The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is currently accepting applications for its Country School Grant Program to assist in the preservation and maintenance of a one-room or two-room country school.
Donor Name: Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State: Iowa
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/01/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The following items apply to all projects funded through HRDP. OR 5TH BULLET HTA DENA
- The Resource Enhancement and Protection/Historical Resource Development Program (REAP/HRDP) is funded by the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP). The purpose of the REAP/HRDP Grants Program is to provide funds to preserve, conserve, interpret, enhance, and educate the public about the historical resources of Iowa.
- All projects must involve Iowa’s historical resources. Non-residents may apply if the project resource is located in Iowa.
- All projects involving personal property must, upon request, document a legal relationship to the property and/or owner agreement to the project.
- Funded projects will encourage and support the economic and cultural health and development of the state and the communities in which the resources are located.
- The Country School grant program is a small program, with up to $25,000 allocated to it each year. The maximum award to any one applicant is $5,000 per year.
- Country School grants are intended for the preservation of one-room and two-room buildings once used as country schools in Iowa.
Project Types
- The project must involve a building that once served as a one or two room school building.
- The following broad project types can be funded with Country School Program grants:
- Acquisition and development of historical resources
- Preservation and conservation of historical resources
- Interpretation of historical resources
- Professional training and educational programs on the acquisition, development, preservation, conservation and interpretation of historical resources.
Grant Categories
All funded projects must fall within one of the following grant categories.
- Documentary Collections
- Historic Preservation
- Museums.
Funding Information
The Country School grant program is a small program, with up to $25,000 allocated to it each year. The maximum award to any one applicant is $5,000 per year.
Grant Period
July 1, 2026-November 30, 2028.
Eligibility Criteria
The following entities are eligible to receive Country School Grant Program funds:
- Nonprofit corporations
- Government units (Only governmental units that are considered Certified Local Governments (CLGs) in good standing can apply in the historic preservation category).
- Traditional tribal societies and governments of recognized resident American Indian tribes in Iowa
- Individuals
- Private corporations and businesses.
For more information, visit Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
