HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmissions SJRE FY21
Organization Amount Past Recipient Year Amount
Free Lunch Program $8,000.00 No
Divine Media Group $15,000.00 No
Sylvan Learning Center $16,000.00 No
Open Heartland $14,749.00 No
Sudanese Community Center $25,000.00 Yes FY20 $13,520.00
National Alliance on Mental Illness Johnson County $25,000.00 No
Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition $25,000.00 Yes FY17 $2,500.00
4Cs Community Coordinated Child Care $16,850.00 No
Domestic Violence Intervention Program $2,430.00 No
Food Pantry at Iowa $6,075.00 No
Little Creations Academy $10,089.00 Yes FY20 $7,360.00
Interdance $7,500.00 No
Multicultural Development Center of Iowa $6,000.00 No
Johnson County Interfaith Coalition $24,990.00 No
IC Compassion $25,000.00 No
Rotary Club of Iowa City (Noon)$10,000.00 No
Corridor Community Action Network $24,692.38 No
Iowa City Coralville Boxing Club $25,000.00 No
Antelope Lending Library $15,405.00 Yes FY20 $6,644.00
Refugee and Immigrant Association $8,000.00 Yes FY19 $12,000.00
Shelter House $13,388.44 No FY18 $10,600.00
FY19 $5,000.00
Willowwind School $25,000.00 No
University of Iowa Labor Center $20,000.00 Yes FY19 $15,200.00
FY20 $15,500.00
Bike Library $4,000.00 Yes FY17 $3,250.00
Physicians for Social Responsibility (Iowa)$8,000.00 No
University of Iowa Liberal Arts Beyond Bars $6,575.00 No
Successful Living $25,000.00 Yes FY20 $25,000.00
Sankofa Outreach Connection $15,000.00 Yes FY17 $13,500.00
PromptPress $3,400.00 No
Amount Available $75,000.00
Total Amount Requested from all Organizations $431,143.82
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Free Lunch Program
City
Iowa city
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
Johnson
Street Address
1105 Gilbert Court #100
Address Line 2
319-337-6283
icfreelunch@gmail.com
iowacityfreelunch.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Ronda Lipsius
C0-Director
319-337-6283
icfreelunch@gmail.org
The Free Lunch Program provides a noon meal Monday through Saturday to whomever comes to dine, An
open door, a full plate, no questions asked.
37
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
The Free Lunch meal is the only service we provide. We don't have projects. We provide food to anyone in the
community who desires a free meal. This service has been going on since 1983.
Proposal
In 1983 a group of Iowa City social workers saw a need for a free meal for the homeless. They started serving
a soup lunch one day a week which over time expanded to 6 days a week. The meal was served at the Wesley
House up until 2015 when the program moved to Gilbert Court in our current location.
The Free Lunch Program serve a free noon meal six days a week to anyone desiring a free meal. We serve
homeless, low income and anyone who comes through our door for a meal.
We advance social justice and racial equity by providing a service to any and all individuals. particularly those
in greatest need.
The priority area we address is health. By addressing hunger and providing food we are promoting better
health.
We fulfill the need for food to satisfy hunger. Many of the homeless and other guests who reside at the Shelter
House, tenants who live at Cross Park apartments and homeless staying at the day shelter as well as area
homeless come to Free Lunch for a daily meal.
We work with Table To Table to secure supplemental food for meals. United Way helps us secure containers
and masks for our meals and guests. Area restaurants donate food at times from events.
We serve a free meal to anyone who comes to us. We do not document our guests. We serve men, women,
children all all races, gay, straight or other and any income level. Most of our guests are homeless or very low
income.
In 2019 we served 38,685 meals. As of the first half of this fiscal year we served $17,052 meals.
There is no charge. The meal is free.
The outcomes and performance measures are: Number of meals served, number of volunteers and how many
hours they volunteer and how many fruits and vegetable options are served at each meal.
We have a sign in sheet for each meal that volunteers sign in and enter their hours worked, the food served at
each meal is listed so we can identify the fruits and vegetables served and the total meal count is tallied.
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
None
Social service agencies in the area all promote our service. We are listed in all social service listings for our
area in directories and online. Guests tell others about our service.
Yes, The Free Lunch Program will continue into the future. We apply annually for grants from Unite Way, City
of Iowa City, Johnson County and Community Foundation of Johnson County as well as some random grant
opportunities that arise. We receive donations from businesses, churches and individuals.
No fees or professional services
Funding Amount Request
8,000.00$
All funding will be used for operational expenses such as rent which includes all utilities, payroll for the co-
directors overseeing the program and meals, custodial payroll for Saturday meals, program costs such as food,
milk and supplies for the meals.
Our fiscal budget is January - December. The 2020 budget was $77,523.00
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 42,200.00$5,800.00$15,200.00$
Other Revenue 21,000.00$5,350.00$19,300.00$
Supplies 3,450.00$1,268.00$3,322.00$
Food 6,300.00$820.00$2,375.00$
Rent 24,000.00$8,000.00$14,000.00$
misc expenses 43,773.00$8,396.00$28,458.00$
The free meal is served all year long and will continue that way.
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
We use grant funds as needed all year long.
The City of Iowa City grants us funds on a yearly basis which is usually around $16,000
We annually receive grant funding from Johnson County ($2-3,000), Community Foundation of Johnson
County (usually $6-8,000), United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties (usually $6-8,000). We receive
funds from businesses and individuals.
We apply annually for grant funds from area organizations and will continue to do so.
We are not dependent on receiving funding. We have a budget that we have the funds for. Any funds we
receive help to provide a better service to our guests.
Yes No
We appreciate any funding we receive. We have a set budget and operate within the budget. We have savings
to survive on if needed.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
12/1/2020
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Divine Media Group LLC
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
923 Crosspark Ave Apt F
Address Line 2
319 471 5747
divinemedia53@gmail.com
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Marques Brooks
Owner/Cinematographer
319 471 5747
divinemedia53@gmail.com
Divine Media Group aims to inspire those that have a vision through artistic expression, capturing value and
developing innovation using multimedia.
8
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
Divine Media Group has created innovative installation art titled "Be" Sessions which inspires women to "Be"
themselves no matter what position they carry in their lives. Being true to self and remaining genuine captures
truth within a person. The collection captures 10 women in model form, possessing, beauty, fashion, and great
energy.
Proposal
Divine Media Group was established by Marques Brooks, owner of DMG, evolving from music and
entertainment. DMG became a platform to express artistic views through media, and from those that had a
vision or idea, ranging from Music to Advertising.
Divine Media Group is a multimedia platform for artists. DMG provides creative vision for artists and other
entities, bringing out their skills and talents through film.
Divine Media group advances social justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges
within a society. Divine Media Group displays Racial Equity as giving equal opportunity to all artists no matter
their ethnicity.
Divine Media Group addresses education by showing those that are inspired how to create a artistic and
professional content through film and production. The goal is full and equal participation of all groups and
individuals in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs to help them reach their full potential, and
limit/decrease barriers.
Divine Media Group fulfills multimedia service for all entities interested. Creating artistic content, advertising,
marketing, and entertainment for many audiences.
Divine Media Group includes partnerships and collaborations with other brands, and organizations to expand
creative endeavors, and opportunities. A detailed description of partnerships and collaboration would be
working with other artists in the community such as a music artist. Creating a music video or short film capturing
their life story to display to audiences that are interested in this type of art.
The projected demographics of community members, will range from youth, age 9 to age 50 through other
entities and programs. Race will be all ethnicities, both male and female genders, and low income families to
more fortunate income families, middle to higher incomes.
Community members are estimated to be served are in the several thousands, events, private screenings,
premieres, and educational programs, expanding ones knowledge and expertise within multimedia and art.
There will be a charge to participate in educational multimedia learning programs, for outside community
members. There will be free tutorials for youth through school administrations throughout the community.
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Outcomes will be increasing in employment opportunities for services needed within media production
Indicators include Education, Skill and Production literacy, Event planning, and artistic development.
Processes and tools created will be educational projects for those wanting to pursue artistic endeavors through
multimedia and activity will be displayed by allowing youth to learn hands on skills to evolve within multimedia.
Goods and services will be shared through various social platforms and art events, that allow audiences to
engage in a more personal experience with the art and artists.
Yes, the program will be expanded after the SJRE Grant funding ends. The goal is to maximize fund spending
in the correct places within the Divine Media Group multimedia program, gaining more opportunities and
support from the community and outside sources as well.
Fees for professional services will be catered to those requesting bigger projects that require team
participation, and development. Fees for professional services builds experience in preparation of clients that
need service.
Funding Amount Request
15,000.00$
Funding will be utilized,by purchasing up to date equipment and programs to maximize artistic approach,
through producing short films, and other media projects marketing campaigns, and bigger artistic projects and
collaborations. Funding will also create educational opportunities for youth and those interested in learning the
skills of media production.
Divine Media Group has a low annual budget due to lack of funding for projects. Divine Media Group has went
into the negative of revenue earning, thus leading to DMG creating free project creations, and internships.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Fees 700.00$$$
Equipment/Hardware/Traveling 2,000.00$$$
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Funding will help with development of projects and hiring of production team to create filming projects and
events, aiming to engage community into art and multimedia.
A timeline will consist of 6 months to a 1 year, hiring a production team to help with programming, and setting
up special events for the community to engage in. Funding will help with development of projects, purchasing
equipment and hiring of production team to create filming projects and events.
Within the last 5 years, Divine Media Group has not received any funding from the City of Iowa City. Marques
Brooks owner of Divine Media Group has solely funded his own projects and purchasing of equipment. Divine
Media Group has had difficulty expanding as a business and creating opportunities throughout the community
due to lack of funding resulting into many free given projects to expand networking and contacts. Divine Media
Group has paid out more expenses, than receiving revenue from projects creating consistent revenue losses.
Thus leading to outdated equipment and limitations through film and production due to lack funding and help
with expanding the brand.
Within the last 5 years Divine Media Group has not received funding for any programs, thus leading to self
funding for projects and revenue losses.
