Helping the Cedar Valley prosper. BHCGA seeks to award grants that strengthen the Cedar Valley, making it a better place to live, work, and play by allocating Isle Casino Waterloo revenues for community betterment.
BLACK HAWK COUNTY GAMING ASSOCIATION is based in Waterloo, IA. It reported $14,426,014 in annual grants and $17,574,954 in total assets in the latest 990 year on file, 2025. The association describes its work as supporting the Cedar Valley by allocating Isle Casino Waterloo revenues for community betterment. Its stated focus areas include capital projects, capacity building for nonprofits, housing renovation, public infrastructure, health and medical facility support, education, and libraries. Recent grantmaking shows large awards to Waterloo Development Corporation, including $4,010,000 in 2024 for Hard Court Tournament Center and $2,492,000 in 2025 for property acquisitions, blight elimination, property zoning, and renovations. Other named grantees include University of Northern Iowa, which received $1,001,000 in 2025 for Elevating the Fan Experience: UNI-DOME Phase 2, and Northeast Iowa Food Bank, which received $1,000,000 in 2025 for From Hunger to Hope: Building a Secure Tomorrow. The foundation also gave $1,000,000 in 2025 to Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity for Strategic Giving Initiative and $500,000 in 2024 to the City of Cedar Falls for Community Natatorium. Typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $75,000 at the 75th percentile, though recent awards range much higher for major capital projects.
Recent grantmaking spans capital projects, housing, and public infrastructure. Notable grants include Waterloo Development Corporation’s $4,010,000 award for Hard Court Tournament Center and $2,492,000 for property acquisitions, blight elimination, property zoning, and renovations. The association also funded housing-related work through Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity’s $1,000,000 Strategic Giving Initiative, Waterloo Housing Trust Fund’s $100,000 Program #11, and Cedar Falls Housing Trust Fund’s $50,000 start-up funding. Public facility and civic projects appear in awards to the City of Cedar Falls for Community Natatorium at $500,000, the City of Gilbertville for an emergency services building at $225,000, and Friends of the Waterloo Public Library for youth and teen area updates at $96,000. Grants also supported parks, water quality, libraries, and health-related facilities.
$5.7M
$17.7M
$5.7M
$4.6M
Most grants fall between $15K and $75K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$75K
EMILY HANSON
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BLACK HAWK COUNTY GAMING ASSOCIATION gives through competitive grant programs and multiple annual grant cycles. Its programs include online Letter of Intent processes and board review, and some programs are limited to eligible governmental entities and qualified nonprofits. Typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $75,000 at the 75th percentile. Published program ranges extend from $5,000 to $1,000,000 or $10,000 to $1,000,000, depending on the cycle. The association funds programs, projects, capital improvements, and capacity-building work that benefit the Cedar Valley, with a primary focus on Black Hawk County and some funding available in Bremer and Butler counties.
BLACK HAWK COUNTY GAMING ASSOCIATION is headquartered in Waterloo, IA, but its grantmaking is concentrated elsewhere within its service area. The state where it gives most often is not identified in the data as Iowa by grant count, and the provided percentage shows 0% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. Recent grants were all to U.S. recipients. Recent award locations in the data include Black Hawk County communities such as Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Evansdale, and Gilbertville, along with grants in Janesville, Reinbeck, Jesup, and Sumner.
Some of its grant programs accept unsolicited applications, while others do not. The data shows both competitive programs that accept unsolicited requests and others that require an online Letter of Intent or invitation-only application after eligibility review.
It funds capital projects, capacity building for nonprofits, housing renovation, public infrastructure, health and medical facility support, education, and libraries. Recent awards also show support for parks, recreation facilities, emergency services buildings, water quality, and cultural or educational spaces.
The typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $75,000 at the 75th percentile. Program ranges vary by cycle, from $5,000–$1,000,000 or $10,000–$1,000,000 in the data provided.
