The Trustees Of Grinnell College - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Community Giving: Approximately $40,000-$60,000 (Mini-Grant Program)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks per cycle
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $7,500
• Geographic Focus: Grinnell, Iowa and immediately surrounding communities
• Total Assets: Over $2.67 billion endowment (as of June 30, 2024)

Contact Details

Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research

• Address: 1127 Park Street, Grinnell, IA 50112
• Phone: 641-269-3900
• Email: communityenhance@grinnell.edu
• Website: https://www.grinnell.edu/about/leadership/offices-services/community/investments/mini-grants
• Newsletter: Community Connections Newsletter available via sign-up

Overview

The Trustees of Grinnell College (EIN 42-0680387) is a private liberal arts college founded in 1846 with one of the largest endowments per student in the United States, valued at $2.67 billion as of June 2024. Through its Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research, the college has operated a Community Mini-Grant Program since 2002 to support small- to mid-scale projects that enhance quality of life and build nonprofit capacity in the Grinnell area. The college awards grants twice annually, distributing approximately $40,000-$60,000 per year to local nonprofit organizations and community initiatives. Led by Monica Chavez-Silva, Vice President for Community Partnerships, the program emphasizes collaborative partnerships and meaningful community impact. The college holds a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator for its accountability and financial transparency.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Mini-Grant Program: $1,000 - $7,500 The primary grant program supporting community enhancement projects. Applications are accepted twice annually through an online Qualtrics form (preferred) or paper application. Recent awards have ranged from $1,200 to $7,315.

Micro-Grant Program: Under $1,000 Smaller donations and sponsorships handled separately through the Donations and Sponsorships program. Not part of the formal mini-grant cycle.

Application Schedule:

• Cycle 1: Applications due late October; awards announced early December
• Cycle 2: Applications due early April; awards announced mid-May

Priority Areas

The program focuses on initiatives that strengthen the social and economic vitality of the Grinnell community:

• Cultural, recreational, and educational projects - Libraries, museums, arts programming, music education
• Human needs and services - Food security, early childhood education, senior services
• Safety and beautification - Parks, public spaces, fire safety equipment, accessibility improvements
• Nonprofit capacity building - Organizational infrastructure, professional development, equipment upgrades

Strong preference given to:

• Collaborative partnerships within the community
• Projects demonstrating meaningful impact on current and potential Grinnell residents
• Initiatives with sustainability potential beyond the grant period

What They Don't Fund

The program explicitly does not support:

• Individuals or business ventures
• Non-501(c)(3) organizations
• Organizations limiting membership or services based on race, religion, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, or national origin
• Projects or organizations with no connection to the Grinnell community
• Projects already receiving financial backing from Grinnell College
• Loans, debt retirement, or endowments
• Already-completed projects
• Operating expenses for ongoing programs
• Political organizations or campaigns
• High school athletic programs
• Projects conflicting with Grinnell College's mission, goals, or programs

Governance and Leadership

Monica Chavez-Silva - Vice President for Community Engagement and Strategic Planning

• Oversees the mini-grant program and all community partnership initiatives
• Recognized as 2024 Woman of Influence by Des Moines Business Record
• National leader in cross-sector collaboration
• Serves on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Higher-Ed Engagement Network

Review Committee: Volunteer committee comprising faculty, staff, Grinnell College students, and community members who evaluate applications each cycle

Key Leadership Perspective: Monica Chavez-Silva emphasizes that "These grants are an investment in Grinnell's future. By supporting organizations and initiatives that strengthen our community, we foster partnerships reflecting shared commitment to progress, opportunity, and quality of life." She also states that "The program exemplifies our College and community's values of working together toward shared goals. Grinnell is a small town, and it's important for us all to contribute."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online Qualtrics form (preferred) or paper application available from the Office of Community Partnerships

Required Components:

• Completed application with all questions answered
• Project budget (one page maximum)
• Signature (paper applications only)

Submission Deadline: Applications must be submitted by midnight on the deadline date for each cycle

Application Cycles (2025-26):

• Cycle 1: Deadline Friday, October 24, 2025 → Awards announced Friday, December 5, 2025
• Cycle 2: Deadline Friday, April 3, 2026 → Awards announced Thursday, May 15, 2026

Decision Timeline

• Application to Decision: 6-8 weeks
• Review Process: Applications reviewed by volunteer advisory committee of faculty, staff, students, and community members
• Final Approval: Vice President for Community Partnerships approves final awards
• Notification Method: Direct contact to applicant organizations; public announcement on Grinnell College website

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. Based on recent award announcements:

• Fall 2023: 4 mini-grants awarded totaling $19,699 (plus 2 micro-grants)
• Spring 2024: 5 mini-grants awarded totaling $19,754 (plus 3 micro-grants)
• Fall 2024: 4 mini-grants awarded totaling $11,420.63

The program typically awards 4-6 mini-grants per cycle, suggesting a selective but accessible process for local organizations.

