Emergency Relief Fund (COVID-19 Response)

Purpose: Support Iowans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic experiencing financial and health crisis.

Geographic Scope: Iowa (statewide)

The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruption to the economy and income of many Iowans. The Emergency Relief Fund provides assistance with one-time, $500 grants to:

• Small business owners experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19
• Individuals experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19

Grant Award Limit: Limited to one grant per household (regardless if small business or individual grant)

Funding Achievements

• 1,165 grants awarded in first round to individuals and small businesses
• $700,000+ in gifts raised
• $25,000 to United Ways of Iowa's 2-1-1 resource
• $25,000 to the Iowa Community Action Association

Needs Assessment

Grant application data from 11,000+ applicants (72-hour application period):

• 58% had lost employment
• 51% unable to afford rent/mortgage payments
• 46% unable to pay utility bills
• 41% facing food insecurity
• 28% of individual applicants did not qualify for other assistance programs
• 42% of small business applicants had closed their businesses
• 24% of small business applicants did not qualify for other government assistance

Eligibility

For Individuals:

• Must have experienced economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Must be a current member of an Iowa credit union
• No minimum length of membership required (must be member at time of application)
• Credit union employees who experienced economic hardship are eligible

For Small Business Owners:

• Must operate and own a small business that employs less than five people
• Annual operating revenue at or below $250,000
• Must have experienced economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Must be a current member of an Iowa credit union

Disclaimer

• Submitting an application does not guarantee funding
• Funding decisions made by ICUF's sole discretion on a first-come, first-serve basis
• Subject to available funds in the Emergency Relief Fund
• Only awarded applicants will be contacted within 1-2 weeks via email
• Funds awarded within 2-3 weeks of funding decision via deposit to grantee's credit union account
• Credit union membership validated prior to awarding funds
• Application information not shared outside ICUF except for membership validation and payment facilitation

Future Use

Should any dollars remain in this fund following COVID-19 response efforts, they will be used for future disaster relief efforts for Iowans in need.

Contact Information

Address: 7745 Office Plaza Drive North, Suite 170, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Organization Type: 501(c)(3) non-profit

Application Process

Status: First round closed; additional grants awarded as funds become available

How to Apply

1. Submit online application during open application periods
2. Application was available for limited time (original 72-hour window)
3. Grant recipients notified via email if awarded
4. Funds disbursed through applicant's credit union account within 2-3 weeks of funding decision

Required Information

Applicants must provide:

Proof of credit union membership

Documentation of economic hardship due to COVID-19

Bank account information (for deposit through credit union)

Questions During Application

If you have questions when completing the application, contact:

Email: info@iowacreditunionfoundation.org

Phone: 800.860.6180