The Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) develops and strengthens the volunteer infrastructure in Iowa through the implementation of Service Enterprise, as well as capacity-building grants to volunteer centers.

With VGF support, volunteer centers:

  • connect people with opportunities to serve
  • increase capacity for organizations to engage volunteers in meaningful service
  • promote volunteering
  • form partnerships to develop local programs and projects that utilize volunteerism as a solution to community needs and challenges

2020 Sub-Grantees

Grantee Location County (or counties) Served Grant Amount
ThinkCause - Volunteer Siouxland Sioux City Woodbury $30,000
Iowa Western Community College - Iowa Campus Compact Des Moines Statewide $20,000
United Way of East Central Iowa - Jones County Volunteer Center Anamosa Jones $10,526
United Way of the Great River Region Keokuk Lee $5,000
United Way of Wapello County Ottumwa Wapello $20,000
Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley Waterloo Black Hawk $13,774

Application Process

Iowa VGF Sub-Grants   

VGF grant applications are generally open every three years for a three-year grant award. Though the application process changes slightly each year, reviewing our previous Iowa VGF Request for Applications will give applicants a sense of eligibility, goals, and funding guidelines for the grant competition.

For the 2021-2023 grant year competition, 6 of 7 applications were funded, with $124,204 funded out of $139,954 requested. New three-year grants are anticipated to be released in the fall of 2023, pending funding availability.

We're here to help! For information about developing volunteer engagement resources in your area, please contact Michelle Raymer by e-mail or by phone 515-348-6235.