Community Project Funding Guide
Trees Forever is pleased to present the 2023/2024 Community Project Funding Guide. On the following page you will find an overview of potential funding resources available for community enhancement projects. We hope this guide will serve as a useful resource.
Most of the funding programs, guidelines and deadlines listed in this guide are not established by Trees Forever and may be subject to change. For up-to-date information or questions regarding a specific program we encourage you to contact the appropriate organization or agency.
The table of contents lists the various funding programs categorized according to the type of projects for which you may be seeking funding, such as streetscapes or trails. Below each category are the programs and application deadlines. Click each program title for more information about the program and its application process.
Your feedback on this funding guide and its usefulness is always welcome. Please contact us with any comments or suggestions you might have. If you know of any other available funding sources that we should add to this guide, please let us know!
Table of Contents
Downtown Streetscape
| Program Name | Deadline | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Build With Bags Grant | March 29, 2024 | Grants up to $2,000 are available to any government entity or any organization within Iowa to purchase outdoor furniture or equipment built from recycled plastic grocery bags. |
| Community Attraction and Tourism Program (CAT) | February 15, 2024 and May 15, 2024 | Funding provided to cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, or school districts to assist projects that will provide recreational, cultural, entertainment, and educational attraction to for public use. |
| Derelict Building Grant Program | February 23, 2024 | Funding to assist communities and counties in addressing derelict buildings through deconstruction, renovation/mothballing, and/or conducting environmental studies. |
| Hometown Grant Program | Spring: Applications open January – March, 2024 Summer: Applications open April – June, 2024 Fall: Applications open July – September, 2024 Winter: Applications open October – December, 2024 | The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program will help fund projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your town. For example, this might include the town square pavilion, a historic building, an outdoor park, a ball field, or a library– every town has places where friends and neighbors connect. |
| Iowa Arts Council Art Project Grant Program | Not accepting applications at this time | Grants of $1,000 to $10,000 are provided to support the creation and presentation of new artwork, development of an arts experience or formation of an arts education program; for arts projects that positively impact the vitality of the arts in the state, demonstrate public value, and support Iowa Arts Council funding priorities. |
| Destination Iowa | Pre-application due January 31, 2024 | Funding provided to support the development of new and existing infrastructure intended to cultivate the unique and authentic qualities of neighborhoods, communities and regions in Iowa. |
| Iowa Tourism Grant Program | August 2024-FY25 Application made available September 2024-Application closes November 2024-All applicants notified of status | Grants of $2,500 to $5,000 awarded to promote tourism in Iowa by funding tourism-related marketing initiatives and meetings, events, and professional development efforts that benefit local economies around the state and the state’s economy. |
| Iowa’s Statewide Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) | Check back for the next application round | Funding for surface transportation alternatives projects and initiatives that are statewide or multiregional in nature and relate to transportation. |
| Iowa Downtown Resource Center | Virtual Workshops: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 and Monday, February 5, 2024 Next applications rounds will open in early 2024. | Funding awarded to selected communities to capitalize on the unique identity, assets, and character of their historic commercial district in order to improve the social and economic well-being of these communities. |
| Paint Iowa Beautiful | February 12, 2024 | Funding provided to Iowa groups to purchase Diamond Vogel Paint for painting a wide variety of public service projects throughout Iowa. $100,000 will be awarded in 2024. |
| Pedestrian Curb Ramp Construction | Applications accepted year-round | Funding awarded to Iowa cities to assist in complying with the Americans with Disabilities act (ADA) on primary roads in Iowa. |
| People for Bikes Community Grant Program | Check back for the next application round | Grants up to $10,000 are awarded for projects with a focus on bicycling, active transportation, or community development. |
| Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) | Immediate Opportunity Projects: applications and request forms are accepted throughout the year Local Development Projects: applications and request forms are due February 1 2024 and September 1 2024 | Funding provided to assist in promoting economic development in Iowa through construction or improvements of roads and streets. Funding may be in the form of a grant, loan or combination thereof. |
| Scotts Miracle-Gro: GRO1000 Grassroots Grant | February 9, 2024 | Funding provided up to $1,000 for the creation of community gardens and green space. |
| Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP) | January 2, 2024 and July 1, 2024 (if these dates fall on a weekend, proposals must be received by 4:00pm on the next business day) | Funding provided to reduce the amount of solid waste generated and landfilled in Iowa. Project requests are broken into two groups: · Project request $10,000 or less · Project request greater than $10,000 |
| Stormwater Best Management Practices Loans | Applications accepted year-round | This program facilitates low-interest loans to private and public entities for implementing environmentally responsible strategies for stormwater management. |
| Surface Transportation Programs -Highway, Bridge, & Transit | Deadlines will vary based on RPA/MPO | This federal program was established to: · Aid public road jurisdictions with funding for roads on federal-aid routes or bridges on any public road · Provide funding for transit capital improvements · Provide funding for transportation planning activities |
