The Iowa Rural Development Council has launched a new program to provide funds for local organizations looking to develop leadership trainings focused on skills and professional development. The SPARK Leadership Grant Program is targeted toward rural communities who want to host soft skills-based leadership trainings. Funded by Alliant Energy, the program aims to strengthen leadership capacity and collaboration across rural Iowa. The program will provide grants of up to $2,500 to support a community’s vision for expanding local leadership and their ability to address existing gaps through training. Applications for the program are open and will be accepted through Sept. 19. For more information or to apply, click here.