568083 - BOOST Application
Funding Opportunity Details

Rural Revitalization

Final Application Deadline: Aug 26, 2026 4:00 PM

Description

• Rural challenges rarely exist in a silo, and neither should the solutions. The BOOST program helps communities leverage their unique assets while encouraging local leaders to identify priorities and set realistic goals for economic and business development. Participating communities commit to creating innovative strategies that foster collaboration, strengthen community design and support a resilient economy. This strategic planning grant is designed for rural communities or nonprofits that are ready to take bold steps toward long‑term economic vitality. The program provides expert guidance, structured planning support, and targeted resources to help a community chart a clear path forward.

   

  Drawing on the expertise of Empower Rural Iowa task force members, Iowa Economic Development Authority staff and Iowa Rural Development Council partners, each community is matched with a mentoring team to help shape and advance its next steps.

   

  Selected communities receive:

  • An in-person meeting with a customized BOOST team of 3-5 external experts.
  • A clear, customized action plan with recommendations and resources for securing additional funding and partnerships to support implementation.
  • Identification of early‑stage projects or “quick wins” that build momentum.
  • A $10,000 grant award to support implementation of identified next steps.

   

  BOOST is administered by the Center for Rural Revitalization, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), in consultation with the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative task force.

   

  Eligible Uses of Funding

  BOOST grant funds are intended to help communities begin executing key strategies, build capacity, plan strategically for the future, or develop local skills. Funding may be used for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to:

  • Engineering
  • Planning
  • Design costs
  • Training programs
  • Certification programs
  • Marketing strategies
  • Succession planning
  • Economic development training
  • Grant writing training (not grant writing itself)

   

  Ineligible Uses of Funding

  Projects without a strategic planning component are ineligible. The program does not support ongoing expenses for existing programs or projects. Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

  • Construction or physical build-out of projects
  • Expenditures related to a project that has already been identified and is underway
  • Repairs or maintenance
  • Budget shortfalls

   

  Eligible Applicants
  Applicants must be one of the following types of entities:

  • Federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization incorporated and physically located in Iowa. Unit of local, county or federally recognized tribal government physically located in Iowa
  • Unit of local, county or federally recognized tribal government physically located in Iowa

  Projects must exist in and benefit a community in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater. If it is a county-wide project, it must be one of the 88 least populous counties in Iowa.

   

  Grant Amount

  Grantees will receive $10,000 for implementation of eligible one-time project expenses. All expenses must be incurred and funds expended within the designated funding period.

   

  Match Requirement

  Applicants are required to demonstrate investment in projects by providing a minimum of $5,000 cash match. The cash match must be secured, dedicated to eligible expenses, a legitimate part of the proposed project and must be expended within the eligible funding period. The $5,000 match requirement may be raised through a combination of public and private sources but may not include in-kind donations of goods or services, unsecured funding, or loans.

  Competitive proposals will demonstrate broad-based financial support for the project and public funding sources adequately leveraged to seek and obtain private dollars.

  • Cash match constitutes actual cash contributed to direct project expenses by the applicant or other funding sources.
  • Funding from state government already being used as match for another program, including other funds from the IEDA, cannot be used to meet the match requirement.

   

  Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Empower Rural Iowa Director Sacha Wise at sacha.wise@IowaEDA.com to discuss their proposal in advance of submission to ensure alignment with BOOST program goals.

• Description

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  Linkhttps://opportunityiowa.gov/community/revitalization/center-rural-revitalization/rural-boost-program