Grants Awarded

1619 Freedom School is a free, community-based, after-school literacy program that aims to help students achieve academic success through improving their reading and literacy skills. The school's mission is to help children develop a love of reading and books through literature centered on Black American history. With current enrollment of 50+ students from Waterloo schools and an 80% attendance rate, the program is closing the academic achievement gap between participants and their peers. OSF funding supports operations for students’ continued success.

AFIL empowers low-income Veterans through housing and transitional resources. Their programs include affordable housing options, home modifications, and furniture for Veterans. Since recently moving to a new, more accessible location, AFIL has seen an 80% increase in the number of Veterans served. This award offers operational support to further increase the number of individuals served and expand services to address homelessness, improve social bonds, mobility, independence, and economic stability.

Cedar Valley Angels supports the foster care community, serving over 100 youth and caregivers each year. Their Love Box program matches foster families with local volunteer groups to provide relational support, essential items, and financial aid for daily expenses. Their Dare to Dream program matches mentors with youth ages 11-22 to develop stable, safe, and caring relationships with adults, a key component in healing relational trauma. This award supports the organization’s operations so they can continue to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable individuals and the families who care for them.

Cedar Valley Makers is a community makerspace fostering creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning for people of all ages. They promote scientific thinking, learning and the entrepreneurial spirit by giving access to tools, machines and training for all members of our community. This award will help purchase a new building, allowing expanded programs for larger groups, new courses in technology and software skills, more sponsored events, increased support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and upgrades to attract new members.

Located in the North Cedar neighborhood, Cedar Valley Preschool and Child Care Center has served the Cedar Valley for 55 years, offering childcare for children ages 18 months to 10 years old. The center provides year-round services and offers Child Care Assistance to all who qualify. Funding supports operations and building repairs to provide a safe, nurturing space for children in the Cedar Valley.

Center of Attention provides a safe, structured, and supportive home for women reentering society from prison and/or in-patient substance use treatment. Through holistic care, case management, and recovery focused programs, they empower women to heal, rebuild their lives and reintegrate into the community as healthy, self-sufficient individuals. This award supports Center of Attention's operations for continued transformation in the lives of the women they serve.

EPI's Supported Employment program supports individuals with disabilities to obtain employment in the general workforce. Services include career exploration, resume building, job interview preparation, and support to onboard and maintain a community job. EPI also works to support and educate community employers on the benefits of hiring one of their clients. OSF funding will close the gap between contracted income for Employment Services and the actual cost of providing the service.

Growing Minds Early Learning Center is the largest full-day, full-year child care center specifically focused on low-income families in Waterloo. Growing Minds enables children to acquire needed developmental skills while removing barriers for families to enter the work force. Located in the Church Row neighborhood, Over 50% of their families are under 200% of federal poverty levels. Grant funding expands child care spaces, offers scholarship assistance, and improves developmental services.

House of Hope empowers single-mother families and women aging out of foster care by providing individualized support and transitional housing, helping women build stable families, long-term independence, and permanent homes. The organization addresses both immediate crises and long-term goals, working toward generational stability. House of Hope is expanding its impact through a new Empowerment Center, which will offer additional education and services to single mothers across the Cedar Valley. Grant support helps sustain operations, breaking cycles of poverty and fostering brighter futures for the women and families served.

Since 1990, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity has been building stability, equity, and hope in Black Hawk County through three core channels: homeownership, resilient neighborhoods, and community collaboration. Their recent coordinated efforts focusing on full neighborhood revitalization have helped distressed neighborhoods like the Walnut Neighborhood and Church Row Neighborhood become stronger and more enduring. This award supports their efforts to continue and expand their work in neighborhood revitalization.

Iowa Legal Aid brings hope, dignity, and justice to low-income Iowans by providing free civil legal assistance and education. Last year, the organization served nearly 2,000 individuals in Black Hawk County, protecting fundamental rights, securing basic necessities, and ensuring access to the legal system. Iowa Legal Aid advocates to challenge harmful policies, stabilize families, and promote economic opportunity. Support from OSF helps sustain Iowa Legal Aid’s operations as they empower clients to advocate for themselves and their communities.

The Job Foundation helps Waterloo students from low-income households break the cycle of poverty by providing financial literacy lessons, cash earnings for school performance, and mentoring, from elementary through high school. Reaching a record enrollment of 126 this past year, The Job Foundation continues to increase community awareness and expand networking and partnerships in the community. OSF funding supports continued operations.

Lutheran Services in Iowa was awarded funding to support two program areas. Through its early childhood efforts, LSI serves more than 2,200 at-risk children and families annually with in-home visitation, parenting education and support, and coordination with community partners to provide infant safety items and essential resources. A $15,000 grant from OSF supports the continuation of these efforts to prevent child abuse and build strong, stable, and self-sufficient families. In 2024, LSI launched refugee resettlement services in Waterloo. When a federal stop-work order was issued in January 2025—abruptly ending federal funding—LSI remained committed to serving the 41 refugees who had already arrived in Waterloo. A $13,000 grant from OSF helped fill the unexpected funding gap, ensuring continuity of support for these individuals during a critical transition.

