Witwer Trust Grant Program

The Witwer Trust Grant Program is currently closed. The next grant cycle begins November 1. 

Witwer Trust grant applications must be submitted online through this website between November 1 and December 9. Paper, email, or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Link to Application

The link to the application is active only during the grant cycle from November 1 - December 9.

Eligibility Criteria

Witwer Trust grants will be made only to non-profit organizations that are located in Linn County, Iowa or that have a branch location in Linn County and whose work benefits Linn County residents. Proof of non-profit status is required. Applicants who have not submitted the required final report for previous Witwer Trust grants are not eligible for funding. Due to legal restrictions, Iowa Code Section 331.901(5),organizations under ecclesiastical or sectarian management are not eligible for Linn County grant funds.

Types of Projects Eligible

Grant funds must be used for programs or projects that benefit Linn County residents. Requests for programmatic and capital projects are eligible; requests for operating support are not. Grants must be for expenses that have not yet been incurred.

Proposals

Only one application is allowed per organization. If an organization submits more than one grant application, all applications submitted by that organization will be deemed ineligible for grant funds and will not be reviewed.

Only one proposal is allowed per organization, and only one project is allowed per proposal. If an organization submits a proposal requesting funding for more than one project, the proposal will be deemed ineligible and will not be reviewed.

To ensure fairness for all, applications that are incomplete, do not follow the guidelines, or miss the deadline will not be reviewed.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to save a copy of their grant application for their own records by saving it electronically to their own device or printing a copy prior to submitting the application online. 

Grantee Requirements

• Grant funding must be used for the project described in your application. If you find you need to use the funding for other purposes, you must request permission in writing prior to doing so.
• The Board of Supervisors may request a representative from your organization attend a public meeting to relate progress toward the completion of your project at any time.
• Media releases, annual reports, and materials printed with grant funds should credit the Linn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust. Please contact the Linn County Communications Director for a logo for such materials.
• A final report is required. A final report form will be sent to grant recipients and is available on this website. Documentation of grant expenses is required. Documentation can include copies of receipts or copies of paid invoices. This information is due to Linn County by November 1 following the grant award. Organizations that fail to meet this requirement will be ineligible for future Witwer Trust grants.

Evaluation Criteria

Grant applications will be scored based on how well they meet the following objectives:

• Has potential for long-term impact
• Serves a broad segment of the population or those at risk
• Addresses an emerging need or provides a solution to an existing community and/or organizational need
• Clearly describes project goals
• Demonstrates sound financial plans for future funding of the project / program
• Project developed in collaboration with other organizations rather than duplicate services

FAQs

 A list of Frequently Asked Questions is available to the right on this page.

The Linn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust Grant Program receives more funding requests than it can possibly grant. If support of a worthwhile program is declined, this decision does not reflect on the value of the group or service, but rather on the need to be selective because resources are limited.

Funding decisions are made a few weeks after the grant submittal process is closed.