Divine Media Group has applied for additional funding for this program, through small business loans,
concluding to being ineligible for funding.
15k to 20k will be needed for funding Divine Media Group programs, creating educational programs, renting
space for multimedia programs, and development of multimedia projects and paying members of Divine Media
Production team.
Yes No
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
12/4/2020
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
Organizational Information
Sylvan Learning of Iowa
City
Coralville
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52241
Country
United States
Street Address
1100 5th Street
Address Line 2
Suite 105
319-351-9343
coralville@iowa-sylvan.com
www.sylvanlearning.com/coralvilleia
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Dr. Sheri Senter
Director of Community Outreach
515-705-8065
sheri.senter@iowa-sylvan.com
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
At Sylvan Learning of Iowa, our mission is to build the lasting skills, habits and attitudes students need to
succeed in school and life. Sylvan focuses on building academic confidence, igniting intellectual curiosity and
inspiring a love for learning.
Sylvan Learning of Iowa strives to include students who are academically at-risk for academic failure, by
offering personalized instruction and small group instruction, with classes taught either virtually or in-person at
Sylvan Learning of Iowa Centers of Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Ames and Johnston. For purposes of the Racial
Equity and Social Injustice Grant, educational services will be offered both virtually or in-person at Sylvan of
Coralville , under the “Foundations for Success” program.
30
Sylvan Learning of Iowa has two strong examples utilizing the Ace it! instructional programs.
First, for more than ten years, West Des Moines Schools has contracted with Sylvan Learning of Iowa to
provide academic reading for children earmarked for potential school difficulties. The program employs
Sylvan’s Ace it! reading instructional program. This is the same program proposed in this “Foundations for
Success” grant. Children are assessed using the STAR reading tool upon entry into the program and again at
the completion of the 24 hour instruction.
In the latest West Des Moines program, approximately 86% of students who attended on a regular basis
showed notable growth in reading. The ethnicity of the students participating were 42.2% Hispanic, 15.8%
African American, 15.8% Hakha/Chin, 2.7% Persian, 2.2% Ethiopian, 4.4% other and 17.8% White. There were
54 participating students.
The program was renewed, commencing November 2, 2020 with a completion date of December 22, 2020.
There are 42 children in the program, ranging from first through sixth grade. The results from this group will be
available January 2021.
Proposal
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
Given the current educational crisis, more children are facing the inability to attend school in-person or are
faced with ever-changing systems of virtual, in-school or a hybrid model. Studies have indicated that the
learning lag is increasing, with nearly 3 - 6 months delayed in reading scores and 6 - 12 months delayed with
mathematics, according to a “NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) Project”.
This is why “Foundations for Success” was developed. Based on the targeted schools list from Iowa
Department of Education, the “Foundations for Success” is addressing the needs of families who live in the
communities where academic achievement is below expectations. There is a disparity between the assessment
scores of minority children living with modest and low family incomes.
Sylvan’s Ace it! program has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the low-achieving students.
There are proven results that academic growth in reading and math was evident when students participated in
the Ace it!
According to recent articles by the NACCP as recently as November, 2020, “Education Week”, “PEW” and
“Schoology”, the discrepancies in academic growth are further increasing due to inadequate internet and
limited electronic devices, when comparing affluent and predominately white communities with lower income
communities and families of color.
Although Iowa City boasts one of the highest high school graduation rates in the state (Iowa City), there is an
increase in the disparity between the highest performers and students who struggle to achieve basic academic
skills within the current school system. Title 1 funding assists those schools with the highest levels of
economically disadvantaged to help improve student achievement. Iowa City Schools has 13 schools that are
eligible for Title 1 funding to focus on these learning deficits. When analyzing the racial imbalance of Iowa City’s
public schools, the learning gaps in the education of elementary school children continue, showing the lack of
mastering fundamental skills in reading and math.
A recent study conducted by Rockman et. al, based on 2,839 students participating in Sylvan Learning’s Ace it!
after-school program, found benefit in the student’s academic growth, gaining 17 points in reading and 10
points in math. Children participating were the most at-risk population and significantly performing below grade
level. The Ace It! tutoring provided both specialized reading and mathematics curricula and offered 30 hours of
remediation.
Further, when analyzing the ethnicity breakdown in the City of Iowa City, there are 27.6% persons in poverty.
When looking at Iowa City Schools, we can identify which students need additional assistance to provide the
fundamental foundations and build on subsequent knowledge.
Sylvan Learning of Iowa recognizes that currently students and families are faced with a constant upheaval
within the educational delivery systems. Concomitantly, remediation and enrichment intervention programs are
available, but at a cost to families. The academic investment for families may be overwhelming, despite the
awareness that their child may be falling further behind in their academic accomplishments.
Sylvan Learning developed its Sylvan Methodtm through academic research, years of teaching experience and
technology. Based on independent research, Sylvan students see up to two or three times more academic
growth than students who do not use Sylvan. With more than 40 years of tutorial programs and in 700
communities, Sylvan has proved itself to make a difference in the academic success of students and
particularly for those needing additional assistance to achieve grade level skills.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
What it is:
Sylvan Learning of Iowa has been tutoring children in the Iowa City community since the mid-1980’s. Sylvan
has served 20,000 children successfully! With the desire to maintain its standards of excellence and
educational insight as to the needs of students, Sylvan Learning of Iowa is offering an in-person at Sylvan of
Coralville or a virtual opportunity for students to participate in the Ace it! tutoring for both math and reading.
With its office in Coralville, Sylvan Learning of Iowa can provide both the on-line programs as well as the in-
person services, thus, meeting the ever-changing needs of the Iowa City’s community. It can also offer flexibility
with hours, meeting the needs of the targeted families. The Coralville location practices physical distancing and
adheres to CDC healthy practices. Sylvan of Coralville is part of the immediate area considered part of Iowa
City and is served by Iowa City Schools.
The Ace it! program will be used in the “Foundations for Success” grant, identifying learners in need of
remediation and target the essential skills in reading and math. With its inspiring learning experiences,
“Foundations for Success” will offer the Ace it! program through small group instruction, grouped by age, grade
level and STAR assessments for reading and math. The identified students will be provided academic and
intervention instruction over the summer, focusing on the improvement of skills prior to the beginning of the
2021-2022 school year.
Students from grades 2nd – 3rd grade will be grouped as will students in grades 5th-6th grade. Invitees to
participate will be based on recommendations from the Principals or teachers, identifying the most vulnerable in
achieving school success. Archibald Alexander Elementary School and Kirkwood Elementary have been
earmarked, based on the school test scores and serving communities identified as primarily affected by racial
inequities.
Instruction will include:
Specialized reading curricula, including word analysis, phonemic awareness, phonetics, comprehension,
comprehension strategies, vocabulary and fluency. The reading program will also allow students to increase
their writing skills, addressing topic sentences, understanding main concepts, and capitalization and
punctuation rules.
Specialized mathematics curricula will include concrete to abstract understanding, reinforcement of basic
mathematic fact knowledge, and application of skills to solve word problems.
Students will be offered, at no-charge, remedial instruction in both reading and math. “Foundations for
Success” will encourage families to help their students attend Ace it! sessions twice a week, with two hours of
instruction each time for six weeks. STAR Literacy and STAR Mathematics standardized assessments will look
at the pre-test and the post-test, measuring the student’s academic gains after participating in the
“Foundations for Success” grant. All components with be taught by Sylvan certified teachers. In every hiring
process at Sylvan Learning of Iowa, we strive to hire a diverse staff.
The participants are based on the statistical data of those families receiving reduced or free lunch, percentage
of minority children and schools and children identified needing to improve academic fundamentals. Sylvan
Learning of Iowa will work with Archibald Alexander Elementary School and Kirkwood, identified as meeting the
criteria for “Foundations for Success” participation. Alexander consists of 72% minority, with the Black and
Hispanic children accounting for 62.2% of the student population. Alexander also offers 71.9% of their students
free or reduced lunch, an indicator of a lower socioeconomic status. Kirkwood Elementary School is located in
Coralville and is comprised of 74% minority and 80% of the students eligible for reduced or free lunch. We
propose offering the students in 2nd – 3rd grades and students 5th – 6th grades, that have been identified by
teachers who would benefit from both an academic reading and math program.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Analysis of students struggling with the academic fundamentals necessary to be successful in school are often
in communities with the highest percentage of minorities and in lower socio-economic areas. In a study
completed this August, the Center for American Progress sites that the Black-White wealth gap will widen when
educational disparities during the coronavirus pandemic are prevalent, partially the result when there are
discrepancies with access to internet, necessary devices and the lack of resources. This will further worsen
racial disparities, particularly in Black neighborhoods and contribute to weaker educational outcomes.
The NAACP further sites that the lack of technology or access to high-speed internet, the communities
experiencing more layoffs, potential instability in families and the inability for families to afford academic help,
emphasizes the need for programs to try and meet these social inequities.
A recent PEW study explained that “learning gaps” are the difference between what a student is expected to
have learned by a certain grade level. If not addressed now, students will likely fall further behind because of
the knowledge they’ve missed.
In another study completed this August and reported findings at the Distance Teaching and Learning
Conference, it was expressed that there is an overall concern that Covid has exacerbated the achievement
gap, amplified by the existing challenges for the most at-risk population, leading to the potential loss of a full
year’s worth of educational growth. Also in August of this year, an article in Education Week explains that
“those that continue to achieve the basics and have access to virtual education threaten to widen disparities in
education that leave poor students and students of color at a disproportionate disadvantage.”
Sylvan’s Ace it! instructional program has the proven track record to help children in economically
disadvantaged communities or families of color to gain academic growth. The “Foundations for Success” will
target the specific children at Archibald Alexander Elementary and Kirkwood Elementary that have been
identified by the Principals and teachers that need further intervention with reading and math fundamentals. By
offering a 24 session educational program, for both reading and math, it is proposed that 48 students will be
served.
