Current Available Grant List

SIMPCO would like to remind members that they may utilize grant writing services as part of their membership dues. SIMPCO will provide up to 20 hours of staff time per grant application, at no charge. If the grant application requires more than 20 hours to prepare, additional charges may apply. Additional costs for grant writing will be waived for grants that allow SIMPCO to receive an administrative fee if awarded.

Please check back often as grants will be updated as information is available. Grants with an upcoming deadline are listed first. Grants with an open deadline are listed at the end of the page.

Grants due in May:

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Affordable Housing Program (IA) – Housing grants for homeownership, down payment assistance, rental housing, development projects, and rehabilitation/renovation. For more information, click here. Applications are due by May 1, 2024.
Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) – The MPDG is a program combining three funding opportunities into a single application process: (1) the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program; (2) the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program; and (3) the Rural Surface Transportation Grant (Rural) program. The Mega program is providing $1.7 billion to invest in large, complex projects that are difficult to fund by other means and are likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. These can include multimodal and active transportation projects. For more information, click here. Applications are due by May 6, 2024.
Hometown Pride Communities (IA) – A Keep Iowa Beautiful program designed to revitalize and stregthen local communities. Participating towns are provided with five years of funding to employ a professional “community coach,” who will work with a committee of 5-10 resident volunteers to run a successful community improvement program in each town. Participants join as a group of 6-10 towns in one region and provide a 25% match toward the cost. A typical town will complete 15-20 projects and raise $200,000 (or more) over 5 years – projects include things like park amenities, clean-up events, public art, festivals, fundraising, leadership programs, trails, welcome signs, and more. Hometown Pride works with your existing organizations and initiatives to achieve shared community goals. For more information, click here. A letter of interest is due by May 8, 2024.
Iowa Thriving Communities Initiative – The initiative will provide communities that are leveraging innovative methods to attract housing opportunities for their workforce with a chance to be recognized for their efforts. A limited number of communities will be awarded the designation, which comes with highly sought-after and lucrative scoring points for the Federal Housing Tax Credit and/or Workforce Housing Tax Credit programs. The scoring points will be available through the end of the calendar year following the community’s designation as an Iowa Thriving Community. For more information, click here. Applications are due by May 15, 2024.
Iowa West Foundation – Community development, economic development, education, and human needs projects. For more information, click here. Applications are due May 15, 2024.
Fund for Siouxland – Funding for arts & culture, civic affairs, education, health, and human services. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations and qualified units of government within a 50-mile radius of Sioux City. Grants generally do not exceed $5,000. For more information, click here. Applications are due by May 15, 2024.
IEDA Enhance Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) – Funds for capital projects, such as trails, libraries, community centers, pavilions, entertainment venues, museums, recreational facilities, and more. (Eligible: local governments and certain nonprofits). For more information, click here. Quarterly. Applications are due by May 15, 2024.
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) – This program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The SS4A program provides funding for two types of grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants and Implementation Grants. Planning and Demonstration Grants provide Federal funds to develop, complete, or supplement an Action Plan. Implementation Grants provide Federal funds to implement projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan to address roadway safety problem. For more information, click here. Deadline #1 for Planning and Demonstration Grants is April 4, 2024. Sole deadline for Implementation Grants and deadline#2 for Planning and Demonstration Grants is May 16, 2024. Deadline #3 for Planning and Demonstration grants is August 29, 2024. NOFO closes.
Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program (IA, NE, SD): As part of the Community Ties Giving Program, local grants help Union Pacific achieve their mission by providing small and medium-sized grants within the priority cause area to local organizations spread widely across Union Pacific’s footprint. For more information, click here. Applications are due May 31, 2024.

Grants due in June:

Iowa Workforce Housing Tax Incentive – Housing Projects that meet one of four criteria: Housing development located on a grayfield or brownfield site; repair or rehab of dilapidated housing stocks; Upper story housing development; New construction in a greenfield. These grants are competitive in part because the program is more flexible than most in terms of income limits and incentive amounts. For more information, click here. Applications are due by June 10, 2024.
Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) – ATIIP will award two types of grants: Planning and Design grants and Construction grants. FHWA will award Planning and Design grants for eligible applicants to develop plans for active transportation networks and active transportation spines (BIL $sect; 11529(d)(2)). Projects seeking Planning and Design grants must have planning and design costs of at least $100,000 to be eligible (BIL $sect; 11529(l)(6)(B)(ii)). For more information, click here. Applications are due by June 17, 2024.
Nebraska CDBG Tourism Development (NE) – The purpose of the Tourism Development (TD) Category is to provide investments in effective and affordable tourist attraction facilities to quality communities that are investing in long-term development. For more information, click here. Applications are due by June 30, 2024.
Nebraska CDBG Economic Development (NE) – The objective of the Economic Development (ED) category is to assist businesses that expand the state’s economic base, and which create quality jobs principally benefiting employees in the low- and moderate-income levels. For more information, click here. Applications are due by June 30, 2024.
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – Grants for investment in private businesses and agricultural producers to make their enterprises more energy efficient or to install renewable systems. With the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, this program has been improved and better funded, so now is the time to apply. (Eligible: private for-profit entities). For more information, click here. Quarterly, applications are due by June 30, 2024.

Grants due in July:

IDOT Recreational Trails Program – The Iowa Transportation Commission approved a one-time, $5 million allocation of funding to partially offset COVID-19-related reductions in the SRT program. The activities eligible for funding under this program can go towards the acquisition, construction of new trails, maintenance, resurfacing, and restoration of existing recreational trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 1, 2024.
Iowa CDBG Water and Sewer Fund (IA) – Funds awarded through this annual competitive program assist cities and counties with projects such as sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water and wastewater treatment facility projects, storm sewer projects related to sanitary sewer system improvements and rural water connections. For more information, click here. Applications are due July 1, 2024.
Iowa Solid Waste Alternatives Program (IA) – Programs to encourage landfill alternatives – recycling, diversion, new technologies, new manufacturing processes, etc. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 1, 2024.
South Dakota Community Access Road Grants (SD) – This program is a means for small towns to pave or reconstruct important local roads such as their Main Street. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 15, 2024.
South Dakota Agri-Business Access Grant (SD) – This program is a means for local governments to address road needs associated with new agri-business, such as ethanol plants, large-scale elevators, etc. In many cases, these new agri-businesses create additional truck traffic that an existing road may not be built to take. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 15, 2024.
South Dakota Industrial Park Road Grants (SD) – This program is a means to assist cities and towns that have a new industry coming to their community and need new or expanded access to the industry. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 15, 2024.

