Community Grants Program: How to Apply
How it works
- Understand the focus of our Community Grants program and who can apply.
- Send required application materials to us.
- Mailing addresses are listed below. Electronic applications are not accepted.
- Deadlines for each location are listed below. Application materials must be received by this date.
- Each grant application is evaluated to determine eligibility, compliance with our requirements and available funds.
- Notice of award decisions will be made by letter to organizations within ten weeks after the application deadline.
- Should you receive a grant, please complete the grant evaluation form (PDF: 30 KB).
Please note:
- Only one grant application will be accepted per organization per calendar year for general operating support or specific program support. Requests for capital support require a separate application.
- Apply for funding in the grant category that most closely aligns with your organization’s core mission, not the focus of your specific program or project.
- Organizations who have previously received funding must submit the grant evaluation form (PDF: 30 KB) within one year of the grant award, or at the time of the next grant application (whichever comes first) to be considered for funding.
Application Requirements
Include the following materials when mailing your grant application. Electronic applications (email or fax) are not accepted.
Application form
The grant application form is a fillable document that may be saved to your computer for future reference. Be sure to download a new application and review the requirements annually. (Word: 235 KB)
- To enter information, place your cursor in the first field and begin to type
- To move from field to field, use the "Tab" key
- Print your completed form
Cover letter (limit of two pages)
- Brief organizational background
- Brief summary of the proposal including the purpose of the grant
- Amount of proposed request
- Anticipated budget for request
Proposal
- Organization information
- Mission statement
- Geographic scope
- Number of employees
- Size of volunteer involvement
- Request details
- Detail the community need that your requested grant fulfills
- Explain how your organization can best meet that community need
- List partnerships and collaborations related to request
- Explain how you will measure results, and determine the success of this grant
- List any significant changes to your organization since your last request
- Budget
- Organization budget listing income and expenses
- Project or program budget listing income and expenses (if applicable)
- Detailed list of corporate and foundation supporters
- Current supporters and the amount of funding
- Those being approached for funding, and the amount requested
- Administrative expenses as a percentage of total budget
Additional information to include:
- Evaluation of any previous years' funding from the Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. (if applicable)
- Board of Directors list including names and business affiliations (including any advisory boards or committees specific to grant proposal) and frequency of board meetings. Please do not include addresses and phone numbers of board members.
- Copy of 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS
- Latest audited financial statement (if available)
- Current IRS tax filing - Form 990
- An annual report (if applicable)
Mailing Addresses and Deadlines
Mail your application materials to the office location that corresponds most closely with your organization’s location. The deadline for each location is listed. The application must be received by this date - this is not a postmark date.
| Your Organization's Location | Mailing Address | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, Iowa | Attn: Andrew Allen Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. 711 High Street Des Moines, IA 50392-0150 515-247-7227 |
For the Des Moines area only, the deadline is based on your organization's core area of focus:
|
| Appleton, Wis. area | Attn: Diane Putzer Principal Financial Group 100 W. Lawrence Street, Suite 501 Appleton, WI 54911 |
June 1 - all areas of focus |
| Cedar Falls, Iowa area | Attn: Joyce Morris Principal Financial Group 1100 Technology Prkwy Cedar Falls, IA 50613 |
June 1 - all areas of focus |
| Grand Island, Neb. area | Attn: Densel Rasmussen Principal Financial Group 3025 College Street Grand Island, NE 68803 |
June 1 - all areas of focus |
| Mason City, Iowa area | Attn: Mary Ellen Smith Principal Financial Group 111 West State Street Mason City, IA 50401 |
June 1 - all areas of focus |
| Ottumwa, Iowa area | Attn: Randal Maifeld Principal Financial Group 127 E Main Street Suite 200 Ottumwa, IA 52501 |
June 1 - all areas of focus |
| Spokane, Wash. area | Attn: Jonica Crumley River View Corporate Center 16201 E. Indiana Ave Suite 3000 Spokane Valley, WA 99216 |
June 1 - all areas of focus |
| Wilmington, Del. area | Attn: Marilynn Toomey Principal Trust Company 1013 Centre Road Wilmington, DE 19805 |
June 1 - all areas of focus |
Questions?
For more information about the company's charitable contributions program or the Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc., contact:
Andrew Allen, Community Relations
Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc.
Des Moines, Iowa 50392-0150
allen.andrew@principal.com
Phone: 515.247.7227