“Foundations for Success” will focus on the educational needs of the Iowa City community, particularly the
families that are underrepresented. Based on the targeted schools list from Iowa Department of Education, the
“Foundations for Success” is addressing families that live in the communities where academic achievement is
below expectations and there is a disparity between the assessment scores of minority children living with
modest and low family incomes. These include the communities served by Archibald Alexander Elementary and
Kirkwood Elementary Schools. The education priority area is addressed, providing a program to help decrease
the academic achievement gap seen in households in low-economic areas, often with a higher population of
minority families.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
“Foundations for Success’ will fulfill the need for academic remediation for those children unable to pay for
tutoring programs. Although schools often provide a once a week intervention program for the low-achievers,
the targeted population needs specific programs developed solely to help students achieve improvement. The
Racial Equity and Social Injustice Grant will offer a comprehensive and proven program for students identified
as most vulnerable to academic failure, specifically designed to address the learning gaps in both reading and
math.
On November 24, 2020 an article by Hannah Natanson and published in The Washington Post elaborates on
the need for academic intervention with vulnerable students. It highlighted the need for programs to address
how the pandemic is driving an equity gap in American education, says Natanson, “may prove impossible to
close.” She continues, “children whose temperament, socioeconomic status or home situation have historically
barred them from academic achievement, will slip further and further behind.” The children struggling in school
prior to the academic, including race equity, learning abilities, non-English speaking households and
socioeconomic situations are facing more severe learning deficits.
Hence, the need to provide a well-established educational platform to assist the students struggling to succeed
in school is paramount.
We propose offering the Ace it! Reading program and Ace it! Math program to the students in 2nd – 3rd
grades and students 5th – 6th grades, that have been identified by teachers who would benefit from remedial
reading instruction and falling behind in mathematics. Without the academic fundamentals, marginalized
children often fall further behind in school, leading to incompletion of high school, lower paying jobs and less
ability for economic improvement. As families may not be able to pay for remedial services, this program will be
desired by even more families that can’t be covered by the Social Equity and Social Injustice Funding. It is
anticipated that 24 students will receive Ace it! reading remediation and 24 students will participate in the Ace
it! mathematics program.
No, but Sylvan Learning will ask to work closely with Alexander Elementary School’s Principal, Chris Gibson and
Kirkwood’s Elementary School’s Principal, Anita Gerling, to help identify the children they feel would benefit
from Sylvan Learning of Iowa’s “Foundation for Success”.
It is the hope of this project that Sylvan Learning of Iowa will be able to partner with the Iowa City schools
eligible for federal funding from Title 1 or 21st Century in 2021. Showing the growth from the students
participating in the Sylvan’s Ace it! project, for both reading and math remediation, should help prove the
importance of educational intervention for the lower performing students, facing learning deficits due to the lack
of resources and racial imbalances in their immediate communities.
It is the intent to also contact community organizations in Iowa City and collaborate to provide after-school and
informal learning opportunities for children at-risk for academic success.
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
The “Foundations for Success” will meet the needs of 48 students, with a mixture of male and female students
identified within the community of needing educational intervention.
Additionally, it is projected that more members of the community will reap the benefits of the “Foundations for
Success” grant because of the booklets that will be available to the families, offering information and strategies
to enhance academic growth in their children.
Based on data from the most recent “Enrollment, Demographics and Class Size Report” from Iowa City
Community School District and “Quick Facts” from Iowa City, the students to be served by this project attend
either Alexander Elementary or Kirkwood Elementary schools. Kirkwood Elementary has the second highest
minority population in the district, with 74% total minority. There are 52.6% Black, 12.3% Hispanic and 7.5%
Multi-racial. Alexander Elementary is 72% minority and the third highest minority population in the district. The
breakdown includes 45.0% Black, 17.2% Hispanic, 3.9% Asian, and 6.9% Multi-racial.
Currently the City of Iowa has approximately 4.8% of their population school-age and 27.6% live in poverty and
have a per capita income of $29,033. Alexander offers 71.9% of their students free or reduced lunch, an
indicator of a lower socioeconomic status. At Kirkwood Elementary, 80.1% of the student population qualify for
free or reduced lunch. Combined, it can be analyzed that a high percentage of the families served by these
schools are living in households below the median households. The 48 children served will reside in these
communities.
At Alexander Elementary there are 60 children in second grade, 62 children in third grade, or 122 children that
would be used to ascertain the students needing intervention in reading and math for small group instruction.
The 5th grade is comprised of 58 students and sixth grade has 55 students. From these 113 students, we will
identify additional children for the project’s small group instruction. At Kirkwood Elementary, there are 49
second graders and 58 third graders, or a pool of 107 students that will be used to identify the younger
children in the project. At Kirkwood, there are 53 fifth graders and 46 sixth graders, or 99 students that
comprise the total population in which the project will service 24 children.
Based on the statistical data of those families receiving reduced or free lunch, number of children of minority,
schools and children identified needing to improve academic fundamentals, Sylvan Learning of Iowa will
hopefully work with Archibald Alexander Elementary School and Kirkwood Elementary School, identified as
meeting the criteria for “Foundations for Success” participation.
It is the intention of this project to serve 48 identified students demonstrating academic concerns by their
teachers in reading and math and part of their local community. Over time, it is anticipated that Sylvan of
Coralville will be successful in reaching out to other community- based organizations, other departments within
the City of Iowa and the Iowa Community School District to receive additional funding and be able to provide
educational remediation for more identified students at no or reduced fees.
It is estimated the community meeting will provide information for approximately 25 – 50 families. The
“Foundation for Success” booklet will be made available to the families at both Alexander and Kirkwood
Elementary Schools, providing useful tidbits on improving academic success for their children, and potentially
being distributed to 776 students. It is hoped that further distribution of the "Foundations for Success" booklet
be available at libraries, the City of Iowa City and at community organizations.
No. Sylvan Learning of Iowa, utilizing the grant monies and contributing to some of the operating costs, will offer
the Ace It! tutoring program in both reading and math at no costs for the families either virtually or in-person at
Sylvan of Coralville.
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
“Foundations for Success” will utilize the STAR literacy and STAR mathematics standardized assessments to
analyze and quantify the results when students begin the program and complete the 24 hours of instruction.
The initial assessment, pre-test scores, will establish a baseline assessment and identify learning gaps in the
students’ knowledge. The post-test assessment will measure the students’ academic gains after participation in
the “Foundations for Success” grant. The STAR Adaptive Assessments have been proven to be both reliable
and valid, as determined by the National Center on Intensive Intervention. The computer adaptive test (CAT)
utilization adapts to each response, changing the level of difficulty based on the performance of the previous
item. The questions are based on the Common Core Standards, helping to analyze the state proficiency
requirements.
Parent questionnaire
Student outlook survey
Initial STAR assessment reading
Initial STAR assessment mathematics
Teacher observations
Post-intervention STAR assessment reading
Post-intervention STAR assessment mathematics
Student exit outlook survey
• A summary of skills that have been acquired by the students upon completion of the “Foundations for
Success” grant
• A breakdown of the skills needed for school success in both reading and math
• Reading and math test scores of the students in the project prior to commencing intervention
• Reading and math scores of the students that participated in the “Foundations for Success” Social Justice
and Racial Equity grant after they have completed their 24 sessions
• A community meeting that highlights the mathematics scope and sequence of skills and the core reading
skills necessary for future academic success
• At the community meeting, a booklet will be distributed, providing activities and suggestions for families to
do at home and continue the improvement of their student’s skills in both reading and mathematics,
adding to their overall academic success
• The “Foundations for Success” booklet will be made available to the families at both Alexander and
Kirkwood Elementary schools and throughout the community
The City of Iowa will be provided the data analyzed for the “Foundations for Success” Social Justice and Racial
Injustice Grant. In addition to the written report, Sylvan Learning of Iowa will present the information to the
community, addressing how academic intervention with at risk or low achieving students has proven results to
remediate specific skill deficits.
Results shared, through the “Foundations for Success” booklet, will include suggestions for parents and
families on how to provide activities with all students to help gains due to socioeconomic challenges, racial
inequities and underachieving youngsters.
It is the goal that the Ace it! program will continue to be available to those labeled academically at-risk, due to
learning differences, language barriers or minority communities. Sylvan Learning of Iowa will reach out to
programs that receive Title 1 funding or 21st Century Funds to partner and continue to offer the program, such
as Iowa City Schools and its elementary schools in the district. Sylvan Learning of Iowa will also reach out to
city-based organizations such as Parks and Recreation or community-based organizations such as HUD
Housing, Boys and Girls Clubs or YMCA programs. Should a partner not be found, the free program will be
suspended. Sylvan Learning of Iowa, however, will develop a similar tutorial program with reduced fees and
made available for the City of Iowa community.
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
There will not be outside professional services needed for “Foundations for Success”. The development and
implementation of this grant will be monitored through in-kind corporate overhead expenses.
Funding Amount Request
16,000.00$
Hiring and training of certified teachers
Educational supplies for the Ace it! program for 48 children to participate in math and reading instruction
during the summer months
Advertising and marketing the program to the families within the Alexander or Kirkwood Elementary Schools
boundaries
Pre and post STAR assessments of students
Analysis of STAR assessments
Small group instruction
Preparation of report to the Commission and report to the Community
Development and publishing of “Foundations for Success” booklet for families
In-kind services will provide corporate support, learning space, I-pad technology and materials at Sylvan of
Coralville
$250.000
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants $$16,000.00$
Professional Services - teachers, Director
of Ed analysis
$540.00$8,840.00$
Educational Materials - reading & math
assessments; development of
"Foundations for Success" booklet
$2,020.00$2,400.00$
Marketing/Advertising $300.00$300.00$
Equipment/Hardware - in-kind services $0.00$0.00$
Rentals - in-kind services $0.00$0.00$
Supplies - in-kind services $0.00$0.00$
Outside printing - report to Commission;
"Foundations for Success" booklet for
families
$$800.00$
Report Preparation $$400.00$
Misc. supplies $$400.00$
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Time line for grant
April 13 – 24 (upon decision by Commission)
Dr. Senter will contact principals at Alexander and Kirkwood Elementary Schools for list of identified
children to participate in “Foundations to Success”. Wood Elementary would be an alternate location.
