Greater Cedar Rapids Community logo

Greater Cedar Rapids Community

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA EIN: 42-6053860 Website

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit community foundation serving Linn County, Iowa. Founded in 1949 as the Community Welfare Foundation, it became a public community foundation in 1992. The organization operates as a convenor and partner to donors, funders, and nonprofit organizations, stewarding charitable assets and awarding grants to address community needs and opportunities.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$229.3M

+8.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$9.4M

+8.6% YoY

Grant Count

209

+8.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$45K

-0.2% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Mission: To help donors give in meaningful ways, to strengthen nonprofits, and to provide leadership that supports a vibrant community.

Vision: A vibrant and inclusive Linn County where all people thrive.

The Foundation's core strategies include:

  • Inspiring giving
  • Providing funding
  • Advocating for equity
  • Investing in community initiatives
  • Convening people
  • Promoting learning
  • Managing investments

Primary funding areas encompass education, philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking, and human services.

Grantmaking

The Foundation offers several grant cycles throughout the year with multiple funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations.

Review Cycle

throughout the year with multiple funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations.

Ready to take the next step with Greater Cedar Rapids Community?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Foundation serves Linn County, Iowa, with primary grantmaking focus in Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota.

Grant Distribution by State

25states
+17 more states

Cities

AdelAlexandriaAmanaAmesAnamosaAtlanticAuroraAustinBeavertonBerkeleyBlacksburgBooneCarmelCedar FallsCedar ParkCedar RaidsCedar RapidsCentral CityCharlestonCheyenne

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

  • Total Assets: $229,293,739
  • Total Revenue: $20,178,901
  • Total Expenses: $13,759,796
  • Total Liabilities: $43,500,000
  • Total Funds: 1,083
  • Staff: 23 employees

Historical Context:

  • The Foundation previously reported over $212 million in assets and over 1,000 charitable funds
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$7M$15M$22M$29M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$229,293,739$212,302,246$190,014,997
Revenue$20,178,901$15,302,878$13,077,105
Expenses$13,759,796$13,079,026$12,841,062
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income$11,125,862$2,335,696$2,269,015
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$3M$5M$8M$11M171 grants2020170 grants2021175 grants2022192 grants2023209 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

COE COLLEGE$314KCOMMUNITY THEATRE OF CED…$282KCEDAR RAPIDS MUSEUM OF ART$273KCORNELL COLLEGE$228KBIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS…$207KCOMMUNITY HEALTH FREE CL…$200KCEDAR RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBR…$134KCATHERINE MCAULEY CENTER$126KCAMP COURAGEOUS OF IOWA$117KCEDAR RAPIDS OPERA THEATRE$76K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

180<$50K25$50–100K33$100–250K11$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

19 open opportunities from Greater Cedar Rapids Community

Show all 19 →

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Coe College ($314,017), Community Theatre of Cedar Rapids Dba Theatre Cedar Rapids ($281,620), Cedar Rapids Museum of Art ($272,691).

RecipientPurposeAmount
ACACIA FRATERNITY FOUNDATION CARMEL, INIOWA CHAPTER SUPPORT, THE BREAKFAST CLUB EVENT, GENERAL SUPPORT$15,000
ACHIEVEABILITY PHILADELPHIA, PAAC: FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM SUPPORT$37,500
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION AKA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF IOWA CEDAR RAPIDS, IAPROGRAM SUPPORT: JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL, TEACHING IOWA'S CULTURAL HERITAGE, VOICES INSPIRING PROGRESS, AND EMERGENCY EXPENSE: ELEVATOR REPAIRS FOR ACCESSIBLE ACCESS, GENERAL SUPPORT$75,490
AGING SERVICES INC CEDAR RAPIDS, IAWITWER CENTER, GENERAL SUPPORT$10,170
AIMING FOR A CURE FOUNDATION IOWA CITY, IAEVENT SUPPORT: 2024 BANQUET$10,000
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH CEDAR RAPIDS, IAPROGRAMMING AT ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH, GENERAL SUPPORT$7,174
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION - IOWA CHAPTER CEDAR RAPIDS, IAWALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S, EVENT SUPPORT: MUSCATINE, DUBUQUE, 12TH ANNUAL ALZHEIMER'S 5K & HALF MARATHON, GENERAL SUPPORT$14,330
AMERICAN BOTANICAL COUNCIL AUSTIN, TXPROGRAM SUPPORT: BOTANICAL ADULTERANTS PREVENTION$6,000
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - CEDAR RAPIDS DES MOINES, IA2024 SWINE BALL, RELAY FOR LIFE 2024, PROGRAM SUPPORT, GENERAL SUPPORT$7,638
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - DES MOINES DES MOINES, IA2024 COACHES VS CANCER GOLF CLASSIC SUPPORT, PROGRAM SUPPORT: HOPE LODGE HEROES$12,725