It is based in Waterloo, IA and prioritizes the Cedar Valley, with a primary focus on Black Hawk County. The program geography also includes Bremer and Butler counties, and some materials note limited funding for Grundy County. The provided recipient data shows all recent grants went to U.S. organizations.
Recent grants include Waterloo Development Corporation, University of Northern Iowa, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, Christian Community Development, City of Cedar Falls, Cedar Valley Kids, City of Gilbertville, Black Hawk County Conservation Board, and Friends of the Waterloo Public Library.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WATERLOO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | WATERLOO, IA | $3,428,958 | 2026 | DOWNTOWN SIGNAGE/HARD COURT FACILITY/PROPERTY ACQUISITION/TERMINATED GRANTS |
| HAWKEYE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | WATERLOO, IA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | HAWKEYE BUTLER HALL RENOVATION |
| WATERLOO HOUSING TRUST FUND | WATERLOO, IA | $300,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GROUT MUSEUM INC | WATERLOO, IA | $200,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING - DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT |
| PEOPLES COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC | WATERLOO, IA | $100,000 | 2026 | CLINIC-DENTAL RENOVATION |
| ALLEN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION | WATERLOO, IA | $100,000 | 2026 | ALLEN CHILD PROTECTION CENTER EXPANSION |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE CEDAR VALLEY | WATERLOO, IA | $100,000 | 2026 | LIME ST CLUB RESTROOM MODERNIZATION PROJECT |
| CITY OF SUMNER | SUMNER, IA | $50,000 | 2026 | SUMNER TRAIL ENHANCEMENT PROJECT |
| FRIENDS OF THE WATERLOO PUBLIC LIBRARY | WATERLOO, IA | $50,000 | 2026 | WATERLOO PUBLIC LIBRARY AUTOMATION MACHINES |
| EXCEPTIONAL PERSONS INC (EPI) | WATERLOO, IA | $50,000 | 2026 | LOW INCOME HOUSING RENOVATION AIDING UNDERSERVED |
| LINK CCD | WATERLOO, IA | $50,000 | 2026 | WALNUT NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUND PARK |
| CITY OF ELK RUN HEIGHTS | ELK RUN HEIGHTS, IA | $35,000 | 2026 | PICKLEBALL COURTS |
| CLARKSVILLE FOOD PANTRY INC | CLARKSVILLE, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | RENOVATING FOR EFFICIENCY |
| SUMNER DAYCARE AND LEARNING CENTER INC | SUMNER, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | CHILDCARE PLAYGROUND: CLIMBING TO NEW HEIGHTS |
| CITY OF LA PORTE CITY | LA PORTE CITY, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | $20,000 LIBRARY RENOVATION; $5,000 PUBLIC ART |
| THE JOB FOUNDATION | CEDAR FALLS, IA | $20,000 | 2026 | RENAME AND REBRAND THE JOB FOUNDATION |
| CEDAR VALLEY ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDENS | WATERLOO, IA | $20,000 | 2026 | ILLUMINATE THE GARDENS |
| JOYFUL NOISE DAYCARE | GRUNDY CENTER, IA | $20,000 | 2026 | DAYCARE PLAYGROUND RESURFACING |
| NORTH STAR COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | WATERLOO, IA | $19,474 | 2026 | PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION |
| GLADBROOK-REINBECK PTO | REINBECK, IA | $15,000 | 2026 | GLADBROOK-REINBECK ELEM. PTO PLAYGROUND PROJECT |
| AMERICANS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING | WATERLOO, IA | $15,000 | 2026 | HONOR & ACCESS: FACILITY UPGRADES AND RECOGNITION |
| IOWA LEGAL AID | WATERLOO, IA | $10,568 | 2026 | TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY |
| HIGHLAND HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION | WATERLOO, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | HIGHLAND HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD STREET LIGHT REPAIR |
