The Black Hawk County COVID-19 Cooperative Disaster Response Fund provides grant support to organizations assisting in the response and recovery efforts of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The intent of the fund is to be responsive to nonprofits serving Black Hawk County that are providing basic needs services and organizations working with individuals and families who have been disproportionately impacted by the public health and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

This fund of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa was made possible through a collaboration of Black Hawk County funders.

Funding Preferences and Priorities

The initial funding priorities will be as outlined: 

• Organizations providing basic needs services to communities already vulnerable before the pandemic, or who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic and the impact of the resulting public health measures on finances and service availability.
• Organizations providing any services to such vulnerable or disproportionately affected populations.

Examples of Priorities may include:

• Nonprofits that are growing their capacity during the pandemic to meet increased human needs-staffing, services and equipment.
• Childcare agencies dealing with increased costs and demands due to the pandemic in order to maintain and encourage safe environments for children and families.
• Agencies providing basic human needs of community members.
• Organizations providing COVID-19 related case management services – coordinated efforts to maximize efficiency.

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations must provide benefits to the residents of Black Hawk County and must meet the following criteria in order to apply for a grant: 

• Be classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or be a government entity.
• Be current with all state and federal reporting requirements.
• Must not have any past due grant reports for previous CFNEIA grants. Requests submitted through a fiscal sponsor are not eligible.

Restriction

In addition to the eligibility requirements, the following restrictions also apply: 

• Requests should be a minimum of $1,000.
• Inherently religious activities such as religious worship, instruction, or proselytization or activities that promote specific religious doctrine are not eligible.
• Requests for partisan political or lobbying activities are not eligible.
• Operational requests from other foundations are not eligible. Agencies can submit one application at a time with the following frequency limitations:
  • Agencies that are successful in receiving a grant can resubmit after 6 weeks of the initial submission.
  • Agencies that are unsuccessful in securing a grant can resubmit after 4 weeks of the initial submission or by invitation from the Community Foundation.

For more information, visit Community Foundation.