Grants due in August:

FHWA Bridge Investment Program – The Bridge Investment Program is a competitive, discretionary program that focuses on existing bridges to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition. It also expands applicant eligibilities to create opportunity for all levels of government to be direct recipients of program funds. Alongside states and federal lands management agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and local and tribal governments can also apply directly to FHWA, making it easier to advance projects at the local level that meet community needs. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 1, 2024.
Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program – Helps to carry out projects by certain Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments, including municipalities, counties, and others that reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 1, 2023.
Nebraska Wastewater Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant – Provides grants to assist in financing sound integrated waste management programs and projects. These programs and projects include but are not limited to: Recycling systems; market development for recyclable materials; intermediate processing facilities; facilities using recyclable materials in new products; yard waste composting and composting with sewage sludge; waste reduction and materials exchange; household hazardous waste programs; consolidation of solid waste disposal facilities and use of transfer stations; and incineration for energy recovery. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 9, 2024.
Nebraska Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant – Purpose is to provide funds to support programs to reduce litter, provide education, and promote recycling in Nebraska. Funds from this program are provided from an annual fee assessed to manufacturers. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 9, 2024.
Iowa Traffic Safety Improvement Program (IA) – Funds to cities and counties for roadway safety improvements, research, studies, or public information initiatives. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 15, 2024.
Iowa REAP Parks and Open Spaces Grant (IA) – Recreational grants for the acquisition and development of open space and park areas. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 15, 2024.
National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) Program – The Mega program supports large, complex projects that are difficult to fund by other means and are likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. Eligible projects could include highway, bridge, freight, port, passenger rail, and public transportation projects of national or regional significance. Per the law, 50 percent of funds are available for projects above $500 million in total cost, and 50 percent are available for projects between $100 million and $500 million in total cost. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 21, 2023.
Infrastructure for Rebuilding American (INFRA) Program – The INFRA program awards competitive grants to multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance to improve the safety, accessibility, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of freight and people in and across rural and urban areas. Eligible projects will improve safety, generate economic benefits, reduce congestion, enhance resiliency, and hold the greatest promise to eliminate supply chain bottlenecks and improve critical freight movements. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 21, 2023.
Rural Surface Transporation Grant (RURAL) Program – The Rural program supports projects that improve and expand our nation’s surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas in order to increase connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, and generate regional economic growth and improve quality of life. Eligible projects for Rural grants include highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that help improve freight and safety, and provide or increase access to agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities that support the economy of a rural area. 90% of rural funding must be awarded in $25 million or greater amounts. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 21, 2023.
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) – This program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The SS4A program provides funding for two types of grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants and Implementation Grants. Planning and Demonstration Grants provide Federal funds to develop, complete, or supplement an Action Plan. Implementation Grants provide Federal funds to implement projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan to address roadway safety problem. For more information, click here. Deadline #1 for Planning and Demonstration Grants is April 4, 2024. Sole deadline for Implementation Grants and deadline#2 for Planning and Demonstration Grants is May 16, 2024. Deadline #3 for Planning and Demonstration grants is August 29, 2024. NOFO closes.
Rural Enrichment Grant Program (IA) – The Rural Enrichment Grant program aims to support small quality-of-life projects that will create meaningful results in rural communities. Developing quality spaces for people to want to live, work, play, and engage will support the vibrancy of Iowa’s rural places. Eligible projects must be open to the public and contribute to the vitality and engagement of the community. This grant program is a result of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative’s 2018 Recommendations. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 30, 2023.
Rural Housing Assessment Grant (IA) – The Rural Housing Assessment Grants program seeks to support the use of publicly available online information through the “Profile of Iowa” tool and rural community efforts to interpret this hard data with supplemental information as well as to implement through changes to development codes, local ordinances, and housing incentives specific to their community needs. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 30, 2023.
Rural Innovation Grant (IA) – The Rural Innovation Grant program aims to support creative ideas that address current issues and challenges faced by rural communities associated with the themes of community investment, growth, and connection. This program is a result of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative’s 2018 Recommendations. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 30, 2023.
Rural Childcare Market Study Grant (IA) – The Rural Childcare Market Study Grant program seeks to support the use of data and analysis by rural communities to determine the specific needs and solutions for their area. Through a greater understanding of their geographic market, demographics, competition, and other factors, communities can be armed with the information they need to make proactive steps toward addressing their childcare challenges. Funding from the program will empower communities to partner with a third party to assess their current childcare market environment and develop strategies. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 30, 2023.
Rural Leadership Bootcamp Grant (IA) – The Rural Leadership program provides training, mentorship, and funding to rural communities and regions initiating leadership programs. Grantees will participate in a two-day boot camp resulting in a work plan and a one-year mentorship. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 30, 2023.
Rural Scale-Up Grant (IA) – The Rural Scale-Up Grant program aims to support the replication and spread of creative solutions that are addressing current issues and challenges faced by rural communities. This program is a result of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 30, 2023.
Rural BOOST Program (IA) – Aims to provide teams of experts to assist passionate community and business leaders in developing intentional plans for next-step growth. This pilot program is designed for rural communities, nonprofits, or employers to receive personalized technical assistance for identifying and implementing action steps to launch into the next stage of success. Rural BOOST has two tracts that target either communities or businesses. The Rural BOOST Program is designed to assist businesses or communities which have plateaued or hit an unexpected challenge to gain momentum for new growth. Warning: Rural BOOST is not for the faint of heart. Applicants must be committed to leading a transformation in rural Iowa if only in their own community, organization, or business. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 30, 2023.
Rural Return Program (IA) – Program-supported creative programming that attracts new residents to move and/or work in rural communities. Grant funding supported the development and implementation of incentive programs. Across the state, there are small towns losing population or witnessing an aging population. This funding opportunity aimed at addressing that challenge by empowering communities to develop a program to attract new residents to locate within their community to live and/or work. Incentive programs could be targeting a specific profession, such as teachers or dentists; support a specific demographic, such as veterans; or celebrate local assets, such as providing recreation packages or business gifts. For more information, click here. Applications are due by August 30, 2023.
MRHD Impact Match Grant – The Impact Match Grants Program provides awards ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 for one year to support larger-scale projects or programs. MRHD awards grants in this program to projects that create a significant impact in addressing the needs of the community and the organization’s work. This grant is not renewable and requires cost-sharing or a match. For more information, click here. Pre-application is due by July 31, 2023. Applications are due by August 31, 2023.