| CEDAR VALLEY YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION (CVYSA) | WATERLOO, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | CVYSA PLAYGROUND |
| FRIENDS OF CMH | SUMNER, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEM |
| WATERLOO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | — | $2,492,000 | 2025 | PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS/BLIGHT ELIMINATION/PROPERTY ZONING AND RENOVATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA | — | $1,001,000 | 2025 | ELEVATING THE FAN EXPERIENCE: UNI-DOME PHASE 2 |
| IOWA HEARTLAND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | — | $1,000,000 | 2025 | STRATEGIC GIVING INITIATIVE |
| NORTHEAST IOWA FOOD BANK | — | $1,000,000 | 2025 | FROM HUNGER TO HOPE: BUILDING A SECURE TOMORROW |
| FAMILY YMCA OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY | — | $170,000 | 2025 | FAMILY YMCA OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY RE-VISIONING |
| CITY OF EVANSDALE | — | $150,000 | 2025 | ANGEL'S PARK WATER QUALITY & RESTROOM PROJECT |
| RIVER HILLS FOUNDATION | — | $100,000 | 2025 | TRANSFORM RIVER HILLS OLD POOL TO NEW SENSORY ROOM |
| FRIENDS OF NATIONAL CATTLE CONGRESS | — | $50,000 | 2025 | NATIONAL CATTLE CONGRESS RENOVATION PROJECT |
| CITY OF TAMA | — | $20,000 | 2025 | SAFE ROUTES NETWORK OF TAMA AND TOLEDO |
| CITY OF INDEPENDENCE | — | $20,000 | 2025 | EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT |
| TRY PIE BAKERY | — | $16,000 | 2025 | STRATEGIC PLANNING |
| CITY OF FAIRBANK | — | $15,000 | 2025 | FAIRBANK BALL DIAMOND UPGRADES |
| CEDAR VALLEY PRESCHOOL | — | $14,250 | 2025 | RAISE THE ROOF! |
| CITY OF NEW HARTFORD | — | $12,000 | 2025 | MARTIN MEMORIAL LIBRARY ADA COMPLIANT RESTROOM |
| OPERATION 11TH HOUR | — | $10,850 | 2025 | HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE FISHING PIER FOR INDEPENDENCE |
| LUTHERAN SERVICES IN IOWA | — | $10,000 | 2025 | BLACK HAWK COUNTY REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT ASSISTANCE |
| COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMS INC | — | $10,000 | 2025 | CONCRETE NEEDED: NEW HAMPTON GROUP HOME |
| CEDAR VALLEY ANGELS | — | $9,500 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILD: PROF. DEVELOPMENT AND EQUIPMENT |
| RIVERVIEW CENTER | — | $7,350 | 2025 | SUSTAINABLE SEXUAL ASSAULT INTERVENTION SERVICES |
| WATERLOO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | — | $4,010,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2024 | HARD COURT TOURNAMENT CENTER |
| CITY OF CEDAR FALLS | — | $500,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2024 | COMMUNITY NATATORIUM |
| CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | — | $500,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2024 | EXTENDING HOPE, HOUSE OF HOPE EMPOWERMENT CENTER |
| AMERICANS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING | — | $100,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2024 | VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER |
| SUMNER DAYCARE AND LEARNING CENTER INC | — | $50,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2024 | PHASE 2 OF SOLVING DAYCARE DESERT |
| CEDAR FALLS HOUSING TRUST FUND | — | $50,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2024 | START UP FUNDING: CF HOUSING TRUST FUND |
WATERLOO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$3,428,958DOWNTOWN SIGNAGE/HARD COURT FACILITY/PROPERTY ACQUISITION/TERMINATED GRANTS
WATERLOO HOUSING TRUST FUND
