Emmet County Community Foundation Grants

The Emmet County Community Foundation Grants aim to enhance the quality of life in Emmet County, Iowa, by funding projects that foster community development and engagement. These grants support various sectors, including arts, education, health, and environment, focusing on initiatives that demonstrate collaboration and volunteerism. Organizations eligible for funding must be recognized nonprofits or government entities, ensuring their projects benefit local residents and contribute to sustainable community growth.

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.
Emmet County Grants
The Emmet County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, is created by and for the people of Emmet County. The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen Emmet County communities by encouraging charitable giving to create legacies for the future. Our grants are designed to act as a catalyst for community transformation and growth, enriching the lives of area citizens.
What We Support
The Emmet County Community Foundation provides grants to improve life in Emmet County, Iowa.
Areas of Foundation giving are:

• Arts & CultureCommunity Betterment Education & Youth DevelopmentEnvironment & Animal WelfareHealthHuman Service
• Funding Priorities

High Priority is given to volunteer projects and/or those that have matching funds from other sources.Organization with offices outside of Emmet County should show how the project will benefit county residents.Maximize community resources through cooperation and collaboration with other organizations in the community and work to eliminate redundant services, programs, or projects.

Eligibility

Organizations must provide benefits to the people of the Emmet 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.For 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 Emmet 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.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 projectsA detailed project budget, including all income and expenses, must be included in the application.Projects requesting operating and salary expenses will be given low priority.

Ineligibility

Must not have any past due grant reports for previous Emmet Community Foundation grants. Restrictions:Inherently religious activities such as religious worship, instruction, or proselytization or activities that promote specific religious doctrine are not eligible.