Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa Grant Applications Now Open for 2026

When your school board votes, Decorah News is there to report. Chip in to keep your voice in the room. WINNESHIEK COUNTY — Grant applications are now being accepted by the following foundations for the 2026 grant cycle. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Jan. 15, 2026: Chickasaw County Community Foundation (CCCF) Franklin County Community Foundation (FCCF) Grundy County Community Foundation (GCCF) Tama County Community Foundation (TCCF) Winneshiek County Community Foundation (WCCF) The online grant application is available on the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa website at cfneia.org/grants. Technical support will be available to applicants until 5 p.m. Jan. 15. Grant recipients will be announced in March. Grants are awarded in the foundation's impact priority areas of opportunity and access, health and safety, vibrant communities, and youth empowerment. These priorities encompass a broad range of nonprofit organizations and projects. More information on impact priorities is available at cfneia.org/impact-priorities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Other tax-exempt organizations may also apply if the project is considered charitable. Those organizations should contact Dotti Thompson at 319-243-1358 or dthompson@cfneia.org to determine eligibility before submitting a proposal. Grant selections are made to improve the quality of life for residents in each county. A local impact committee reviews applications from charitable organizations serving its community. The CCCF, FCCF, GCCF, TCCF and WCCF, all affiliates of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA), are also seeking new volunteers to serve on their impact committees beginning in April 2026. The impact committee position description and volunteer interest form are available at cfneia.org/volunteer. Individuals may submit a volunteer interest form for themselves or nominate someone else, such as a colleague, community leader or friend. The deadline to submit a volunteer interest form for initial consideration is Jan. 15. Impact committees work to understand the needs of their counties and ensure foundation grants align with those needs. The committees' primary responsibility is to invest in nonprofits through the discretionary grant process, which distributes more than $100,000 annually in each county. Committee members are expected to implement best practices in grantmaking, uphold trust-based practices and reflect CFNEIA's values in their decisions. Committees collaborate closely with CFNEIA staff. Questions about volunteering may be directed to Shanda Hansen, CFNEIA director of affiliate impact, at shansen@cfneia.org or 319-243-1357. Never a dull moment! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and stay one step ahead with local news and information you just can't get anywhere else.