Swisher Community Fund Builds on 2025 Impact:
Applications Now Open for 2026 Swisher Community Fund Grants
Grant Cycle Opened February 13, 2026
This post was guest written by: Emily Carlson, Swisher Community Fund Co-Chair
The Swisher Community Fund is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle, continuing its renewed commitment to supporting local organizations and initiatives that strengthen and enrich the Swisher community. Applications opened February 13, 2026, and will close on March 31, 2026.
Originally established in 2005, the Swisher Community Fund was reactivated in 2025 after several years of dormancy with the formation of a new advisory committee dedicated to revitalizing local grantmaking. The fund provides financial support to projects that promote community wellness, education, environmental sustainability, public spaces, and meaningful local engagement in and around Swisher, Iowa.
In its first year back, the Swisher Community Fund awarded grants to three organizations serving Swisher residents—supporting food access, therapeutic programming, and improvements to community gathering spaces. Work that is already making a visible difference in the community:
- North Liberty Community Pantry expanded food access for Swisher residents experiencing food insecurity.
- Miracles in Motion Therapeutic Equestrian Center enhanced access to adaptive riding and equine-assisted therapy, supporting physical, emotional, and developmental wellbeing.
- Swisher City Parks and Recreation improved Swisher Park with upgrades to the concession stand, helping strengthen one of the community’s most cherished gathering spaces.
Together, these projects reflect the fund’s mission to invest in initiatives that create tangible, lasting benefits for residents.
“We’re proud of the momentum the Swisher Community Fund has regained and the opportunity it creates for local organizations to bring meaningful ideas to life,” said Emily Carlson, Vice Chair of the Swisher Community Fund Advisory Board. “Last year’s projects demonstrated the power of local investment — supporting essential needs, expanding therapeutic services, and enhancing shared community spaces. We’re excited to see what new ideas emerge in the year ahead.”
2026 Grant Cycle Details
- Applications Open: February 13, 2026
- Applications Close: March 31, 2026
- Award Decisions Announced: Late April 2026
- Grant Awards Distributed: May 2026
- Maximum Request Amount: $1,500
- Limit: One application per organization
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipalities, the College Community School District, and other organizations located in or significantly serving the Swisher community. Proposals from the City of Swisher will also be considered.
Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to consider how their proposed project will make a meaningful impact locally and align with the fund’s mission.
Applications must be submitted through the Fund’s online grant system. Grant recipients will be required to provide a brief follow-up report outlining the outcomes of their funded project.
For more information about the Swisher Community Fund or to apply, visit www.cfjc.org/swisher-grants or contact Ellie Moore, Vice President of Community Impact & Outreach – Community Foundation of Johnson County.
