Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $21 million+ (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Varies by program (1-4 months typical)
• Grant Range: Varies by program - no set limits on Housing Cluster grants
• Geographic Focus: Muscatine County and Louisa County, Iowa

Contact Details

Phone: 563-264-3863
Email: info@givinggreater.org
Website: www.givinggreater.org
Address: 208 West 2nd St Ste 213, Muscatine, IA 52761
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8-5, Friday 8-3

Overview

Established in 1999, the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine actively works to improve quality of life in Muscatine County through strategic philanthropy. The Foundation manages more than 300 charitable funds and endowments with assets exceeding $60 million. In 2024 alone, donors granted over $21 million to 177 nonprofits and awarded over $566,000 in scholarships to area students. The Foundation was among the first 100 community foundations to be confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. Through 25 years of operation, the Foundation has granted more than $47 million towards local charities and projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Impact Grants: Competitive grants supporting nonprofits improving quality of life in Muscatine County (Applications open January 1-31, 2026 tentative)
• Racial Justice Fund: Supporting racial justice initiatives (Applications open May 4 - June 8, 2026 at noon)
• Housing Cluster Grants: No grant limit - supporting emergency repairs, home ownership, rental preservation, and housing agency operations
• Community Human-Powered and Public Transportation Grants: $10,000 available for bicycle/pedestrian traffic and safety projects (rolling basis)
• Muscatine Health Support Fund: Over $174,000 awarded in recent cycle
• Funder Network: Joint application process focusing on Education/Job Training and Household Stabilization (Applications open December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026)

Priority Areas

• Health and wellness
• Housing and household stabilization
• Education and job training
• Racial justice
• Transportation and public health
• Arts and culture
• Human services

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in available materials

Governance and Leadership

President: Charla Schafer
Vice President, Operations: Jamie Leza
Accounting Manager: Mike Wilson
Accounting Services Manager: Duncan Snider

Board Members include:

• Dr. Rachel Pohl (Executive Director, UnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine)
• Keith Porter (President, Stanley Center for Peace and Security)
• Dan Stein (Chairman, Central Bancshares, Inc.)
• Jessica Susie (Intellectual Property Counsel, John Deere)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Foundation's online grant portal. All area nonprofits considering grant funding should complete an application annually to provide their financial and organizational information. This information is used by Funder Network partners.

Decision Timeline

• Impact Grants: Applications close January 31, decisions typically within 2-3 months
• Racial Justice Fund: Applications close June 8, decisions typically within 2-3 months
• Rolling Basis Grants: Ongoing until funds expended
• All competitive grant applications are reviewed by volunteer community granting committees

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in available materials

Application Success Factors

All Community Foundation competitive grant applications are reviewed by volunteer community granting committees and scored on the same criteria. Grants are allocated by the average score of each application until available funding is expended. Key requirements include:

• Proposals must benefit Muscatine County and/or Louisa County residents
• Programs or projects must be completed within 10 months of awarding
• Grant recipients must provide final reports, digital photos, and receipts proving expenditures
• Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, schools, or government entities in Muscatine
• For Housing Cluster grants, all funds must serve clients at or below 80% Area Median Income

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Foundation offers multiple grant programs with different focus areas and timelines - carefully match your project to the right program
• All nonprofits should complete the annual application to establish their information in the system, used by multiple funding partners
• Projects must be completed within 10 months - ensure your timeline is realistic
• The Foundation uses a competitive scoring system with volunteer reviewers - clarity and alignment with criteria are essential
• Rolling basis grants for transportation projects offer more flexibility in timing
• Strong emphasis on serving Muscatine and Louisa County residents - clearly demonstrate local impact
• Consider partnerships with other organizations as the Foundation supports collaborative approaches through the Funder Network

References

• Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine official website (www.givinggreater.org) - Accessed February 2026
• "Community Foundation awards $235,000 in grants to local groups and programs" - Muscatine Journal, August 2024
• "25 years of local philanthropy: Community Foundation of Muscatine celebrates" - Muscatine Journal, 2024
• The Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center - University of Iowa grants database
• Community Foundation LinkedIn profile and organizational updates
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 data showing $2,760,873 in grants during 2023
• Instrumentl grant listings for Housing Cluster programs