Grant Applications

Habitat for Humanity, Ames

Community Grants Information

The Story County Community Foundation will award multiple grants for projects that significantly improve or affect the lives of those living in Story County communities. Please refer to the Grant Application Eligibility information in order to ensure you have the best chance of submitting a successful application. 

Grant Information:

  • Grant requests of up to $9,999 will be considered.
  • Applications are accepted June 1 – September 16, 2024

Timeline Information for Community Grant Applicants:

  • Full applications must be submitted electronically by 5:00 PM, September 16, 2024.
  • Applications will be reviewed during the month of October 2024.
  • Applicants will be notified by the end of October 2024.
  • Grants Reception will be November 7, 2024, 2:30 – 4:00 PM, ACTORS, 120 Abraham Drive, Ames.
  • Final project reports are due August 31, 2025.

Eligibility

Grants are made only to Story County – based nonprofit organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt, nonprofit, public charities under section 501(c)(3) or as a “unit of government” under Section 170(c)(1) – agencies that conduct activities to benefit the public at large. These may include public schools, state universities, public libraries, fire and rescue, and other municipal departments. If your agency does not have the IRS status, it may be possible for another agency to serve as a fiscal sponsor.

Previous grant recipients that have a current extension on an existing grant or that haven’t submitted a final report for a previously funded grant are not eligible to apply for any of our grants.

While we would like to fund all applications we review, our grant funds are limited. Preference will be given to organizations who have not be awarded a grant in the past three years.

Community Grant Objectives

Grant proposals that address one or more of the following objectives will be considered:

  • Focus on community needs in the areas of art/culture/humanities, education, health, human services, environment or community/public/society benefit.
  • Strengthen the community by promoting philanthropy and encouraging civic involvement.
    Encourage residents of Story County communities to be inclusive, welcoming, and understand diverse cultures.
  • Serve as a catalyst in collaborative efforts for the betterment of all communities in Story County.
  • New community betterment programs or projects.
  • Address unidentified community needs with targeted solutions.

The Foundation will not consider funding requests for:

  • Annual or capital fund-raising campaigns (not to be confused with capital building projects, which are accepted). A capital fundraising campaign is a time-limited effort by a nonprofit organization to raise significant dollars for a specific project. This includes funds for telephone solicitation, fundraising events, or professional fundraiser fees.
  • 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.
  • Operations such as staff salaries, office rental, utilities, and office supplies.
  • Individuals – only non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, governmental agencies with charitable projects or the 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors for an agency are eligible.
  • 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; Projects may be multi-county, but the Story County Community Foundation funded portion must benefit solely Story County residents.
  • Festivals and one-time special events or annual events.
  • Political causes and activities, candidates or legislative lobbying efforts.
  • Private foundations.

Major Grant Information

Grant Information: Grant requests of $10,000 – $25,000 will be considered.

In addition to our Community Betterment Objectives, in the Major Grant we are looking for a project which:

  • addresses significant community issues

  • presents an innovative, creative, and practical proposal that builds on community strengths

  • presents a clear work plan that shows the ability to achieve the project’s goals

  • encourages cooperation, creates efficiencies and reduces duplication of services

  • develops the leadership potential of the community

  • involves the people served in the planning and implementation of the project

  • demonstrates quality, vision, collaboration and good management

  • provides a plan for sustainability beyond the funding period

Timeline Information for Major Grant Applicants:

  • Full applications must be submitted electronically by 5:00 PM, September 16, 2024.
  • Applications will be reviewed during the month of October 2024.
  • Applicants will be notified by the end of October 2024.
  • Grants Reception will be November 7, 2024, 2:30 – 4:00 PM, ACTORS, 120 Abraham Drive, Ames.
  • Final project reports are due August 31, 2025.

Eligibility

Grants are made only to Story County – based nonprofit organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt, nonprofit, public charities under section 501(c)(3) or as a “unit of government” under Section 170(c)(1) – agencies that conduct activities to benefit the public at large. These may include public schools, state universities, public libraries, fire and rescue, and other municipal departments. If your agency does not have the IRS status, it may be possible for another agency to serve as a fiscal sponsor.

Previous grant recipients that have a current extension on an existing grant or that haven’t submitted a final report for a previously funded grant are not eligible to apply for any of our grants.

While we would like to fund all applications we review, our grant funds are limited. Preference will be given to organizations who have not be awarded a grant in the past three years.

Major Grant Objectives

Grant proposals that address one or more of the following objectives will be considered:

  • Focus on community needs in the areas of art/culture/humanities, education, health, human services, environment or community/public/society benefit.
  • Strengthen the community by promoting philanthropy and encouraging civic involvement.
    Encourage residents of Story County communities to be inclusive, welcoming, and understand diverse cultures.
  • Serve as a catalyst in collaborative efforts for the betterment of all communities in Story County.
  • New community betterment programs or projects.
  • Address unidentified community needs with targeted solutions.

