Fort Dodge Community Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The Fort Dodge Community Foundation supports quality of life, youth, the common good, economic vitality and community betterment in North Central Iowa.

IP TAKE: This is a transparent community foundation with many grantmaking priorities and an accessible application process throughout the year.

PROFILE: Established in 2007, the Fort Dodge Community Foundation (FDCF) is a community foundation based in Fort Dodge, Iowa. This philanthropic organization formed upon the merger of the United Way of Greater Fort Dodge and the Community Foundation of Fort Dodge and North Central Iowa. The foundation aims to "serve as a catalyst for charitable giving – developing charitable resources to support important community programs, services and projects that will benefit the public good and improve the quality of life of all citizens, families and youth in Fort Dodge, Webster County and North Central Iowa.” FDCF funds local efforts for quality of life, youth, the common good, economic vitality and community betterment.

Grants for Work and Economic Opportunity, Community Development, Arts and Culture, Environment, and Education

The Fort Dodge Community Foundation has a broad and all-encompassing grantmaking program that looks to make local communities great places to life, work, play and raise families. It awards grants to nonprofits, schools, hospitals, churches and government agencies. Types of funding available are donor-advised grants, discretionary grants through a competitive review process, special project grants, scholarship grants and county endowment grants. Within its main grantmaking principles, FDCF has the following grantmaking priorities:

  • Social/Human Services

  • Economic Vitality

  • Health, Healthy Lifestyles and Personal Well-Being

  • Public Safety

  • Youth Development

  • Recreation and Leisure

  • Arts, Cultural and Historical Advancement

  • Environment and Beautification

  • Education and Lifelong Learning

  • Emergency Needs

Past local grantees include Children and Families of Iowa, Foster Grandparents Program, Fort Dodge Community Schools and the Fort Dodge Community Recreation Center.

Important Grant Details

Grants range between about $10,000 and $30,000. Grantmaking focuses on the city of Fort Dodge, Webster County and Northwest Central Iowa.

This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. FDCF has an open and transparent grantmaking process and makes it grant application available on its website. Applications can also be picked up from the foundation office or sent to a nonprofit. There are no deadlines to submit an application for a competitive, discretionary grant. Foundation staff are available for grantseeker questions. Direct general questions to the staff at 515-573-3179 or to individual staff members by email.

PEOPLE:

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