Grants Due in September:

Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program – Communities in need of transportation enhancement planning assistance and populations of fewer than 10,000 residents are eligible to participate in the Community Visioning Program. Thriving communities have volunteers, government representatives, and interest groups that collaborate to complete the visioning process. For more information, click here. Applications are due by September 1, 2023.
IDOT Rise Grant – Projects funded by the RISE program promote economic development in Iowa through the establishment, construction, and improvement of roads and streets. The RISE program is targeted toward value-adding activities that feed new dollars into the economy and provide maximum economic impact to the state on primary or secondary roads, and city streets open for public use. For more information, click here. Applications are due by September 1, 2023.
Iowa Brownfield/Grayfield Redevelopment Tax Credit Program (IA) – This program assists with redevelopment aimed at improving Iowa’s economy while reducing environmental hazards. For more information, click here. Applications are due by September 1, 2023.
Iowa Clean Water Loan Program (IA)– Created to give loans to water and wastewater projects. For more information, click here. Applications are due September 1, 2023.
Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant (IA) – The Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant is a grant program provided by Main Street Iowa (MSI) and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for brick-and-mortar building projects in designated Main Street districts. For more information, click here. Applications are due by September 8, 2023.
Iowa West Foundation (IA) – Community development, economic development, education, and human needs projects. For more information, click here. Applications are due September 15, 2023.
Historic Preservation Tax Credit (Large Projects) – The Historic Preservation Tax Credit program provides State tax credits to developers who sensitively rehabilitate historic buildings to offer them new life. Iowa offers this tax credit program to ensure character-defining features and spaces of buildings are retained to help create distinct and vibrant communities. For more information, click here. Applications are due by September 15, 2023.
Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau non-LE Highway Safety Special Project Grant (IA) – The mission is to identify traffic safety issues and, through partnerships with city, county, state and local organizations, develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants to improve traffic safety. GTSB’s vision for the office is a place where motorists, pedestrians and cyclists share the safest roads in the nation. Projects must address the safety of vulnerable road users, i.e. pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users, such as horse and buggy (if applicable in your area), e-scooters (if applicable in your area), etc., and be based on problems identified in communities and supported with data. For more information, click here. Applications are due by September 15, 2023.
Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program – Opportunity for communities that are seeking funding for projects that address harm from past infrastructure planning decisions, accelerate equitable community revitalization and improve access to everyday destinations. For more information, click here. Applications are due by September 28, 2023.
Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program – The RCP Program aims to advance and support the reconnection of communities divided by transportation infrastructure – with a priority on helping disadvantaged communities improve access to daily needs (jobs, schools, healthcare, grocery stores, and recreation). Funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2023 RCP grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning and capital construction activities that aim to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation or replacement of highways, roadways, or other infrastructure facilities that create barriers to mobility, access or economic development. For more information, click here. Applications are due by September 28, 2023.
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – Grants for investment in private businesses and agricultural producers to make their enterprises more energy efficient or to install renewable systems. With the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, this program has been improved and better funded, so now is the time to apply. (Eligible: private for-profit entities). For more information, click here. Quarterly, applications are due by September 30, 2024.

Grants due in October:

IDOT FFY 2025 City Bridge Program – For this funding cycle, funds were available to offer assistance to bridges that had 20 or more priority points. The Iowa DOT annually makes Federal-aid and State funds available for the purposes of reducing the number of “Poor” bridges (formerly known as Structurally Deficient or Functionally Obsolete bridges) on the local roadway system. Bridges are ranked to receive funding based on a priority point system explained in Local Systems I.M. 1.100, Federal and State Bridge Programs. For more information, click here. Requests for FFY 2026 are due by October 1, 2024.
Iowa CDBG Water and Sewer Funds (IA) – Funds awarded through this annual competitive program assist cities and counties with projects such as sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water, and wastewater treatment facility projects, storm sewer projects related to sanitary sewer system improvements and rural water connections. For more information, click here. Applications are due by October 1, 2023.
Brownfield Assessment Grant – Assessment Grants provide funding for a grant recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, conduct a range of planning activities, develop site-specific cleanup plans, and conduct community involvement related to brownfield sites. The performance period for these grants is three years. For more information, click here. Applications are due by October 1, 2023.
Pilot Program for Transit-Orientated Development Planning – The Pilot Program for TOD Planning helps support FTA’s mission of improving America’s communities through public transportation by providing funding to local communities to integrate land use and transportation planning with a new fixed guideway or core capacity transit capital investment. Comprehensive planning funded through the program must examine ways to improve economic development and ridership, foster multimodal connectivity and accessibility, improve transit access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, engage the private sector, identify infrastructure needs, and enable mixed-use development near transit stations. For more information, click here. Applications are due by October 10, 2023.
SMARTS Grants (Stage 1) – The SMART program was established to provide grants to eligible public sector agencies to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems in order to improve transportation efficiency and safety. For more information, click here. Applications are due by October 10, 2023.
South Dakota Industrial Park Road Grants (SD) – This program is a means to assist cities and towns that have a new industry coming to their community and need new or expanded access to the industry. For more information, click here. Applications are due by October 15, 2023.
Agri-Business Access Grant (SD) – This program is a means for local governments to address road needs associated with new agri-business, such as ethanol plants, large-scale elevators, etc. In many cases, these new agri-businesses create additional truck traffic that an existing road may not be built to take. For more information, click here. Applications are due by October 15, 2023.
Airport Terminals Program – Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $5 billion has been allocated to provide competitive grants for airport terminal development projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation’s airports. These grants will fund safe, sustainable and accessible airport terminals, on-airport rail access projects and airport-owned airport traffic control towers. Projects may also include multimodal development. For more information, click here. Applications are due by October 16, 2023.
Iowa Energy Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program – The EIRLP provides low-interest loans for energy infrastructure projects that facilitate electricity or gas generation, transmission, storage, or distribution. For more information, click here. Applications are due by October 19, 2023.
Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas – The Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program seeks to improve the resilience, reliability, and affordability of energy systems in communities across the country with 10,000 or fewer people. The ERA program will leverage DOE’s expertise and experience in resilient energy solutions to modernize electric generation facilities, address disproportionately high electricity costs, and support new economic opportunities in rural and remote communities. For more information, click here. Applications are due by October 26, 2023.
Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (Pro Housing) – Grant funding for the identification and removal of barriers to affordable housing production and preservation. Congress has directed HUD to undertake a competition using the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) statutory and regulatory framework. HUD will be accepting applications for PRO Housing grants to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation. For more information, click here. Applications are due by October 30, 2023.