$300,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GROUT MUSEUM INC
$200,000CAPACITY BUILDING - DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
ALLEN CHILD PROTECTION CENTER EXPANSION
LIME ST CLUB RESTROOM MODERNIZATION PROJECT
CITY OF SUMNER
$50,000SUMNER TRAIL ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
FRIENDS OF THE WATERLOO PUBLIC LIBRARY
$50,000WATERLOO PUBLIC LIBRARY AUTOMATION MACHINES
LOW INCOME HOUSING RENOVATION AIDING UNDERSERVED
LINK CCD
$50,000WALNUT NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUND PARK
CITY OF ELK RUN HEIGHTS
$35,000PICKLEBALL COURTS
CLARKSVILLE FOOD PANTRY INC
$25,000RENOVATING FOR EFFICIENCY
SUMNER DAYCARE AND LEARNING CENTER INC
$25,000CHILDCARE PLAYGROUND: CLIMBING TO NEW HEIGHTS
CITY OF LA PORTE CITY
$25,000$20,000 LIBRARY RENOVATION; $5,000 PUBLIC ART
THE JOB FOUNDATION
$20,000RENAME AND REBRAND THE JOB FOUNDATION
CEDAR VALLEY ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDENS
$20,000ILLUMINATE THE GARDENS
JOYFUL NOISE DAYCARE
$20,000DAYCARE PLAYGROUND RESURFACING
NORTH STAR COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
$19,474PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION
GLADBROOK-REINBECK PTO
$15,000GLADBROOK-REINBECK ELEM. PTO PLAYGROUND PROJECT
AMERICANS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
$15,000HONOR & ACCESS: FACILITY UPGRADES AND RECOGNITION
HIGHLAND HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
$10,000HIGHLAND HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD STREET LIGHT REPAIR
CEDAR VALLEY YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION (CVYSA)
$10,000CVYSA PLAYGROUND
FRIENDS OF CMH
$10,000PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEM
WATERLOO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$2,492,000PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS/BLIGHT ELIMINATION/PROPERTY ZONING AND RENOVATIONS
FAMILY YMCA OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
$170,000FAMILY YMCA OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY RE-VISIONING
CITY OF EVANSDALE
$150,000ANGEL'S PARK WATER QUALITY & RESTROOM PROJECT
RIVER HILLS FOUNDATION
$100,000TRANSFORM RIVER HILLS OLD POOL TO NEW SENSORY ROOM
FRIENDS OF NATIONAL CATTLE CONGRESS
$50,000NATIONAL CATTLE CONGRESS RENOVATION PROJECT
CITY OF TAMA
$20,000SAFE ROUTES NETWORK OF TAMA AND TOLEDO
CITY OF INDEPENDENCE
$20,000EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT
TRY PIE BAKERY
$16,000STRATEGIC PLANNING
CITY OF FAIRBANK
$15,000FAIRBANK BALL DIAMOND UPGRADES
CEDAR VALLEY PRESCHOOL
$14,250RAISE THE ROOF!
CITY OF NEW HARTFORD
$12,000MARTIN MEMORIAL LIBRARY ADA COMPLIANT RESTROOM
OPERATION 11TH HOUR
$10,850HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE FISHING PIER FOR INDEPENDENCE
COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMS INC
$10,000CONCRETE NEEDED: NEW HAMPTON GROUP HOME
CEDAR VALLEY ANGELS
$9,500CAPACITY BUILD: PROF. DEVELOPMENT AND EQUIPMENT
WATERLOO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$4,010,000In-kind (goods, not cash)HARD COURT TOURNAMENT CENTER
CITY OF CEDAR FALLS
$500,000In-kind (goods, not cash)COMMUNITY NATATORIUM
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
$500,000In-kind (goods, not cash)EXTENDING HOPE, HOUSE OF HOPE EMPOWERMENT CENTER
AMERICANS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
$100,000In-kind (goods, not cash)VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER
SUMNER DAYCARE AND LEARNING CENTER INC
$50,000In-kind (goods, not cash)PHASE 2 OF SOLVING DAYCARE DESERT
CEDAR FALLS HOUSING TRUST FUND
$50,000In-kind (goods, not cash)START UP FUNDING: CF HOUSING TRUST FUND