Grant Award Recipients

Major Grant Award Recipients

City of Roland – Erikson Park Enclosed Shelter House

Community Grant Award Recipients

ACTORS – Livestreaming
Ames Alano Society – Reroofing Building
Ames Public Library Friends Foundation – Community Access & Learning with Free WiFi Hotspots
Ames Town & Gown – Virtual Reality Concert Recording for Outreach
ChildServe – Respite Summer Programming, Toys & Supplies
Colo Public Library – Busy Bags Project
Legal Aid Society – Technology Upgrade
Mustard Seed Community Farm – Food & Supply Storage
Skunk River Paddlers/Outdoor Alliance of Story County – Ada Hayden Accessible Dock Project
Story County Fair Association – Preserving the History for Future Generations
Story County Sheriff’s Office – Story County Sheriff’s Office AED Campaign
Raising Readers in Story County – Diversity in Literacy*

2019 Grant Award Recipients