Discover Ames has announced the recipients of its 2023 Community Grant Program.
More than $104,000 was awarded to 29 organizations for events and activities occurring in calendar year 2023. This is the 17th year of the Community Grant Program. In total, Discover Ames (the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau) has awarded $1,149,805 in grants.
The Community Grant Program was established to support a wide range of events and activities that are open to the public. Grants are awarded annually on the basis of merit as determined by the Discover Ames Grant Committee and are administered by Discover Ames.
Grant funds are available to develop events and activities that improve the quality of life for Ames residents and have the potential to attract visitors to the Ames area or enhance a visitor’s experience.
2023 Discover Ames Community Grant recipients
- Ames History Museum Jack Trice Exhibits
- 515 Week, sponsored by Ames Main Street
- Opening Night Appetizers for shows presented by Ames Community Theater (ACTORS)
- Run for the Roses, sponsored by Alpha Omicron Pi and Ames Area Running Club
- Ames Main Street Farmers Market
- Ames Pridefest 2023
- Ames TUBACHRISTMAS
- Dancenter Dancer Showcase
- Studio Sessions on Douglas, presented by KHOI fm Community Radio
- Miss South Sudan USA, sponsored by South Sudanese Women Outreach
- Midwest Children’s Choir Festival, sponsored by Ames Children’s Choirs
- Friendship Ark’s 5K on the 4th
- Avenue Q, presented by Ames Community Theater
- ICA Mela: a Cultural Celebration of India’s Diversity, sponsored by India Cultural Association of Central Iowa
- Iowa Games Athlete Tailgate, organized by Iowa Sports Foundation
- Campus Service Day, sponsored by ISU Campus Service Council
- Roosevelt Summer Sunday Concert Series, presented by Friends of Roosevelt Park
- Ames Pickleball Courts
- Octagon Art Festival
- Reiman Gardens’ Spirits in the Gardens
- Senior Variety Show
- Special Olympics Iowa Summer Games
- Goldfinch on the Lawn, presented by Stephens Auditorium
- Zearing Days Celebration
- Spring musical, “High School Musical, JR,” presented by Story Theatre Company
- Pizza Pie Looza, sponsored by the Nevada Foundation
- Ames Fly-in 2023, presented by Boys & Girls Club, Ames Police Dept., and Central Iowa Air Service
- Iowa State University WinterFest
- Independence Day Fireworks, presented by Discover Ames
Apply for 2024 grants
Organizations are encouraged to apply for 2024 grants. The application period will open this spring, and applications are due Oct. 13, 2023.
Applications are accepted from public and private organizations who demonstrate the ability to complete the proposed event or activity. Events can be cultural, educational, recreational, or artistic. The grant program is designed to encourage wide participation and innovative proposals.
To apply, organizations must complete the grant application form. The Community Grant Committee will review applications and make recommendations to the Discover Ames Board of Directors for final approval.
