Open Call for Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund (Iowa)

They are always looking to support new and innovative ideas and efforts that can have measurable impact on the residents and communities in Wapello County. Further purposes of the Bright Ideas Community Enrichment Fund include, but are not limited to, providing for the promotion of and expanding access and distribution of human services, recreational programming, art, cultural, and humanities needs and issues of the Wapello County.

Eligible projects for this program will range in size from $2,500 to $30,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applying organization must be an IRS designated 501(c)(3) not for profit providing services in Wapello County. Priority is given to programs and projects most likely to have a positive impact on area residents. The Legacy Foundation will fund only single year grants, no multiple year grants will be funded through this program.
• In reviewing grant applications, the foundation gives careful consideration to:
  • Programs and projects that are unique, creative and without duplicative services
  • Programs and projects which are responsive to basic human needs
  • Programs and projects which promote inclusiveness and diversity
  • Programs and projects which connect individuals and families to their community; particularly those programs and projects that advance the Foundation’s strategic priorities of economic prosperity, educational opportunities, quality of life and housing availability.
  • Potential impact of the grant and the number of individuals in the area who will benefit
  • The ability of the organization to obtain the necessary additional funding to implement the project and to provide or obtain ongoing funding after the grant has been expended
  • The possibility of using the grant to match funds from other sources
  • Larger grant requests (those above $20,000) are recommended to have a minimum of a 25% funding match

Ineligible

Application submission to the Bright Ideas Community Enrichment fund will not be considered:

• To individuals or for profit organizations
• For event sponsorships
• To organizations that do not have a 501(c)3 status
• To organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender or sexual orientation
• To programs that do not fall within the specified geographic region
• To sectarian religious activities or direct political lobbying
• For debt reduction
• From organizations that have not completed a requested follow-up report or evaluation form from a previous grant award
• From organizations whose values do not align with those of the Foundation