Purpose
Community Impact Grants through the Pottawattamie County Impact Fund are available to organizations whose innovative and meaningful work benefit the lives of all Pottawattamie County residents. Grant awards range from $500 to $5,000.
APPLICATIONS OPEN FEBRUARY 1 THROUGH MARCH 15
Eligibility
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
Any tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, governmental entity or church - using the funds for charitable purposes and proposing a project within Pottawattamie County - is eligible to apply.
WHAT TYPE OF PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE?
- Grant funds can be used to support projects and expenses that take place after the selection date (mid-May)
- Projects must happen within Pottawattamie County
- Projects that apply to one of the following focus areas: Arts & Culture, Community Improvement, Education, Environment & Animals, Health, Human Services, Youth
DEADLINE
2026 grant applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on March 15.
GRANTING CRITERIA
Projects are selected based on:
- The project's focus on a specific issue
- Ability to meet a clear, identifiable need in Pottawattamie County
- Creativity
- The operational strength of the application's organization, including project leadership
- The project's ranking when compared with other applications received during the funding cycle
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S FUNDING LIMITATIONS INCLUDE:
- Clinical or medical research
- Contributions to capital campaigns
- Organizations that practice discrimination by race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender, age, or national origin
- Operating deficits or retirement of debt
- Annual fund drives
- Real estate acquisitions
- Political projects of any kind
APPLICATION PROCESS
HOW ARE APPLICATIONS REVIEWED?
Grant applications are reviewed by staff and an independent panel of reviewers from across Pottawattamie County. Our Board of Directors makes all final funding decisions and awards are announced in late May.
