Butler County Grants

The Butler County Grants, administered by the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, aim to enhance the quality of life for residents in Butler County. With a focus on supporting nonprofits, the foundation prioritizes projects that address vital community needs, encourage additional funding, and serve a substantial number of people. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities that meet specific criteria. The foundation seeks to create vibrant communities through impactful grant-making.

We connect inspired people to causes they care about most, make grants to strengthen effective nonprofits, and provide leadership on key community issues to make Iowa communities better places.
Grants selections are made in an effort to create a better quality of life for people in Butler County. A local governing committee reviews the applications from charitable organizations serving their community.
What We Support
The Butler County Community Foundation provides grants to improve life in Butler County, Iowa.
Areas of Foundation giving are:

• Arts & CultureCommunity Betterment Education & Youth DevelopmentEnvironment & Animal WelfareHealthHuman Service
• Funding Priorities
• The Butler County Community Foundation gives priority to projects that:

Address vital services/needs within the county.Encourage additional funding through matching income from other grants, private donors, and in-kind donations.Show substantial number of people served.Provide detailed budget specific to project and include quotes/bids for expenses.

Eligibility

Organizations must provide benefits to the people of the Butler County and must meet the following criteria in order to apply for a grant:Be classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or be a government entity. Tax-exempt organizations classified as other than 501(c)(3) are also eligible if and only if the project is deemed charitable; please contact our office to discuss the project’s eligibility prior to submitting a proposal.Be current with all state and federal reporting requirements, such as filing of 990 forms.The following organizations are eligible for specific projects only:Churches –for projects that provide community services/activitiesEconomic development organizations -for marketing/education projects that benefits the whole community, not just member businessesService clubs and veterans’ organization (with eligible tax-exempt status) -for charitable community projectsFor groups, projects, or initiatives that do not meet the above eligibility requirements, the Community Foundation will consider your requests if submitted through a fiscal sponsor. Fiscal sponsors must be classified as a 501(c)(3) or a government entity. The Foundation prefers that the fiscal sponsor’s mission closely align with the sponsored project. Fiscal Sponsors will be legally and financially responsible for any grant funds that are awarded by the Butler County Community Foundation.One application per organization with the exemption of Government Entities and Fiscal Sponsors; however, fiscal sponsors may submit only one application per sponsored organization. Government entities may submit only one application per department. Schools are considered government entities for grant purposes.Budgets detailing project expenses and income, including additional funding sources, is required.Requests for labor, materials, and/or equipment require at least one bid or estimate for the project.

Ineligibility

Must not have any past due grant reports for previous Butler Community Foundation grants.Restrictions:Requests for pass through funds and debt repayment do not qualify.Inherently religious activities such as religious worship, instruction, or proselytization or activities that promote specific religious doctrine are not eligible.