May 4
Contact parents to request their children’s participation in summer program
Distribute flyers and information to parents
May 26 – June 12
Recruit, hire and train teachers for Ace it! math and reading instruction
June 1
Monies received for $16,000
June 14 – June 18
Verify with parents their student’s participation. Establish a schedule.
Purchase materials
July 13 - August 27
Cost of student participation – NONE
Pre-test assessments for reading and math.
Instruction of students for the “Foundations to Success” grant.
Ace it! tutorial instruction at 2 sessions per week, 2 hours per session. Parents will be encouraged to
participate in 4 hours per week.
48 instructional hours, including reading and mathematics essential skills
Classes to be held at Sylvan of Coralville or virtual.
August 17 – August 27
Post-test assessments for reading and math
Completion of Ace it! instruction for reading and math, prior to 2021-2022 school year
September 6 – 30
Analysis of test results completed on participating 48 students
Director of Education analysis - $2880
October – prepare report for Commission on results of grant
November – Presentation to Commission
December 6 – 10 –
Presentation to community on success of “Foundations for Success” grant and academic growth of
participating students
Disseminate materials for attendees at presentation
Development and printing of “Foundations for Success” booklet for families
December 6 – 17
Discussion with student’s current teachers to review academic growth
Completion of any follow-up
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
All monies will support the “Foundations for Success” program from May – December 2021
Specifically, the monies will be utilized as follows:
$300.00 partial marketing fees to develop and distribute flyers to parents at
May 4 – 15 Kirkwood and Alexander schools that have children eligible for program
$540.00
May 26 – June 12 recruitment, onboarding and training of three teachers for the Ace it! reading and math
programs
$2020
June 14 – 18 purchase of materials for the 48 students participating in the Ace it! reading and math
academic tutoring. Includes STAR pre and post assessments for reading and math
$5960
July 13 – August 27
salaries for teachers administering the Ace it! program for students participating in the
“Foundations for Success” grant
$2880
September 6 - 30
analysis of data from STAR assessments for reading and math, comparing pre and post
test scores, graphs of academic growth per student
$300
October 4 - 15 marketing materials for Commission report
$400
October 11-22 “Foundations for Success” preparation of report to Commission
$2,400
November – December 10
development and printing of “Foundations for Success” booklet for families
$800 printing of materials for distribution at community presentation
December 6 – 10
$400.00
December miscellaneous and unexpected expenses not included in above
For the fiscal years 2016-2017, Sylvan Learning of Iowa received monies from Iowa City Parks and Recreation.
Funding was through Title 1 and 21st Century Funding for middle school students to participate with STEM
robotics. 24 students participated in the STEM Camp, with $500.00 received for camp enrollment.
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Sylvan Learning of Iowa provided Ace it! reading and math instruction for West Des Moines community schools.
All the programs were funded through Title 1 monies, targeting the students that needed academic support.
Contracts are based on the district receiving Title 1 funding for the school calendar year.
2016 – 2017 45 students for reading instruction, October-December $43,000
27 math students, February-April $22,500
2017-2018 84 students for reading instruction, October-December $74,000
94 math students, February-April $76,000
2018-2019 78 students for reading instruction, October-December $65,500
79 students for reading instruction, February-April $62,500
Funding was no longer available for Ace it! math instruction
2019-2020 88 students for reading instruction, October-December $78,000
84 students for reading instruction, February-June $105,000
The delivery of “Foundations for Success” will not be dependent on other funding, other than SJRE. The goal
is to receive funding in the future for center-based and/or virtual implementation of the Ace it! reading and
math programs. Iowa City schools has approximately $3 million in funding to help the academically at-risk
students. It is our intent to solicit a collaboration with them and partner with their elementary schools, or partner
with community organizations to offer after-school tutorial services.
"Foundations for Success" is not dependent on receiving additional funding to continue offering Ace it!
instructional services. Sylvan Learning of Iowa will continue to reach out to the families that reside in the
community of the City of Iowa City, Iowa Schools and community organizations and offer the Ace it! reading and
math academic programs. Sylvan of Coralville will offer the students that reside in the City of Iowa City reduced
tutorial fees for the Ace it! program. Sylvan would be able to offer a similar program at $15.00 per class, per
session, or $360.00 for the 24 sessions. A minimum number of 16 participants would be required.
Yes No
With 48 hour of instruction for both reading and mathematics and pre and post assessments of children, the
project could be provided for less funds. However, "Foundations for Success" would need to reduce the
number of hours served to each student.
Decreasing the number of learning hours will still keep the number of students served and still allow the Ace it!
program to help meet the needs of the identified low-achieving students. It is recognized that reducing the
hours to 22 hours per subject may affect the academic progress of the students and could be a viable
alternative.
If more funding were available, Sylvan Learning of Iowa would also provide its "Foundation for Success"
program at Wood Elementary, as this school is second in offering free and reduced lunches and provides an
educational program comprised of 76% minority.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
Date *
12/17/2020
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Open Heartland
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
United States
Street Address
7 Wellesley Way
Address Line 2
3193215528
debdunkhase@gmail.com
7 WELLESLEY WAY
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Deb Dunkhase
Director
13193215528
debdunkhase@gmail.com
Open Heartland exists to celebrate the richness and strength of our diverse community by fostering inclusivity,
building relationships, and reaffirming our shared humanity.
1
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Open Heartland is dedicated to fostering inclusivity, building relationships, and reaffirming our shared humanity
throughout every segment of Johnson County. We chose to begin our work by targeting the local Latino
immigrant community (many of whom are undocumented) with the facilitation of Box Party play in the summer of
2018 for families living in five of Johnson County’s most economically disadvantaged mobile home communities.
Our team of community volunteers visited each mobile home community bearing huge stacks of cardboard,
markers, and tape to facilitate STEM play experiences with resident kids helping them to build both their STEM
skills and increase their connection to the community. Our goal was certainly to give these severely
underserved immigrant children a positive “playing to learn” experience, but the larger goal was to build
relationships in an effort to determine the unmet needs of these primarily Central American and Mexican
families who are living in our community undocumented and in constant fear of deportation. Our thinking was
that any positive change would begin by creating trusting, respectful relationships.
By Fall of 2018, we discovered that the families we were serving felt stressed that their children didn’t have the
necessary school supplies required by the ICCSD. Open Heartland recognized that all schools will provide
supplies to students when asked, but we wanted to help empower our Latino students on Day 1 of school to
feel equal to their classmates by going to school fully prepared. So Open Heartland collected enough supplies
and backpacks to equip 90 students for a first day of school without barriers!
As Winter of 2018 approached, we heard from our new friends living in Forestview, Regency, Hilltop, Cole’s,
and Breckenridge mobile home communities that due to their lack of financial resources they couldn’t provide
coats, hats, and mittens for their children and feared the impact cold weather would have on their family’s
health. Once again, Open Heartland was able to respond to need and provided 120 Latino children with winter
gear.
Once the pandemic hit we discovered that as difficult as Covid-19 was making life for everyone, it was much
worse in the Latino immigrant community. These families are some of the most vulnerable in terms of food and
housing security in good times. Now they were losing their jobs and didn’t qualify for any unemployment,
medical, or government support.
In March 2020, Open Heartland began weekly deliveries of food staples (rice, beans, oil, maseca flour, soap,
and toilet paper) to the Latino immigrant families who were losing their minimum wage/no benefits jobs. Open
Heartland was also able to help with rent subsidies thanks to a grant award from the Community Foundation of
Johnson County. These weekly deliveries also included clothes, household items, toys and children’s books,
and many hours spent building relationships with these families. Our vision has always been to create
opportunities for immigrant families to become immersed in a community that offers them equal participation in
all aspects of their lives. We were establishing bonds that offered our severely economically disadvantaged,
non-English speaking families a lifeline to friendships that would try to help them survive the pandemic.
By late August, the families we’d been serving were becoming panicked about the ICCSD’s Return to Learn
online programs. These families didn’t have the resources to purchase strong internet and relied on the free
but very “iffy” hot spots provided by their children’s schools which simply didn’t provide working internet
connections. In addition, the majority of the parents we serve do not speak English so were not receiving
communications from the schools about how online learning works and what their role would need to be to
support their children. The amount of confusion, misunderstanding, and fear for the education of their children
held by these parents was significant.
Once again, responding to need, Open Heartland found a way to increase participation of our Latino
community by opening an 8,000 square foot “Nido de Aprendizaje” (Learning Nest) in Pepperwood Plaza with
space donated by Faith Academy in September 2020. This Learning Nest has been essential to students,
providing free internet, tutoring support, school supplies, and a community devoted to helping these first
generation Latino students reach their full potential in achieving an education without barriers. Additionally, we
invited the Broadway Neighborhood Center team to share our space so that they could assist neighborhood
students with online learning. Our students are approximately 75% Latino and 25% Black. Our adult
parents/caregivers/volunteers are approximately 60% Latino, 20% Black, and 20% White.
In the past four months, Open Heartland has also used our Learning Nest to provide free English classes for
the parents of our students, facilitate free trainings for parents on how to navigate the ICCSD online learning,
and formed a Women’s Leadership Team representing each of the seven mobile home communities we serve.
We also continue to provide basic food, clothing, and hygiene supplies to these Latino community members
whose extreme level of vulnerability has only increased with Covid-19.
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
whose extreme level of vulnerability has only increased with Covid-19.
The services Open Heartland has been able to provide for the Latino immigrants living invisible lives here in
the so richly resourced Iowa City area have been made possible through dedicated volunteers and generous
donations made by community members. I can’t begin to express our gratitude to the people of Iowa City for
supporting the work of Open Heartland to encourage, empower, and engage social justice and racial equity for
the Latino immigrant community.
