Are you seeking funding from the Cedar Falls Community Foundation?

The scholarships and grants offered by the Cedar Falls Community Foundation benefit students and nonprofit organizations in our community today, tomorrow, and always. If you are a grant seeker, certified nonprofit, or individual working on behalf of one, you are in the right place.

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Melendy Spirit Award

The Cedar Falls Community FoundatIon is accepting nominations for the 2025 Melendy Spirit Award. The Melendy Spirit Award is open to individuals, families, groups, or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the community which have enhanced, improved, or positively affected the overall quality of life in Cedar Falls. Nominations are accepted for both living and posthumous candidates. Download the form below and nominate a deserving Cedar Falls resident today!

  • What are the award qualifications?

    Candidates for this award will be considered based on their community contributions that have enhanced, improved, or positively affected the overall quality of life in Cedar Falls. Nominations must show how the candidate(s) achieved this goal. The community contributions of candidates may be in the form of community involvement, commitment to volunteering their time and skills, leadership, community assistance, personal example, and/or personal accomplishments.

  • What is the nomination process?

    Nomination guidelines:


    • Include the name, address, email address, and phone number of the individual making the nomination.
    • Nominator should make a statement of why the nominee is deserving of the Melendy Spirit Award. 
    • Describe the nominee's specific contributions to the community of Cedar Falls.
    • Enhance the nomination with a biographical sketch/resume of the nominee.
    • Nominations are due by Feb. 15, 2025.

    See nomination form below for more.


    Submit materials by mail to:

    Cedar Falls Community Foundation

    P.O. Box 546

    Cedar Falls, IA 50613


    Or contact Director@cf-communityfoundation.org

  • How is the recipient selected?

    Recipients will be selected by an Award Selection Committee made up of members of the Cedar Falls Community Foundation Board of Directors. The Melendy Spirit Award recipients will be announced in local newspapers and newsletters. The award will be presented at the City of Cedar Falls Business and Industry Awards in May.

Apply for a Grant

The Cedar Falls Community Foundation distributes between $300,000 and $400,000 in nonprofit grants each year. Whether funds are needed for capital improvements, multi-sensory art and/or history programs/projects or furniture and nonprofit organizations could apply for grants funded by generous community donors.

  • When is the annual deadline to apply?

    Our grant cycle ends annually on June 15. All applications are due by this date to be eligible. Awards are announced each fall.

  • Who is eligible to apply?

    Nonprofit organizations and schools within Cedar Falls, IA, are invited to apply. The city of Cedar Falls is also eligible. 

  • How often can I apply?

    Eligible recipients can apply annually - regardless if they applied the previous year. 

Apply for a Scholarship

Eligible students throughout the Cedar Falls area are awarded scholarships to foster educational, professional, and personal growth. To learn more about current scholarship opportunities administered by The Cedar Falls Community Foundation, contact us at 319-243-9170 or email director@cf-communityfoundation.org.

  • What scholarships are available through CFCF?

    Currently CFCF supports the following scholarships: 


    Robert Eller Study Abroad Scholarship 


    Ed Leo Scholarship


    Click on the buttons to the left to apply.

  • Who is eligible?

    Eller Scholarship applicants must meet the following qualifications:

    • Iowa residency (Iowa birth or three years of Iowa residency)
    • Full-time enrollment at UNI in a degree-granting program with a minimum of 2.75 GPA
    • All applicants must have at least 30 undergraduate hours completed at UNI and must have at least one semester of study at UNI remaining after program abroad
    • Minimal previous independent travel abroad

    Ed Leo Scholarship applicants must meet the following qualifications: 

    • No consideration of FSS, EFC, SAI, and no requirement they submit FAFSA
    • Completion of application
    • Minimum 26 composite score in ACT
    • Minimum B+ GPA
    • Completion with PASS or minimum B+ grade in at least one of the following: CAPS, AP class or Hawkeye/UNI course
    • Minimum 4 semesters in First Teach Challenge/First Robotics Competition with at least 2 of the latest being FRC 
    • Citizen or permanent resident of the US

  • When is the deadline to apply?

    For spring semester programs: 

    The last working day of October.


    For fall and academic-year programs: 

    The last working day of March.

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