North Iowa Regional Services provides juvenile detention and behavioral health services across NE Iowa. With 75% of clients from Black Hawk County, their facility offers four programs to support youth and adults facing crises or decreased functioning due to mental health conditions. OSF funding will support technology upgrades to offer remote connections with treatment providers, support employment searches, and remove barriers from lack of identification.

North Star Community Services empowers individuals with diagnosed disabilities to live their most independent lives through dedicated support and unique opportunities. They help individuals build skills that improve health, functional abilities, and overall quality of life—while creating opportunities to contribute meaningfully as valued members of their communities. OSF funding will support a new apprentice program that trains Direct Service Providers with the goal of long-term employment at North Star, thus building capacity for services.

Northeast Iowa Food Bank is making capital improvements to enhance their services and meet growing needs. The facility expansion will create added capacity for food storage, increase volunteer opportunities, strengthen emergency preparedness, modernize equipment to secure safety and decrease risk, enhance the onsite pantry to accommodate more people, and create dedicated spaces for community education. This award supports NEIFB’s efforts to better address food insecurity now and in the future.

ONE Cedar Valley's SHIPHT Career Technical Education & Entrepreneurship Academy empowers underserved youth through hands-on career training, mentorship, and workforce development. The program provides career exposure, paid internships, and skill-building opportunities, aiming to serve more than 150 youth annually. OSF funding supports SHIPHT program participants in workforce readiness and gaining exposure to career pathways.

One City United seeks to empower marginalized individuals to overcome barriers and gain self-sufficiency. Their programming supports job placement, development of individual plans to enhance life skills, and training in workplace and employment readiness. With a rising graduation rate of 80% and a growing waitlist, this award will enable One City United to expand its services — including increased classroom capacity.

Early in 2025, our community observed a growing need for crisis & emergency shelter. Individuals and families were presenting at local service providers in greater numbers with nowhere to go for the night due to varying circumstances. Peoples Community Health Clinic partnered with The Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County General Assistance, and Waterloo Community Schools to address the problem. These organizations developed an inter-agency referral process offering emergency motel shelter stays and connections to ongoing case management for individuals & families with no other options. This award supports the innovative collaboration that is addressing an immediate need.

Plentiful Pantry provides healthy food options throughout the Oelwein area for those facing food insecurity. With Oelwein and surrounding areas' poverty rates increasing, the Plentiful Pantry has seen growing need and expects to serve 200 additional households in the coming year. This award supports their goal to distribute 100 pounds of food per household each month.

The River ARC addresses the distinct needs of African refugees and immigrant families, providing culturally specific support and resources for their wellbeing. In an effort to improve health care access, knowledge and outcomes, River ARC offers health literacy events, collaborates with mainstream health organizations, supports gardeners who grow culturally relevant produce, and empowers African diaspora leaders to facilitate community health initiatives. This award supports their work as they meet the unique needs of newcomers in our community.

The Royal Legacy Christian Academy offers childcare to the broader community through their Legacy Littles' Childcare Program, House of Hope Infant Center, After-School Care, and Summer Camp. Reaching students ages 0-6th grade, they offer affordability and accept Child Care Assistance for all qualifying families. OSF funding supports their goal to increase the number of children & families served in their childcare program.

The Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls meets individuals and families where they are with compassion, empathy, respect, and integrity. They provide essential services through a variety of programs including shelter, meals, food pantries, and crisis assistance. Serving 3800+ individual each year in the Cedar Valley, funding supports the Salvation Army in meeting individual needs with the ultimate goal of stability and self-sufficiency.

Success Street, led by SuccessLink, improves youth access to health services through school-based clinics serving 7,350 students across Waterloo and Cedar Falls. The program offers counseling, health education, and advocacy, while connecting families to community resources like local health providers and gap services. This award supports their work of creating a safer, healthier community for all students.

Try Pie Bakery is a teen employment program that uses work as a tool to engage and equip young women for their futures. Teens at Try Pie learn to manage their paychecks, prepare for future employment, understand their unique gifts, and recognize value in each other. Experiential learning in the kitchen is supported by time spent in a classroom setting with curriculum focusing on financial stewardship, job skill development, and reconciling community. OSF funding supports the operations of Try Pie as they encourage participants to become confident contributing members of their community.

The Waterloo Housing Trust Fund addresses the urgent need for housing assistance in our community. With rising inflation, low- to moderate-income households lack funds for necessary home repairs, rent increases, or accessibility improvements. To meet this need, WHTF funds critical home repairs, emergency shelter services, and modifications for accessibility. OSF funding supports their ultimate goal to ensure every family in Waterloo has safe, stable place to call home.

The Waterloo Urban Farmers Market creates a marketplace in the Waterloo city center and North End supporting local producers, artisans, and small businesses, connecting the community with fresh, sustainably-sourced food and addressing access barriers. This award supports WUFM's operations, partnerships and programs, including 26 annual market events serving 1,000 people per week during the growing season.