About our Charities

More than a year after the historic flood on June 13, 2008, there are still hundreds of Cedar Rapids homes uninhabitable or unoccupied. This has led to safety issues and larger concerns; what will happen long-term to affected neighborhoods and the people who live there?

The community needs a visible, immediate sign that there is organized progress.

Block by Block is a solutions-based, relationship-building approach that identifies and assists neighborhoods that want to come back to life. The program builds on the tremendous work already done by blocks, providing resources to make each property on the block fully habitable. Once an area is identified and a construction plan is set, private dollars, paid oversight and volunteer labor will rebuild the neighborhoods one block at a time.

The Block by Block development strategy is designed to create hope and encourage all property owners on the block to either reinvest in their property or arrange for a solution other than abandonment.

The goal is to complete eight blocks by the end of the 2009 calendar year. Limiting factors may include block participation, funding and weather-related delays. The real solutions come from within the block and work outward; each neighborhood moves forward by working together, communicating their needs at neighborhood meetings and supporting each other to bring back their block.

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVHH) is a partnership of churches, businesses, individuals, organizations and families of low resources that has a proven track record in addressing the need for affordable housing in the greater Cedar Rapids community. It is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), an ecumenical Christian housing organization committed to eliminating the world’s substandard housing.

Habitat is a helping hand, not a hand out. The only thing given away is opportunity. To keep homes affordable we use as much volunteer labor and discounted or donated materials as possible. A rehabilitated or new unit is then sold at no profit and no interest to a family whose annual income excludes them from conventional financing, but who could afford to buy and maintain their own home if the price and terms were right. Principal payments are used to support more building, more families.

Homeowners are selected based on need for adequate housing, ability to pay their mortgage loan and other associated home owning costs, and willingness to be a volunteer partner with Habitat. Race, age, sex, ethnic origin, marital status, and religion are never considered in application review for approval. Homeowners agree to volunteer 300-400 hours by participating in a variety of Habitat projects and supporting activities – including the construction of their own home and homes being built with other Habitat homebuyers.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation (GCRCF) is a public charitable foundation holding more than 500 different funds, large and small, established by individuals, families, nonprofit agencies and businesses to benefit Linn County, Iowa. Since our founding in 1949, we have served the needs of this area and the wishes of our donors through personalized service, financial stewardship, local expertise, and community leadership.

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is:
- A collection of more than 500 charitable funds built with gifts and bequests from many people in the greater Cedar Rapids, Linn County, and East Central Iowa areas
- A service for giving that provides flexibility to meet a broad range of needs through a variety of gifts and giving techniques
- A partner with professional advisors to create highly personalized and effective approaches to charitable giving for their clients
- A grant maker that awarded $14.2 million in 2008, uniting the generosity of our donors with the needs of the community
- A community leader that brings people and organizations together to create positive change.
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity. It was Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations by the Council on Foundations in 2005.