Dubuque Racing Association Core Grants

The Dubuque Racing Association Core Grants aim to enhance community betterment through non-profit initiatives focused on population growth and tourism. These grants prioritize capacity building alongside material purchases, supporting organizations that align with the mission to foster economic vitality in the tri-state area. Eligible applicants include non-profits with specific IRS designations, emphasizing projects that strengthen local resources and improve quality of life while adhering to strict funding guidelines.

Focus on People Attraction: Population growth, retention, and tourismCoaching opportunities provided by the DRA and community partners throughout the grant cycle
Focus for Grant Applications
Applications should align with the mission of People Attraction: Population Growth, Retention and Tourism.
Capacity Building vs Material Purchases
Historically, the DRA primarily funded material items. However, in 2022, we shifted our approach to prioritize applications that include capacity building alongside material purchases.
What is Capacity Building?
Capacity building is the process of developing and strengthening the skills, processes, resources, and strategies that organizations and communities need to adapt, grow and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Examples of capacity building activities and potential projects:

• Planning Activities: Organizational assessments, strategic planning, and creating development plans/strategies.
• Donor Development: Marketing and communications, online donor portals, and enhancements to the donor experience.
• Strategic Relationships: Strengthening relationships with professional advisors and nonprofit partners.
• Internal Operations: Improvements to donor database, financial management systems, volunteer management, and organizational websites.

Professional Development: Staff, contractor, or affiliate volunteer attendance at regional or national conferences, or participation in local or online training.
Financial Audits: First-time audits that open additional funding opportunities for the organization.
Organization Marketing: Website creation/design, marketing materials, and tools to help promote the organization externally.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a non-profit, tax-exempt organization with a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)5, 501(c)6, 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) designation from the Internal Revenue Service or a unit of political subdivision (e.g., Conservation Districts).Organizations cannot share or borrow a 501(c) status with another entity. The name on the application must match the name on the IRS-issued letter.Each 501(c) or equivalent tax-exempt organization is limited to one application.Individual schools, churches, and volunteer fire departments will not need a 501(c) letter, as they are either exempt by law or fall under a blanket exemption due to municipal affiliation.Cities, villages, towns and counties are limited to one application. A statement of support from the city or county administrator endorsing the project must be included with the application.SchoolsSchool applications must be submitted through the district office. If no district office exists, the application must be approved by the school principal or administrator.
Each school district should be submit one application encompassing all schools within the district.
For school districts such as Dubuque Community Schools, Western Dubuque Community Schools, Holy Family Schools, Maquoketa Community School District and Monticello Community School District, a single application should be submitted on behalf of the entire district. While individual school projects will be considered, applications that benefit the district as a whole are encouraged.
If an affiliated organization is applying on behalf of the school, the organization must hold its own 501(c) status. Additionally, a letter from the principal or administration must be included, stating that the school or district does not intend to apply and confirming that the organization is applying on their behalf.The DRA’s geographic focus is the tri-state area. The primary focus being Dubuque and contiguous counties, including Grant, Lafayette and Iowa counites in Wisconsin and Jo Daviess county in Illinois.

Ineligibility

Organizations are not allowed to share or borrow a 501(c) status with another organization. The DRA will not fund the following through the core grants:Capital campaigns
Political causes, candidates and lobbying effortsIndividuals, including scholarships and personal benefitsDebt repayment or purchases made prior to the 2025 calendar year