Each year the Johnson County Board of Supervisors allocates funds to promote economic development and enhance the quality of life for its residents. The Board of Supervisors is committed to careful allocation and oversight of these taxpayer funded grants.
There are separate applications for the Economic Development grants and Quality of Life grants. Please read each grant category below and choose the program that best aligns with the intended purpose for requested funds. Then, fill out the corresponding online application form to apply. The grant applications will be open Monday, May 12 until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025.
An informational session webinar for Fiscal Year 2026 Economic Development and Quality of Life Grant Programs will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. The recording will be available on our website. Click here to register.
Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Cycle
The FY26 Economic Development and Quality of Life grant cycle will run July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Grants will be awarded per the timeline below (subject to change):
| Application Period: | Monday, May 12, 2025 - Friday, June 6, 2025, at 4:00 pm |
| Info Session Webinar (click to register): | Thursday, May 22, 2025 1:30pm – 2:30pm |
| Review Period: | Monday, June 9, 2025 - Friday, June 27, 2025 |
| Notification of Awards: | Monday, June 30, 2025 |
| Mid-Year Report Due: | Friday, January 30, 2026 |
| Final Invoices Due: | Monday, June 1, 2026 |
| Final Report Due: | Friday, July 31, 2026 |
Economic Development Grants
These grants are intended to support the general economic development goals identified in the 2022 Inclusive Economic Development Plan in Johnson County; the 2022 Johnson County Economic Development Plan: Opportunities for the Unincorporated Area, Villages and Smaller Towns; and the 2018 Johnson County Comprehensive Plan.
- Apply Now
- Eligibility Criteria
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Economic Development Grants provide operational support to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations that primarily serve Johnson County.
- Funding Amount
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A total of $105,000 is available for this program in FY26, and awards will range from $5,000 to $50,000.
- FY 26 Funding Priorities
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Competitive applications will demonstrate diverse growth, sustainability, measurable impacts, and local investments for local results.
FY26 Funding Priorities
- Housing and infrastructure access
- Rural economic development
- Agriculture, agritourism and local foods
- Business and storefront improvement
- Informational Webinar
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An informational session webinar for Fiscal Year 2026 Economic Development and Quality of Life Grant Programs will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. Click here to register.
Quality of Life Grants
Quality of Life grants provide operational and/or programming support to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations that primarily serve Johnson County. For FY26, the Board of Supervisors set a theme of Community Engagement & Events for this grant category.
Through these grants, Johnson County will support the development of community programs and events that promote Johnson County’s cultural, ethnic, and historical heritages through the development of festivals, community events, cultural programs, and tourism projects. Supported projects must be free, open to the public, and ADA compliant.
- Apply Now
- Eligibility Criteria
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Quality of Life grants provide operational and/or programming support to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations that primarily serve Johnson County. Applicants without nonprofit status are encouraged to collaborate with an eligible fiscal agent to facilitate their application.
- Funding Amount
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A total of $60,000 is available for this program in FY26, and awards will range from $1,000 to $10,000.
- FY26 Funding Priorities
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For FY26, the Board of Supervisors set a theme of Community Engagement and Events for this grant category.
Final funding decisions on FY26 Quality of Life proposals will prioritize:
- Building community
- Enhancing social and emotional parts of life
- Inclusion and belonging
- Funding Requirements
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As part of the evaluation process, Johnson County will ensure projects are financially sustainable and supported by the community. Applicants must identify other sources of funding at the time of application and must secure these additional funds by the end of the eligible funding period (June 30, 2026). Additional funds may include cash, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both.
- Collaboration and Local Engagement
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Competitive grant applications will involve collaborators, include a cultural heritage experience or learning opportunity, demonstrate public value to Johnson County residents through deliberate public engagement and access to project activities, and support local jobs. Applicants without nonprofit status are encouraged to collaborate with an eligible fiscal agent to facilitate their application.
- Eligible Costs
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Eligible grant request expenses include direct project costs such as:
- Access accommodations (e.g., audio description, sign-language interpretation, closed or open captioning, large-print brochures/labeling)
- Artist fees (e.g. performance time)
- Marketing (e.g. print material, advertising, design fees)
- Materials (e.g. paint, costumes, props)
- Fiscal sponsor administrative fees (maximum 10% of overall award)
- Rentals (e.g. facilities, space, stages, lighting/sound, scissor lift, portable restrooms, etc.)
