The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is offering a program designed to help nonprofit organizations strengthen their ability to fulfill their missions. This initiative provides training, peer networking, mentorship, and technical assistance funding to help organizations overcome challenges and build capacity.
The program is administered by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of IEDA, in partnership with the State Historical Society of Iowa under the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. It is open to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations located and incorporated in Iowa, which must also be registered with the Iowa Secretary of State and have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
Selected organizations will receive up to $4,500 in grant funding over a two-year period, from October 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. In the first year, funds can be used to cover costs such as travel, lodging, meals not already covered, and staff time associated with participation in workshops and mentor meetings. In the second year, the funds may support broader organizational goals aligned with the program’s mission.
All expenses must be reasonable, necessary, and directly tied to the performance of the grant. They must comply with generally accepted accounting principles and cannot be used to meet matching requirements for other state or federal programs. Full documentation of expenses and proof of purchase will be required for reporting and audit purposes.
Eligible organizations must identify as either arts-focused—where the primary mission is centered on the arts—or cultural organizations, whose purpose aligns with the humanities or interpretive sciences. The application deadline is August 26, 2025, and grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on program needs and scope.
For more information, visit IEDA.
