Rural YMCA Grant Program
Strengthening Iowa's Communities
The Rural YMCA Grant Program provides a total of $250,000 in awards to support facility infrastructure improvements at YMCA locations in rural Iowa communities. Funding for the program is made possible by an annual appropriation from the Iowa Legislature to the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Awards
Grant requests must be between $10,000 and $100,000, and applicants are required to provide a cash match that is a minimum of 50% of the total grant amount requested.The cash match must be secured, dedicated to eligible facility infrastructure expenses, a legitimate part of the proposed facility infrastructure project and expended within the eligible funding period (January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027). The match requirement may be raised through a combination of public and private sources but may not include in-kind donations of goods or services, unsecured funding, loans or other state of Iowa funding.
Eligible projects
Infrastructure projects must involve the renovation or maintenance of existing YMCA facilities — as defined by the Iowa Code 8.57 — that are located in the applicant city for the purpose of fulfilling a social need related to youth development, healthy living or social responsibility. All projects and incurred expenses must begin and end within the funding period of January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. Such activities could include:- Construction
- Land acquisition
- Major renovation or routine, recurring maintenance of building or appurtenant structure
- Site development
Ineligible projects
- Lease of building, appurtenant structure or utility without lease-purchase agreement
- Operating expenses
- Ongoing utilities
- Standalone design or planning phase
Payment process
Disbursements will be made on a reimbursement basis by calculating a grant to total project cost ratio. The reimbursement process is designed to allow state funds to be released at approximately the same rate as the state’s participation in the total project. No advance disbursements will be allowed. Grantees will be required to provide documentation to the authority establishing the costs incurred and the successful completion of all necessary transactions.In addition, applicants are required to submit an annual report in October of each year of their project, with a final report due no later than February 1, 2028.
Who Qualifies?
- A YMCA that is a member of the association of the YMCA of the USA and in compliance with the YMCA National Constitution.
- A federally tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated and physically located in an Iowa city with a population of less than 28,000, as determined by the 2020 U.S. census.
- YMCAs with projects that demonstrate commitment to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
How Do I Apply?
Apply online by 11:59 p.m. November 21.Iowa Economic Development Authority staff will review all submissions. Applicants will be notified of funding award decisions by December 20.