- Supplies
- Ineligible Costs
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Expenses that fall outside of the eligible expenses identified above may not be included as part of the grant request. Ineligible grant request expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Alcohol or supplies to make alcoholic beverages
- Budget shortfalls
- Capital expenditures, including the purchase of fixed assets or tangible personal property, including information technology systems.
- Collection, maintenance or restoration expenses
- Costs for the creation of new organizations
- Costs of goods for resale, including concessions or promotional merchandise such as clothing or items purchased for sale
- Deficit or debt reduction
- Donations or contributions to other organizations
- Expenses incurred prior to or after the eligible funding period
- Fundraising or benefit activity expenses
- Personnel Costs
- Prizes and awards
- Purchase and/or use of gift cards and gift certificates to support project costs
- Unallowable expenses for federal awards as defined in 2CFR 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles
- Informational Webinar
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An informational session webinar for Fiscal Year 2026 Economic Development and Quality of Life Grant Programs will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. Click here to register.
FY25 Final Grant Reports (Current Grantees)
FY25 Final Reports are due Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Grantees must download the pdf report form for their grant program (available soon), fill it out, and submit their reports on the eCivis grant portal as an Activity Report.
For further instructions and assistance, email [email protected].
Past Grant Recipients
- Fiscal Year 2025-$299,866 Awarded
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Economic Development
$57,146 Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa
$38,680 Dream City
$44,500 Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County
$5,000 Swisher Economic Alliance
$40,000 Wright House of Fashion
Quality of Life
$23,760 Bur Oak Land Trust
$5,000 Friends of Coralville Lake
$20,900 Houses into Homes
$22,400 IC Compassion (Global Food Project)
$30,000 Iowa City Bike Library
$2,500 Iowa City Sober Living: A Recovery Home for Women
$5,000 Johnson Clean Energy District
$5,000 Johnson County Chapter of Pheasants Forever #230
- Fiscal Year 2024-$300,000 Awarded
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Economic Development
$90,000 Field to Family
$10,000 Kalona Regenerative Network
$84,050 South of 6 Iowa City Business District
$24,450 Wright House of Fashion
Quality of Life
$1,500 City of North Liberty
$15,000 The Englert Theater
$5,000 FilmScene
$40,000 Iowa City Bike Library
$20,000 Johnson Clean Energy District
$5,000 Lower Cedar Watershed Management Authority
$5,000 Public Space One
- Fiscal Year 2023- $374,114 Awarded
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Economic Development
$125,000 Field to Family Website
$85,000 Iowa City Area Development Group Website
$50,000 Multicultural Development Center of Iowa Website
$15,114 Workplace Learning Connection at Kirkwood Website
Quality of Life
$9,000 Bur Oak Land Trust Website
$40,000 Iowa City Bike Library Website
$20,000 Johnson County Historical Society Website
$10,000 Lower Cedar Watershed Management Authority Website
Quality of Life Libraries
$9,000 Antelope Lending Library Website
$11,000 Oxford Public Library Website
- Fiscal Year 2022- $412,020 Awarded
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Economic Development$82,520 Field to Family Website$71,530 Iowa City Area Development Group Website$89,400 Johnson County Agricultural Association WebsiteQuality of Life$21,000 Iowa City Bike Library Website$62,430 Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center Website$8,650 Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature Website$20,000 Johnson County Historical Society Website$1,000 Lower Cedar Watershed Management Authority WebsiteQuality of Life Libraries$7,060 Antelope Lending Library Website$2,000 Lone Tree Community School Library Website$11,000 Oxford Public Library Website$7,000 Springmier Community Library Website
- Fiscal Year 2021- $391,795 Awarded
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Economic Development$81,367 Field to Family Website$65,000 Iowa City Area Development Group Website$93,000 Johnson County Agricultural Association WebsiteQuality of Life$8,628 Iowa City Bike Library Website$60,300 Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center Website$8,075 Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature Website$20,000 Johnson County Historical Society WebsiteQuality of Life Libraries$7,000 Antelope Lending Library Website$2,000 Lone Tree Community School Library Website$11,000 Oxford Public Library Website$7,000 Springmier Community Library Website
- Fiscal Year 2020- $1,013,090 Awarded
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Economic Development$73,665 Field to Family Website$65,000 Iowa City Area Development Group Website$103,000 Johnson County Agricultural Association WebsiteQuality of Life$630,000 Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County Website$8,500 Iowa City Bike Library Website$60,000 Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center Website$7,500 Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature Website$20,000 Johnson County Historical Society WebsiteQuality of Life Libraries$2,000 Lone Tree Community School Library Website$7,000 Oxford Public Library Website$7,000 Springmier Community Library Website
