CCCF Standard Grant

The CCCF Standard Grant, administered by the Clay County Community Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life in Clay County by supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and local governments. With over $85,000 available, grants will focus on community betterment projects in education, health, arts, and economic development. Applications are welcomed for initiatives that foster collaboration and address pressing community needs, with Standard Grants ranging from $3,001 to $10,000.

NOTE: The Clay County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, which provides administrative and technical assistance.
The purpose of the Clay County Community Foundation is to connect donors who care with causes that matter, and to serve as a trusted resource for addressing issues that impact the quality of life in our county.
The Clay County Community Foundation Board of Directors awards grants based on donor wishes, county needs, and a proposing organization's capacity to provide effective service to the people of Clay County. Grants support present and emerging needs in the areas of community betterment, education, health, arts and culture, and human services.
Community Betterment Grants
The Clay County Community Foundation anticipates having more than $85,000 to distribute to nonprofit organizations in Clay County by March of each year, thanks to support from the Iowa Legislature and local donors. As a result, applications for CCCF Community Betterment Grants are currently being requested from nonprofit organizations and local governmental entities for projects that positively impact quality of life in Clay County.
Clay County Community Foundation funds can be used for broad, flexible purposes, including assisting arts and culture, economic development, education, environment, health and human services, recreation areas and supporting high-impact community opportunities. Funds are intended for new projects, or for the enhancement or expansion of existing services, programs, or facilities; on-going operational expenses of an organization are not eligible for grant funding. Grant requests may range from a $500 minimum to a $10,000 maximum.
CCCF Prioritized Needs (in no particular order)
Economic Development/Quality Job Creation – Focus is on innovative non-traditional economic development activities, i.e. youth entrepreneurial development programs, artist entrepreneurship programs, microenterprise lending programs, etc. and creation of new jobs or expansion of existing jobs.
Activities (Cultural, Recreational, Social and Educational) – Special emphasis is placed on activities that bring people together throughout the county, and that bring people to the county.
Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities – This includes trails, campgrounds and other recreational facilities.
Utilize and Support Existing Organizations, Resources, Services and Facilities that Contribute to Quality of Life – Includes projects to more effectively market or make services and programs more fully available to people, whether through better marketing or through efforts to accommodate employed parents schedules, or the scheduling preferences or requirements of senior citizens, youth individuals with special needs, etc.
Health and Human Services – This includes projects offering mental health, medical or dental services and those providing other assistance resources to the community or efforts to help residents find those resources.

Eligibility

Eligible CCCF Community Betterment Grant applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and units of local government.

Ineligibility

Generally, CCCF will not consider grants for religious purposes, political activities, endowment, annual fund drives, individuals, capital campaigns, budget deficit, endowment, or general operating expenses.