2025 Fund Anniversaries
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation administers more than 1,000 charitable funds that strengthen our community year after year. Many of these funds continue to grow, even as they make grants to support the work of local nonprofits. More than 150 funds will celebrate milestone anniversaries in 2025—thank you, fundholders, for your leadership through philanthropy! 35 YearsFund for Educational ExcellenceJustin…Continue Reading
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Community Foundation Seeks Chief Financial Officer
Applications are being accepted by the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation for the position of Chief Financial Officer. This position is responsible for leadership and oversight of the Community Foundation’s financial and administrative functions. This includes developing and managing a comprehensive financial strategy aligned with the Community Foundation’s mission and long-term goals. The CFO is a strategic thinker with deep…Continue Reading
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Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Approves Over $3 Million in Grants
The Board of Directors of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation recently approved over $3 million in grants to 269 nonprofit organizations. The awards include competitive Organization Support Grants, Program Support Grants, Linn County Grants, and Endowment Challenge Grants from the grant cycle in the fall of 2024; as well as distributions from donor-advised, designated, scholarship and nonprofit funds. The Community…Continue Reading
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2025 Grant Deadlines Announced
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation announces information for its 2025 grantmaking programs. The grant deadlines in 2025 will be on March 7, June 27, and September 12. Grants from the Community Foundation are awarded to nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life in Linn County. In 2025, the Community Foundation’s competitive grant programs will continue to provide support…Continue Reading
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2025 Thrive Cohort Forming Now
In 2025, the Community Foundation will continue to support Black, Brown, and Bi-racial leaders in the nonprofit sector through the Thrive Cohort. The Thrive Cohort offers relationship building, networking, and learning for nonprofit professionals to foster career development within the sector. This initiative is part of the Community Foundation’s efforts to advance racial equity by helping nonprofit organizations close the…Continue Reading
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Endow Iowa Tax Credit Update
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is still accepting applications for 2024 Endow Iowa Tax Credits. As of December 9, just $288,000 remains of the $6 million allocated to the program. Please reach out for more information on how to access these tax credits.
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Staff News
Ryan Keller Joins the Community Foundation On November 14, Ryan Keller joined the Community Foundation as Graphic and Multimedia Designer. Ryan is an experienced designer and will help bring the Community Foundation’s work to life through visual storytelling. Welcome, Ryan! Carrie Walker Promoted to Vice President of Learning Carrie Walker was recently promoted to Vice President of Learning. Carrie will…Continue Reading
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Learning Cohorts Connect Nonprofits to Resources
Over the last few years, the Community Foundation has organized several Learning Cohorts to connect nonprofit organizations and leaders to resources and each other. “These are a Nonprofit Network initiative to help Linn County nonprofits explore best practices and build connections,” said Carrie Walker, Director of Learning. “Learning cohorts provide opportunities for local nonprofit professionals to learn from experts and…Continue Reading
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Garners Receive Benjamin Franklin Award
When Les and Katrina Garner established the Mount Vernon Community Betterment Funds in 2023, it was simply another chapter in a long history of supporting the communities they love. From mentoring students and providing a welcoming space at Cornell College, to helping build a vibrant arts scene in Mount Vernon, the Garners have always gone above and beyond to help…Continue Reading
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Invest 5% for the Future
Iowans Encouraged to Include Endowed CharitableGiving in Estate Plans Over the next few decades, Baby Boomers and older generations will pass trillions of dollars in assets on to younger generations in what has become known as The Great Wealth Transfer. In a recent report, the Iowa Council of Foundations (ICOF) found that $1.8 billion will be passed down in Linn…Continue Reading
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