What Starts Here: The Gilchrist Foundation’s 2026 Grant Season
Every year in Siouxland, something new takes shape. Maybe it is a youth music program that gets new band instruments. Or maybe it’s an environmental organization that receives much-needed tools to aid their prairie conservation methods. Whether it is a local nonprofit that gains the ability to expand its reach or the Red Cross responding to disaster relief efforts, these projects and actions start somewhere. And for many organizations, that starting point is the Gilchrist Foundation.
In 2025, the Foundation awarded more than $1.87 million in grants to projects ranging from music, arts and the theater; wildlife and conservation; and disaster relief. These grants support nonprofit initiatives by enhancing their missions and providing much-needed community programs and services that benefit tens of thousands of Siouxlanders.
And the Foundation is readying to do it all over again.
As the 2026 grant season launches, nonprofits across the region have an opportunity to turn their next big idea into something real.
From Idea to Impact
The Gilchrist Foundation has long focused on funding projects that go beyond day-to-day operations, investing instead in ideas that create lasting impact. The Foundation provides incentives and funds to pre-selected non-profit organizations that further the Foundation’s goals of supporting the arts, wildlife and conservation, public broadcasting and disaster relief, with a preference for the Sioux City area. Most grants are for a single year, but multi-year grants may be requested.
In recent years, that’s meant:
Expanding access to the arts through community events and school programs
Supporting conservation efforts that protect and restore natural spaces
Helping disaster relief organizations respond quickly in times of crisis
Strengthening nonprofits through strategic, project-based funding
How the Process Works
Unlike traditional open applications, the Gilchrist Foundation uses an invitation-based process that is designed to ensure alignment with its mission and maximize impact.
Step 1: Request an Invitation
Grants from the Gilchrist Foundation are only available to nonprofits that have been invited to apply. To begin, organizations must complete the Grant Request Pre-Qualifier, which evaluates the funding request based on the Foundation’s interests. If the request aligns with the Foundation’s mission, the organization will be directed to submit a Request for Invitation. This form can be completed online or downloaded as a PDF and mailed to:
Security National Bank
601 Pierce St
Sioux City, IA 51101
2026 Request for Invitation deadline: April 1, 2026
Step 2: Submit a Full Application
Invited organizations can apply for funding across several categories:
Project Grants – Project Grants support the expansion of an existing program or help launch a new initiative. The Foundation’s involvement is intended to be temporary, with the expectation that the program will eventually become self-sustaining. It is not meant to provide long-term operational funding.
Capital Campaigns – Capital Campaign grants support significant renovations or expansions that strengthen an organization’s mission. Preference is given to projects that use Foundation funds to leverage additional matching funds, such as a 1:1 Challenge match. These awards help nonprofits accelerate their fundraising efforts.
Endowment Grants –Endowment grants help organizations establish or grow sustainable financial reserves while ensuring strong board participation. The Foundation aims to be a key contributor to an endowment without becoming its primary source of funding. As with Capital Campaigns, preference is given to challenge matches that encourage additional contributions.
2026 Application deadline: June 26, 2026
Small Grants, Big Difference
Not every idea needs a large-scale investment to make an impact.
The Foundation’s Micro-Grant program supports smaller projects, up to $5,000, that bring immediate value to the community. From local arts initiatives to conservation efforts, these grants make it easier to move quickly and make a difference because even the smallest projects can have a ripple effect. Micro-grants are available year-round.
A Legacy That Keeps Growing
The Gilchrist Foundation continues the vision of its founder, Jocelyn Gilchrist, who believed deeply in supporting the arts, conservation and community well-being. Since her passing in 2008, the Foundation has carried on with her vision. Each year, the Foundation’s impact grows through the organizations and ideas it helps bring to life.
If your organization has been waiting for the right moment to launch a project, expand a program or invest in something bigger, the 2026 grant season is that moment.
Contact us today to learn more.