The Iowa Great Places program seeks to recognize communities that take action to enhance their local places while staying true to the qualities that makes them unique. Designated communities have demonstrated a vision that values their cultural assets while challenging themselves to set realistic goals for advancing their quality of life.
The program goals are to cultivate the unique and authentic qualities of Iowa neighborhoods, districts, communities and regions in order to make them great places to live and work through professional development training; technical assistance opportunities; a network of vibrant communities and passionate leaders; and access to other state and local resources.
The program provides Iowa Great Places designation, the opportunity to apply for grant funding to support vertical infrastructure expenses as defined by the Iowa Code 8.57 for projects dedicated to developing cultural assets in the community, and the opportunity to apply for endorsement resulting in additional consideration from partner state agency programs for projects that develop assets in the following areas:
- Arts and Culture
- Architecture
- Diversity
- Entrepreneurial incentive for business development
- Historic Fabric
- Housing Options
- Natural Environment
- Amenities
The program, defined in Iowa Code 303.3C, is administered by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Iowa Great Places Citizens Advisory Board.
Timeline
June | Application Deadline
The deadline to submit an online application to the program has been extended from May 1, 2020 to June 15, 2020 at 11:59 PM.
July | Site Visits
Applicants may be required to host a site visit with Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs staff and Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board members.
July | Notification
Applicants will be notified of designation decisions by July 31, 2020.
September | Funding Pre-Application Deadline
The deadline for eligible designated communities to submit a pre-application for grant funding.
November | Funding Full-Application Deadline (Invitation Only)
The deadline to submit a full-application for grant funding is November 1, 2020 at 11:59 PM. Full applications may only be submitted by applicants on an invitational basis after the eligibility review of pre-applications.
Benefits of Designation
Iowa Great Places Designation
Iowa neighborhoods, districts, communities and regions are awarded Iowa Great Places designation as a point of civic pride. Designation may be used in signage and marketing material to promote the area. Newly designated Iowa Great Places are added to the Iowa Great Places network on an annual basis through a competitive application process. Once designated, networking, professional development and technical assistance will be provided to the community by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Designated places also receive additional consideration by other state agency programs for endorsed projects for three years post-designation. Additional state agency consideration is limited to up to three projects proposed through the fall grant funding application cycle and does not apply to the spring designation application. Designated Iowa Great Places must complete a re-designation process every five years at which point they can present new projects for potential endorsement and funding.
Expectations After Designation
Following designation, communities are expected to be active members in the Iowa Great Places network. In order to demonstrate active participation and continued commitment through the re-designation application process, designees must have participated in more than two qualifying Great Places meetings, events or professional development opportunities as determined by Iowa Great Places staff within the five-year designation period. Such opportunities may include an annual meeting, regional networking opportunities, webinars, or sponsored state conferences hosted by partner state agencies. Additionally, all designated Iowa Great Places must be willing to be active participants in the Iowa Great Places mentoring program for potential or new designees as needed. Mentors and mentees will be matched by Iowa Great Places staff based on community similarities or geographic proximity. The mentorship structure will be flexible based on the needs of the mentee and can include but is not limited to application advice, visioning best practices, in-person visits, or conference calls.
Cultural Funding Opportunity
Designated Iowa Great Places have the opportunity to apply for grant funding to support vertical infrastructure expenses related to a project that advances cultural assets in their community. Eligible projects must be integrated with a shared community vision and set of strategies, involve significant public/private partnerships and collaboration, and focus on the development of local and regional cultural assets. Iowa Great Places funding is available to only one project per Iowa Great Place per five-year designation period. Designated Iowa Great Places may apply for funding during the fall grant cycle for only one proposed arts and culture project during each of the first three years of their designation until funding is received. If funding is received, the Iowa Great Place may not receive additional funding for the project regardless of whether the project was fully or partially funded. Iowa Great Places are not eligible to apply for funding in the last two years of the designation period.
Funding for the Iowa Great Places Program is made possible by an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature through the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund. The Iowa Great Places Citizens Advisory Board reserves the right to partially fund projects and to withhold awarding 100% of available funds.
