Free funder guide · Iowa · Last checked 16 October 2026
Which Iowa environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Iowa have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 13 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Iowa that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Of the 60 open Iowa foundations that made an environmental grant in their latest filing, most also gave to a church, a Catholic or Christian school, a YMCA or the Salvation Army, so only one private foundation is on this list. It leans on state programs, national public funders and five community foundations.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Iowa, 217 of the 359 private foundations with $1 million or more in assets tick the box on their tax return saying they don't accept unsolicited requests. That is 60%.
That leaves 142 larger Iowa foundations that say they will read an application. It is a lower share of closed doors than in Nebraska (62%, 178 of 286), Minnesota (75%, 676 of 907) and Illinois (77%, 1,722 of 2,235), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with an Iowa address on the IRS Exempt Organizations Master File (September 2026 release) reporting assets of $1 million or more, checked against its most recent e-filed Form 990-PF (tax years 2024 to 2026, mostly 2025). Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Nebraska, Minnesota and Illinois. Counting them too gives 64% (257 of 404).
What the checkbox means
One small box on the tax return tells you whether to bother.
Every private foundation files Form 990-PF with the IRS each year. Part XIV, line 2 of that return has a checkbox. A foundation that ticks it is telling the IRS, in writing, that it chooses its grantees itself. A proposal sent to it is usually wasted work.
"Check here if the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."Form 990-PF, Part XIV, line 2
A foundation that leaves the box empty has to fill in lines 2a to 2d instead: who receives applications, what form they should take, any deadlines, and any limits on who or what it funds. For many small family foundations, those four lines are the only published guidelines they have.
The box does not tell you whether a foundation funds your kind of work. For that, read line 3a, the list of grants it actually paid. Check both before you write a letter of inquiry. Any foundation's return can be read free on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
13 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Iowa.
Every funder below is secular, says it accepts applications (on its website or its tax return), and has paid grants to environmental or conservation groups in its most recent filing. Government programs are the exception: they file no tax return. Community foundations are listed by the program that fits environmental groups. Grant examples come from each funder's latest IRS filing unless the funder's own site is named.
Verified date on the funder's own site on 16 Oct 2026Expected based on last cycle; next not yet postedRolling applications any timeFiling only no website; from the tax return, confirm firstCheck site next date not posted; open their page
Statewide and regional public grantmakers
01
Iowa Department of Natural Resources: REAP Conservation Education Program
Des Moines · statewide
State REAP money for programs that teach people of all ages about the environment: workshops, field trips, classroom activities, interpretive signs, exhibits and video. Organizations, schools, colleges and agencies can apply, with preference for Iowa residents.
Typical grant
$350,000 a year in total. Small grants for pre-K to grade 12 run $1,000 to $10,000; large grants go up to $80,000 and need at least a 33 percent cash or in-kind match (Iowa Administrative Code 571-33.20).
Next deadline
Once a year, February 20 or the closest weekday (its standing rule). The next falls about February 19, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Application through the DNR's REAP grant process; the REAP grant resources sheet lists the application parts and scoring rubric.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Wildlife Diversity Grants
Des Moines · statewide
Small grants from Natural Resources license plate sales and the Chickadee Checkoff for habitat management that helps non-game wildlife, tied to Iowa's Wildlife Action Plan, plus a separate small-grants track for other wildlife diversity projects. Any organization doing wildlife conservation work in Iowa can apply.
Typical grant
Habitat management grants up to $7,500; urban habitat grants and small grants up to $5,000. No match is required (its site).
Next deadline
November 10, 2026, midnight, for all three tracks Verified.
How to apply
Online through the DNR's SlideRoom portal; each track has its own request for proposals on the page.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources: REAP Private Cost-Share Land Acquisition
Des Moines · statewide
REAP pays up to 75 percent of the appraised cost when a private conservation group helps the state buy land for habitat or outdoor recreation; the group raises the other 25 percent. The state then owns and manages the land.
Typical grant
Up to 75 percent of appraised land cost plus incidental acquisition costs (Iowa Administrative Code 571-33.18).
Next deadline
Once a year, August 15 or the closest weekday (its standing rule). The 2026 deadline has passed. Next about August 16, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
REAP application through the DNR; land trusts usually work with DNR land acquisition staff before applying.
Iowa Department of Transportation: State and Federal Recreational Trails
Ames · statewide
Two trail programs. The State Recreational Trails program pays for buying, building and improving public trails, and nonprofits can apply directly. The Federal Recreational Trails program also covers trail maintenance, trailheads and equipment; nonprofits need a government co-sponsor.
Typical grant
State program: about $2.5 million for fiscal 2027, reimbursing up to 75 percent of costs. Federal program: about $1.3 million this cycle, reimbursing up to 80 percent (its 2026 notices).
Next deadline
State program: the fiscal 2027 deadline was July 1, 2026; next about July 1, 2027 Expected. Federal program: the current cycle closed October 1, 2026; next about October 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Email the completed application to the Iowa DOT trails program contact named in each notice. Sponsors pay costs up front and are reimbursed.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund
Washington, DC · monarch range, including Iowa
Grants for monarch and native pollinator habitat: restoring breeding and migration habitat with milkweed and nectar plants, native seed supply, and technical help for farmers and other private landowners using Farm Bill programs.
