Grant applications are currently closed. Awards will be announced in early July, 2021.
Racial Justice Grants
Impact Grants, KNG Gives Grants, and West Liberty Community Fund Grants
Opens: May 10, 2021
Closed: June 7, 2021
Racial Justice Fund Grants
The Racial Justice Fund has been established to further advance racial justice, equity, and inclusion in Muscatine and Louisa Counties.
Granting funds are available to qualified, charitable organizations whose work acts as an accelerator or reduces barriers towards racial justice, centered on those most marginalized in our service area.
To ensure we move forward collectively, and address a broad range of opportunities, priority will be given to:
- Grants that are collaborative across a networked alliance
- Grants that connect multiple issues or communities
- Applicant organization/networks who are led by people of color
Impact Grants
Impact Grants funded through the County Endowment Re-Granting Program have a $10,000 limit per program. Focus areas include arts, education, human service, culture, environment, heritage, and health.
Additional grants are also available:
- Hilda E. Collitz for the Homeless: This bequest provides grants to prevent homelessness in Muscatine County.
- Hilda E. Collitz for Housing: This bequest provides grants for the use and benefit of those in the Greater Muscatine area for the acquisition of land and/or construction of living spaces to prevent families and individuals from homelessness. Preference will be given to Muscatine Habitat for Humanity’s Muscatine County projects.
- George Millett Memorial: A gift from the estate of George Millett is used for grants to benefit those with mental disabilities who are residents of Muscatine County.
- Ray Hockersmith Memorial: This fund provides grants for the benefit of the blind, vision impaired or disabled children under the age of 15 to experience special recreational activities.
- Pat and Jim Powers Endowment: This fund provides grants aimed at providing mental health programs and services.
- Joe W. and Betty L. Rauch Memorial Endowment: This fund provides grants focused on youth-based community priorities.
KNG Gives Grants
Muscatine and Louisa County youth will benefit from youth-related nutrition support programs supported by KNG Gives created by Kent Nutrition Group.
The specific purpose for creating KNG Gives is to be a social impact program that provide assistance, aid, and financial support to the communities, customers, employees they serve. Kent Nutrition Group is a division of Kent Corporation, a family-owned company, headquartered in Muscatine, IA.
To apply for a grant, the organization must be a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization or governmental entity such as a public school. All projects must directly support improving youth nutrition in our area.
West Liberty Community Fund Grants
For West Liberty. By West Liberty.
Included in the Impact Grants, this fund allows for a unique opportunity for residents to give back and support the community they care about. The grant is aimed at high impact charitable activities for West Liberty, with a priority given to youth. Grant guidelines:
- Your proposal must benefit West Liberty residents.
- You must be – or partner with – a 501(c)(3) organization.
- The project/program must not be started prior to grants being awarded.
- The project/program must be completed within one year of awarding.
- The West Liberty Advisory Committee may investigate your proposal to ensure its validity or to gain additional information. Learn more about the West Liberty Community Fund
Financial Standard Review
In an effort to streamline the granting process and create efficiencies for local non-profits, Muscatine Charities, United Way of Muscatine, Early Childhood Iowa Muscatine County, and Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine have joined together to create a funder network.
The network will allow all area non-profit organizations seeking funding in the Muscatine area to provide their financial and organizational information once annually through an online portal.
- This information then will be used by any of the funders listed if an application is received during their open grant cycles.
- The submitted financial information will be reviewed by professional accountants to ensure strength and consistency in evaluation principles.
- Organization capacity questions will be utilized to identify and support organizational strengthening opportunities.
All area non-profit organizations considering a grant funding request in 2021 through Muscatine Charities, United Way of Muscatine, Early Childhood Iowa Muscatine County, and Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine should complete a pre-application.
Financial Standard Review
Opens: April 12, 2021
Closed: May 3, 2021
United Way of Muscatine 2021-2022 Community Investment Request
United Way of Muscatine Community Investment focus areas are Basic Needs, Education/Job Training, and Housing.
United Way Self-Sufficiency Common Measures can be found here: UW Self-Sufficiency Common Measures
United Way of Muscatine Community Investment Request
Opened: January 1, 2021
Closed: January 31, 2021
Muscatine Charities, Inc. Funds Grants
Muscatine Charities, Inc. was established in 1999 to more efficiently raise and distribute money to charities in our community. To date, MCI has raised and distributed over $3 Million directly to local charitable endeavors.
The Muscatine Charities, Inc. Fund has been established to support qualified charitable organizations serving Muscatine county.
By consolidating several individual fundraising efforts and researching their need for capital, we were able to substantially reduce expenses and make sure the money is used to enhance the quality of life in our communities.
Opens: October 1, 2021 (Anticipated)
Closes: October 31, 2021 (Anticipated)
Muscatine Health Support Fund Grants
The Muscatine Health Support Fund’s purpose is to encourage, assist, establish, maintain, and develop in and for the City of Muscatine, IA, and surrounding area, projects to improve the community health and aid the growth & development of the health care system for the community.
The focus of this grant cycle is for qualified charitable organizations working to improve mental health and substance abuse. These areas have been identified as the two community health focus areas through the Muscatine County Heath Improvement Plan.
Opens: TBD
Grant Application Guidelines
Before you get started, consider the following guidelines:
- Your proposal must benefit Muscatine County residents.
- It must be completed within one year of awarding.
- Trips outside of Muscatine County are not traditionally funded.
- The Granting Committee may investigate your proposal to ensure its validity or gain additional information. Applications must be received by the deadline date noted on the online grant application.
- As a grant recipient, you will be required to provide a final report, send digital photos, and submit receipts to prove your expenditures.
Already received a Grant and Ready to Report?
Congratulations! Please follow the link to our granting portal, login and upload your grant report here.
Can I speak with someone if I have questions about applying for a grant?
Contact Lynsey Krusie, our Program Manager at 563-264-3863 or lkrusie@givinggreater.org