Strengthening Communities Grants support rural nonprofit organizations that are committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Questions
Accessibility
Fiscal Year 2024 Application Deadline
November 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM for the funding period of January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026.
Funding Notification
Typically, applicants are notified of funding decisions within four weeks after the application deadline.
Reporting Deadlines
Applicants will be required to submit an annual report in January each year of their project, with a final report due no later than February 1, 2027.
Grant Request Amount
Applicants may request grant funding for eligible facility infrastructure expenses within the minimum and maximum restrictions listed below.
Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in the project by providing a cash match that is a minimum of 50% of the total grant amount requested from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For example, an applicant that requests $10,000 in grant funds must have at least $5,000 in cash match a minimum total project budget of $15,000.
Funding Period
All project activities and incurred expenses must occur within the eligible funding period of January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026. Funding is awarded to grant recipients on a reimbursement basis after expenses have been incurred for approved project activities.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants must be the following type of entity and must meet all the related requirements. Entities who do not meet these requirements are not eligible to apply.
Eligible Project Activities
Eligible project activities include:
Ineligible Project Activities
Projects that fall outside of the identified types of eligible projects may not request funding through this grant program.
Ineligible project activities include:
Eligible Grant Request Expenses
Strengthening Communities Grants support project expenses that are essential to the completion of the proposed project. The grant request must be dedicated to eligible one-time, direct project expenses, legitimate parts of the proposed project, and must be incurred and expended within the eligible funding period. Expenses identified in the grant request should be based on competitive, current market pricing. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.
Eligible grant request expenses include direct project costs such as:
Ineligible Grant Request Expenses
Expenses that fall outside of the identified eligible expenses for the project may not be included as part of the grant request. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.
Ineligible grant request expenses include:
Match Requirement
Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in a project by providing cash matching funds in an amount that is one half (50%) the total grant amount requested from the Iowa Arts Council, a unit of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For example, an applicant that requests $10,000 in grant funds must have at least $5,000 in cash match for a minimum project budget of $15,000. In-kind match, which would be non-cash goods or services provided by a third party, does not count towards the cash match requirement.
The required cash match must be secured at the time of application, dedicated to one-time eligible project expenses that are legitimate parts of the proposed project, and must be expended within the eligible funding period. Expenses identified in the match should be based on competitive, current market pricing. Applicants will be required to identify all cash match expenses in the project budget as well as the revenue sources that will cover them.
Eligibility Review
Submitted applications are reviewed by staff for completion, eligibility and adherence to published guidelines. Applications are reviewed as submitted. New application information or subsequent application clarification submitted after a program deadline is not considered unless requested by a program manager. Staff will also review an applicant’s record of compliance and good standing with the Iowa Arts Council, Iowa Economic Development Authority, State and Federal government. Applications or applicants determined by staff to be ineligible or incomplete will not move forward to panel review and are specifically denied any appeals process.
Competitive Panel Review
Eligible applications will be referred to a competitive review by a panel of professionals with appropriate expertise commensurate to the purpose of the grant program. Applications will be scored and ranked based on the published scoring rubric. Recommendations are submitted to leadership for consideration and funding approval. All funding decisions are final and may not be appealed due to dissatisfaction. Applicants may review the appeals policy for information on grounds for appeal and the appeal process.
Decision Notification
Applicants are typically notified of funding decisions within four weeks after the application deadline. Applicants are notified of the status of their application whether they are or are not selected to receive funding. Applicants will be contacted if any additional information is required and are encouraged to refrain from contacting staff for application status updates until funding decisions are made.
Online Application Submission
Applicant Profile
Mission Statement
Enter the mission statement of the eligible entity submitting the proposal.
Applicant Profile
Describe how the applicant fulfills its mission and serves its target population, including:
Project Description
Describe the proposed facility infrastructure project, including:
Public Access
Describe the plans for public access to the project, including:
Project Implementation
Describe how the facility infrastructure project will be successfully realized within the eligible funding period, including:
Project Evaluation
Describe how the facility infrastructure project outcomes will be evaluated, including:
Project Budget
Total Grant Request Amount
Total Cash Match
Budget Form
Itemize the eligible grant request and secured cash match expenses that will be incurred within the eligible funding period, including a brief description and the numeric dollar amount associated with each expense in the budget form.
Grant Request & Cash Match Verification
Attach documentation that verifies the expenses associated with the grant request and cash match that will be incurred within the eligible funding period are secured. If applicable, include verification from each source of cash match.