Grants due in November:

Strengthening Communities Grant (IA) – Strengthening Communities Grants strengthen rural Iowa communities by investing in facility infrastructure projects to sustain youth development, healthy living and social responsibility initiatives. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 1, 2023.
Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program – This program provides funding for the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of nationally significant projects within, adjacent to, or accessing Federal and Tribal lands. This Program provides an opportunity to address significant challenges across the nation for transportation facilities that serve Federal and Tribal lands. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 6, 2023.
Drinking water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program – The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended through the 2018 America’s Water Infrastructure Act, authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program. It authorizes EPA to award grants to assist underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities for the purpose of increasing drinking water facility resilience to natural hazards. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 6, 2023.
Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator – Ten percent of the NEVI Formula Program is set-aside for the Secretary of Transportation “to make grants to States and localities that require additional assistance to strategically deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure.” Reflecting the need to make our current EV charging network more reliable, the first round of funding made available in this set-aside from the NEVI program will focus on repairing or replacing non-operational EV chargers. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 13, 2023.
Thriving Communities Program – TCP provides technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to teams of community partners that may lack the staffing or technical expertise to scope, fund, and develop infrastructure projects that advance broader community goals. TCP will provide 2 years of deep-dive assistance and 3 years of facilitated peer learning support to selected communities to help them plan and develop a pipeline of comprehensive transportation, housing, and community revitalization activities. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 15, 2023.
Enhance Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant (IA) – Funds for capital projects, such as trails, libraries, community centers, pavilions, entertainment venues, museums, recreational facilities, and more. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 15, 2023.
Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization Planning Fund (IA) – The program is funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant program. The goal of this program is to provide economic opportunities and facilities for people, especially those of low- and moderate income. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 22, 2023.
Housing – Upper Story Conversion (IA) – This program assists communities with preserving existing housing stock and creating new housing opportunities for upper story housing conversion. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 22, 2023.
FHWA Bridge Investment Program – The Bridge Investment Program is a competitive, discretionary program that focuses on existing bridges to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition. It also expands applicant eligibilities to create opportunity for all levels of government to be direct recipients of program funds. Alongside states and federal lands management agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and local and tribal governments can also apply directly to FHWA, making it easier to advance projects at the local level that meet community needs. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 27, 2023.
Iowa’s Statewide Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) – Eligible project activities for Iowa’s TAP funding continue to include a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, and community improvements such as historic preservation, vegetation management, and some environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity. Detailed information about Iowa’s TAP program may be found in the program guidance. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 27, 2023.

Grants due in December:

IDNR Water Trail Enhancement Grants – ($500,000) are available competitively for water trail enhancement cost-share grants. Local divisions of Iowa government are encouraged to apply for cost-share assistance for infrastructure or infrastructure improvements along state designated water trails or water trails on track for state designation (Eligible: local governments). For more information, click here. Applications are due by December 5, 2023.
IEDA Certified Local Government Program (CLG) – Program to fund technical assistance, planning, consultants, and other historic preservation projects, including studies, historic registry nominations, and more. (Eligible: local governments with historic preservation commissions in good standing). For more information, click here. Applications are due by December 15, 2023.
All American City Awards – AAC brings together communities from across the country and provides an opportunity for innovative leaders and passionate citizens to connect with and learn from their peers. The Award shines a light on communities that are working to tackle tough issues and lifts these places up for national recognition. For more information, click here. Letter of intent is due by December 14, 2023, with application due by February 13, 2024.
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – Grants for investment in private businesses and agricultural producers to make their enterprises more energy efficient or to install renewable systems. With the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, this program has been improved and better funded, so now is the time to apply. (Eligible: private for-profit entities). For more information, click here. Quarterly beginning December 31, 2023.
Iowa Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) – The goal of this Iowa DOT funded program is to provide an avenue for smaller cities, less than 10,000 population, to be able to obtain a basic work zone sign package that is in compliance with the 2009 MUTCD and to make their work zones safer for operations personnel and motorists. For more information, click here. Applications are due by December 31, 2023.

Grants due in January:

Iowa CDBG Water and Sewer Fund – Funds awarded through this annual competitive program assist cities and counties with projects such as sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water, and wastewater treatment facility projects, storm sewer projects related to sanitary sewer system improvements and rural water connections. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 1, 2024.
Iowa Solid Waste Alternatives Program (IA) – Programs to encourage landfill alternatives – recycling, diversion, new technologies, new manufacturing processes, etc. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 1, 2024.
T-Mobile Hometown Grants – Program will help fund projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your town. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 2, 2024.
IDNR Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP) (IA) – Program to encourage landfill alternatives – recycling, diversion, new technologies, new manufacturing processes, etc. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 2, 2024.
Iowa West Foundation (IA) – Community development, economic development, education, and human needs projects. For more information, click here. Applications are due January 15, 2024.
Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (NE) – The CCCFF program provides grants and state aid for the development of civic, community, and recreation centers. The CCCFF program supports enhances and grows the Good Life throughout Nebraska. For more information, click here. Letters of intent are due by January 15, 2024.
Junior League of Sioux City Mildred Anderson Grant – Mildred Anderson community grants up to $1,000 are awarded to community need projects within the Siouxland tri-state area (30-mile radius). The projects must address a community need. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 15, 2024.
Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF) – Transportation fatalities and injuries severely impact the quality of life in Indian country. Each year under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), as enacted by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), 4% of the available TTP funds are set aside to address transportation safety issues identified by federally recognized Indian tribes through a competitive, discretionary program. Projects are chosen whose outcomes will reduce fatal and serious injuries in transportation related incidents, such as motor vehicle crashes. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 15, 2024.
Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Deployment Program – Up to $40 million for Fiscal Years 2024, in Federal funding for eligible entities to deploy, operate, document, and showcase integrated, advanced roadway deployments featuring applications enabled by interoperable wireless connectivity (among vehicles, mobile devices, and smart infrastructure) that substantially and quantitatively improve system safety, enhance traveler mobility, improve efficiency of goods movement, mitigate environmental impacts, and address disparities in transportation equity. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 17, 2024.
Rural Health Network Development Planning Program – The purpose the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program (“Network Planning Program”) is to plan and develop integrated health care networks that collaborate to address the following legislative aims: (i) achieve efficiencies; (ii) expand access to and improve the quality of basic health care services and health outcomes; and (iii) strengthen the rural health care system. This program supports one year of planning and brings together members of the health care delivery system, particularly those entities that may not have collaborated in the past, to establish and/or improve local capacity in order to strengthen rural community health interventions and enhance care coordination. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 26, 2024.
Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program – The purpose of this program is to improve and expand access to health care in rural areas by developing new, sustainable rural residency programs or rural track programs (RTPs) that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACMGE), to address the physician workforce shortages and challenges faced by rural communities. This program provides start-up funding to RRPD award recipients to create new rural residency programs that will ultimately be sustainable long-term through viable and stable funding mechanisms, such as, Medicare, Medicaid, and other public or private funding sources. For the purposes of this notice of funding opportunity, rural residencies are accredited allopathic and osteopathic physician residency programs that primarily train residents in rural training sites for greater than 50 percent of their total time in residency and focus on producing physicians who will practice in rural communities. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 27, 2024.
Community Catalyst Building Remediation (IA) – Grants to communities for the redevelopment, rehabilitation or deconstruction of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community. Strong applications will show the potential of catalytic economic growth in the community; improve appearances & safety; make use of underutilized property, exhibit appropriate design standards; and be well-funded. Economic growth may include the creation of additional jobs, growth of new or existing businesses, development of new housing units, increase property values, or potential population growth. For more information, click here. Pre-applications are due by January 29. 2024.
All Stations Accessibility Program – The All-Stations Accessibility Program makes competitive funding available to assist in the financing of capital projects to repair, improve, modify, retrofit, or relocate infrastructure of stations or facilities for passenger use. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 30, 2024.
MidWestOne Foundation – Supports non-profit groups, institutions, schools, and organizations that enhance the cultural well-being of the communities MidWestOne serves. The grants predominately support capital and building campaigns that benefit the greater good over time. More than 75% of awarded grants are under $20,000. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 31, 2024.
Destination Iowa Fund – Projects will attract visitors and new residents to the state and bolster the quality of life in Iowa’s rural communities. The aim is to make strategic investments that yield lasting results and create a positive ripple effect throughout the community. These projects will not only address immediate needs but also contribute to long-term sustainability and enhance the overall quality of life for residents. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 31, 2024.

Grants due in February:

IDOT Rise Grant (IA) – Projects funded by the RISE program promote economic development in Iowa through the establishment, construction, and improvement of roads and streets. The RISE program is targeted toward value-adding activities that feed new dollars into the economy and provide maximum economic impact to the state on primary or secondary roads, and city streets open for public use. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 1, 2024.
Community Spark Grants – The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program awards organizations for projects and programs that spark change and catalyze a community’s ability to create places where bicycling is safer, easier, and more accessible. The desire is for organizations to propose projects that build Bicycle Friendly Communities and capacity for local leaders and influencers by uplifting the community and by creating inclusive coalitions that can shed new light on current issues. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 1, 2024.
Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program – The ATTAIN program provides competitive grants to deploy, install, and operate advanced transportation technologies to improve safety, mobility, efficiency, system performance, intermodal connectivity, and infrastructure return on investment. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 2, 2024.
Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of up to $30.7 million in grant funding for technical assistance and training to support small drinking water and wastewater systems, including those in rural communities. This grant provides funding to organizations that work side-by-side with water systems by giving them the necessary tools and training to ensure communities have safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment systems. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 2, 2024.
MRHD Impact Match Grant – The Impact Match Grants Program provides awards ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 for one year to support larger-scale projects or programs. MRHD awards grants in this program to projects that create a significant impact in addressing the needs of the community and the organization’s work. This grant is not renewable and requires cost-sharing or a match. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 5, 2024.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program (IA) – STBG provides flexible funding that may be used by states and localities for transportation projects. The intent of these projects is to preserve and improve the conditions and performance on any Federal-aid highway, bridge, public road, pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects. Each year, approximately $3 million is available in STBG funds for communities within the Sioux City metro area including Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County and Plymouth County. Applications are available on the SIMPCO website and are due by February 9, 2024. Iowa members only.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) (IA) – Federal formula program within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) administered by the FHA to help states develop carbon reduction strategies with required input from the MPO. Projects will follow the CRP goal to reduce carbon emissions on and off-roadways. Funding available for communities within the Sioux City metro area including Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County and Plymouth County. Applications are available on the SIMPCO website and are due by February 9, 2024. Iowa members only.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TAP) (IA) – The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program provides funding for a variety of generally smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments. Over $300,000 in TAP funds is available for communities within the Sioux City metro area including Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County and Plymouth County. Applications are available on the SIMPCO website and are due by February 9, 2024. Iowa members only.
Paint Iowa Beautiful – Through a partnership between the Keep Iowa Beautiful organization and Diamond Vogel Paint of Orange City, Iowa, groups can receive paint for community enhancement projects and parks. Thousands of gallons of paint have been donated to community groups through the Paint Iowa Beautiful program, which provides paint at no charge to a wide variety of public service projects throughout Iowa. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 12, 2024.
Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems Program – Program that aims to improve how transit agencies deliver capital construction projects. The ADCMS program will fund demonstrations to accelerate the adoption of field-tested digital platforms to reduce costs and improve the delivery of transit infrastructure projects. Digital systems for construction management provide a technology solution for workers throughout the infrastructure project, enabling them to perform tasks faster, more safely, smarter, and more accurately. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 12, 2024.
All American City Awards – AAC brings together communities from across the country and provides an opportunity for innovative leaders and passionate citizens to connect with and learn from their peers. The Award shines a light on communities that are working to tackle tough issues and lifts these places up for national recognition. For more information, click here. Letter of intent is due by December 14, 2023, with application due by February 13, 2024.
Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants – Funds awarded will finance innovative capital projects for the transportation-disadvantaged, with the goal to improve the coordination of transportation services and non-emergency medical transportation services for underserved groups. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 13, 2024.
IEDA Enhance Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) – Funds for capital projects, such as trails, libraries, community centers, pavilions, entertainment venues, museums, recreational facilities, and more. (Eligible: local governments and certain nonprofits). For more information, click here. Quarterly. Applications are due by February 15, 2024.
Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program (IA) – STBG provides flexible funding that may be used by states and localities for transportation projects. The intent of these projects is to preserve and improve the conditions and performance on any Federal-aid highway, bridge, public road, pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects. Each year, approximately $2.3 million is available in STBG funds for rural areas and communities located in Woodbury, Plymouth, Cherokee, Ida, and Monona Counties in Iowa. Applications are available now on the SIMPCO website and are due by February 16, 2024.
Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside Program (IA) – The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program provides funding for a variety of generally smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments. Each year, approximately $220,000 in TAP funds are available for rural communities located in Woodbury, Plymouth, Cherokee, Ida, and Monona Counties, In Iowa. Other eligible entities include natural resource or public land agencies; school districts, local education agencies or schools; Tribal governments; and nonprofit entities. Applications are available now on the SIMPCO website and are due by February 16, 2024.
Community Connect Grant Program – The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed to all premises in rural, economically challenged communities where broadband service does not exist. The deployment of broadband services on a “community-oriented connectivity” basis stimulates economic development and provides enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural areas. RUS will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services, based on the criteria contained herein. For more information, click here. Applications due by February 20, 2024.
Iowa DNR Derelict Building Grant Program – Funding to assist small communities and rural counties in addressing derelict buildings through deconstruction, renovation/mothballing, and/or conducting environmental studies. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 23, 2024.
Rural Business Development Grant – The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and
community projects that serve rural areas. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 28, 2024.
RAISE Discretionary Grants – RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the state and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors to obtain funding for projects that may be harder to support through other U.S. DOT grant programs. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 28, 2024
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) – Provides federal funds to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized Tribal governments, and local governments for hazard mitigation activities. It does so with a recognition of the growing hazards associated with climate change, and of the need for natural hazard risk mitigation activities that promote climate adaptation and resilience with respect to those hazards. These include both acute extreme weather events and chronic stressors which have been observed and are expected to increase in intensity and frequency in the future. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 29, 2024.
Flood Mitigation Assistance – Provides federal funds to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized Tribal governments, and local governments to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and within NFIP-participating communities. It does so with a recognition of the growing flood hazards associated with climate change, and of the need for flood hazard risk mitigation activities that promote climate adaptation, equity, and resilience with respect to flooding. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 29, 2024.

Grants due in March:

National Park Services-Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program – Supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation. This program assists local communities in realizing their conservation and outdoor recreation vision and goals by providing a broad range of services and skills. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 1, 2024.
The Community Forestry Grant Program (IA) – provides reimbursable grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to be used for the purchase and planting of trees suitable to Iowa on publicly owned lands. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 1, 2024.
Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants – The Choice Neighborhoods program leverages significant public and private dollars to support locally driven strategies that address struggling neighborhoods with distressed public or HUD-assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation. Local leaders, residents, and stakeholders, such as public housing authorities, cities, schools, police, business owners, nonprofits, and private developers, come together to create and implement a plan that revitalizes distressed HUD housing and addresses the challenges in the surrounding neighborhood. The program helps communities transform neighborhoods by revitalizing severely distressed public and/or assisted housing and catalyzing critical improvements in the neighborhood, including vacant property, housing, businesses, services and schools. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 4, 2024.
AARP Community Challenge – Provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. In 2024, the AARP Community Challenge will be accepting applications for three different grant opportunities, each described below in the “Grant Opportunities” section. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 6, 2024.
Iowa’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program – The NEVI Formula Program supports the acquisition, installation, operation, and maintenance of direct-current, fast-charging (DCFC) infrastructure. The Iowa DOT is seeking applicants for this notice of funding opportunity to participate in the deployment of the NEVI-compliant charging infrastructure across the state. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 13, 2024.
Rural Autonomous Vehicle Research Program – $25 million for two awards to accredited non-profit institutions of higher education, or consortia thereof, as cooperative agreements on a competitive basis, to conduct research and to work with rural and Tribal communities to address the challenges of bringing the benefits of responsible integration of automated vehicles and associated technologies for air and surface mobility to rural and Tribal communities. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 13, 2024.
Iowa Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program – New funding program to assist those interested in implementing community-driven strategies to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions through innovative energy efficiency measures or renewable energy deployment. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 18, 2024.
FHWA Bridge Investment Program – The Bridge Investment Program is a competitive, discretionary program that focuses on existing bridges to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition. It also expands applicant eligibilities to create opportunity for all levels of government to be direct recipients of program funds. Alongside states and federal lands management agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and local and tribal governments can also apply directly to FHWA, making it easier to advance projects at the local level that meet community needs. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 19, 2024.
Trees for Schools Grant – The Trees for Schools grants are available to eligible public and private schools and school districts to help increase and diversify tree canopy on school grounds (an approved tree species list is in the Nursery Letter), encouraging students to take an active part in this experience and increasing the benefits trees provide to students. Eligibility is determined by 25% or higher free and reduced lunches and/or schools in communities eligible through the Forest Cover and Socioeconomic Assessment Tool. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 22, 2024.
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – Grants for investment in private businesses and agricultural producers to make their enterprises more energy efficient or to install renewable systems. With the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, this program has been improved and better funded, so now is the time to apply. (Eligible: private for-profit entities). For more information, click here. Quarterly, applications are due by March 31, 2024.
CDBG Downtown Revitalization (IA) -provides grants to communities for activities contributing to comprehensive revitalization in historic city centers or core downtown areas. The program is primarily focused on building façade improvements to privately owned buildings in downtowns. Buildings with first-floor residential use are prohibited from program participation. Work on roofs, for up to 40% of that building’s total costs, is also eligible. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 31, 2024.
T-Mobile Hometown Grant – The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program will help fund projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your town. For example, this might include the town square pavilion, a historic building, an outdoor park, a ball field, or a library– every town has places where friends and neighbors connect. For more information, click here. Applications are due by March 31, 2024.

