(Cedar Rapids, IA) – GreatAmerica Financial Services® announced the completion of its Employee Advised Fund (EAF) spring 2026 grant cycle, awarding $250,000 to nonprofits in the Eastern Iowa area. This marks the first of two giving cycles in 2026.
The Employee Advised Fund empowers GreatAmerica employees to make charitable giving decisions by voting on nonprofit applications, directly supporting organizations that strengthen the community.
From this cycle, 15 nonprofits were awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. The recipients of the spring 2026 cycle include:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa, Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, Cedar Valley Humane Society, Chelsey’s Dream Foundation, CommUnity Crisis Services, Eastern Iowa Health Center, HACAP / Meals from the Heartland, Iowa Abortion Access Fund, Kids First Law Center, Miracles in Motion Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Nassif Community Cancer Center (submitted by St. Luke’s Foundation), The Arc of East Central Iowa, The Catherine McAuley Center, The Freedom Foundation, and Worldmaker Resilience Institute.
Grant recipients highlighted the impact of GreatAmerica’s support across the community.
“Thank you to GreatAmerica Financial Services for their generous $15,000 Presenting Sponsorship toward the Cedar Rapids Hunger Fight and for their continued support of our mission to empower people to save starving children,” said HACAP / Meals from the Heartland. “This event resulted in the packaging of 258,984 meals by 625 volunteers—equivalent to feeding nearly 1,000 children for a year. The meals will be distributed by HACAP to area food banks and pantries.”
The Cedar Valley Humane Society also emphasized the importance of the Employee Advised Fund in sustaining critical services. “The Cedar Valley Humane Society offers a variety of programs designed to support both pets and the people who care for them, and our Pet Food Pantry remains one of the most vital,” the organization shared. “While many know us for sheltering and adopting animals, this program helps pets stay in their current homes by providing families with the resources they need during times of financial hardship. Support from the GreatAmerica Employee Advised Fund helps us continue serving thousands of pets each year, ensuring they remain healthy, cared for, and in the loving homes where they belong. We are grateful for partners like GreatAmerica who recognize the importance of strengthening the human-animal bond and investing in the well-being of our community.”
GreatAmerica’s Employee Advised Fund launched in 2022 and continues to grow as a cornerstone of the company’s philanthropic efforts. The next grant cycle will open for applications in September and can be accessed at GreatAmerica Employee Advised Fund | Community Giving | GreatAmerica. Nonprofits (registered 501(c)(3) organizations) must have a GreatAmerica employee sponsor to apply. Grant awards focus on four areas: health and human services; arts and culture; environment; and public projects.