Dubuque Nonprofits Receive Record $5.9M in Grants

The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is distributing the funds to over 400 local organizations.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 7:05pm

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Dubuque-area nonprofits are set to receive a record-breaking $5.9 million in grants from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. The funds will be distributed to over 400 organizations across seven Iowa counties, including Dubuque, Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware, Jackson, Jones, and Clinton.

Why it matters

This influx of funding will provide critical support to a wide range of local nonprofits, allowing them to sustain operations, launch new initiatives, and better serve their communities. The Community Foundation's growing endowments have enabled this historic level of grant-making, underscoring its commitment to the long-term vitality of the Dubuque region.

The details

The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque's endowments have increased by $2.7 million, or 84%, over the past five years. This growth has enabled the Foundation to distribute a record $5.9 million in grants to local nonprofits. The funding will support organizations across a variety of sectors, including the Dubuque Symphony, which relies on endowment income to sustain its programs and plan for the future.

  • The grants were announced on March 11, 2026.

The players

Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

A nonprofit organization that manages over 400 funds and endowments to support local communities in seven Iowa counties, including Dubuque.

Nancy VanMilligen

President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.

Dubuque Symphony

A local arts organization that will receive funding from the Community Foundation's grants.

Mark Wahlert

Executive Director of the Dubuque Symphony.

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What they’re saying

“The Community Foundation is here for the Dubuque region now and forever, and the organizations receiving these grants are our partners. They help us understand the needs of our communities and drive lasting change to ensure all people can thrive. Endowments provide a sustainable source of funding that allows organizations to realize their missions, embark on new initiatives to meet local needs, and do their best work to support communities”

— Nancy VanMilligen, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

“Endowment is some of the most critical funding for the Dubuque Symphony. It helps to support literally all of our programs and efforts in some way. Endowment income allows us flexibility in how we best utilize those resources while also providing year-after-year support that both sustains our organization and also helps us to plan for the future knowing we'll have those resources as part of our funding mix”

— Mark Wahlert, Executive Director, Dubuque Symphony

The takeaway

This record-breaking grant funding from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque underscores the organization's commitment to the long-term sustainability and growth of the Dubuque region. By investing in a diverse array of local nonprofits, the Foundation is empowering these organizations to better serve their communities and pursue new initiatives to address evolving needs.