Source of Cash Match
Itemize the source(s) of secured cash match for eligible expenses that will be incurred within the eligible funding period.
Total Supplemental Project Expenses & Description
Total Project Budget
Partner Letter of Support
Submit one letter of support from a project partner who has a vested interest in the successful implementation of the proposed project and can speak to the project's excellence. Letter may not exceed one page.
Media and Support Material
Submit 2 pages of additional document support material for the proposed project. Material may include an evaluation tool, documentation of proposed facility improvements, marketing material, press clippings or additional relevant letters of support. A list of web links is not acceptable.
Overall Application
The following scoring criteria reference the quality of the proposal and application as a whole and not a particular question.
Glossary of Terms and Definitions
Eligible projects involve the renovation or maintenance of existing facilities, as defined by Iowa Code 8.57.
Funding for the program is made possible by an annual appropriation from the Iowa Legislature to the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority, through the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund. Applicants must adhere to the funding policies of the Iowa Arts Council.
Questions
Potential applicants, especially first-time applicants, are encouraged to review all published material and contact Program Manager Jon Berg at 515-348-6323 or jon.berg@iowaeda.com with questions well in advance of application deadlines.
Accessibility
The Iowa Arts Council is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to eligible applicants. For technical support submitting the online application, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator, Jennie Knoebel at 515-348-6324 or jennie.knoebel@iowaeda.com, at least two weeks in advance of application deadline.
Timeline
Fiscal Year 2024 Application Deadline
November 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM for the funding period of January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026.
Funding Notification
Typically, applicants are notified of funding decisions within four weeks after the application deadline.
Reporting Deadlines
Applicants will be required to submit an annual report in January each year of their project, with a final report due no later than February 1, 2027.
Funding
Grant Request Amount
Applicants may request grant funding for eligible facility infrastructure expenses within the minimum and maximum restrictions listed below.
- Minimum Grant Request: $10,000
- Maximum Grant Request: $100,000
Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in the project by providing a cash match that is a minimum of 50% of the total grant amount requested from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For example, an applicant that requests $10,000 in grant funds must have at least $5,000 in cash match a minimum total project budget of $15,000.
Funding Period
All project activities and incurred expenses must occur within the eligible funding period of January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026. Funding is awarded to grant recipients on a reimbursement basis after expenses have been incurred for approved project activities.
Applicant Requirements
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants must be the following type of entity and must meet all the related requirements. Entities who do not meet these requirements are not eligible to apply.
- Federally tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated and physically located in an Iowa city with a population of less than 28,000 as determined by the 2020 federal decennial census.
- Committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
- Individuals
- For-profit entities
- Entities acting as fiscal agents
- Institutions of Higher Education
- Public and private schools that serve grades pre-K through 12 and are located in Iowa
- Unit of local, county or federally recognized tribal government
Project Requirements
Eligible Project Activities
Eligible facility infrastructure projects must involve the renovation or maintenance of existing facilities as defined by the Iowa Code 8.57 that are located in the applicant city for the purpose of fulfilling a social need related to youth development, healthy living or social responsibility. Eligible projects must have a beginning and end date within the funding period.
Eligible project activities include:
- Construction
- Land acquisition
- Major renovation or routine, recurring maintenance of building or appurtenant structure
- Site development
Ineligible Project Activities
Projects that fall outside of the identified types of eligible projects may not request funding through this grant program.
Ineligible project activities include:
- Lease of a building, appurtenant structure or utility without a lease-purchase agreement
- Operating expenses
- Ongoing utilities
- Stand-alone design or planning phase
Budget Requirements
Eligible Grant Request Expenses
Strengthening Communities Grants support project expenses that are essential to the completion of the proposed project. The grant request must be dedicated to eligible one-time, direct project expenses, legitimate parts of the proposed project, and must be incurred and expended within the eligible funding period. Expenses identified in the grant request should be based on competitive, current market pricing. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.
Eligible grant request expenses include direct project costs such as:
- Construction
- Land acquisition
- Major renovation or routine, recurring maintenance of building or appurtenant structure
- Site development
Ineligible Grant Request Expenses
Expenses that fall outside of the identified eligible expenses for the project may not be included as part of the grant request. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.
