Education & Literacy Grants in Iowa

Explore verified institutional foundations, typical award distributions, and active grantmakers supporting education programs across Iowa.

Total Capital Deployed
$5.27B

Across 68,754 verified foundation awards

Typical Grant Size
$76,632

Median award for education in Iowa

Open to New Applicants
67%

Of active education foundations accept unsolicited proposals

Education & Literacy Grant Funding Landscape in Iowa

Nonprofits focused on Education & Literacy in Iowa received $5.27B across 68,754 verified foundation grants over recent tax filings. The typical (median) education grant in Iowa is $76,632, though awards range from smaller $5,000–$25,000 community programming grants up to multi-million-dollar institutional and endowment commitments.

Major Iowa funders actively supporting education initiatives include The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Leona M and Harry B Helmsley, Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston INC, alongside national foundations funding Iowa organizations, youth initiatives, and community programs. Of the active institutional grantmakers funding education in Iowa, 67% accept unsolicited grant proposals from new applicants, offering immediate funding opportunities for growing 501(c)(3) organizations.

Top Funded Cities in IowaBy Total Capital
Iowa City3,649 grants awarded
$1.27B
Ames2,743 grants awarded
$873.3M
Boone3,844 grants awarded
$596.2M
Des Moines8,077 grants awarded
$413.7M
West Burlington141 grants awarded
$185.6M
Grant Size Distribution TiersBy Grant Count
Grassroots & Seed (<$25,000)80%
Ideal for emerging nonprofits, project pilots, and local programming
Mid-Tier & Capacity ($25K – $100K)13%
Core operational funding, staff expansion, and multi-year programs
Major Endowments ($100,000+)6%
Capital campaigns, statewide initiatives, and major institutional grants
Top Institutional Foundations Funding Education & Literacy in IowaRanked by annual charitable capital distribution • Form 990-PF & Community Foundations
FoundationHeadquartersAnnual GivingTypical GrantApplication StatusAction
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
EIN: 226029397
Princeton, NJ$622.6M$40KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The Leona M and Harry B Helmsley
EIN: 137184401
New York, NY$440.9M$399KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston INC
EIN: 042103559
Boston, MA$273.6M$27KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The Michael J Fox Foundation
EIN: 134141945
New York, NY$201.5M$426KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
American Heart Association INC
EIN: 135613797
Dallas, TX$198.2M$20KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
EIN: 131930701
Bethesda, MD$189.6M$150KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
EIN: 132607374
Washington, DC$175.8M$22KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The Harold W Siebens Charitable
EIN: 133666768
Cedar Rapids, IA$10.9M$85KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Washington County Riverboat
EIN: 201730015
Washington, IA$4.4M$41KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Cedar Falls Schools Foundation
EIN: 204287931
Cedar Falls, IA$3.2M$3.2MAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Palo Alto Cty Gaming Develop Corp
EIN: 043798129
Emmetsburg, IA$2.1M$27KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Northwest Iowa Christian Schools
EIN: 205284178
Sheldon, IA$2.1M$76KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Heart of Iowa School Tuition
EIN: 205286383
Urbandale, IA$1.6M$76KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Carleen and Eugene Grandon
EIN: 201134857
Cedar Rapids, IA$1.5M$50KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Walton Family Foundation INC
EIN: 133441466
Bentonville, AR$1K$650Invitation OnlyView Profile →
Showing verified grantmakers • Commercial DAFs & university endowments excludedView all in Iowa directory →

Frequently Asked Questions About Education & Literacy Grants in Iowa

How much grant funding is available for education in Iowa?

Over $5.27B has been deployed across 68,754 verified foundation grants in Iowa according to recent Form 990-PF and 990 filings.

What is the typical education grant size in Iowa?

The median grant award is approximately $76,632. However, local grassroots initiatives often receive $5,000–$25,000, while regional endowments can exceed $250,000+.

Which foundations in Iowa accept unsolicited proposals?

Approximately 67% of verified institutional grantmakers funding education in Iowa accept unsolicited applications without a pre-existing relationship.

How can my nonprofit find foundations that match our mission?

Use NPO Grant to analyze peer award ledgers in Iowa, identify foundations with active giving history in your city, and contact verified program officers directly.