Proposal
Open Heartland’s “Kid Power” youth program was birthed by our Women’s Leadership Team. This team is
comprised of one parent from each of the seven mobile home communities in Johnson County served by Open
Heartland and has been meeting monthly since September 2020. The team’s purpose is to identify issues
faced by their immigrant community and potential solutions to these problems and challenges. The Women’s
Leadership Team identified the following community needs in early December 2020:
• Increased Knowledge about Access to Resources,
• Public Transportation in Regency and Breckenridge Mobile Home Communities,
• Medical Needs Due to Lack of Health Insurance,
• Medical Interpreters Who Maintain Confidentiality,
• Access to Quality Youth Programs,
• Childcare, and
• Mental Health Support
At the Open Heartland Leadership Team’s December 2020 meeting, these emerging community leaders
unanimously agreed that Access to Quality Youth Programs was the highest priority for their families. As with
many youth, Covid is severely impacting the children growing up in our community’s mobile home parks. These
kids are not only growing up in poverty, but are now isolated from the larger community due to online school
and social distancing restrictions. These kids live in extremely cramped spaces and are becoming increasingly
attached to screens (watching TV, video games, etc.). Our Latino community members are like all parents,
wanting their children to become educated; develop valuable social skills; gain mental, socio-emotional and
physical health; and just be kids excited and eager to play and grow up with their friends.
The dozens of families supported by the work of Open Heartland need help to ensure their children have equal
access to the community resources available in Iowa City.
Lack of financial resources is the primary barrier to our local Latino immigrant children’s participation in youth
programs. In addition, parents may not have means of transportation. However, another significant barrier is
the fear that any type of program registration could lead to their deportation.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
The Open Heartland Kid Power afterschool youth program was created to serve the Latino immigrant youth
ages preschool through high school growing up in the most economically disadvantaged Johnson County
mobile home communities including Forestview, Hilltop, Lakeridge, Cole’s, Regency, Modern Manor, and
Breckenridge. Through enrollment in Kid Power programs, youth participants will have access to 1) academic
enrichment opportunities including tutorial services; 2) youth development activities including nutrition and
health education, drug and violence prevention, arts and music programing, physical fitness and wellness
curriculum, financial literacy, and more; and 3) meaningful engagement of parents/caregivers in their children’s
education and development.
All Kid Power programs are free and will be facilitated in out-of-school (OST) time during the school year and
over the summer in group settings for youth ages 4 to 18. Whenever possible, Kid Power programs will be held
outdoors in mobile home communities to eliminate transportation issues. Program facilitators will be recruited
from Iowa’s Latino community so that youth participants will see themselves in their program leaders and aspire
to become leaders themselves.
Programs may be seasonal, 4-6 weeks in length, or ongoing and will be offered to all youth living in the mobile
home communities identified above with potential program topics identified by the Women’s Leadership Team
that may include:
• Soccer Club
• Boxing Club
• Biking Club
• Martial Arts Club
• Ice Skating Club
• Marimba History & Music of Today
• Drum Circle
• Art Club
• Traditional Folkloric Dancing
• Zumba for the Whole Family
• Photography Club
• Family Stories Bi-lingual Literacy Club
• Social Justice Club
• Leadership Club
• School Achievers Club (homework tutoring)
• Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies Club
• Money Savings Club
“Social Justice is about distributing resources fairly and treating all students equitably so that they feel safe and
secure – physically and psychologically.” (National Education Association, January 2019)
“Racial equity is about applying justice and a little bit of common sense to a system that’s been out of balance.
When a system is out of balance, people of color feel the impacts most acutely.” -Center for Social Inclusion
President Glenn Harris.
Racial and Social Justice require Education Justice and justice in our educational system begins with our
schools. “Public schools power our communities, but their strength depends on us addressing the systemic
inequities that our students and communities face.” Quote by Rocio Inclan, Senior Director NEA Center for
Social Justice.
Even in Iowa City, a community blessed with outstanding schools and rich in resources, not every student has
true access to a well-rounded education complete with afterschool enrichment activities. Not every student has
the money, the transportation required, parents who are available, or feel that they are welcome to the
afterschool programs that are so vital to their healthy development.
According to data from the Iowa City Community School District’s 2020-21 Academic Year Enrollment, Spanish
is the most common language of ELL students. Iowa City schools with the highest Spanish ELL populations
include Hoover, City HS, Longfellow, SEJH, Twain, Wood, Mann, and Lemme. The mobile home communities
served by Open Heartland attend all of these schools. According to ICCSD’s Youth and Family Development
Coordinator Joan Vandenberg, “Elementary schools [in Iowa City] served by Open Heartland’s Learning Nest
show much lower numbers of ELL students not accessing online learning.”
Open Heartland’s relationships with our Latino ELL student population and their families are making a
Open Heartland’s relationships with our Latino ELL student population and their families are making a
difference.
Data from the “Iowa After 3PM” report from the Afterschool Alliance
(http://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/geo/Iowa/challenges) state that “In Iowa, unmet demand for
afterschool programs has reached an all-time high, with nearly 196,000 children who would be enrolled in a
program if one were available to them. Demand for afterschool in Iowa surges as parents see key benefits from
afterschool, including keeping kids safe, helping them learn and grow, and providing peace of mind for working
families. As families face barriers to participation, such as cost and accessibility, there is strong support behind
public funding for afterschool programs in the state.”
Open Heartland’s Kid Power youth program is poised and ready to help empower Iowa City’s Latino youth to
reap the benefits of afterschool enrichment while fulfilling their immigrant families’ dreams of a better life for
their children complete with the kind of quality education available to the majority of students in the United
States.
Kid Power programs advance social justice and racial equity by increasing access to high quality youth
development programs to Iowa City’s underserved Latino immigrant youth ages preschool through high school.
Why are afterschool programs so important?
The Afterschool Alliance (afterschoolalliance.org) works to ensure that all children have access to affordable,
high-quality afterschool programs releasing data in December 2020 that cites five key findings about
afterschool programs across the United States.
1) Unmet demand for afterschool programs has reached an all-time high. With more than 7.6 million children
unsupervised after school, demand has grown 60% since 2004. 24.6 million youth would be enrolled in
afterschool programs if they were available.
2) Demand surges as parents see key benefits from afterschool programs. Among the benefits cited are:
building life skills, receiving healthy meals or snacks, engaging in STEM activities, getting help with homework,
taking part in physical activity, and interacting with peers to build social skills.
3) Cost and access block participation in afterschool programs pointing to a lack of affordable programs. While
there has been an overall drop in afterschool program opportunities for all youth, those most affected are low-
income households. The number of children in low-income households enrolled in afterschool programs fell
from 4.6 million in 2014 to 2.7 million in 2020.
4) Inequities are evident. Among low income, Black and Latino families, barriers to participating in afterschool
programs are most evident. Families in the highest income bracket spend 5x more on Out-of-School-Time
(OST) activities than families in the lowest income bracket. 89% of the highest income families report their
children participating in at least one OST experience, compared with only 60% of families at the lowest income
level.
5) Parents show strong support for expanding afterschool program opportunities. An overwhelming 87% of
parents agree that Congress should fund afterschool programs to serve students. Support for afterschool
programs also crosses party lines with 91% of Democrats, 87% of Independents, and 85% of Republicans
supporting public funding of afterschool programs to expand opportunities for kids in underserved
communities.
Access to afterschool programs provides youth with pathways to fuel their aspirations to a healthy, successful,
happy life as an adult. Afterschool programs help to ensure that all children and youth have the necessary
support systems in place to help them make good decisions, build positive relationships, and overcome
obstacles they may face in the future. Kid Power programs will create authentic experiential learning
opportunities through afterschool and summer learning experiences where students can connect to adult
mentors who are positive role models, feel safe to try new things, acquire new skills, and develop mastery in an
area to build self-confidence.
This has been an incredibly turbulent year, from a devastating pandemic to a national awakening of systemic
racism sparked by the murders of George Floyd and other people of color to a horrifically polarizing
presidential election. Now more than ever, Kid Power afterschool programs are critical for helping Latino
immigrant children stay strong, resilient, and confident that each of us is essential to creating a future filled with
promise.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
promise.
Open Heartland’s Kid Power youth program addresses two of the six priority areas of Iowa City’s Social Justice
and Racial Equity grant: education and building community.
Education: Access to afterschool programs is highly dependent on family income. The highest income families
spend almost seven times more on afterschool enrichment activities for their children, and this spending gap
creates an opportunity gap. Not only should we be worried about the gap in terms of inequitable access, but we
should also be concerned about outcomes. Enrichment activities help build human and cultural capital and
develop and define children’s interests and skills. As noted in the Foundations of Young Adult Success
framework, high-quality interactions or developmental experiences with peers and adults allow youth to foster
skills and develop self-management strategies. By participating in activities otherwise not readily available to
them, the extremely low-income immigrant youth (whose estimated average household income is $15,600 per
year) served by Kid Power will now have access to new and enriching afterschool experiences designed to
provide lasting, long-term developmental benefits to them and to their families.
Building Community: Due to working family members, the youth growing up in Latino immigrant households are
often unsupervised by an adult after school which increases their risk of engaging in dangerous behaviors,
(such as drug use and unsafe sexual activity) and becoming victims or perpetrators of violence, in addition to
the lack of educational stimulation. Both youth and the larger community benefit by ensuring that ALL youth
have access to enriching afterschool activities, safe places, and caring adults when out of school.
Open Heartland’s Kid Power programs serve the Iowa City community by providing high quality, accessible
afterschool programming to youth from one of our most vulnerable community constituents –Latino immigrants.
These community members are living in extreme poverty, isolated from the economic and cultural fabric of the
community, and in constant fear of their legal status being discovered, which could lead to deportation to the
country from which their family fled. They need support and help from the Iowa City community.
