The College of Public Health and its Business Leadership Network (BLN) recently announced that five Iowa community organizations will be recipients of grant funding through the BLN’s Community Grant Program. See below for details about the projects funded in 2025 that will run from March 1 – December 31, 2025.

The organizations received grant awards of up to $3,000 to support public health-related initiatives and projects in their communities. The grant program also requires recipients to secure an equal cash or in-kind match from other community organizations or businesses.

Funding for the BLN Community Grant Program is provided by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health – Mason City
The OK Together: Ending Workplace Stigma project will address mental health education, awareness and support in the workplace and community in Cerro Gordo County.  The project will create workplace mental health newsletters and a toolkit, facilitate Workplace Adult Mental Health First Aid trainings, and support mental health stigma reduction through community-based initiatives.

Hawkeye Area Community Action Program – Hiawatha
The Food Assistance in Rural Jones County project will address food insecurity in rural areas. A mobile food pantry will travel through rural areas of Jones County four times per month, and a backpack program for food insecure kids in six local schools will provide nutritious meals to take home on weekends.

Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc. – Marshalltown
The Dental Vouchers project will provide additional uninsured or under-insured children in Marshall County with dental care they would otherwise not be able to access or to afford. School nurses refer kids in need of urgent dental care to the I-Smile program who helps them receive timely treatment with a dental practice in Marshalltown.

The Self Reliance Group – Burlington
The Veterans Tech Support project will expand classes that assist elderly veterans in Des Moines County in managing and caring for their health. The classes, led by local veterans, provide targeted instruction and equipment to access, navigate, and utilize technology to improve their individual health literacy and outcomes.

Webster County Health Department – Fort Dodge
The Family Tree Healthy Habit Incentive project aims to improve physical and emotional health and financial stability for at-risk families in Webster County. Families will receive points when they participate in preventative screening appointments and community assistance programs. Points can be used to purchase developmental toys and books for children, pregnancy and postpartum support items, and household essentials.

Learn more about the BLN Community Grant Program.

Learn more about the Business Leadership Network.