The Foundation will not consider funding requests for:

  • Annual or capital fund-raising campaigns (not to be confused with capital building projects, which are accepted). A capital fundraising campaign is a time-limited effort by a nonprofit organization to raise significant dollars for a specific project. This includes funds for telephone solicitation, fundraising events, or professional fundraiser fees.
  • 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.
  • Operations such as staff salaries, office rental, utilities, and office supplies.
  • Individuals – only non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, governmental agencies with charitable projects or the 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors for an agency are eligible.
  • 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; Projects may be multi-county, but the Story County Community Foundation funded portion must benefit solely Story County residents.
  • Festivals and one-time special events or annual events.
  • Political causes and activities, candidates or legislative lobbying efforts.
  • Private foundations.

Capacity Building Grants Information

The Story County Community Foundation makes grants to nonprofits or governmental organizations with funds held under the umbrella of the Story County Community Foundation. These grants are to help grow the funds held at Story County Community Foundation.

Grant Information:

  • Grant requests of up to $2,500 will be considered.
  • Applications are accepted January 1 – August 31, 2024, and will be reviewed by a committee upon submission. Funding must be used within twelve months of notification of a successful application.

Application Guidelines

Applications must include the following information:

  • The organizational need addressed with the Capacity Building Grant

  • Anticipated results of the project and how it impacts the future of the organization

  • Timeline for the project

  • Board commitment to the project, both financially and in terms of participation

  • Budget, including other sources of funding and the amount requested from Story County Community Foundation

    1. Include only costs pertinent to the project.

    2. Include the specific portion of the project Story County Community Foundation funds would be used for

  • A copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3) designation letter

  • A list of the organization’s Board of Directors with contact information including e-mail addresses

  • If your request is for an educational purpose, explain how newly obtained information will be disseminated within your organization

Eligibility Requirements

The applicant must have a fund established with Story County Community Foundation. Grants are made only to charitable organizations with a 501(c) (3) status, or to government agencies. Geographically, funding is limited to projects that will significantly improve the Story County community.

Story County Community Foundation Will Consider:

Grant applications for projects that increase the ability of the organization to grow its funds held under the umbrella of Story County Community Foundation. Examples of projects that could meet this criterion include (but are not limited to) those that:

  • Strengthen the Board of Directors and governance of the organization, through training or assistance from an expert in the field.

  • Assist in strategic thinking and planning for the future of the organization.

  • Build a plan for long-term sustainability and reliable funding streams.

  • Build technology systems to meet future development needs and accountability.

  • Develop a marketing plan to build future sustainability.

  • Or other similar use that will further the organization’s capacity to grow their funds held under the umbrella of Story County Community Foundation.

2024 Small Business and Entrepreneurship Grant Information

The Story County Community Foundation awards the Small Business and Entrepreneurship grants to encourage new entrepreneurs and to grow small businesses located in Story County. 

Grant Information:

  • Grant requests of up to $2,500 will be considered.
  • Applications will be accepted through 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
  • A committee will review the applications and select the “Top Five” grant applicants to present their project at “1Million Cups”, Ames Regional Economic Alliance, on November 6, 2024, 7:30 – 9:00 AM. 
  • Following the “1Million Cups” presentations, the Committee will select the Grant Recipients and present the grant awards.
  • Grant funding must be used by October 1, 2025.
  • A Final Report is required before October 1, 2025.

Application Guidelines

Applications must include the following information:

  • The specific need the funding will address.

  • Anticipated results of the project and how it impacts the future of the organization.

  • Timeline for the project.

  • Budget, including other sources of funding and the amount requested from Story County Community Foundation.

    1. Include only costs pertinent to the project.

    2. Include the specific portion of the project Story County Community Foundation funds would be used for.

  • A copy of the business’ IRS designation letter.

  • A list of the Staff with contact information including e-mail addresses.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Your business must be located in Story County, Iowa.
  • This grant is specifically for small for-profit businesses (S-Corp, Partnership, etc.), not non-profit organizations.
  • Grant project and funds are to be used before October 1, 2025. 
  • A final report is required noting of how the funds were use and the benefit it provided to your business.
  • Operating expenses (rent, utilities, payroll) are Not eligible for grant funding.

Final Reports

Final grant reports be submitted to the Story County Community Foundation when the project is completed or by August 31st following the annual awards reception. Final reports should detail how this project helped the community or population served. If possible, detail more than numbers of participants, but also the outcomes for the community or population. Typically, outcomes represent an achievement or a change in behavior, skills, knowledge, attitude, and status or life condition of participants. Include impact stories, pictures and testimonials. Story County Community Foundation may use this information in its promotional materials and/or on our website.

Capital Based Projects vs. Capital Campaign Projects

Capital expenditure is defined as a long-term expense rather than an annual expense. It may be real estate, bricks and mortar (including new construction, facilities, remodeling, painting, improvements, equipment and acquiring an existing structure) and permanent fixtures added either to a structure or to real estate. Capital projects are encouraged. Mark the appropriate box on the application. This is not the same as a capital fundraising campaign, a time-limited effort to raise significant dollars for a specific project, which generally would not be considered for funding.

Fiscal Sponsor

An organization that receives the money on behalf of the grant applicant and is responsible for disbursing the money for the project and maintaining appropriate documentation. This entity must be a 501(c)(3) or a 170(c)(1) unit of government in order to serve in this capacity. In searching for a fiscal sponsor, seek out an organization that benefits in some way from being associated with your project or has interest in your project or organization. A fiscal sponsorship agreement must accompany the grant application if a fiscal sponsor is being used.