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
Is your organization making a difference in Waterloo? We’d love to hear from you! Our competitive grant cycle is now open, and we’re inviting proposals that strengthen our community in one of five areas:
Health and Human Services – Strengthens the well-being of individuals and families by addressing basic needs, promoting health, and providing essential social services.
Arts & Culture – Supports creative expression and cultural experiences that enrich the community, including the visual, performing, and literary arts.
Education – Advances learning and skill development at all ages, from early childhood through adult education, preparing individuals for personal and professional success.
Economic Development – Fosters community growth and prosperity by supporting initiatives that create jobs, strengthen local businesses, and enhance economic opportunity.
Inclusion – Promotes Ability Awareness, the recognition that what someone can do matters more than what they cannot, and ensures equal access to opportunities, resources, and participation for everyone, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disabilities. Inclusion emphasizes participation together, not separation.
Our typical grant size is $5,000. All grant requests are reviewed by a team of community members and approved by our Board of Directors.
2025 Grant Recipients
We awarded over $50,000 in competitive grant funding in 2025.
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley – Great Futures Career Pathways
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Past Grant Recipients
- Allen College, ACE-SAP Free Clinic
- Allen College, Summer Nurse and Health Careers Camp
- Back 2 Basics, At Risk Diversion Intervention Program
- Back to Basics, Youth Empowerment Program
- Black Hawk Children’s Theatre, Waterloo Schools Theatre Field Trips
- Black Hawk County Public Health, Highland Community Garden
- Black Hawk County Sheriff, LOST Program (Loved Ones Safe Together)
- Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley, BGCCV STAR Program
- Boys and Girls Club, Group Mentoring Program
- Boys and Girls Club, Together We Can Capital Campaign
- Cedar Valley Youth Sports Association, CVYSA Access to Youth Sports
- EMBARC, Community Producers Program
- Eye of the Needle, Bringing It All Together Again
- Eye of the Needle, Here We Go Again, with Enthusiasm
- Eye of the Needle, Mobility Increases My Ability
- Friends of the Family, Housing Retention Program
- Grin and Grow, Child Care for Single Moms
- Grout Museum, Engagement and Isolation Relief for Seniors
- Grout Museum, Sensory-Friendly and Special Needs Programming
- Hawkeye Community College, Cedar Valley Health Summit
- Hawkeye Community College, Family Literacy Program
- Hospitality House, Bathroom Renovation
- House of Hope, Pillars Porch Replacement
- I Believe Leadership and Sports Academy, Empowering Men
- Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity
- Jesse Cosby Neighborhood Center, Fan and Heat Relief Program
- Koats4Kids, Koats4Kids Program
- Leader Valley, Lincoln Elementary Leader in MeÂ
- Link CCD , Link Youth Team
- Lutheran Services in Iowa, Black Hawk County Baby Safety Project
- Lutheran Services in Iowa, Black Hawk County Immigrant and Refugee Community Services Expansion
- Marching Against the Darkness, MATD Programming 2025
- Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Local Produce Purchasing Pilot Project
- North End Update, “Ms. Rocki n Chaveevah LIVE” show
- North Star, “Act-Ability” Inclusive Theatre Project
- North Star, “Inter-ACT-ion” Inclusive Community Theatre
- One City United, Momentum Urban Employment Program
- One City United, To Work Program
- Quota International, Cops ‘N Kids Literacy Program
- Refugee and Immigrant Youth Organization (RIYO), Youth Navigator Program
- Riverview Center, Waterloo Crisis Intervention Program
- Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Waterloo Salvation Basketball
- Silos and Smokestacks, Promoting Agri-Tourist
- Together for Youth, Health Education in the Waterloo Community School District
- Try Pie, Try Pie Food Truck
- University of Northern Iowa Foundation, Veggie Vouchers
- Vision to Learn, Waterloo Student Vision Care
- Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Evolution of African American Music Concert and Residencies
- Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, July 4th Concert at Riverloop Amphitheater
- Waterloo Public Library, Discovery Table for Youth Department
- Waterloo Public Library – Youth Area Update
- Waterloo Schools, History in our Hometown
- Waterloo Youth City Council, Start Up and One Time Cost
