Grant Guidelines 

The Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation invests in local nonprofit organizations that contribute to improving the quality of life in our community.

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General Grant Guidelines

• The Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation welcomes applications for grants from nonprofit organizations, charities, health care organizations, and educational institutions that have been determined by the IRS to be exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the IRS Code.

• All applicants must complete a  grant application through GLM, and submit it with all required documents. Recurring grants for the same program are accepted.

• No grants for programs, projects or purchases that were completed prior to grant funds being awarded.

• Grants are for a period of one year.

• The Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation  primary geographic focus for support is Lee County Iowa.  Hancock County Illinois, Clark County Missouri nonprofit organization may only apply for the Eichacker / Lofton Grant.

• Successful grant applications typically address problems to be solved or opportunities to be seized in  Tri-State Area. Grant application requests are considered in the fields of arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services.

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Hellman IMPACT Grant Guidelines

• The 501(c) (3) organization must be headquartered in Lee County Iowa only. 

• The Hellman IMPACT Grant Amount is from $25,000 - $100,000.

• If awarded a Hellman Impact Grant, the organization can not apply for funding for the same project in any other Keokuk Area Community Foundation or North Lee Community Foundation grant cycle for a year.  The organization can apply with a different project in another cycle. 

• Capital Projects: Grant awards would assist organizations with the upkeep and/or repair of buildings and facilities for the purchase of new equipment and/or upgrades or the replacement of existing equipment or the purchase of new equipment and technology.

• Program Projects: a grant could be awarded to establish new programs or initiatives and/or to assist with funding the growth and expansion of existing programs and activities. 

• Administrative Support: a grant could be awarded to hire new professional staff or move an existing part-time staff person to a full-time position (for a specified period). ​

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Project Support

Community building is central to the work of the Keokuk Area Community Foundation and North Lee Community Foundation, therefore the foundations will give preference to projects that:

 

• Suggest practical approaches to community problems.

• Generate community support, both professional and volunteer.

• Demonstrate the organization’s ability to secure realistic funding.

• Strengthen a non-profit organization effectiveness or stability.

• Increase civic participation and community vitality.

• Build community connections, especially among diverse groups, and build mutual trust and reciprocity in community relationships.

• Develop an expanding pool of talented community leaders.

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Priority Funding

• Seed Grants to initiate promising new projects and programs so that those projects and programs are able to demonstrate their usefulness to the community.

• Projects that will enable non-profit and charitable agencies to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and move toward self-sufficiency.

•  Projects that address and help resolve important existing or emerging community issues and needs.

• Projects that facilitate cooperation and collaboration among organizations and communities in our area.

• Projects that identify, enhance, and expand leadership in the community through the support of charitable activities that empower individuals.

• Capital expenditures, such as construction, remodeling additions to existing buildings, and equipment purchases.

• Projects for which other grants have been approved but require matching funds for completion.

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Will Not Be Funded

The Keokuk Area Community Foundation or North Lee Community Foundation will not provide grant funds for purposes that do not directly advance your charitable purposes.

 

• Endowment or scholarship funds.

• Annual fund drives or annual giving campaigns-to reduce or erase a budget deficit or any form of a debt reduction campaign.

• Grants for political campaigns or organizations that directly or indirectly participate in a State, Local or National campaigns for any political party or cause.

• Requests to establish or maintain scholarship funds.

• Requests for specific sectarian religious purposes (however, requests from religious organizations will be considered for general community and humanitarian programs).

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