Leadership Bootcamp Program

Empower Rural Iowa

The Leadership Bootcamp Grant program provides training, mentorship and funding to communities and regions initiating leadership programs. This program is a result of the Governor's Empower Rural Iowa Initiative.  

If Iowa wants rural communities to survive and thrive, it will take strong local leadership. Many rural communities have created effective leadership programs, as have various Iowa industries. Leveraging these efforts as examples and partners, this program targets communities who want to start a local leadership program and work to engage participants in community leadership roles. Grantees will participate in a half-day bootcamp resulting in a work plan and a one-year mentorship. 

Bootcamp Grantee recipients are encouraged to attend the Leadership Exchange event, hosted in Perry, Iowa on October 29 and 30, immediately prior to the Leadership Bootcamp. Registration is significantly reduced for all Bootcamp grantees who attend the Leadership Exchange event. A registration code will be provided with confirmation of grant funding. 

The program is administered by the Iowa Rural Development Council in partnership with the Center for Rural Revitalization, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and Leadership Iowa

  • City or county government, federally tax-exempt nonprofit agencies and foundations
  • Application is open
  • Please review the program details and expectations of participation on the grant application.
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis until October 1, 2024. 
For more information, contact:

Robin Bostrom

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