Reapplication Policy

The program accepts applications from previous recipients. Organizations that have received grants in the past are eligible to apply again for new projects. No waiting period or restrictions on reapplication are mentioned in program materials.

Application Success Factors

Based on Grinnell College's stated priorities and recent award patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Collaborative Partnerships The review committee gives preference to proposals that "leverage collaborative partnerships within the community." Recent winners often involve multiple organizations working together (e.g., Drake Community Library collaborating with Grinnell Area Arts Council).

2. Meaningful Community Impact Projects should demonstrate clear benefit to current and potential Grinnell residents. As emphasized by leadership, the focus is on "strengthening the social and economic vitality" of the community. Successful projects often serve broad populations or address identified community needs.

3. Specific, Achievable Goals Recent winners show concrete, well-defined projects:

• Grinnell-Newburg Community School District: Purchase of specific wheelchair models for accessibility
• Grinnell High School: Professional-grade sound equipment with defined educational outcomes
• MICA: Year-long grocery support program with clear beneficiary numbers

4. Organizational Capacity and Sustainability The program specifically aims to "build organizational and financial capacity for nonprofits serving the Grinnell area." Applications should show how the grant will strengthen the organization beyond the immediate project.

5. Realistic Budgeting Successful applications request appropriate amounts ($1,000-$7,500) with detailed, justified budgets. Recent awards show the committee funds projects across the full range, from $1,200 to $7,315.

6. Connection to Program Priorities Recent winners align with stated focus areas:

• Education enhancement (classroom libraries, music equipment, math curriculum)
• Arts and culture (historic photography, arts center expansion planning)
• Safety and accessibility (fire equipment, wheelchairs, aquatic safety)
• Food security and human services (senior grocery program)

7. Student and Community Involvement Projects involving Grinnell College students or addressing needs identified by community members appear favorable (e.g., dog park initiated by high school students).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Local focus is essential - This program exclusively serves the Grinnell, Iowa community. Organizations must demonstrate clear connection to and impact on Grinnell residents.

• Emphasize collaboration - The review committee explicitly prefers collaborative partnerships. Show how your project involves multiple stakeholders or serves partnership goals.

• Be specific and concrete - Successful applications request funding for defined equipment, programs, or initiatives rather than general operating support. Detail exactly what will be purchased or implemented.

• Right-size your request - The $1,000-$7,500 range is firm. Recent awards span this full spectrum based on project scope, so request what you genuinely need with clear justification.

• Apply twice annually - With two cycles per year, organizations have regular opportunities to apply. Plan project timelines around October and April deadlines.

• Report on outcomes - Grant recipients must submit a project report within 12 months and may present to the review committee. Strong follow-through on previous grants likely supports future applications.

• 6-8 week turnaround - The relatively quick decision timeline (compared to many funders) allows for responsive project planning, but applicants should build in 2+ months from application to funding.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Trustees Of Grinnell College. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/420680387 (Accessed December 2024)

2. Grinnell College - Mini-Grants Program. https://www.grinnell.edu/about/leadership/offices-services/community/investments/mini-grants (Accessed December 2024)

3. Grinnell College - "Fall 2024 Grinnell College Mini-Grants Support Education, Arts, and Accessibility." https://www.grinnell.edu/news/fall-2024-grinnell-college-mini-grants-support-education-arts-accessibility (Accessed December 2024)

4. Grinnell College - "Grinnell College's Fall 2023 Mini-Grant Recipients." https://www.grinnell.edu/news/grinnell-colleges-fall-2023-mini-grant-recipients (Accessed December 2024)

5. Grinnell College - "Spring Mini Grant Award Winners for Community Impact Projects." https://www.grinnell.edu/news/spring-mini-grant-award-winners-community-impact-projects (Accessed December 2024)

6. Grinnell College - Community Partnerships, Planning, & Research. https://www.grinnell.edu/about/leadership/offices-services/community (Accessed December 2024)

7. Grinnell College - "Grinnell College Reports Endowment Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Results." https://www.grinnell.edu/news/grinnell-college-reports-endowment-fiscal-year-2024-2025-results (Accessed December 2024)

8. Charity Navigator - Rating for Trustees of Grinnell College. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/420680387 (Accessed December 2024)

9. Grinnell College - Other Grants Available in the Grinnell Area. https://www.grinnell.edu/about/leadership/offices-services/community/investments/other-local-grants (Accessed December 2024)