The 2019 Census data reports that 5.8% of Johnson County residents (151,140 people) are Hispanic or Latino
with 19.9% of the community being under the age of 18. This amounts to 1,744 youth growing up in a
community where the median household income is $62,542 but their families are averaging $15,600 and that’s
only if their parents don’t get sick and miss work or if their hours aren’t cut due to the pandemic. These Latino
youth belong to the staggering statistic of 16% of all Johnson County families who live in poverty. According to
the US Federal Poverty Guidelines for Iowa, a family of five whose income is $30,680 is living in poverty. Yet
the average Latino immigrant family of five living in one of Johnson County’s most economically disadvantaged
mobile home communities earns a mere $15,600 each year (This data has been collected by Open Heartland
interviews with the 175 families we have served 2019-2020).
Latino immigrant children are growing up with daily threats of food insecurity, housing insecurity, and being
separated from their families. The amount of stress this puts on a child is tremendous. Open Heartland is
committed to creating high quality afterschool and summer programs that are welcoming and accessible to our
young Latino immigrant community.
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
The Open Heartland Kid Power youth programs rely heavily on community partnerships in an effort to capitalize
on the good work of community organizations and continue working towards increased collaboration of the
Latino immigrant community with the rest of Iowa City.
The following is a list of some of the partnerships currently being developed for the kick-off of Kid Power youth
programs in late spring and summer of 2021 (or as soon as Covid restrictions allow). Each partner will be
involved with both designing and facilitating the youth program for maximum engagement and impact.
Soccer Club: Collaboration with City and West High School minority soccer players.
Boxing and Martial Arts Clubs: Collaboration with ICOR Boxing Club.
Biking Club: Collaboration with Iowa City Bike Library and Think Bicycles of Johnson County.
Ice Skating Club: Collaboration with Coral Ridge Mall Ice Arena.
Marimba History and Music of Today: Collaboration with Heartland Marimba.
Drum Circles: Collaboration with West Music.
Art Club: Collaboration with City and West High minority art students.
Traditional Folkloric Dancing: Collaboration with International Folk Dance group from Iowa.
Zumba: Collaboration with City and West High minority dance students.
Photography Club: Collaboration with Stacie Woodside, local photographer /artist.
Family Stories Bi-lingual Literacy Club: Collaboration with Iowa City Compassion.
Social Justice Club: Collaborations with Humanize My Hoodies, United Action for Youth, and Neighborhood
Centers of Johnson County.
Leadership Club: Collaboration with YELL (Youth Engaged with Leadership and Learning) Program from the
Neighborhood Center of Johnson County.
School Achievers Club: Collaboration with Rotary Clubs of Iowa City.
Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies Club: Collaboration with University of Iowa Mobile Health Clinics.
Money Savings Club: Collaboration with Hills Bank and Green State Credit Union.
Kid Power is designed to serve the following community members.
• Youth ages preschool through high school (4 years to 17 years)
• Latino immigrants from Central America and Mexico living in one of Iowa City’s economically disadvantaged
mobile home communities
• All genders
• Families that fall into the Iowa Poverty Level of $30,680 or less for a family of five.
Kid Power programs will not require social security numbers, a condition that could easily prevent families from
registering their children in the program due to fear of deportation. The only information required for youth
participants is contact information including phone and address, an adult/caregiver’s permission to participate,
an emergency contact, and an agreement to provide medical care for the youth participant in case of an
emergency.
Open Heartland currently serves 339 Latino youth living in poverty in Johnson County mobile home
communities with an estimated 75% or 254 youth from Iowa City (Forestview, Hilltop, Cole’s, Lakeridge, and
Modern Manor).
It is our goal to engage 200+ youth in our Kid Power programs from June 1 through December 31, 2021.
100% of Open Heartland’s Kid Power programs are free of charge in order to provide maximum accessibility to
the families served. In addition, Open Heartland will work to provide free transportation when necessary for
youth participation.
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Anticicpated Outcomes include the following:
Outcome #1) Increased interest and participation in new experiences and opportunities. Performance
Measurement = Pre-participation and Post-participation student surveys
Outcome #2) Increased skill development. Performance Measurement = Pre-participation and Post-
participation Skill Student Surveys
Outcome #3) Increased academic achievement. Performance Measurement = Comparison of school grades
pre and post tutoring via student interviews
Outcome #4) Increased positive attitudes about informal, out-of-school-time learning. Performance
Measurement = Pre-participation and Post-participation student surveys gauging potential changes in attitudes
Outcome #5) Increased safety and supervision during afterschool hours. Performance Measurement = Pre-
participation and Post-participation family surveys
Outcome #6) Improved completion of school homework. Performance Measurement = Comparison of
homework completion pre and post participation via student interviews
Outcome #7) Improved health and wellness. Performance Measurement = Pre-participation and Post-
participation student surveys gauging screen time, physical activity and general health indicators
The Kid Power youth programs will be deemed successful in meeting program goals if the following
percentages of change are achieved.
Outcome #1: 50% increase in interest in new experiences and opportunities for all program participants
Outcome #2: 50% improvement in skill development for all program participants
Outcome #3: 10% improvement in school grades for all tutoring program participants
Outcome #4: 75% improvement in attitudes about informal learning experiences
Outcome #5: 50% increase in safety and supervision in program participants
Outcome #6: 75% increase in amount of completed homework for tutoring participants
Outcome #7: 75% increase in health & wellness of all program participants
Once all of the Kid Power programs are piloted during Year One, program curriculum and associated
evaluation tools will be shared with the greater Johnson County and Iowa Afterschool Alliance community with
the hope that more community organizations will engage in programs to help eliminate racial and social
inequities.
Open Heartland will post regularly on social media platforms about our Kid Power programs and our efforts to
improve social justice in Iowa City. These posts will feature the voices of both the youth and adults in the Latino
families being served by Kid Power. Our intent is to give our Latino immigrant community a voice that will be
heard, thus helping to empower these individuals to become more integrated into Johnson County.
In addition, the Kid Power “Family Stories Bi-lingual Literacy Club” will publish their family history projects, which
will be available for purchase by community members. Any proceeds from this project will go back into Kid
Power for future programming financial needs. These projects will also be videotaped and available on social
media and the Open Heartland website (under construction and projected to go live in April). Our immigrant
families have incredibly stories to tell of their journeys to Iowa that Open Heartland is eager to capture and
share with the rest of the community. All projects developed by this Kid Power program will help the greater
community gain increased understanding of the challenges faced by these first generation immigrant families
who left their extended family and history behind due to violence, poverty, or with the hope of giving their
children an education. It is our hope that this storytelling program will truly help our community live the words
the pandemic has inspired us to say when we assert that “We’re All In This Together”.
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Yes, it is the intent of Open Heartland to continue providing the Kid Power programs after the SJRE grant
funding ends. This will be achieved by:
1) developing and training our core volunteers to provide programming content;
2) developing youth leaders to become program facilitators;
3) relying on Open Heartland’s fundraising to replenish any consumable program materials and supplies; and
4) creating Kid Power fundraisers that showcase how efforts on behalf of social justice and racial equity enrich
the lives of all community members.
Not applicable.
Funding Amount Request
14,749.00$
Grant funds will be used to purchase program supplies and equipment, pay the cost of student lessons,
provide healthy snacks, and provide 200 Latino youth with $5 each to open a savings account. $1,500 is
budgeted to pay Latino high school students who are over the age of 16 to facilitate the soccer, art, Zumba,
and social justice programs after receiving leadership training by the Open Heartland team. All equipment
purchased for specific programs will belong to the student participant, i.e. a bicycle and bicycle helmet
purchased for student participants in the Biking Club will belong to that student participant after the program
ends.
In 2020, Year One of Open Heartland, the annual budget was $40,208. $22,830 in unrestricted income and
$17,378 in restricted income.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 1,500.00$$$
Other Revenue - Individual Donations $1,000.00$$
Equipment specific to Program $6,529.00$$
Fees for Lessons $1,600.00$1,620.00$
Educational Materials $500.00$$
Supplies $2,250.00$2,250.00$
Savings Accounts Initial Deposits $$1,000.00$
Stipends Paid to High School Facilitators $750.00$750.00$
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Because of the social distancing required during the pandemic, Kid Power Programs will not begin until May or
June, 2021. Each of the 17 Kid Power Programs will be facilitated during the summer and throughout the fall of
2021. Programs will be either single occurrences or a 6 to 8 week series depending on the nature of the
program. For instance, Art Club will hold monthly programs, but each program will be a different type of art that
is a stand-alone registration. Soccer Club, on the other hand, is a summer 8-week program that requires
registration for the entire session. Programs are being designed so that the program theme or topic, amount of
time, and location offer maximum diversity to the youth participants.
Registration for all programs will take place from May 1 to 15, 2021. Acquisition of all program equipment,
materials, and supplies will be facilitated in late May after registrations are closed. Lessons and program
supplies will be purchased when the programs occur in the summer or fall of 2021. Student facilitation stipends
will be expended as they occur over the summer and fall of 2021. The $5 deposits to start 200 student savings
accounts will be expended in August before the students return to school. All funds will be totally expended by
December 31, 2021.
No.
No.
This is yet to be determined and depends on whether or not the Kid Power program is successful in achieving
our social justice and racial equity goals.
NA
Yes No
If less funding is awarded, we would reduce the number of programs offered and/or the number of youth
served.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/6/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
Organizational Information
Sudanese Community Center
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
536 Southgate Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240
Address Line 2
319-338-5377
SudaneseCommunityCenter2016@gmail.com
www.SudaneseCommunityCenter2000.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Badri H. Kuku
President
319-855-9231
badrikuKu@yahoo.com
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
● Foster a Community of education, stay informed and engaged with the City of
Iowa City.
● Assist our Community to strengthen life in a democracy for all new Sudanese
families and children to have the opportunity that they need for success.
● Involve all the Community in sports for health.
● Build a bridge between our old members and the newcomers.
● Preserve the Sudanese cultures and traditions among the communities, while
adopting appropriate cultures and traditions from the local community.
