Applicants must be either a public charity or a governmental entity, and more specifically as follows:

• An IRS-approved tax-exempt non-profit public charity qualifying under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") as described in IRC 501(c)(3); and furthermore, a public charity qualifying under sections 509(a), and specifically under 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) [but not 509(a)(3)]; and finally, specifically not a private foundation as described in IRC 509(a)  [see your IRS notification letter];     OR

• A school or school district applying through the local area education agency, or another governmental entity.

No grant application will be approved that is inconsistent with the charitable tax-exempt status of the Foundation.

The Foundation's geographic funding area is southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska, with the primary focus area being Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County.  A secondary area of focus includes counties that are contiguous to Pottawattamie County.  Those counties in Iowa are:  Cass, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery and Shelby; and, the Nebraska counties of Douglas, Sarpy and Washington. 

Other eligible Iowa counties are: Adams, Audobon, Carroll, Crawford, Fremont, Monona, Page, and Taylor.  Cass County in Nebraska is also an eligible county.  However, grants awarded to organizations for projects outside the contiguous counties typically will be limited to $50,000.  Proposals may be submitted by organizations from counties not listed above, but the applications may only be for projects/activities undertaken in eligible counties.

The Foundation considers grant applications covering a wide range of community needs with a focus on Community Development, Economic Development, Education, and Human and Social Needs.  Every effort will be made to maintain a reasonable balance in awarding grants to the various areas of need.

To heighten the impact of its grant making, the Foundation is especially interested in leveraging its grants by partnering with other organizations,governmental entities, and funders.

The Foundation has a special interest in funding innovative programs that address community needs as well as facilities and physical improvements that will have a lasting positive impact on the community's image and quality of life.

The Foundation is interested in leveraging its grant awards; therefore, applicants are encouraged to secure at a minimum dollar-for-dollar match for their grant requests.  In general, qualifying in-kind support shall not amount to more than 25 percent of total project costs.

Faith-based institutions (churches) may apply for funding of non-religious programming.

Proposals from individual schools, in our geographic area (see counties previously identified), must be submitted through the Green Hills Area Education Agency (formerly Loess Hills AEA-13).  Proposals for capital improvements to school property will not be considered.

The Foundation will not fund obligations incurred prior to the application (e.g., deficits, mortgages and other loans).  Proposals may include expenses for program evaluation, as well as necessary capacity-building assistance.

Applicants may contact Foundation staff for technical assistance in refining their proposals and/or navigating the grants review process.  All applicants are encouraged to attend any grant application workshops held. 

Organizations submitting proposals requesting $500,000 (and more) may be required to submit supplemental information, in addition to the normal application process, that provides detailed programmatic, financial, and organizational information pertinent to the request. 

Proposals for multi-organization collaborations must clearly identify the lead agency and/or fiscal agent for the project, and the roles/responsibilities of each institutional partner.

Grant recipients will be required to execute and return a grant award agreement within thirty days from the date they are notified of their grant award.  Recipients also will be required to submit periodic reports, and/or attend periodic meetings with Foundation staff, during and following the grant term (as stipulated in a grant award agreement contract).

INELIGIBLE PROPOSALS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

• Participating in, or intervening in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office [within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC)]. 

• Carrying out propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation [within the meaning of section 4945(d)(1) of the IRC].

• Efforts seeking to influence the outcome of any specific public election or carrying on, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drive [within the meaning of section 4945(d)(2) of the IRC].

• Making any "donative" grant (ie., re-granting) to or directly benefitting any non-tax-exempt organization or individuals (including scholarships).

• Undertaking any activity for any non-charitable purpose or to the extent that use of grant funds would constitute a "taxable expenditure" [within the meaning of section 4945(d) of the IRC] or in any other manner which would jeopardize or cause the Foundation to lose its status as an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

• Discriminating against any individual or group based on race, religious beliefs, ethnic or national origin, or otherwise legally impermissible criteria.

• Benefitting for-profit businesses.

• Supporting private foundations as described in IRC 509(a), as well as organizations qualifying under 509(a)(3).

• Funding of projects outside of southwest Iowa or eastern Nebraska.

• Benefiting church-affiliated organizations for religious purposes (however, support may be provided to non-religious programs like child-care, meal centers, etc.).

• Providing support for benefits and fundraising events, such as galas, golf tournaments, and school dinners. 

• Participating in capital campaigns for endowment or for certain educational facilities (public K-12), public safety facilities (police and fire stations), or medical facilities (including hospitals, assited living projects, nursing homes, independent care, and extended care facilities); and, public safety vehicles.

 • Funding medical research. 

• Funding hospital charity-care assistance.  

• Financing publications, films, books, seminars, symposia and conferences.  

• Funding proposals that were declined by the Foundation's board within the previous 12 months.