Grants
Photographer: Justin Rogers of West Des Moines, IA
Paint Iowa Beautiful
Through a partnership with Diamond Vogel Paint of Orange City, Iowa communities can receive paint for a variety of community enhancement projects.
Keeping up the appearance of our buildings, facilities and parks is an important component of viable communities. Well-maintained and painted buildings reflect pride in our communities. Thousands of gallons of paint have been donated to community groups through the Paint Iowa Beautiful program.
The longstanding partnership between Keep Iowa Beautiful and Diamond Vogel provides free paint to a wide variety of public service and community betterment projects throughout Iowa.
“Diamond Vogel is proud to work with dedicated volunteers who are committed to strengthening the
economic vitality of Iowa’s communities,” said Doug Vogel, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic
Relationships of Diamond Vogel. “These projects not only enhance the visual appeal of our towns but
also foster collaboration, pride, and a deeper sense of belonging among Iowans.”
In its 21-year partnership with Keep Iowa Beautiful, Diamond Vogel has awarded enough paint to cover over five million square feet of surfaces for 1,438 community projects in Iowa.
“Paint Iowa Beautiful is more than just fresh paint. It’s about revitalizing community spaces and
strengthening connections,” shared Andy Frantz, Executive Director of Keep Iowa Beautiful. “When
volunteers come together to improve local amenities, it cultivates leadership, civic pride, and a renewed
sense of place.”
Benefits to Participating Communities
- Enhance Community Amenities: A fresh coat of paint enhances public buildings, parks, and other amenities, which contributes to a vibrant and attractive community.
- Cultivate Local Leadership: Paint Iowa Beautiful encourages volunteer-led initiatives that encourage residents to work together to beautify their community.
- Foster Civic Pride: When communities look well-cared for, it increases a sense of belonging and pride among residents.
- Boost Economic Vitality: A town that looks its best is more attractive to businesses and visitors.
- Increase Cross-Sector Collaboration: Paint Iowa Beautiful encourages projects that include collaboration between local government, non-profit organizations and businesses.
The 2025 grant application is now closed.
Before you begin, click below to read the program guidelines:
Paint Iowa Beautiful Program Guidelines and FAQs
Who is eligible to apply? Nonprofit, public and private entities are eligible to apply.
What projects are eligible? Projects that keep up the appearance of public facing buildings, facilities and parks in Iowa communities are eligible for this program.
If approved, what products are included? Recipients may purchase any Diamond Vogel coating (paint, stain, primer) in 1-gallon or 5-gallon containers from a local Diamond Vogel Paint Store or Dealer.
What are the dates of this program? The application is open from November 2024 through February 14, 2025. Grant awardees will be notified by April 2025. Paint/coating must be purchased and used by the end of the year it was awarded, and reimbursement must be submitted during that timeframe. For the 2025 grant cycle, reimbursement requests are due by December 31, 2025.
How does reimbursement work? Recipients must provide their receipt(s) from a Diamond Vogel Paint Store or Dealer for their purchase. The project must be completed before reimbursement is requested. Reimbursement requests must include the receipt as well as a picture of the completed project. Reimbursement covers the pre-tax amount. In the event the recipient purchases more paint/coating than they were approved for, reimbursement will only cover their approved amount. Paint/coating must be purchased and used by the end of the year it was awarded.
How do I apply? Click here to apply for the Paint Iowa Beautiful program! Applications are due by February 14, 2025.
How many gallons are typically awarded per grant? In 2024 the average grant award was for 6 gallons and most awards ranged between 5-10 gallons.
Grant application tips:
- Projects that have a high community value will be rated higher.
- Projects involving volunteers will be rated higher.
- Projects with youth involvement will be rated higher.
- Government agencies will generally not receive as high of ratings as nonprofits and service clubs, except where volunteer, disadvantaged or youth involvement is strong.
- Partnership projects (government with nonprofits or service clubs) will be rated higher.
- Large-volume requests (over 30 gallons) will generally receive a lower rating.
- Awarded grants are applicable only the calendar year in which the award is granted. There is no carryover to the next year. Those not using their allocation or award must reapply for the next year.
2024 Paint Iowa Beautiful Project Highlights:
Interior of library
Main floor of library
Highland rural schoolhouse
Van Buren Telephone Company building in downtown area
Merry-go-round in City Park
Interior of Gritter Creek School
Shelter houses at both parks
Interior & exterior of Melrose caboose
Interior & exterior of church stand shelter at
Maxwell City Park
Public library and City Park upgrades
For more photos of Paint Iowa Beautiful projects, visit our social media channels!