● Collaborate with the rest of the communities in the City of Iowa City
● Empower our local Community to be self-sufficient in order to be financially independent
3
Youth Winter and Summer Sports program
Sudanese Community Center has a successful Summer sport program for the kids ages 5-12. The program
covers over 25 participants, the program runs on weekly basis that took place on the willow creek park in Iowa
City, the program continued all the Summer to the early Winter, the program is on hold now due to the bad
weather and also all the indoor recreation centers around Iowa City were closed due to Covid-19. We will
resume the program when we have a good weather or indoor place.
Proposal
Our programs and services will be conducted primarily for the benefit of our Sudanese communities and
beyond (other communities in the city of Iowa City). We as Sudanese community are a growing population in
the city of Iowa City, and I believe people are coming . However, since the majority of our community members
have played soccer and would like to pass over through generations, therefore their parents are expecting to
pass it to their kids and the kids of their kids. Also, they wanted to be an opportunity for scholars to help
continue their schools. Our kids are very desperate to improve their soccer skills in the city of Iowa City as
sports that they love.
We as Sudanese people have very rich cultures like the rest of the nations. Since our kids are born in the US
and have adapted to American cultures, yet we want them to know and practice the Sudanese cultures as long
as they will explore the other nations for their personal future benefits. Culture is the identity of the civilized
nations and it represents who they are. Sudanese people love cooking, music, and Islamic ceremonies such as
Ramadan festival, Eid al-Adha which is one of the two Islamic holidays that are celebrated worldwide each year
and considered the holier of the two. skills. We have many kids who love sports. Therefore, we would like to
have our kids to keep all the good practices and cultural connections through generations.
Since education is power for all human kinds in the world, we as Sudanese community are very eager to learn
and practice English among our communities as long as it is the first language in the city of Iowa City and
statewide. Most of our Sudanese people go to school and will need a lot of help from their kids who have
graduated from different colleges and universities. Therefore, we gather in our center to provide educational
help such as "Citizenship Classes, Communications classes, Driving skills, and ESL classes as well".
We as Sudanese community have also intended to provide new programs and services for our community that
have to do with computer knowledge as basic skills to learn and manual skills like sewing, knitting and textile.
We are also willing to provide transportations for the newcomers who do not own cars and will need transport
back and forth.
All the above programs and services will be very beneficial for the Sudanese communities and other
communities who live in the city of Iowa City as an American way of helping others to stand on their grounds
and a good US Citizens for a better tomorrow.
Finally, there are many Sudanese people who lack leadership skills and knowledge of how to come together as
values of democracy and unity, so we will spread our experiences for other Sudanese who live in Des Moines,
Cedar Rapids and may be Statewide.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Community Assistance Program for Sudanese Immigrants and their families, (CAPSI)
The program has four parts:
1) Education:
● Language
○ Arabic Classes
○ ESL Classes
● Culture
○ Graduation ceremony for college and high school students
● Citizenship Classes
○
2) Health:
● Physical (sport)
○ Youth Winter and Summer Soccer
● Social Activities
○ Relationship building ( public relationship )
3) Standard of living:
○ Communication sessions
4) Manual Skills:
Sewing and Embroidery
As a Sudanese Community, we’re a minority community, and we feel we are underrepresented in many ways.
We need to improve the standard living of our members and to reflect that in local government positions. Also,
our median income is very low. If it’s compared with the median income in the United States of America, we
need to educate members to increase our income, to be independent and free from government assistance.
Our Community goals and plans are to create better adults and better citizens of Iowa City.
We have already provided services by volunteers including sports for kids, education adults, and arts
programs and citizenship classes. To meet our goals we need to expand that including buying equipment.
Currently, members contribute money but our community is poor and there is limited money.
Many of our community members rely on government assistance to make their living. Also, they hold very low
paying positions, mostly labor positions, even though a lot of them are college graduates. We need to create
an educational program to break the barrier. Funds from the grant would expand our adults English classes to
improve job prospects, to eventually get off government assistance. Also, funds would create sustainability of
culture, music and athletic programs to enhance life for our children in a supportive and safe environment and
promote family and community values. Research shows that young people are less likely to be involved in bad
habits (alcohol, drug, crime) if they are active in community activities. Because of the language barrier and
cultural differences, Sudanese children and their parents are isolated from the traditional programs in Iowa
City. By improving our Community Center our families will eventually be able to successfully integrate with non-
Sudanese families and community offerings and truly become citizens of the City of Iowa City.
Currently, we are the sole holder of the program. We are hoping to develop partnerships in the future.
There are more than one thousand people in the Sudanese Community Center who are from Sudanese
descendants, including women, men, and children. However, we are expecting many members to join our
organization and we’re open to any law-abiding citizens regardless of their age, race, gender or ethnicity. We
don’t have enough data about our income, other than low income, as many members of us depend on
government assistance such as housing, food stamps, Medicaid...etc.
Around 350 People, over the period of one calendar year.
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
There is no charge to participate in the proposed program. Sudanese families currently contribute $50 per
family to be able to pay for the monthly rent, social events, and utilities.
Goal: Reduce expenses for ELA classes at the college.
Outcome: Adults would test at level 3 or higher (out of 5) in college-level tests for ELA classes.
Goal: Increase participation in sports and integrate into other sports.
Outcome 1: Double the number of girls participating
2: Offer 3 levels (beginning, intermediate, advanced) for the current soccer program. 3: Begin softball,
baseball, football, running programs.
Goal: Community members will obtain higher-paying jobs.
Outcome: within a year 80% of members participating in ELA classes will report they have obtained higher-
paying jobs because of improved language skill
We have a board of trustees to monitor our works, also we evaluate the programs monthly.
Improving English language communication of our Community.
Involving our girls and boys in different types of sports.
Increasing the median income of our members.
We will be having ESL classes that will fill the language barriers. We also will be interested in integrating our
Sudanese cultures in American cultures (incorporate). In addition, the organization is intending to create sports
teams for kids and adults (both genders).
Our organization has many assets that we can utilize and share it with other community members, for example
own 10 computers laptops that we can use them to have a compter, ESL and Citizenship classes, also we have
a minivan that our community members and uses also our place can use used to small social events.
Our goals are to have sustainable programs to empower our local Community. Again, we will be looking for
other resources after SJRE Grand funding ends to keep our programs carry on for both genders.
Our volunteers are limited, so we need to hire professionals and pay them in order to run some of our
programs. For example, we need ESL teachers, sports coaches ... etc. We reflect that on our program
proposal.
Funding Amount Request
25,000.00$
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
We will be having eleven passionate programs in different areas, including education, sports, building
relationships with other communities, communication sessions, celebration events, sewing and embroidery
skills as mentioned below:
ESL classes are very important for our new Sudanese immigrants and their families. Also, we will be having
Youth Winter and Summer Sports for 25 kids. In the area of education, we will be holding Arabic Classes for 40
kids. Furthermore, being a citizen is an ultimate goal for all of the immigrants and their families, the
naturalization test is not easy, so we will be having Citizenship Classes including history and governments for
10 students. Our final goal is to help our members not to depend on government assistance. Every year, we
have in our local community students graduate from high schools and colleges, we are having Graduation
Ceremony to appreciate their efforts, and to encourage them to continue their education process or enter the
marketplace. Physical health is essential for our members. We will be having a partnership with other
organizations to hold Free Clinics for our community, once every month. Communication Sessions are very
necessary for our members, we have many members that holding college degrees from outside of the United
States, unfortunately, they can’t have professional jobs to corresponds to their degrees, so the communication
sessions are the short path to get our members decent-paying jobs that eventually will help them and lift them
from the government assistance. Building Relationships with others is a brilliant idea, already we have a good
relationships with the Kirkwood Community College, we will take that as an example and we will be building
beyond and above of that, our goals are to have a good relationship with other communities and organizations
such as sports associations, public libraries, local government, police authority … etc, also we will try to adopt
new cultures as well as display our Sudanese cultures to others. Train our ladies and young girls on sewing
and embroidery skills.
Around $45,000.00
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 9,000.00$8,000.00$8,000.00$
Youth Winter and Summer Sports- 25 kids 700.00$700.00$600.00$
Arabic Classes - 40 students 1,000.00$1,000.00$1,000.00$
Citizenship Classes - 10 students 400.00$400.00$400.00$
Graduation Ceremony - 30 students 2,000.00$$$
Communication Sessions - 20 students 500.00$500.00$500.00$
Building Relationships 500.00$500.00$$
Media and Technology Equipments 4,100.00$$$
Teenagers Correction Program 4,000.00$$$
Environmental Exploration for the Kids 800.00$800.00$900.00$
Sewing and Textiling Porgram 1,000.00$1,000.00$1,000.00$
ESL Classes 350.00$350.00$$
July 1st 2021-June 30th 2022
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
As from 07/01/2021-10/15/2021,
11/01/2021-01/15/2022,
03/01/2022-06/30/2022.
Last year our organization received the Social Justice Grant from the City of Iowa City, the amount was
$13,520.00
Last year our organization received only the Social Justice Grant from the City of Iowa City, the amount was
$13,520.00
We haven't received any grants from any other organization
As for now, the organization doesn’t have any plan to apply for any additional funding for this program.
Since we do not have any future plans for this program, we believe no budget will need it.
Yes No
We can adjust our fund as needed by eliminating some programs
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/6/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
National Alliance on Mental Illness Johnson County
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
702 S. Gilbert St. Suite 111
Address Line 2
3193375400
mary.issah@namijc.org
www.namijc.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Mary Issah
Executive Director
3193375400
mary.issah@namijc.org
The mission of NAMI Johnson County (NAMIJC) is to provide support, research, education and advocacy
throughout the Johnson County area on behalf of individuals and families affected by mental illness and to
improve the quality of life of those whose lives are affected by these diseases.
33
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
Due to COVID-19, NAMI Johnson County (NAMIJC) and R Place Peer Recovery Center (R Place), one of our
largest programs offering direct support to people struggling with mental illness, had to drastically pivot
operations and close its doors for in-person programming. However, we wanted to continue offering peer
support and other services for people and family members struggling with mental illness. We officially closed for
only one week to make preparations for transitioning to remote services. We decided to offer Remote Peer
Support, where our trained Peer Support Specialists provide services to members over the phone or via Zoom.
