IMPACT MATCH GRANTS

Purpose The Impact Match Grants Program provides awards ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 for one year to support larger-scale proposals that create significant impact in addressing needs of the community and the organization’s work. This grant is not renewable and requires cost-sharing or a match.

The primary focus area for the Impact Match Grants Program is Woodbury County, Iowa. However, eligible organizations operating in the adjacent Iowa counties of Cherokee, Crawford, Ida, Monona, and Plymouth; Union County, South Dakota; and Dakota County, Nebraska, are eligible to apply if their project has an impact on Woodbury County.  

Applicants seeking Impact Match Grants are advised that grant awards will not exceed 75% of the total project budget or $250,000. This grant program requires a strong, well-documented cash and in-kind match from the applicant and their collaborators, which meets or greatly exceeds the minimum 25% match required by MRHD (in-kind contributions may be used for up to half of the match). MRHD reimburses the grant award amount after the project has been completed and receipts are submitted with the Certificate of Completion form.

Eligible Organizations

Nonprofit/Tax-Exempt Organizations – must be located in Woodbury County (or one of the adjacent eligible counties*) and have proof of nonprofit/tax-exempt status, including an official Employer Identification Number (EIN) letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 

Units of Local Government – publicly owned venue, department or division of a unit of any local, county, or federally recognized tribal government, including entities that are administrative or advisory boards, philanthropic “friends” organizations, law enforcement, fire departments, municipal library, transit system, museum, or art center.

Public, Private, and Charter K-12 Schools – units with elementary and secondary schools, including individual school buildings, school system, operating departments, parent groups, student organizations, and philanthropic foundations.

Public and Private Higher Education Institutions – units within institutions of higher education, including academic departments, philanthropic foundations, student organizations, and other campus departments.

An organization may only submit one application per grant program.

An organization may not receive more than one MRHD grant award per calendar year. Please decide which MRHD grant program (Micro Grant or Impact Match Grant) is most advantageous for your organization to submit for consideration. You cannot receive an award for a Micro Grant and an Impact Match Grant in the same calendar year.

A grantee may have only two active MRHD grants (from two different years) at a time. Funding requests for new projects may be submitted once one of the two active awards has been completed and final report submitted.

Required Proof of Eligibility

Nonprofit/Tax-Exempt Organizations must upload a copy of their organization's affirmation letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or Secretary of State to confirm their nonprofit/tax-exempt status, along with a copy of their Employer Identification Number (EIN) letter from the IRS. 

Educational Institutions (public or private, K-12 or higher) must provide a letter of agreement from an authorized school official that approves the project, agrees to accept MRHD grant funds, and includes a statement of financial commitment for the required match, along with a copy of their Employer Identification Number (EIN) letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Example: Letter of Agreement from Superintendent, School Board President, or University President.

Units of Local Government must provide a letter of agreement from the chief elected official or head of the agency that approves the project, agrees to accept MRHD grant funds, and includes a statement of financial commitment for the required match, along with a copy of their Employer Identification Number (EIN) letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Example: Letter of Agreement from City Manager, Mayor, or Board of Supervisors Chairperson.

If you have any questions regarding eligibility, email: grants@mrhdiowa.org.

NOT ALLOWED:

Grants will NOT be awarded if the money goes to: 

• Other nonprofit grant programs, general funds, endowments, foundations, scholarships, capital campaigns, or as replacement monies already allocated, individuals, political action committees, lobbyists, lobbying efforts, payroll, taxes, insurance, salaries, special salaries, volunteer incentives, reimbursements, office supplies (paper, pens, pencils, envelopes, stamps, phones), general operation expenses; any entity, organization, group, or agency using an established nonprofit entity as a vehicle to obtain grant funds.

• Nonprofits that have two open MRHD grants.