Matching Grant - IBF Restoration Grant

Matching Grant - IBF Restoration Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Iowa Barn Foundation
Last Updated: February 09, 2026

Summary

The Iowa Barn Foundation's Matching Grant - IBF Restoration Grant aims to preserve Iowa's iconic barns, which are vital to the state's heritage. With over $1 million awarded in matching grants, the foundation supports barn owners in restoring structures that are at least 50 years old or hold historical significance. Projects that enhance the rural landscape receive priority, ensuring these agricultural symbols are maintained for future generations.

Overview

Note: Starting in 2025, the IBF Board will have a single grant review session in October. Our Primary Mission Barns, America's symbols of honesty, integrity, and the American dream, are disappearing from Iowa's countryside at a rapid rate. With mechanized agriculture of today, barns are no longer the center of the farm. But, they remain poignant reminders of our agricultural heritage. Founded in 1997, the Iowa Barn Foundation, an all-volunteer, all-state organization, is dedicated to preserving Iowa's rural agricultural buildings. The Iowa Barn Foundation is an Iowa non-profit corporation with tax-exempt status under paragraph 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The primary mission of the Iowa Barn Foundation is to educate the public about the significance and importance of Iowa's barns through the Iowa Barn Foundation Magazine and our Barn Tours. It raises money to provide barn rehabilitation or restoration matching grants to help property owners restore their barns. In addition, property owners who use their own funds to restore or rehabilitate barns that would otherwise qualify for a matching grant, are eligible to receive an Iowa Barn Foundation Award of Distinction. Award of Distinction icon Take a look at some of the restored barns that have been featured on the IBF Barn Tours since 2001. The Iowa Barn Foundation, in keeping with its mission to preserve Iowa's agricultural heritage, accepts economically and financially self-sustaining farms and farmland. Through the foundation's farm conservancy, these farms and farmland are saved in perpetuity for agricultural purposes according to the owner's wishes. Matching Grant - IBF Restoration Grant The Iowa Barn Foundation has awarded more than 119 matching grants, with a total of over one million dollars to property owners to help them preserve their barns. It is hoped that these grants may save many Iowa barns that otherwise might be lost. The Iowa Barn Foundation Restoration Grant is aimed at saving good barns in need of repair: a new roof, roof repair, some siding, or a repair of the foundation.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Barn owners are eligible to apply.To qualify for a Restoration Grant, the barn must be important to the landscape and the community. Some buildings may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places upon completion of work, but most of these barns will receive grants for sealing foundations, new roofs, siding, etc.Structures to be considered must meet one or more of the following criteria to be considered.The structure must be no less than 50 years old.The structure exhibits unique or distinctive methods of construction, materials, finishes or examples of craftsmanship.The structure contributes in a significant way to the appearance of the rural landscape and/or the community identity.The structure is associated with lives of persons or events significant to Iowa’s history. This is a matching grant. Any funds from the Iowa Barn Foundation must be matched by you or another source of funding. There is also an Iowa Barn Foundation Easement Agreement that must be accepted and filed before any grant can be awarded. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Applications are only accepted from active member donors of the Iowa Barn Foundation.