The Kossuth County Community Foundation offers grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life in Kossuth County, Iowa. This initiative is part of the foundation's broader mission to support local communities and attract additional funding through various giving options. The foundation focuses on creating sustainable and vibrant communities where residents want to live, with particular attention to rural areas. The foundation's funding priorities encompass a range of areas, including arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, health, and human services.

The primary purpose of the Kossuth County Grants is to address community needs and foster broad-based support for projects that benefit the community as a whole. The foundation seeks proposals that demonstrate collaboration among organizations, maximize community resources, and ensure the sustainability of the proposed projects. The foundation encourages applicants to leverage funding from other sources and to present projects that can effectively grow the capacity of their organizations.

Grants from the Kossuth County Community Foundation are available for amounts less than $1,000. Organizations eligible to apply must provide benefits to the residents of Kossuth County and must be classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or a government entity. Tax-exempt organizations that do not fall under the 501(c)(3) classification may also apply if their projects are deemed charitable. Additionally, applicants must be current with all state and federal reporting requirements and must not have any overdue grant reports from previous Kossuth County Community Foundation grants.

The application process requires that all submissions be completed by the specified deadline using the online application system provided by the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. Organizations that do not meet the eligibility criteria may still submit a request through a fiscal sponsor, which must also be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a government entity. The fiscal sponsor must have a mission that closely aligns with the project being proposed and will be legally and financially responsible for any awarded funds.

Evaluation of grant applications will be based on several criteria, including the extent to which the proposal addresses community needs, the level of community support, the capacity of the applicant organization, and the sustainability of the project. The foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate collaboration and the effective use of community resources.

The deadline for submitting applications for the Kossuth County Grants is October 15, 2024. Interested applicants should ensure that they meet all eligibility requirements and prepare their proposals in accordance with the guidelines provided by the foundation. For further information, applicants can contact Dotti Thompson via email or phone.