2025 Grant Recipients:
2025 Paint Awards
| COMMUNITY | ORGANIZATION NAME |
| Afton | Afton Development Corporation |
| Amana Colonies | Amana Colonies Historical Sites Foundation |
| Baxter | Baxter Chamber of Commerce |
| Benton County | Benton County Conservation |
| Black Hawk County | Black Hawk County Public Health |
| Bondurant | Bondurant Little League |
| Boone | Camp Fire Heart of Iowa |
| Butler County | Butler County Conservation Board |
| Cedar Falls | Community Main Street |
| Cedar Rapids | Eastern Iowa Arts Academy |
| Charter Oak | Charter Oak Development Corporation |
| Clarence | Clarence Main Street |
| Clarion | Heartland Museum |
| Clarke County | Clarke County Historical Society and Museum |
| Clearfield | City of Clearfield |
| Clinton | Vince Jetter Community Center |
| Clinton | Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center |
| Davenport | Hilltop Campus Village |
| Davis County | Friends of Lake Wapello |
| Denison | City of Denison |
| Des Moines | City of Des Moines Youth Advisory Board |
| Dunlap | Boyer Valley Youth Organization |
| Eldora | Eldora Children’s Center, Inc |
| Ely | Friends of Ely Parks and Recreation |
| Emmetsburg | Emmetsburg Community Development Corporation |
| Essex | City of Essex |
| Farragut | Farragut Community Hometown Pride |
| Fontanelle | Fontanelle Enterprise Club |
| Fort Madison | The Mexican Fiesta Committee of Fort Madison Inc. |
| Fredonia | City of Fredonia |
| Garnavillo | Garnavillo Economic and Industrial Development Committee |
| Gilmore City | Gilmore City Hometown Pride |
| Guttenberg | Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce |
| Harlan | Shelby County Wellness Alliance |
| Hawarden | Siouxland Youth for Christ |
| Indianola | Indianola Downtown Main Street |
| Iowa City | Iowa City Free Medical Clinic |
| Iowa Falls | Iowa Falls Chamber/Main Street |
| Jackson County | Jackson County Senior Citizens Center |
| Jasper County | Jasper County Conservation |
| Jewell | Jewell Market |
| Keota | City of Keota |
| Lake Mills | Lake Mills Area Historical Society |
| Lake View | Lake View Foundation |
| Lamoni | Lamoni Trails Commission |
| Laurens | Laurens Community Center |
| Le Mars | Plymouth County Fair |
| Leland | City of Leland |
| Linn County | Hawkeye Downs |
| Logan | Logan Public Library |
| Lone Tree | Lone Tree Community Foundation |
| Lynnville | Lynnville Historical Society |
| Lytton | City of Lytton |
| Macedonia | City of Macedonia, Macedonia Hamilton Development Corporation, Macedonia Heart & Soul |
| Madison County | Madison County Chamber of Commerce |
| Manchester | Manchester Vitality Endowment |
| Miles | Great River Threshers |
| Minden | City of Minden |
| Missouri Valley | Missouri Valley Park Board |
| Moville | Moville Youth Recreation Association |
| New Market | New Market Civic Club |
| Norwalk | Warren County Master Gardeners and Norwalk Girl Scouts |
| Oakland Acres | City of Oakland Acres |
| Oelwein | City of Oelwein |
| Orchard | City of Orchard |
| Polk City | Big Creek Historical Society |
| Rolfe | Rolfe Hometown Pride |
| Sac City | Sac City Chamber of Commerce |
| Shellsburg | Shellsburg Hometown Pride |
| Sherrill | City of Sherrill |
| Sibley | Sibley Housing and Development Corporation |
| Spragueville | Spragueville Community Center |
| Storm Lake | The Bridge of Storm Lake |
| Sumner | Ten Wasp Brewing Company |
| Swisher | Swisher Parks and Recreation Board |
| Tabor | Lakin Library & Envisioning Center |
| Varina | Varina Hometown Pride |
| Villisca | Villisca Community Betterment Association |
| Waterloo | Link CCD |
| Waukon | West Paint Creek Synod Cemetery Association |
| Waverly | City of Waverly Leisure Services |
| Webster City | Webster City Area Chamber |
| West Branch | Main Street West Branch |
| West Burlington | City of West Burlington |
| Wright County | Wright County District Junior Fair |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Development Committee |