Historic Preservation, Ecological Restoration & Education
| Program Name | Deadline | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Community Attraction and Tourism Program (CAT) | February 15, 2024 and May 15, 2024 | Funding provided to cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, or school districts to assist projects that will provide recreational, cultural, entertainment, and educational attraction to for public use. |
| Derelict Building Grant Program | February 23, 2024 | Funding to assist communities and counties in addressing derelict buildings through deconstruction, renovation/mothballing, and/or conducting environmental studies. |
| Destination Iowa | Pre-application due January 31, 2024 If invited to complete a full application, it must be received by March 1, 2024 | Funding provided to support the development of new and existing infrastructure intended to cultivate the unique and authentic qualities of neighborhoods, communities and regions in Iowa. |
| Iowa Native Plant Society Small Grants Program | Proposals must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2024 to be eligible for funding effective April 1, 2024. | Grants dedicated to land acquisition; inventory, restoration, and management of native remnants; native plant research; and training and education. |
| Iowa Tourism Grant Program | Application made available: August 2024 Application closes: September 2024 | Grants of $2,500 to $5,000 awarded to promote tourism in Iowa by funding tourism-related marketing initiatives and meetings, events, and professional development efforts that benefit local economies around the state and the state’s economy. |
| Iowa’s Statewide Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) | Check back for the next application round opening | Funding for surface transportation alternatives projects and initiatives that are statewide or multiregional in nature and relate to transportation. |
| Restore Iowa! Grant Program | Proposals must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2024 to be eligible for funding effective April 1, 2024. | Grants for involving youth in ecological restoration efforts. This is aimed at getting more young people out and working to restore remnant habitats in Iowa. |
Park/Open Space Acquisition
| Program Name | Deadline | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Destination Iowa | Pre-application due January 31, 2024 If invited to complete a full application, it must be received by March 1, 2024 | Funding provided to support the development of new and existing infrastructure intended to cultivate the unique and authentic qualities of neighborhoods, communities and regions in Iowa. |
| Iowa Native Plant Society Small Grants Program | Proposals must be postmarked by January 15, 2024 to be eligible for funding effective April 1, 2024. | Grants dedicated to land acquisition; inventory, restoration, and management of native remnants and habitats; native plant research; and training and education. |
| Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) | Application opens March 2024 Application deadline is June 15, 2024 | Federally-funded program that provides 50% matching funds for outdoor recreation area development and acquisition. |
| Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) – City Parks and Open Spaces | The grant application will open 90 days before the deadline. Application deadline: August 15, 2024 | 100 percent funding of parkland expansion and multi-purpose outdoor-related recreation development. |
| Resource Protection and Enhancement (REAP) – DNR Open Spaces Protection: Acquisition and Development | The grant application will open 90 days before the deadline. Application deadline: August 15, 2024 | Cost-share program that allows private conservation organizations and the DNR to jointly acquire property to help provide outdoor recreation opportunities and protect critical habitats. |
| Water Recreation Access Cost-Share Program | End of September 2024 | Funding provided for constructing or improving boat access facilities to Iowa’s lakes and streams. |
Trees & Plants
| Program Name | Deadline | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Alliant Energy Community Tree Program | Closed for Iowa, still accepting for Wisconsin | Grants up to $5,000 (per community) for community-based tree planting projects in Iowa communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service |
| Black Hills Energy Power of Trees | Closed, check back later for the next application round opening | Grants of up to $5,000 per project for community-based tree planting projects in Iowa communities that are served by Black Hills Energy. |
| Community Attraction and Tourism Program (CAT) | February 15, 2024 and May 15, 2024 | Funding provided to cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, or school districts to assist projects that will provide recreational, cultural, entertainment, and educational attraction to for public use. |
| Community Forestry Grant Program | 4:30 PM on March 1, 2024 | The Iowa Legislature appropriated state infrastructure funds to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) to be used for a community-based tree planting program for derecho recovery tree planting. |
| DOT/DNR Fund | Applications accepted year-round | Grants up to $100,000 per year provided for roadside beautification of primary system corridors with plant materials. |
| Iowa Living Roadway Trust Fund (LRTF) | Check back for next application round opening | Funding provided for Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM) related activities. |
| Iowa Native Plant Society Small Grants Program | Proposals must be postmarked by January 15, 2024 to be eligible for funding effective April 1, 2024. | Grants dedicated to land acquisition; inventory, restoration, and management of native remnants; native plant research; and training and education. |
| Iowa’s Statewide Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) | Check back for next application round opening | Funding for surface transportation alternatives projects and initiatives that are statewide or multiregional in nature and relate to transportation. |
| Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) | Application opens January 15, 2024 Application deadline is 4:30pm March 15, 2024 | Federally-funded program that provides 50% matching funds for outdoor recreation area development and acquisition. |
| Restore Iowa! Grant Program | Proposals must be postmarked by January 15, 2024 to be eligible for funding effective April 1, 2024. | Grants for involving youth in ecological restoration efforts. This is aimed at getting more young people out and working to restore remnant habitats in Iowa. |
| Scotts Miracle Gro: GRO1000 Grassroots Grant | February 9, 2024 | Funding provided up to $1,000 for the creation of community gardens and green space. |
| Stormwater Best Management Practices Loans | Applications accepted year-round | This program facilitates low-interest loans to private and public entities for implementing environmentally responsible strategies for stormwater management. |
| Trees for Schools | 4:00pm on March 22, 2024 | Grants awarded from $1,000 to $2,500 for qualified tree planting projects on publicly owned property that provide an educational component to Iowa’s students. |
| Trees Forever Miscellaneous Funding for Trees and Plants | February 1 and July 1 | Thanks to our many donors who contribute to the Trees Forever endowment, we are providing funds for projects for the from Trees Forever Foundation income. Grants are available with an emphasis on youth and underserved schools and communities. |
| Trees Please! | Not accepting applications at this time | Funding provided for tree planting projects in public areas such as parks for windbreaks and city-owned properties for energy efficiency benefits to reduce heating and cooling costs. |
| Water Recreation Access Cost-Share Program | End of September 2024 The application will open 90 days prior to the application deadline. Check back for updates ~90 days before the end of September. | Funding provided for constructing or improving boat access facilities to Iowa’s lakes and streams. |
Trails
| Program Name | Deadline | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Build with Bags Grant | March 29, 2024 | Grants up to $2,000 are available to any government entity or any organization within Iowa to purchase outdoor furniture or equipment built from recycled plastic grocery bags. |
| Community Attraction and Tourism Program (CAT) | February 15, 2024 and May 15, 2024 (subject to available funding) | Funding provided to cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, or school districts to assist projects that will provide recreational, cultural, entertainment, and educational attraction to for public use. |
| Iowa Arts and Culture Marketing Grants | Not accepting applications at this time | Iowa Arts & Culture Marketing Grants support efforts by arts and cultural organizations to remarket their reopening or to publicize the resumption of activities and steps taken to ensure a safe experience re-engaging in creative and cultural experiences |
| Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP) | Check back for next application round opening (~July 2024) | Funding for highway/street, transit, bicycle/pedestrian or freight projects or programs which help maintain Iowa’s clean air quality by reducing transportation-related emissions. Eligible highway/street projects must be on the federal-aid system, which includes all federal functional class routes except local and rural minor collectors. |
| Destination Iowa | Pre-application deadline: January 31, 2024 If invited to complete a full application, it must be received by March 1, 2024 | Funding provided to support the development of new and existing infrastructure intended to cultivate the unique and authentic qualities of neighborhoods, communities and regions in Iowa. |
| Iowa Tourism Grant Program | August 2024 – FY25 application made available (Check back in August) September 2024 – Application closes November 2024 – All applicants notified of status | Grants of $2,500 to $5,000 awarded to promote tourism in Iowa by funding tourism-related marketing initiatives and meetings, events, and professional development efforts that benefit local economies around the state and the state’s economy. |
| Iowa’s Statewide Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) | Statewide and multi-regional projects considered annually October 1. Check back for local project application deadlines. | Funding for surface transportation alternatives projects and initiatives that are statewide or multiregional in nature and relate to transportation. |
| Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) | Application opens March 2024 Application deadline is June 15, 2024 | Federally-funded program that provides 50% matching funds for outdoor recreation area development and acquisition. |
| People for Bikes Community Grant Program | Check back for next application round opening (~Fall 2024). | Funding up to $10,000 provided for projects with a focus on bicycling, active transportation, or community development. |
| Recreational Trails Program – Federal | 5:00pm on October 1, 2024. | Funding to provide and maintain motorized and non-motorized recreational trails and trail-related projects. |
| Recreational Trails Program – State | 5:00pm on July 1, 2024. | Funding to establish recreational trails for the use, enjoyment and participation of the public. |
| Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) – City Parks and Open Spaces | The application will open 90 days before the deadline. Application deadline is August 15, 2024 | 100 percent funding of parkland expansion and multi-purpose outdoor-related recreation development. |
| Stormwater Best Management Practices Loans | Applications accepted year-round | This program facilitates low-interest loans to private and public entities for implementing environmentally responsible strategies for stormwater management. |
| Surface Transportation Programs – Highway, Bridge & Transit | Highway & Transit Projects: Deadline varies by RPA/MPO | This federal program was established to: · Aid public road jurisdictions with funding for roads on federal-aid routes or bridges on any public road · Provide funding for transit capital improvements · Provide funding for transportation planning activities |
Useful Resources
District Transportation Planners’ Area of Responsibility (MPOs and RPAs)