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Grants Application

CFHC Foundation Board Annual Awards Events, 2026

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Community Grant

Impactful Grant

Related Pages

Grants Overview

Final Reports

Community Grant Applications

The 2026–2027 Community Grant Cycle opens September 4th!

Check back then for application details, guidelines, and submission links. We look forward to supporting the impactful work of local organizations across Hancock County.

Community Foundation of Hancock County Grant

The Community Foundation of Hancock County (an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines) provides annual grant funding for community betterment projects located in Hancock County. The Foundation focuses on Quality of Life/Community Betterment, Arts and Culture, Education/Lifelong Learning, and Community/Economic Development.

  • Maximum Grant Amount: Up to $7,500

  • Application Deadline: November 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

  • Award Announcements: Late December 2026 or early January 2027

  • Grant Ceremony: March 4, 2027 (a representative from the organization must be present to receive the grant)

  • Submission Methods:

    • Online portal via www.communityfoundationhancockcountyiowa.com

    • In-person or mail delivery (1 signed original + 5 physical copies) to:

      Community Foundation of Hancock County

      Attn: Ellen Tusha

      Hancock County Extension Office

      327 West 8th Street, Garner, IA 50438

  • Contact: Ellen Tusha | 641-860-1708 | hancockcounty@desmoinesfoundation.org

Eligibility

  • Eligible Entities:

    • IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations

    • Section 170(b) units of government

    • Religious organizations (for non-religious community projects only)

  • Location Constraint: Projects must be located within and directly benefit Hancock County.

  • Prior Grant Recipient Requirement: Previous funding recipients must have submitted their final report or an official project extension form to be eligible for current funding.

  • Application Completeness: Applications must be fully filled out (including the budget page) and legible if handwritten. Incomplete submissions will be excluded from consideration

Apply for the CFHC Grant

Impactful Grant Application

The Community Foundation of Hancock County is accepting applications for its Impactful Grant Application.

  • Maximum Grant Amount: Requests of up to $25,000 will be considered.

  • Application Deadline: November 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

  • Project Completion Deadline: Projects must be completed and the final report submitted on or before the last Friday in October 2027.

  • Submission Methods: Applications must be submitted via one of two accepted methods (all other submission methods will not be accepted or considered):

Eligibility

  • Eligible Entity Types:

      • 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organizations (must provide a copy of the current IRS Exemption Declaration Letter).

      • 170(c)(1) Local Government Agencies.

      • Organizations without the required IRS status must utilize a Fiscal Sponsor.

    • Required Attachments & Documentation:

      • Copy of current IRS Declaration Letter for 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsor documentation.

      • List of the Board of Directors with email addresses.

      • Letters of commitment from project partners (if applicable).

      • Detailed line-item project budget, including quotes for items/purchases, bids for contract work, and matching/in-kind fund details.

    • Optional Materials: Photos describing the project and general letters of support.

    • Grant Conditions:

      • Awarded funds must be used exclusively for the purpose outlined in the application and grant award letter unless written approval is granted.

      • Recipients must acknowledge the grant publicly via publications/social media and allow CFHC to use project details in their publicity.

Criteria Required

  • Demonstrated Community Impact
    • Projects must address a pressing need or opportunity within the county and have a clear, measurable impact that improves the well-being of residents.
  • Long-Term Sustainability
    • Initiatives should include plans for maintaining benefits beyond the grant period, such as securing future funding, engaging ongoing community support, or creating self-sustaining programs.
  • Leverage of Resources
    • Preference will be given to projects that maximize the Foundation’s investment by leveraging additional resources, such as matching grants, volunteer involvement, in-kind contributions, or collaboration with other organizations.
  • Collaboration and Partnerships
    • Proposals that demonstrate strong partnerships with other community organizations, local governments, businesses, or stakeholders to achieve shared goals are encouraged.
  • Alignment with County Foundation Goals
    • Projects must align with the Foundation’s mission to inspire community giving and enhance the quality of life for all county residents.
  • Innovative and Forward-Thinking
    • Priority will be given to proposals that bring creative or innovative solutions to address challenges or seize opportunities in the community.
  • Inclusivity and Equity
    • Initiatives should promote inclusivity and seek to benefit diverse populations, particularly underserved or marginalized groups, fostering a sense of belonging and equality.
  • Evidence of Need and Readiness
    • Applicants must clearly demonstrate the community need for their project, supported by data, testimonials, or case studies, and show readiness to implement the initiative upon receiving funds.
  • Specific, Achievable Goals and Outcomes
    • Proposals must outline clear objectives with measurable outcomes and include a timeline for achieving these goals.
Apply for the Impactful Grant

Roger Berger Grant for the Arts Application

Roger Berger was passionate about the arts, especially Opera. As part of his legacy, he established a fund to enhance the community’s access to Opera and other cultural programs. 

Grant Information:

  • Applications must be submitted by at least two nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) organizations, collaborating on the project/programming to benefit all citizens in Hancock County.
  • The project/program must have a focus on community Arts and Culture, with a preference to promote and share Opera with the citizens of Hancock County. This may include live performances, educational sessions and other similar programming.
  • Applicants are encouraged to be creative, bold and innovative.
  • Projects/programs should provide a positive experience for all involved.
  • This may be a multi-year project/program, i.e.: establishing an annual Opera performance event for the community. We will consider funding for up to three (3) years, to establish the project/program.
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Apply for a Roger Berger Grant

Final Reports

Final grant reports are to be submitted to the Community Foundation of Hancock County upon completion of the project or by October 30 of the following year.

Reports should provide a clear overview of the completed project and its impact on the target population and broader public benefit. Please include impact stories, photos, and testimonials when possible. The Foundation may use this information for promotional materials or on its website.

Final Report Forms
We're Here to Help
Need Help Deciding?

Our board of directors is always ready to help each donor choose the best grant option for them. We understand there are lots of options, and we want to help you choose what fits best with your goals. Fill out the form here, or contact us using our other channels to get started applying for a grant!