Jasper Community Foundation Grant

The Jasper Community Foundation Grant supports projects that enhance the quality of life in Jasper County, Iowa. Established in 1997, the foundation provides funding for arts, education, health, environment, and community activities. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt non-profits or governmental entities. The foundation prioritizes innovative programs that serve broad populations and discourage duplication of existing services. Grants are awarded annually based on available funds, focusing on impactful community initiatives.

The Jasper Community Foundation Purpose
The Jasper Community Foundation was established in 1997 for the purpose of accepting tax-deductible bequests and gifts in the form of cash or property from individuals, corporations and other organizations that have an interest in improving the quality of life of people residing in Jasper County, Iowa. The foundation has broad, flexible purposes assisting arts and culture, economic development, education, environment, health and human services, recreation areas and other high-impact community opportunities.
Each year the Jasper Community Foundation plans to make grant awards to worthwhile projects located in the County that are identified through a community grants application process. Grant amounts are dependent upon the allocation of funds available to the Community Foundation each fiscal year.

Eligibility

Be located in and serving primarily clients in Jasper County.
Serve a charitable purpose by enhancing the quality of life in Jasper County in such areas as arts/culture/humanities; health/education/human services; environment/animals; public/society benefits and other community activities.
To be considered for any of these funds, your organization must be a tax-exempt, non-profit entity classified by the IRS as 501(c)(3) or a 170(c)(1) governmental entity. If your organization is not a 501(c)(3), then you must have a fiscal sponsor who will be legally and financially responsible. Definitions are outlined below:
Tax-Exempt Non-Profit Entity (IRS) - Organizations must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as tax-exempt, non-profit, public charities under section 501(c)(3) or as a unit of government under Section 170(c)(1) to receive grant funding. A 501(c)(3) is a section of the Federal Tax Codes, which establishes the criteria for tax-exempt charitable organizations. Section 170(c)(1) refers to agencies that conduct activities to benefit the public-at-large, like public schools, state universities, public libraries and volunteer fire departments.
Fiscal Sponsor - An organization that is receiving money on behalf of the grant applicant and is responsible for disbursing the money for the project and maintaining appropriate documentation. This entity must by a 501(c)(3) or a 170(c)(1) unit of government in order to serve in this capacity. A fiscal sponsorship agreement must accompany the grant application if a fiscal sponsor is being used. This agreement is available within the JCF Grant Application.The Foundation makes grants to support creative and innovative programs, current or emerging charitable opportunities, services not presently offered and capital projects that enhance the quality of life in the county. Especially interesting are projects proposed by coalitions of service providers, and those likely to gain support from matching fund arrangements.
Projects funded should not represent significant duplication of initiatives already undertaken by other non-profit agencies.Low priority will be given to programs or projects which have a narrow impact or sectarian purpose.

Ineligibility

Grants are not made in support of annual operating budgets.Requests will generally be denied for crisis intervention, current budget support, elimination of deficits, reduction of debt or funding of completed projects.