Grants due in April:

EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program (CPRG) – Awards to develop the regional East Central Iowa Climate Action Plan. Cities, counties, and local organizations are invited to join a webinar to learn about the CPRG planning process and climate action implementation grants. There will be a brief presentation and time for questions and discussion. For more information, click here. Applications are due by April 1, 2024.
Iowa CDBG Water and Sewer Fund – Funds awarded through this annual competitive program assist cities and counties with projects such as sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water and wastewater treatment facility projects, storm sewer projects related to sanitary sewer system improvements and rural water connections. For more information, click here. Applications are due by April 1, 2024.
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) – This program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The SS4A program provides funding for two types of grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants and Implementation Grants. Planning and Demonstration Grants provide Federal funds to develop, complete, or supplement an Action Plan. Implementation Grants provide Federal funds to implement projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan to address roadway safety problem. For more information, click here. Deadline #1 for Planning and Demonstration Grants is April 4, 2024. Sole deadline for Implementation Grants and deadline#2 for Planning and Demonstration Grants is May 16, 2024. Deadline #3 for Planning and Demonstration grants is August 29, 2024. NOFO closes.
Community Catalyst Building Remediation (IA) – Through the Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program, the Iowa Economic Development Authority will provide grants to communities for the redevelopment, rehabilitation or deconstruction of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community. Strong applications will show the potential of catalytic economic growth in the community; improve appearances & safety; make use of underutilized property, exhibit appropriate design standards; and be well-funded. Economic growth may include the creation of additional jobs, growth of new or existing businesses, development of new housing units, increase in property values, or potential population growth. For more information, click here. Applications are due by April 15, 2024, with a letter of intent due by January 29, 2024.
South Dakota Community Access Road Grants (SD) – This program is a means for small towns to pave or reconstruct important local roads such as their Main Street. For more information, click here. Applications are due by April 15, 2024.
South Dakota Industrial Park Road Grants – This program is a means to assist cities and towns that have a new industry coming to their community and need new or expanded access to the industry. For more information, click here. Applications are due by April 15, 2024.
DOT Low-or-No Emission Program – The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $1.1 billion in competitive grants under the Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No Program) for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. For more information, click here. Applications are due by April 25, 2024.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) – Funding for a wide variety of projects that lower energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and reduce overall energy use. For more information, click here. Applications are due by April 30, 2024.
Sparklight Charitable Giving Fund – Charitable Giving Fund grants will be made available across communities served by Sparklight and the other Cable One family of brands (Fidelity Communications, Hargray and ValuNet Fiber) and will concentrate support in the following priority areas: Education & Digital Literacy; Hunger Relief & Food Insecurity; Community Development. For more information, click here. Applications are due by April 30, 2024.

Open Deadline Grants:

AED Grant Program (IA NE SD) – This program is designed to help institutions and individuals everywhere, place these amazing life-saving devices at an affordable price. For more information, click here.
BNSF Foundation (IA NE & SD) – The foundation is dedicated to supporting the communities we serve and in which our employees live, work, and volunteer. Your organization, or program, should exist in or serve a community near one of the BNSF’s rail lines to be eligible to apply for grants. For more information, click here.
Career Links Employment Transportation (IA) – Funds awarded through the Career Link Employment Transportation program provide transportation for individuals to travel to job activities or job education opportunities. Funding is provided through local governments to non-profit transportation service providers. For more information, click here.
Community Catalyst Building Remediation (IA) – Grant funding for redevelopment, rehabilitation, or deconstruction of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community. For more information, click here. Applications are by invitation only, after approved pre-application.
Community Facilities Program Disaster Repair Grants (NE & SD) – This program provides grants to repair essential community facilities in rural areas that were damaged by Presidentially Declared Disasters in Calendar Year 2022. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. For more information, click here.
Community Heart & Soul Offering $10,000 in Seed Grant – A funding opportunity for small cities and towns nationwide. The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides startup funding of $10,000 for resident-driven groups in communities with populations of 2,500 to 30,000 to implement the Community Heart & Soul model. The Community Heart & Soul model engages the entire population of a town in identifying what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. For more information, click here.
Economic Adjustment Assistance – The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. For more information, click here. Rolling due date for applications.
Economic Development Set-Aside (EDSA) (IA) – The EDSA program provides financial assistance to businesses and industries requiring assistance to create or retain job opportunities in Iowa. Priority is given to projects that create manufacturing jobs, add value to Iowa resources and/or increase exports. For more information, click here.
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant – Hazard mitigation plans and projects, including tornado safe rooms, building and utility retrofits, minor flood control projects, elevations and relocations of buildings in flood hazard areas and stormwater management projects (Eligible: local governments and some nonprofits). For more information, click here.
Good Sports Equipment Grants – Good Sports gives all kids the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity by providing new equipment, apparel, and footwear to those most in need. The award amount if 10% of the total retail value of the items. For more information, click here.
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) – Provides grants for low-cost, systemic safety improvements in the $10,000/mile range, focusing on lane departure crashes. For more information, click here.
Iowa CDBG Career Link Employee Training – The Career Link program provides funding to help develop training programs for primarily low to moderate income individuals in an effort to increase employee skills and develop a skilled workforce for employers to draw from. For more information, click here.
Iowa CDBG Community Facilities – The program assists projects such as daycare facilities, senior centers, vocational workshops, and other community services such as stormwater projects. For more information, click here. Applications are due September 2023.
Iowa CDBG Community Facilities and Services Fund – This annual competitive program assists projects such as daycare facilities, senior centers, vocational workshops, and other community services such as stormwater projects. The goal of this program is to provide economic opportunities for people, especially those of low-and-moderate income. For more information, click here. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis as funds are available.
Iowa DOT/DNR Fund (IA)– Funding provided for the roadside beautification of primary system corridors with plant materials. Maximum of $100,000 per application per year. For more information, click here.
KaBoom! Community Construction Grant – Dr. Pepper Snapple and KaBoom have teamed up to offer $15,00 grants to be used toward the purchase of playground equipment. For more information, click here.
Municipal Inland Port Authority Act (NE) – Nebraska is ideally situated as an industrial and logistical hub for multiple industries across the United States. The Municipal Inland Port Authority Act (“Act”) is intended to stimulate the Nebraska economy by incentivizing the development of new industrial hubs and providing the economic development tools necessary to acquire and develop large shovel-ready sites. The creation of one or more inland port authorities in Nebraska will serve as a mechanism to develop both commercial and industrial sites. In addition to the development of commercial and industrial sites, Nebraska’s inland port authorities will serve as regional merging points for multi-modal transportation and the distribution of goods. For more information, click here.
Pedestrian Curb Ramp Construction (IA) – Assist cities in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on primary roads in Iowa cities. Improvements must involve a municipal extension of a primary road. Curb ramps must meet ADA standards. For more information, click here.
Power of Connection Community Grant Program (IA) – This innovative economic development program is designed to pair rural communities seeking assistance with IRDC resource teams. Those teams drive both community conversations and solution development for problems or projects. Ultimately, grants of up to $5,000 – funded by ITC Midwest and the IRDC – may be awarded to rural communities for capacity building, strategic planning, studies or assessment. For more information, click here.
Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (PWEAA) – EDA supports bottom-up strategies that build on regional assets to spur economic growth and resiliency. EDA encourages its grantees throughout the country to develop initiatives that present new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. Through this NOFO EDA intends to advance general economic development in accordance with EDA’s investment priorities, but also to pursue projects that, where practicable, incorporate specific priorities related to equity, workforce development, and climate change resiliency so that investments can benefit everyone for decades to come. For more information, click here.
Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program (IA) – The RRLG Program is administered by the Office of Rail Transportation at the Iowa Department of Transportation. The program provides financial assistance to improve rail facilities that will create jobs, spur economic activity and improve the rail transportation system in Iowa in three separate categories. When sufficient funds are available, a notice of funding availability is issued that includes an application due date and the approximate amount of funding available. For more information, click here.
Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation Community Facilities Fund – Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s Community Facilities Fund is a loan that provides capital to help develop and improve essential community facilities in rural areas, including health care centers, hospitals, educational facilities, and other facilities in rural communities with populations under 20,000. For more information, click here.
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program – Provides loans and grants to help microenterprise startup and grow through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund and to provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro-entrepreneurs. For more information, click here.
Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program – Program to provide states, local governments, and tribal governments with grants to support project development leading to future applications to DOT credit or grant programs. The grants can support legal, technical, and financial advisors to help advance infrastructure projects. The first notice of funding opportunity includes two fiscal years and makes $3.4 million available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, click here.
Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants (IA) – Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, this provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. For more information, click here.
Small Town Sign Replacement Program (IA) – This program will provide up to $5,000 of signs and signposts per applying community on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, click here.
State Revolving Fund Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance Program (WTFAP) (IA) – Grants for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects and funded with a portion of the taxes paid on metered water. For more information, click here.
Stormwater Best Management Practices Loan (IA)– This program facilitates low-interest loans to private and public entities for implementing environmentally responsible strategies for stormwater management. For more information, click here.
T-Mobile Hometown Grants Program – In partnership with Main Street America and Smart Growth America, T-Mobile is committing $25 million toward small-town grants over the next five years through its Hometown Grants program. The program will award up to 100 towns per year with project funding grants of up to $50,000 each. The program will focus on revitalizing community spaces in towns with 50,000 people or less. Main Street programs are encouraged to apply. For more information, click here.
Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) (IA) – Provides 100 hours of engineering assistance for operations and traffic safety issues. For more information, click here.
Travel, Tourism, & Outdoor Recreation – Through the Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program, EDA is focused on accelerating the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. $750 million of EDA’s American Rescue Plan funds are allocated to support the following efforts:
- State Tourism Grants: $510 million in non-competitive awards to help states quickly invest in marketing, infrastructure, workforce, and other projects to rejuvenate safe leisure, business and international travel.
- Competitive Grants: $240 million to help communities that have been hardest hit by challenges facing the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors to invest in infrastructure, workforce or other projects to support the recovery of the industry and economic resilience of the community in the future. For more information, click here. State Tourism applications are due 60 days after receiving an invitation. Competitive Tourism applications are due within 60 days of invitation.
Trees Forever (IA) – Grants available across Iowa to help diverse community forests and areas that welcome the public. Projects may include planting seedling trees and woody shrubs in public spaces including but not limited to county and community parks, trail ways, roadsides, stream corridors, schools and civic buildings, cemeteries, and more. For more information, click here.
United Way of Siouxland Small Grants – The intent of the Small Grants Program is to provide support for community projects, programs, or initiatives in need of a small, one-time grant between $1,000 and $5,000, but may not be eligible for funding through other grant opportunities. For more information, click here.
USDA Rural Development Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Funds – This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and stormwater drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. For more information, click here.
USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program – This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. For more information, click here.

Grants due in November:

2017 Community Change Micro Grants – This program awards up to $1,500 to fund or help to catalyze smaller-scale, low-cost projects and programs that increase the prevalence of walking, expand the diversity of people and organizations working to advance walkability, and help to make walking safer, easier, and more fun for all community members. For more information, click here. Applications due by November 10.
Iowa West Foundation – Tourism, recreation, and entertainment capital projects. For more information, click here. Applications due by November 15.