Opportunity Summary
The Rice County Community Foundation (RCCF) is accepting Fall 2026 Community Fund applications for charitable projects and programs benefiting Rice County communities. The controlling 2026 guidelines and FAQ confirm a deadline of September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Central Time, with applications accepted only through RCCF’s online grant portal.
Funding
RCCF’s current 2026 announcement identifies eight community-specific grant pools totaling $238,740: Alden $4,770; Bushton $6,500; Chase $12,700; Geneseo $7,500; Little River $15,000; Lyons $115,500; Raymond $4,770; and Sterling $72,000. The current official materials do not publish a universal per-applicant minimum or maximum. The applicable community’s available allocation and fund purpose therefore control the practical request size.
Eligibility
RCCF will consider requests from IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, government or public entities, educational institutions, and religious organizations, subject to due-diligence review. The current cycle announcement also expressly identifies public and private schools, municipalities and townships, public libraries, and quasi-governmental agencies such as counseling centers and councils on aging. Projects must serve the applicable Rice County community and advance a charitable community purpose.
Match, Allowable Uses, and Review
The current 2026 guidelines and FAQ do not state a mandatory match or cost-share percentage, so Atlas does not infer one. Competitive applications are reviewed for charitable purpose, community benefit, project readiness, available funding, and the requirements of the applicable fund. Grant funds may be used only for the purpose approved by RCCF and may not be redirected without prior written approval.
Recent RCCF Community Fund awards demonstrate broad practical precedent across health and human services, schools, childcare, senior services, public safety, libraries, community infrastructure, and equipment. Examples include Sterling Village, Cornerstone Childcare Center & Preschool, school projects, fire and public-safety equipment, and community food-pantry support. Prior awards are evidence of program breadth, not a guarantee that a particular 2026 cost will be approved.
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted through the RCCF online grant portal; email and fax submissions are not accepted. Every request requires an EIN or Tax ID. Organizations claiming 501(c)(3) status must provide an IRS determination letter, while eligible non-501(c)(3) entities must provide a completed W-9. Applicants must use the budget page provided in the application and provide complete organization, project, financial, and contact information. A grant agreement must be reviewed and signed before competitive grant funds are released.
Healthcare, School, N9+ and QC Healthcare Fit
This is a broad community grant rather than a dedicated healthcare-technology solicitation. Atlas assigns N9+ Fit 35/100 conditional and QC Healthcare Fit 30/100 conditional. A defensible role could exist only where an eligible Rice County applicant has a documented health, senior-care, school-health, EMS, or access-to-care project and RCCF confirms that the specific technology, equipment, implementation, training, and related costs are allowable. N9+ should not be forced into unrelated community projects. Dr. Miltie, LLC / QC Healthcare is not being treated as a direct eligible applicant.
Current Status and Next Step
The Fall 2026 cycle is currently open. Eligible organizations should select the correct community fund, define a specific charitable project with a complete budget and measurable community benefit, assemble the required organization documentation, and submit through RCCF’s portal by September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Central Time. For technology or equipment concepts, confirm project-specific cost allowability before final budgeting.
Official 2026 RCCF Grant Guidelines
Official RCCF Grant FAQ
Official RCCF Application Page