Grants

Partner With Us

We are committed to staying engaged with the work of our local nonprofits and the needs of our neighbors so we can connect donors to the causes that matter. Our grant funding has supported young nonprofits as they get off the ground and those who are well-established prepare for the future.

Schedule a meeting with Program Manager Paige Price

We would love to get to know you and learn more about what your nonprofit is doing to serve Waterloo!

Paige Price

Program Manager

Grant Opportunities

We are seeking grant proposals from qualified organizations benefiting the community of Waterloo in one of four areas: health and human services, arts and culture, education, or economic development. Our typical grant size is $5,000 and requests may be submitted for capacity building or programmatic projects.

If you missed our Grant Information Session, you can view the slides here. Please reach out to Paige Price at paige.price@wloocommunityfoundation.org if you have questions or would like to discuss further!

2022 Grant Recipients

We awarded $35,000 in competitive grant funding in 2022.

Allen College – Summer Nurse and Health Careers Camp 

The Summer Nurse and Health Careers Camp offers education opportunities for low-income students and members of groups historically underrepresented in healthcare. This program helps students transition toward higher education by building awareness of nursing and health-related disciplines and enhancing career-ready skills. 

Waterloo Public Library – Installation of Public Art by Waterloo’s Youth Art Team in Library Teen Area 

In collaboration with Youth Art Team, the Waterloo Public Library will design and bring to life unique public art experiences in the library’s Teen Area. They hope that enhancing the space with art designed and installed by their peers will help attract more local teens to the library.

Link CCD – Link Youth Team 2023 

The Link Youth Team will meet monthly to focus together on 3 Walnut Neighborhood projects: Neighborhood Planning, The Birthday Box Project, and Walnut Tree Yard Signs. The team will be comprised of 6-10 Walnut Neighborhood youth between the ages of 12-17 years committed to serving together for 14 months. This opportunity will increase community service and engagement with youth while developing leadership and communication skills.

House of HopePillars Porch Replacement

This project will replace the porch, foundation, and support structures to stop the separation of the porch from the Walnut Street house being used for Pillars programming. Repair is needed for continued safe use of the porch as an entry point, use as an outdoor work or relaxation area, and it will contribute to the historic neighborhood as a gateway to downtown.

The Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls – Waterloo Salvation Basketball

The Salvation Army’s traveling basketball program, Waterloo Salvation, offers Cedar Valley youth the opportunity to participate in league sports without economic burden. Teams are made up of students from all area schools, both public and parochial, come together for the common goal of building stronger players and stronger characters.

Hawkeye Community College Foundation – Family Literacy Program

The Family Literacy program at Hawkeye Community College seeks to help parents improve both their parenting and literacy skills, while enhancing their ability to support their children’s education. The multi-generational support in literacy development provided to students who participate will strengthen literacy, language, and work skills.    

Vision to LearnWaterloo Student Vision Care 

During the 2022-2023 school year, Vision to Learn will partner with select Waterloo Schools and Unity Point Health nurses to provide free vision screenings, eye exams, and new prescription glasses for students.

Past Grant Recipients

  • Allen College, ACE-SAP Free Clinic
  • Back to Basics, Youth Empowerment Program
  • Grin and Grow, Child Care for Single Moms
  • Grout Museum, Engagement and Isolation Relief for Seniors
  • North Star, “Act-Ability” Inclusive Theatre Project
  • EMBARC, Community Producers Program
  • Eye of the Needle, Here We Go Again, with Enthusiasm
  • Try Pie, Try Pie Food Truck
  • Waterloo Youth City Council, Start Up and One Time Cost
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, July 4th Concert at Riverloop Amphitheater Black Hawk County Sheriff, LOST Program (Loved Ones Safe Together)
  • Boys and Girls Club, Together We Can Capital Campaign
  • Eye of the Needle, Bringing It All Together Again
  • Hawkeye Community College, Cedar Valley Health Summit
  • Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity
  • Eye of the Needle, Mobility Increases My Ability
  • Silos and Smokestacks, Promoting Agri-Tourist
  • Together for Youth, Health Education in the Waterloo Community School District
  • Black Hawk Children’s Theatre, Waterloo Schools Theatre Field Trips
  • Koats4Kids, Koats4Kids Program
  • North Star, Project “Inter-ACT-ion” Inclusive Community Theatre
  • Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Local Produce Purchasing Pilot Project
  • Quota International, Cops ‘N Kids Literacy Program
  • Boys and Girls Club, Group Mentoring Program
  • Riverview Center, Waterloo Crisis Intervention Program
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony – Evolution of African American Music Concert and Residencies 
  • Leader Valley – Lincoln Elementary Leader in Me 
  • North End Update – “Ms. Rocki n Chaveevah LIVE” show
  • One City United – Momentum Program