The Iowa Community Cultural Grant is a state-funded program designed to enhance the vibrancy of Iowa communities through support for festivals, music, drama, cultural programs, and tourism projects. These initiatives are intended not only to preserve and promote the state’s cultural, ethnic, and historical heritage but also to stimulate job creation and economic development within Iowa communities. The program is administered by the Iowa Arts Council under the Iowa Economic Development Authority and also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, local or county government units, and federally recognized tribal councils that are physically located in Iowa or in qualifying border communities per the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Border State Policy. Organizations must be registered with the Iowa Secretary of State, maintain a staffed office within Iowa, and either hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or apply through a fiscal agent. Furthermore, applicants must be established for the promotion of arts, culture, history, ethnicity, historic preservation, tourism, festivals, economic development, or libraries.

The application process requires submission through an online platform by April 22, 2025. All applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the FY 2026 Community Cultural Grant Program Guidelines, which provide comprehensive information on eligibility, allowable uses of funds, required reporting, the review process, application questions, and the scoring rubric used for evaluation.

Support is available for applicants throughout the process. Jon Berg, Program Manager, is the primary point of contact for application-related inquiries and is available for consultation by appointment. After the grant period concludes, recipients must complete a final report detailing the outcomes and impact of their funded project.

This grant program serves as a key resource for Iowa communities aiming to celebrate their cultural assets while driving local economic activity through creative and tourism-based initiatives.