Ineligible grant request expenses include:
- Lease of a building, appurtenant structure or utility without a lease-purchase agreement
- Operating expenses
- Ongoing utilities
- Stand-alone design or planning phase
Match Requirement
Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in a project by providing cash matching funds in an amount that is one half (50%) the total grant amount requested from the Iowa Arts Council, a unit of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For example, an applicant that requests $10,000 in grant funds must have at least $5,000 in cash match for a minimum project budget of $15,000. In-kind match, which would be non-cash goods or services provided by a third party, does not count towards the cash match requirement.
The required cash match must be secured at the time of application, dedicated to one-time eligible project expenses that are legitimate parts of the proposed project, and must be expended within the eligible funding period. Expenses identified in the match should be based on competitive, current market pricing. Applicants will be required to identify all cash match expenses in the project budget as well as the revenue sources that will cover them.
- Cash match is actual cash contributed to direct project expenses by the applicant or other funding sources.
- Expenses used for cash match must be adhere to same grant request expense eligibility as detailed in the Budget Requirements section of these guidelines.
- The 1:1⁄2 match requirement may be raised through a combination of public and private sources but may not include in-kind donations of goods or services, unsecured funding, loans or other funding from the State of Iowa.
Review Process
Eligibility Review
Submitted applications are reviewed by staff for completion, eligibility and adherence to published guidelines. Applications are reviewed as submitted. New application information or subsequent application clarification submitted after a program deadline is not considered unless requested by a program manager. Staff will also review an applicant’s record of compliance and good standing with the Iowa Arts Council, Iowa Economic Development Authority, State and Federal government. Applications or applicants determined by staff to be ineligible or incomplete will not move forward to panel review and are specifically denied any appeals process.
Competitive Panel Review
Eligible applications will be referred to a competitive review by a panel of professionals with appropriate expertise commensurate to the purpose of the grant program. Applications will be scored and ranked based on the published scoring rubric. Recommendations are submitted to leadership for consideration and funding approval. All funding decisions are final and may not be appealed due to dissatisfaction. Applicants may review the appeals policy for information on grounds for appeal and the appeal process.
Decision Notification
Applicants are typically notified of funding decisions within four weeks after the application deadline. Applicants are notified of the status of their application whether they are or are not selected to receive funding. Applicants will be contacted if any additional information is required and are encouraged to refrain from contacting staff for application status updates until funding decisions are made.
Online Application Submission
Applicants must submit applications via the Iowa Arts Council’s SlideRoom, an online application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications will not be accepted. Applicants can access the current online application requirements at iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com. Applicants must create a login to view the full application requirements for the program. Applicants can visit help.liaisonedu.com for assistance related to the online submission.
Application Narrative Questions and Scoring Rubric
The following scoring rubric will be used to evaluate applications. Each section has criteria and corresponding point values to ensure a fair review process. The rubric is on a scale of 27 points. Application questions are for reference only. Applicants must review and complete application requirements in the Slideroom portal.Applicant Profile
Mission Statement
Enter the mission statement of the eligible entity submitting the proposal.
Applicant Profile
Describe how the applicant fulfills its mission and serves its target population, including:
- description of programming and services focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility provided
- relevant notable achievements
| APPLICANT PROFILE: 3 points possible | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Applicant provides exceptional programming or services in youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility that clearly advance its mission and serve its target population. Applicant demonstrates a strong record of organizational progress through relevant notable achievements and strategic priorities. | 2 Applicant offers programming or services in youth development, healthy living, and/or social responsibility that support its mission and serves its target population. Relevant notable achievements or strategic priorities are identified. | 1 Applicant’s programming or services in youth development, healthy living or social responsibility are limited, unclear or do not support its mission or serve its target population. Relevant notable achievements or strategic priorities are not identified. |
Project Description
Describe the proposed facility infrastructure project, including:
- the need for facility renovation or maintenance
- how the facility renovation or maintenance will achieve goals related to youth development, healthy living and/or social responsibility
- if applicable, the priority of each project component for which you are seeking funding
| PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 3 points possible | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Project goals related to youth development, healthy living and/or social responsibility are exemplary and clearly advance the applicant’s organizational mission. Project fulfills an essential need to renovate or repair a facility to maintain or expand existing services to the community. | 2 Project goals related to youth development, healthy living and/or social responsibility are identified and relate to the applicant’s organizational mission. Project identifies a need to renovate or repair a facility to maintain or expand existing services to the community. | 1 Project goals related to youth development, healthy living and/or social responsibility are unclear or do not relate to the applicant’s organizational mission. Project does not fulfill a need to renovate or repair a facility to maintain or expand existing services to the community. |
