Basic needs services are vital to individuals experiencing chronic conditions, and for individuals and families who have experienced a temporary setback or who face emergency situations. When individuals are unable to meet their immediate needs, it becomes more difficult to focus on long-term goals such as employment, housing, or education. To be considered for funding in our Emergency and Basic Needs grant category, organizations must provide those facing economic hardship with services and assistance to get back on track and on the road to economic success.
Using Cedar Valley United Way’s 2-1-1 Help Center data, we identified the most pressing needs of Cedar Valley residents. To be considered for funding in our Emergency and Basic Needs grant category, organizations must provide one or more of the following short-term emergency and safety net services:
- Food Assistance: Providing access to nutritious food for people experiencing economic hardship, homelessness or isolation (homebound).
- Shelter: Providing safe shelter/temporary housing for people who are experiencing homelessness or for survivors of domestic violence.
- Rental Assistance: Providing emergency assistance to help people manage a crisis situation.
- Utility Assistance: Providing emergency assistance to help people pay for essential utilities.
- Removing Other Immediate Barriers to Safety or Work: Providing assistance for people experiencing economic hardship or homelessness overcome critical barriers to their personal safety or ability to access employment. Examples include birth certificates and driver’s licenses/state ID cards, bus passes, home heating equipment during winter months, etc.
Emergency and Basic Needs applications will be considered for funding between $10,000 and $75,000.
Priority Population Served:
Cedar Valley Emergency and Basic Needs grants will serve clients facing economic hardship and living below 200% of the most recent Federal Poverty guidelines.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must serve residents living within a 30-mile radius of Waterloo
- Must maintain 501(c)(3) status, or if not a 501(c)(3), must have a fiscal sponsor with this status
- Be governed or advised by a volunteer Board and operate in accordance with bylaws
- Measurement protocols must be structured to collect information on clients and services provided and report outputs in accordance with the approved emergency and basic needs services (listed above) on a bi-annual basis.
All applications materials and partner profile must be submitted online by Friday, February 16 at 4 pm. The online submission link will close at this time.
Click on the following link to complete the online Emergency and Basic Needs application (must be during grant application cycle).
Download the Emergency & Basic Investments Information in a Word file