Typical grant
Iowa grants in NFWF's filing for the year to September 2025, which does not name the program: Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation $177,601 (prairie restoration for monarchs), Pathfinders RC&D $86,347 (monarch habitat on farms), Prairie Rivers of Iowa RC&D $22,481.
Next deadline
The last request for proposals (2025) closed in July 2025, and no 2026 round is posted Check site.
How to apply
Proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system when a request for proposals is open.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration
Washington, DC · Iowa priority: Davenport and Clinton, Muscatine and Scott counties
Community partnerships that restore wetlands, streams and riparian habitat, build nature-based stormwater projects and involve local residents in the work. Each project needs several local partners. Iowa's priority area in the 2026 request for proposals is Davenport and three eastern counties.
Typical grant
$30,000 to $150,000, 30 to 40 grants a year, with at least a 1:0.75 match to be competitive (2026 request for proposals).
Next deadline
About June 2027 Expected. The 2026 full proposals were due June 4, 2026; the 2027 request is not posted yet.
Pays for qualified conservation nonprofits, local governments and tribes to buy private forest land outright and keep it as a community forest with public access. Conservation easements are not eligible.
Typical grant
Up to $600,000, covering at most 50% of project costs with a 50% non-federal match (its site).
Next deadline
Fiscal 2026 round: applications were due to state foresters by October 13, 2026, and that round has closed. The next round is not posted yet Check site.
How to apply
Notice of funding opportunity on Grants.gov; the application goes to the state forester (in Iowa, the DNR Forestry Bureau).
Quad Cities Community Foundation: QC River Connections and Schwiebert Fund
Bettendorf · Quad Cities (Scott, Clinton and Muscatine counties in Iowa, and three Illinois counties)
Two environmental grant programs. QC River Connections funds youth and community engagement on Mississippi River issues, such as rain gardens, river cleanups and restoration with youth groups. The Mark W. Schwiebert Fund pays for public education and research on climate change and natural resource depletion.
Typical grant
River Connections up to $20,000 ($100,000 available); Schwiebert up to $3,000 (its site). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing, which mixes donor funds with open grants: River Action $54,700, Living Lands and Waters $15,720.
Next deadline
River Connections: the 2026 deadline was September 15; next opens about August 1, 2027, due about September 15, 2027 Expected. Schwiebert: the 2026 round ran February 15 to April 30; next about February to April 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online grant system; one application per organization for River Connections. Staff offer to read drafts.
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation: Program Support and Diamond V grants
Cedar Rapids · Linn County
Program Support Grants fund programs or projects of nonprofits serving Linn County. The Diamond V donor-advised fund, which takes open applications through the foundation, lists sustainability and the environment among its priorities.
Typical grant
Program Support up to $30,000 a year; Diamond V average award $7,500 (its site). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing, which mixes donor funds with open grants: Indian Creek Nature Center $279,676, Linn County Trails Association $27,921, Iowa Valley RC&D $16,500.
Next deadline
Three deadlines a year; the 2026 dates were March 6, July 2 and September 11, all passed. 2027 dates are not posted; next about March 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Grant portal, which opens about 30 days before each deadline; applications are due at 4:30 p.m.
Community Foundation of Johnson County: Fall Community Impact Grants
Coralville · Johnson County
Five large grants a year for major projects that raise quality of life in Johnson County. Environment and animals is one of the eligible categories. Groups that won in one year sit out the next.
Typical grant
Five grants of $25,000 (its site). Environmental grants in its filing for the year to June 2025, which mixes donor funds with open grants: Bur Oak Land Trust $21,351, Trail of Johnson County $5,400.
Next deadline
Once a year. The 2026 cycle ran July 15 to August 17, 2026. Next about July to August 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application through its grants portal; it asks applicants to read the guidelines and check fit with its staff in writing or by email first.
Siouxland Community Foundation: Fund for Siouxland
Sioux City · about 50 miles around Sioux City (Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota)
Small unrestricted-fund grants for charitable projects in Siouxland, with priority for collaborative projects and new needs. The foundation lists environment among its focus areas, and past awards include nature preserve and community forest projects.
Typical grant
Generally no more than $5,000 (its site). Its published recipient list includes The Nature Conservancy $1,750 (Joy Hollow community forest), Woodbury County Conservation Foundation $5,000 and Golden Hills RC&D $1,500 (Siouxland bird guide).
Next deadline
Once a year, February 15 to May 15 at noon (its standing schedule). The 2026 round has closed. Next about February 15 to May 15, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application linked from the fund page. It does not fund general operating costs, capital campaigns or endowments.
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines: Capacity Building and Leadership Grants
Des Moines · Greater Des Moines
Not an environmental program, but open to environmental groups serving Greater Des Moines. Capacity Building Grants pay for governance and management work; Leadership Grants back larger efforts aimed at root causes of community issues.
Typical grant
Capacity Building up to $7,500; Leadership grants have typically exceeded $100,000 (2026 guidelines). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing are mostly donor-advised, for example Des Moines Park and Recreation Foundation $333,333 and The Great Outdoors Foundation $100,000.
Next deadline
Capacity Building: any time Rolling. Leadership: the 2026 letters of intent were due April 8 and October 1, both passed; next about April 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online grant portal. It asks applicants to contact its community impact staff about fit first; ask for that exchange by email.
It is not exhaustive and it is not a ranking. Deadlines and guidelines change, so open each funder's own page before you start. Grants are competitive, and past grant sizes describe what a funder gave, not what it will give you. I list secular funders only.
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