- Fiscal Year 2019- $501,141 Awarded
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Economic Development
$83,107: Field to Family Food Hub - Website
$14,136: Field to Family Food Label - Website
$100,000: Good will of the Heartland - Website
$56,000: Iowa City Area Development Group - Website
$103,000: Johnson County Agricultural Association - Website
$10,098: Workplace Learning Connection at Kirkwood Community College - Website
Quality of Life$4,700: Antelope Lending Library - Website
$17,000: Iowa City Bike Library - Website
$60,000: Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center - Website
$6,600: Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature - Website
$15,500: Johnson County Historical Society - Website
$15,000: Rural Health and Safety of Greater Johnson County- Website
Quality of Life Libraries$2,000 Lone Tree Community School Library Website$7,000 Oxford Public Library Website$7,000 Springmier Community Library Website - Fiscal Year 2018- $310,205 Awarded
Economic Development
$103,000: Johnson County Agricultural Association - Website
$20,000: Grow Johnson County - Website
$56,000: Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group - Website
$7,213: Workplace Learning Connection at Kirkwood Community College - Website
Quality of Life
$18,000: Johnson County Historical Society - Website
$15,000: Rural Health and Safety Clinic of Greater Johnson County- Website
$60,000: Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center - Website
$5,000: Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature - Website
Quality of Life Libraries
$7,000: Oxford Public Library - Website
$12,992: Swisher Community Library - Website
$2,000: Lone Tree Community Library - Website
$4,000: Springmier Community Library Website
- Fiscal Year 2017- $342,721 Awarded
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Economic Development
$52,500: Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group - Website
$3,000: Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development - Website
$145,000: Johnson County Agricultural Association - Website
$6,500: Workplace Learning Connection at Kirkwood Community College- Website
Quality of Life$16,000: Grow Johnson County - Website
$59,244: Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center - Website
$3,500: Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature - Website
$21,000: Johnson County Historical Society - Website
$4,000: KICI Radio at Uptown Bills - Website
$10,000: Rural Health and Safety Clinic of Greater Johnson County- Website
Quality of Life Libraries
$2,000: Springmier Community Library Website
$2,000: Lone Tree Community Library - Website
$7,000: Oxford Public Library - Website
$11,000: Swisher Community Library - Website - Fiscal Year 2016- $299,265 Awarded
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Economic Development
$95,000: Johnson County Agricultural Association - Website
$3,000: Johnson County Food Policy Council- Website
$50,000: Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group - Website
$6,544: Workplace Learning Connection at Kirkwood Community College- Website
Quality of Life$3,000: Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature - Website
$25,000: Johnson County Historical Society - Website
$17,000: Rural Health and Safety Clinic of Greater Johnson County- Website
$59,244: Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center - Website
$2,500: Solon Senior Advocates, Inc - Website
$20,000: Grow Johnson County - Website
Quality of Life Libraries
$2,000: Springmier Community Library Website
$2,000: Lone Tree Community Library - Website
$7,000: Oxford Public Library - Website
$7,000: Swisher Community Library - Website - Fiscal Year 2015- $311,524 Awarded
Economic Development
$95,000: Johnson County Agricultural Association - Website
$6,500: Workplace Learning Connection at Kirkwood Community College- Website
$5,000: Johnson County Food Policy Council- Website
$50,000: Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group- Website
Quality of Life
$59,224: Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center- Website
$15,000: Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development (IVRCD)- Website
$500: Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature- Website
$38,300: Johnson County Historical Society- Website
$17,000: Rural Health and Safety Clinic of Greater Johnson County- Website
$7,000: Community Corrections Improvement Association (CCIA)- Website
$2,000: Springmier Community Library Website
$2,000: Lone Tree Community Library- Website
$7,000: Oxford Public Library- Website
$7,000: Swisher Community Library- Website
Other Johnson County Grant Opportunities
Please explore our Social Services Grants
The Board of Supervisors approved new grant programs for FY25, which staff will develop in the next year. More information will be posted here as it becomes available.
City Catalyst Grant Program
Eligible applicants will be cities in Johnson County seeking matching funds for state or other grant applications.
Emerging Organizations Grant Program
Eligible applicants will be new or small nonprofits in Johnson County with limited experience finding and securing grant opportunities.