Iowa Great Places Project Endorsement
Designated Iowa Great Places have the opportunity to apply for project endorsement by the Iowa Great Places Citizens Advisory Board to receive three years of additional consideration in funding programs from partner state agency programs. Endorsement benefits vary by state agency. Designated Iowa Great Places may apply for project endorsement during the fall grant cycle during each of the first three years of their designation until endorsement is received. Endorsement is limited to a total of three projects per Iowa Great Place per five-year designation period. Iowa Great Places are not eligible to apply for project endorsement in the last two years of the designation period. Proposed projects must be integrated with a shared community vision and set of strategies, involve significant public/private partnerships and collaboration, and focus on the development of local and regional assets in the following areas:
- Arts and Culture
- Architecture
- Diversity
- Entrepreneurial incentive for business development
- Historic Fabric
- Housing Options
- Natural Environment
- Amenities
Endorsement is not awarded to Iowa Great Place areas but rather to specific projects that have been approved by the Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board.
Community Requirements
Communities seeking Iowa Great Places designation must have undertaken a public input process to create a vision plan supported by multiple public/private partners that includes: 1) a shared community vision that values local cultural assets; 2) goals that challenge the community to advance their quality of life; 3) strategies to achieve the goals and vision that involve significant public/private partnerships and collaboration, and focus on the development of local and regional assets in the areas of:
- Arts and Culture
- Architecture
- Diversity
- Entrepreneurial incentive for business development
- Historic Fabric
- Housing Options
- Natural Environment
- Amenities
Applicant Requirements
A single entity must be selected to serve as the primary applicant for both designation and grant funding for future proposed projects involving collaboration between a consortium of partners. The selected entity must meet the definition of eligible applicant. The applicant will be responsible for submitting eligible material during both the designation and funding application processes and will be the entity legally obligated to the terms of an agreement if awarded designation or funding. Partners and collaborating entities are not subject to the eligibility requirements but may be subject to financial and programmatic review during the selection process.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants must be one of the following types of entities. Entities who do not meet these requirements are not eligible to apply.
- Federally tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated and physically located in Iowa
- Physical location is defined as maintaining a current home office and registered agent address in Iowa defined by Iowa Code 490.501 as well as maintaining a primary staff presence physically located and working in Iowa
- Unit of local, county or federally-recognized tribal government physically located in Iowa
- Municipal agencies with 28E agreements physically located in Iowa
Ineligible Applicants
The following types of entities are not eligible to apply.
- Unit of state or federal government
- For-profit or commercial entity
- Entities geographically located within a currently designated Iowa Great Place
- Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs grantees who have an outstanding final report or who have been placed on a department funding moratorium
- Applicants who have unsuccessfully applied for Iowa Great Places designation in the past two consecutive years
Online Application Submission
Applicants must submit applications via the Iowa Arts Council’s SlideRoom, an online application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications will not be accepted. Applicants can access the current online application requirements at iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com. Applicants must create a login to view the full application requirements for the program. Applicants can visit help.liaisonedu.com for assistance related to the online submission.
Designation Review Process
Department Eligibility Review
Submitted applications are reviewed by staff for completion, eligibility and adherence to published funding priorities and guidelines. Applications are reviewed as submitted. New application information or subsequent application clarification submitted after a program deadline is not considered. Staff will also review an applicant’s record of compliance and good standing with the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, State and Federal government. Applications or applicants determined by staff to be ineligible or incomplete will not move forward to panel review and are specifically denied any appeals process.
Competitive Panel Review
Eligible applications will be referred to a competitive review by a volunteer panel that will include Iowa Great Places Citizens Advisory Board members. Applicants who submit an application may also be required to undergo a site visit by the Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board and Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs staff. Designation recommendations will be submitted by the Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board to the Director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs for consideration and approval. The applicant’s authorized official will receive designation notification. All decisions are final and may not be appealed due to dissatisfaction. Applicants may review the department appeals policy for information on grounds for appeal and the appeal process.