Public Access
Describe the plans for public access to the project, including:
- target audience that will benefit from the facility renovation or maintenance
- plan for accessibility of facility renovation or maintenance
- plan to disseminate subsequent enhanced programming or services to target audience
| PUBLIC ACCESS: 3 points possible | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Target population for the project is well-defined and its relevance to the project evident. Project will be highly accessible due to clear and deliberate plans for facility accessibility and to disseminate enhanced programming or services to the target population. | 2 Target population for the project is identified. Plans for facility accessibility and to disseminate programming or services are satisfactory. | 1 Target population for the project is unclear. Plans for facility accessibility and to disseminate programming or services are unclear or inadequate. |
Project Implementation
Describe how the facility infrastructure project will be successfully realized within the eligible funding period, including:
- measurable implementation objectives applicant seeks to achieve
- timeline of activities or tasks necessary to complete the project
- explanation of key partner roles and responsibilities
| PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: 3 points possible | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Project has strong, measurable implementation objectives. Project will be successfully realized through a clear timeline of activities or tasks. Project demonstrates strong support through multiple, diverse logistical partners. Key partner responsibilities are well-defined and enhance the project. | 2 Project is achievable through identified measurable implementation objectives and timeline of activities or tasks. Project is supported by partners. Key partner roles and responsibilities are identified. | 1 Project implementation objectives are unclear or not measurable. Multiple concerns about project achievability. Timeline of activities or tasks is insufficient. Key partner roles and responsibilities are unclear or not identified. |
Project Evaluation
Describe how the facility infrastructure project outcomes will be evaluated, including:
- qualitative and quantitative measures related to goals and objectives
- data collection methods
- how evaluative results will inform maintenance and management of future projects
| PROJECT EVALUATION: 3 points possible | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Project uses strong measures and methods to analyze achievement of goals and objectives. Evaluative results will clearly and appropriately inform future maintenance and management of projects undertaken by the applicant. | 2 Project identifies methods or measures to analyze achievement of arts goals or implementation objectives. | 1 Methods and measurements to analyze achievement goals and implementation objectives are unclear or inadequate. Evaluation results will not inform the future maintenance and management of the project. |
Project Budget
Total Grant Request Amount
Total Cash Match
Budget Form
Itemize the eligible grant request and secured cash match expenses that will be incurred within the eligible funding period, including a brief description and the numeric dollar amount associated with each expense in the budget form.
Grant Request & Cash Match Verification
Attach documentation that verifies the expenses associated with the grant request and cash match that will be incurred within the eligible funding period are secured. If applicable, include verification from each source of cash match.
Source of Cash Match
Itemize the source(s) of secured cash match for eligible expenses that will be incurred within the eligible funding period.
Total Supplemental Project Expenses & Description
Total Project Budget
| PROJECT BUDGET: 3 points possible | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Project budget and intended use of requested funds are clear and appropriate. Project demonstrates financial support by leveraging diverse sources of local and private cash match that are well-defined. | 2 Project budget, intended use of requested funds and sources of applicant match are identified and adequate. | 1 Project budget, intended use of requested funds or sources of applicant match are unclear or inadequate. |
Partner Letter of Support
Submit one letter of support from a project partner who has a vested interest in the successful implementation of the proposed project and can speak to the project's excellence. Letter may not exceed one page.
| PARTNER SUPPORT LETTER: 3 points possible | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Community support letter is highly relevant to the project, demonstrates a vested interest in the project and supports the project’s excellence. | 2 Community support letter relates to the project and is of average quality. | 1 Community support letter is not relevant to the project, of poor quality, or does not demonstrate a vested interest in the project. |
Media and Support Material
Submit 2 pages of additional document support material for the proposed project. Material may include an evaluation tool, documentation of proposed facility improvements, marketing material, press clippings or additional relevant letters of support. A list of web links is not acceptable.
| MEDIA AND SUPPORT MATERIAL: 3 points possible | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Support material is highly relevant to the project and supports the project’s excellence. | 2 Support material relates to the project and is of average quality. | 1 Support material is not relevant to the project, of poor quality, or does not support the project’s excellence. |
Overall Application
The following scoring criteria reference the quality of the proposal and application as a whole and not a particular question.
| CASE FOR SUPPORT: 3 points possible | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Application makes exemplary case for support and merits state investment. | 2 Case for support is adequate and merits state investment. | 1 Case for support is inadequate and/or does not merit state investment. |
Glossary of Terms and Definitions
Applicants should refer to the glossary for clarification of program terms and definitions.