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

KARLA TWEDT-BALLPRESIDENT & CEO$194KJEAN BRENNEMANCFO$117KJOE HEITZVP OF COMMUNITY IMPACT$117KCORINNE RAHEVP OF COMMUNICATIONS$114K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
JON LANDONCHAIR2
JIM HADDADCHAIR-ELECT (UNTIL 8/1/24)2
MICHELLE NIERMANNCHAIR ELECT2
DAVID LITTLETREASURER2
ANTHONY ARRINGTONSECRETARY2
JILL ACKERMANDIRECTOR1
RAY BROWNDIRECTOR (UNTIL 10/7/24)1
PATRICE CARROLLDIRECTOR1
CHRIS CASEYDIRECTOR3
NANCY HILLDIRECTOR1
MARY JUNGEDIRECTOR1
JANICE KERKOVEDIRECTOR1
DIANA LEDFORDPAST CHAIR2
JOE LOCKDIRECTOR1
BRANDI MUELLERDIRECTOR1
TRACEY MYERSDIRECTOR1
DAVE PARMLEYDIRECTOR1
OKPARA RICEDIRECTOR1
CRAIG SMITHDIRECTOR1
HAYWOOD STOWEDIRECTOR1
MATTHEW VAN MAANENDIRECTOR1
KARLA TWEDT-BALLPRESIDENT & CEO40$194,446
JEAN BRENNEMANCFO32$117,291
CORINNE RAHEVP OF COMMUNICATIONS40$113,756
JOE HEITZVP OF COMMUNITY IMPACT40$116,974

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2024

The Foundation celebrated 75 years of service in 2024, marking its founding in 1949. Recent grant announcements include:

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation grants $4.9M to 350 nonprofits
2025

Over $3 million in grants approved in early 2025

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Approves Over $3 Million in Grants

$4.9 million distributed to 350 nonprofits for local impact

2025

2025 grant deadlines announced with multiple funding cycles throughout the year

2025 Grant Deadlines Announced - Greater Cedar Rapids ...

The Foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Greater Cedar Rapids Community fund?

**Mission:** To help donors give in meaningful ways, to strengthen nonprofits, and to provide leadership that supports a vibrant community. **Vision:** A vibrant and inclusive Linn County where all people thrive. The Foundation's core strategies include: • Inspiring giving • Providing funding • Advocating for equity • Investing in community initiatives • Convening people • Promoting learning • Managing investments Primary funding areas encompass education, philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking…

How do I apply for a grant from Greater Cedar Rapids Community?

The Foundation offers several grant cycles throughout the year with multiple funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations. **Recent Grant Activity:** • **2024:** $12 million in total grants awarded to 725 nonprofits • Recent grant approvals exceeded $3 million in a single announcement cycle • Grants totaling $4.9 million were distributed to 350 nonprofits in another recent cycle **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $5,018–$371,323 • 13 live grant opportunities available • Dono…

Where does Greater Cedar Rapids Community make grants?

The Foundation serves Linn County, Iowa, with primary grantmaking focus in Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota.

What size grants does Greater Cedar Rapids Community award?

In 2024, Greater Cedar Rapids Community awarded 209 grants totaling $9.4M — an average of about $45K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is Greater Cedar Rapids Community's EIN?

Greater Cedar Rapids Community's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-6053860. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Greater Cedar Rapids Community's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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