The Waterloo Community Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of our 2025 competitive grants, awarding more than $50,000 to nonprofit organizations making a meaningful difference in the community. These grants support impactful programs across five focus areas: health and human services, arts and culture, education, economic development, and inclusion.
After careful consideration of the volunteer Grants Committee, the 2025 recipients include:
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley – Great Futures Career Pathways ($5,000, partially funded by Kathleen and Robert Braun Charitable Fund)
- The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley seeks to expand its Life and Workforce Readiness Program to connect local teens with employers, job-readiness training, and mentorship opportunities. By providing structured experiences such as job fairs, mock interviews, and workplace visits, the program equips youth with the skills and confidence needed for meaningful employment and long-term economic mobility.
Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective – Promoting Inclusion Within Our Community ($5,000)
- The Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective promotes a bike-friendly community by recycling bicycles and providing safe, reliable transportation to those in need. Through partnerships with local organizations, CVBC supplies refurbished bicycles and safety gear to immigrants, homeless veterans, and others lacking transportation, helping them access work, essential services, and community connections.
GO! Transportation – Accessible Youth Transportation ($5,000)
- GO! Transportation provides safe, reliable transit for youth in Waterloo, removing transportation barriers that prevent participation in existing programs like arts, mentorship, job training, and academic support. By partnering with local nonprofits, GO! ensures equitable access to opportunities for low-income and high-vulnerability youth, strengthening community programs and supporting positive youth development.
Growing Minds Early Learning Center – Classroom Improvement for Enhanced Child Development ($2,000, partially funded by Kathleen and Robert Braun Charitable Fund)
- This project will enhance the safety and learning environment of two childcare classrooms by adding security cameras, window blinds, and replacing worn toys and play rugs. The updates ensure a high-quality early childhood experience for a diverse population while supporting low-cost childcare for local families.
Hawkeye Community College Foundation – Hawkeye Community Care Summer Dental Clinic ($7,500)
- The Hawkeye Community Care Summer Dental Clinic will provide comprehensive dental services to underserved children in Waterloo, addressing barriers such as cost, transportation, and language. Led by Hawkeye Community College dental students under faculty supervision, the clinic will serve approximately 250 children, offering exams, cleanings, sealants, fillings, and referrals for advanced care
Inclusion Connection – Building the Foundation for Inclusive Communities ($10,000, funded by Tyler Greene Fund)
- Inclusion Connection empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve competitive employment while supporting employers in creating inclusive workplaces. Through tailored job support, training, and partnerships, the program reduces employment barriers, increases financial independence, and fosters community inclusion.
Iowa Legal Aid – Waterloo Eviction Diversion Project ($5,000, partially funded by Kathleen and Robert Braun Charitable Fund and Anonymous Donor Advised Fund)
- The Eviction Diversion Project helps low-income tenants avoid eviction, homelessness, and housing instability through legal support, early intervention, and connection to rental assistance. Operating at the courthouse, the program provides day-of-hearing guidance, pre-eviction problem-solving, and full representation when needed.
Lutheran Services in Iowa – Child Care Business Development Program ($5,000)
- LSI’s Child Care Business Development program helps refugee and immigrant women become Registered Child Development Home providers while expanding culturally and linguistically inclusive child care in Black Hawk County. Through support with licensing, business management, and regulatory compliance, the program prepares providers to offer safe, flexible care, including non-traditional hours. Grant funding will support start-up costs for 10–12 new in-home providers, creating approximately 96 new child care slots to better meet community demand.
University of Northern Iowa Foundation – Waterloo Neighborhood Tree Equity and Resilience Project ($5,000)
- The Waterloo Neighborhood Tree Equity and Resilience Project will plant fruit and shade trees in underserved Waterloo neighborhoods to improve canopy coverage, climate resilience, and food access. Partnering with immigrant community leaders, interpreters, and volunteers, the project will ensure inclusive planting and care while providing culturally relevant fruit to families.
YWCA Black Hawk County – Y’s Kids ($5,000)
- The YWCA’s Y’s Kids program provides safe, affordable, before- and after-school care for over 500 children in 12 Waterloo and Cedar Falls elementary schools, supporting working parents while promoting child development through homework help, enrichment activities, and social-emotional learning.
“Each year, our Grants Committee is inspired by the passion, creativity, and commitment of local nonprofits,” says Steve Carignan, Chair of the Waterloo Community Foundation Grants Committee. “These funded projects reflect both the immediate needs and long-term opportunities in our community, and we are proud to support organizations that are building a stronger Waterloo.”
It takes all of us working together to address our community’s needs and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with local organizations as they carry out this important work.
