Dupaco Foundation awards $250K to nonprofits for community initiatives

DUBUQUE, Iowa–Thirty-two nonprofit organizations across Iowa and Wisconsin will expand opportunities in housing, workforce development and entrepreneurship through $250,000 in funding awarded by the Dupaco Foundation.

The grants, awarded through the Foundation's Nonprofit Grant Program, support organizations advancing:

• Affordable housing and homeownership
• Upskilling and reskilling
• Small business development

Through the grant program, the Foundation is investing in organizations that are expanding access to opportunity, strengthening financial well-being and helping build more vibrant communities throughout the region.

"Strong communities are built when people have the opportunity to secure stable housing, develop meaningful career skills and pursue their dreams of business ownership," said Joe Hearn, Dupaco Foundation Secretary and President/CEO of Dupaco Credit Union. "The organizations receiving funding are creating pathways to economic mobility and long-term success for individuals and families throughout our region. We're honored to invest alongside these nonprofits in solutions that create lasting community impact."

The 2026 grant recipients were selected for their ability to deliver measurable outcomes and address critical community needs. Their work ranges from creating affordable homeownership opportunities and increasing workforce participation to helping aspiring entrepreneurs launch and grow sustainable businesses.

Among the organizations receiving support are:

• Exceptional Persons, Inc. received $10,000 to help individuals with disabilities develop job skills, overcome employment barriers and connect with local employers, creating greater workforce participation and economic independence.

• Feed Iowa First received $10,000 to support its Equitable Land Access Program, which helps underserved and beginning farmers gain access to land, business training and resources needed to build successful agricultural enterprises.

• Homes for Iowa received $10,000 to expand awareness of innovative housing solutions that increase access to attainable homeownership while also providing workforce development opportunities through construction training programs.

• Mindful Minutes received $10,000 to support its Emerging Wellness Entrepreneur Scholarship Initiative, helping aspiring wellness professionals access training, mentorship and business-development support needed to transform wellness expertise into sustainable community-based businesses.

• Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development, Inc. received $5,000 to help low- and moderate-income households achieve sustainable homeownership through permanently affordable housing developed in partnership with a community land trust.

The following organizations received funding through the 2026 Dupaco Foundation Nonprofit Grant Program:

• 6th Avenue Corridor, Des Moines, Iowa: $5,000
• The Arc of East Central Iowa, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: $10,000
• Catherine McAuley Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: $10,000
• Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: $10,000
• Change Course, Des Moines, Iowa: $5,000
• Crescent Community Health Center, Dubuque, Iowa: $5,000
• Dubuque and Jackson County Habitat for Humanity, Dubuque, Iowa: $20,000
• Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council, Dubuque, Iowa: $10,000
• Dubuque Community YMCA Crisis Services Shelter, Dubuque, Iowa: $5,000
• Dubuque Rescue Mission, Dubuque, Iowa: $10,000
• Dubuque St. Vincent de Paul, Dubuque, Iowa: $10,000
• Exceptional Persons, Inc., Waterloo, Iowa: $10,000
• Feed Iowa First, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: $10,000
• The Fountain of Youth Program, Dubuque, Iowa: $5,000
• Four Mounds Foundation–HEART Partnership, Dubuque, Iowa: $10,000
• Friends of St. Mary's (Steeple Square), Dubuque, Iowa: $5,000
• Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Madison, Wis.: $5,000
• Homes for Iowa, Carroll, Iowa: $10,000
• Hope Community Development Association (Hope CDA), Cedar Rapids, Iowa: $5,000
• House of Hope, Waterloo, Iowa: $5,000
• Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, Waterloo, Iowa: $10,000
• Mindful Minutes, Dubuque, Iowa: $10,000
• Moms Connect Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa: $10,000
• The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa: $5,000
• NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: $5,000
• Opening Doors, Dubuque, Iowa: $10,000
• Presentation Lantern Center, Dubuque, Iowa: $5,000
• REAP Food Group, Madison, Wis.: $5,000
• Riverview Center, Dubuque, Iowa: $5,000
• United Way of Dane County, Madison, Wis.: $5,000
• Willis Dady Homeless Services, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: $10,000
• Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development, Inc., Madison, Wis.: $5,000

The Foundation board reviewed applications from 128 nonprofit organizations designated as active 501(c)(3) public charities. Proposals were evaluated based on alignment with the Foundation's focus areas, demonstrated community need, potential for measurable outcomes and overall impact.

This marks the third year of the Dupaco Foundation Nonprofit Grant Program. Previous grant cycles awarded $250,000 to 29 organizations in 2024 and $250,000 to 35 organizations in 2025.

Since its founding in 2012, the Dupaco Foundation has invested more than $3.2 million in nonprofit organizations and community initiatives that strengthen communities and improve quality of life throughout Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Information regarding the 2027 cycle of the Dupaco Foundation Nonprofit Grant Program will be available in early 2027. To learn more about the Dupaco Foundation and its impact, visit dupaco.com/community.

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ABOUT DUPACO FOUNDATION:
Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation, also known as Dupaco Foundation (the “Foundation”), is a tax-exempt private foundation described in Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation is a separate legal entity from Dupaco Community Credit Union (the “Credit Union”) and is governed by its own Board of Directors and officers. The Foundation was established in 2011 to honor the retirement of 47-year employee and long-time Dupaco Community Credit Union President and CEO, Robert W. “Bob” Hoefer. The Foundation is designed to carry on the Bob Hoefer tradition of providing personal financial assistance and coaching to help hardworking and financially prudent people recover from unforeseen life events and to increase their opportunities for financial stability. Learn more at www.dupaco.com/foundation.