In mid-March, our Peer Support Specialists began making phone calls to our more than 300 members, calling
every single one in the span of a week. Over 40 people initially signed up for Remote Peer Support services
and by the end of June, 80 people were registered. We trained our Peer Support Specialists on how to counsel
members over the phone and via Zoom. We created new reporting methods and online call log forms to track
sessions. Finally, we compiled resources and prepared for referral services related to COVID-19.
After R Place reopens, we would like to continue Remote Peer Support services in addition to in-person peer
support for clients who are unable to visit the center in person. This is particularly important for homebound
and immunocompromised individuals and individuals whose mental health and other conditions prevent them
from being able to attend in-person programming.
One of our members who receives daily Remote Peer Support calls from us and is an active participant in one
of our support groups has called our services during this time a “godsend.” She has repeatedly said she does
not know what she would do without these calls. During this time of increased anxiety, stress, and uncertainty,
we are happy to offer these remote services to our members to support them in their journey towards recovery
from mental illness.
Proposal
Every month, NAMIJC reports demographic information about participants in our programs, including individuals
attending R Place. The Latinx and African American populations are always underrepresented, and we do not
currently have any outreach efforts designed to target these populations. There is opportunity to expand our
affiliate support group offerings to include Spanish-speaking groups, especially since NAMI National already
has established a Spanish version of Connection Recovery Support Group, called NAMI Conexion. According
to the US Census, 18.3 percent of the U.S. population is estimated to be Latino or Hispanic, and of those, 16
percent reported having a mental illness in the past year (SAMHSA’s public online data analysis system*). 13.4
percent of the U.S population identifies as Black or African American, and 16 percent also reported having a
mental illness in the last year**. Mental illness does not discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of race,
ethnicity, cultural identity, or other defining characteristic. NAMIJC has a mission to support all individuals and
families affected by mental illness, so we especially have a duty to serve the underrepresented Latinx and
African American populations.
*https://www.mhanational.org/issues/latinxhispanic-communities-and-mental-
health#:~:text=Major%20depressive%20episodes%20increased%20from,among%20Latinx%2FHispanic%20yo
ung%20adults.
**https://www.mhanational.org/issues/black-and-african-american-communities-and-mental-health
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
As part of our strategic plan, NAMIJC’s has asked staff and volunteers to focus on community outreach and
training program leaders in our signature programs and raising awareness about peer support and the work at
R Place Peer Recovery Center to underserved populations in our community. At NAMIJC we have been
struggling with a plan of action for outreach and program implantation to underserved populations experiencing
mental health crisis. We are seeking funds to access a consultant to work with staff and volunteers on training
staff on cultural competencies, outreach strategies and program implantation. Consultant would provide a plan
and train staff members and volunteers to actively engage with the community encourage participation in
NAMIJC’s program offerings. We will also create targeted educational materials for these groups and
participate in speaking engagements at events with majority Latinx and African American populations. Finally,
we would like to host open house events and speakers targeting the Latinx and African American populations
and brain health and wellness. We have NAMI Signature programs we are able to offer to people experience
mental illness as well as programming for family members to gain further understanding of brain health and
how to be a part of the care team. We want to encourage those in underserved populations to volunteer,
become trained to be leaders in for support groups and educational program.
Mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, and we need to encourage and
incentivize Latinx and African American populations to participate in our programming to make our services
accessible to all. Latinx and African American populations have always been underrepresented in our
programming. In FY2020, out of the average of 23 unique individuals attending R Place per month, only two
identified as African American and one identified as a member of the Latinx community. By expanding our
outreach to include these populations, we will be promoting social justice and racial equity within the community
for mental health care. We are seeking not only to provide services but also to welcome people to become
leaders for support groups and educational programs. Helping to build a stronger community and reduce
stigma around mental illness.
Our program addresses the priority of health because our entire mission revolves around mental health care.
By offering peer support, referral services, and crisis intervention, we promote mental wellness and recovery.
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for African Americans guide, African
Americans are less likely to receive guideline-consistent care and more likely to use emergency rooms or
primary care rather than mental health specialists. According to a 2019 report by SAMHSA, only 33 percent of
Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the US average of 43 percent. This is
due to a variety of factors, including language barriers and stigma. Our community outreach efforts will
encourage participation in NAMIJC programming, including access to referral resources and system navigation.
The community in Johnson County would like to see more efforts made in the area of mental health. According
to the 2016 Johnson County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Report, 70 percent of respondents
identified mental health as one area to make our county a healthier community. To promote Healthy Living,
Johnson County made mental health priority number two.
* https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/african-american-patients
** https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2018-nsduh-detailed-tables
NAMIJC already has strong community partnerships, including collaboration with Shelter House and other
service providers. Our program will specifically partner and collaborate with organizations and groups
dominated by the Latinx and African American populations. This will include local churches, neighborhood
groups, service industry employers, manufacturing employers, and other community groups. Our staff and
volunteers will visit these spaces and converse with participants and make presentations, as appropriate.
Our outreach will focus on targeting adults and families in the Latinx and African American communities. The
targeted groups will primarily be lower income, but of all ages and gender identities and expressions.
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
Through our educational events, open houses, and speaking engagements, we expect to serve at least 150
members of the Latinx community and 150 members of the African American community within six months of
launching our outreach efforts. Within six months of expanding our outreach to Latinx and African American
communities, we expect to host ten more members of the African American population at R Place and five more
members of the Latinx community.
No, all NAMIJC programs are provided at no cost to the individual attending.
Outcomes of our program focused on outreach to the Latinx and African American communities include newly
trained leaders for NAMI Signature Programs to target these populations and increased accessibility to attend
these programs. Within six months of expanding our outreach to Latinx and African American communities, we
would like to see a ten percent increase in participation in programming from each group. Programming
includes R Place Peer Recovery Center, NAMI Signature Programs, events, and our support groups.
When a new person visits R Place, they are required to sign a safety contract and fill out basic information
about themselves. It is here that we receive demographic information. In this paperwork we will also include a
question about where/how the person found out about R Place so that we can track how outreach efforts led to
participation in programming. A similar process is followed for new members in our support groups and other
NAMI Signature Programs.
Cultural competencies and successful strategies gained by our staff members and volunteers engaging with
the Latinx and African American populations can be shared with others in the community to share effective
strategies in engaging with these groups.
NAMIJC has the programs and services available to all individuals experiencing mental illness as well as their
families. Our focus on members of the targeted community benefit from our services and programming which is
not currently happening. Not only program participation but also they will use word of mouth to share about
NAMIJC and mental health care in general. NAMIJC would like to start a new Spanish-speaking support groups
to the Johnson County community at large and share our efforts of reaching out to the Latinx and in addition
African American populations, through our newsletter and social media.
Our outreach efforts will continue after the SJRE Grant funding ends and we will use funds raised from our
annual fundraising Walk to continue to support this project. We will also look for specific grant opportunities
focused on social justice and racial equity to provide further financial support for our outreach efforts.
N/A
Funding Amount Request
25,000.00$
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Funds will be utilized to contract with a consultant, pay for program materials, supplies, advertising, trainings,
honorarium and refreshments specific to this grant.
287,000.00
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 8,000.00$8,000.00$8,000.00$
Other Revenue from fundraising 33,000.00$33,000.00$33,000.00$
Other Revenue East Central Mental Heath
Region
15,000.00$15,000.00$15,000.00$
Consultant 3,120.00$3,120.00$3,120.00$
Speakers fees 500.00$500.00$500.00$
Educational Materials 500.00$500.00$500.00$
Honorariums for NAMI Program leaders 1,500.00$1,500.00$1,500.00$
refreshments for trainings 300.00$300.00$300.00$
Marketing/Advertising 2,000.00$2,000.00$2,000.00$
In the spring 2021 NAMIIJC will find and have a contract in place for a consultant. Trainings for staff and
volunteers would begin after that time. NAMIJC will develop a plan for community outreach and begin engaging
with the community as soon as possible and build upon relationships already built. NAMIJC will then begin in the
fall asking qualified program participants to become program leaders and attend trainings. NAMIJC will begin
offering community educational programs in the summer into the fall.
Funds will be spent as the programming is planned. It will be used throughout the year in a strategic and
manageable manner to not overwhelm staff and be mindful of not offering too many programs at one time.
No
No
We will apply for available grant opportunities that focus on social justice and racial equity specifically.
We will continue to apply for funding to further the Signature programs within NAMI and engage with
underserved populations.
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Yes No
NAMIJC would be able to leverage funding for other grants and fundraising as well as leverage volunteers to
help with community engagement.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/7/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
308 E. Burlington St., PMB 121
Address Line 2
319-541-4763
sara@jcaffordablehousing.org
www.jcaffordablehousing.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Sara Barron
Executive Director
319-541-4763
sara@jcaffordablehousing.org
To increase access to affordable housing for lower-income people in Johnson County through advocacy,
education, and partnership.
5
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
JCAHC: The Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition is a member-driven nonprofit that provides
education, advocacy and partnership development to advance affordable housing in Johnson County. Our
members comprise local housing nonprofits, businesses, faith organizations, elected officials, and community
advocates dedicated to housing affordability.
When COVID-19 came to Johnson County, no one was fully prepared to respond to the depth and scope of the
housing challenges that followed. JCAHC convened meetings and information-sharing sessions to strengthen
existing partnerships and ensure the strongest possible outcomes for residents. We shared information about
new state and federal regulations, emerging services, and available funding.
In June 2020, we conducted a local survey, available in four languages, and issued a report that predicted the
types of economic hardships people would face with their housing. We used that information from households
to craft our advocacy goals. We worked with local partners to create new programs that addressed gaps in
support, such as an eviction prevention program that leverages a partnership between Iowa Legal Aid, Shelter
House, and the Johnson County courts to intervene in pending evictions, paying back rent and preventing the
most vulnerable residents from being forced from their homes. We advocated for rent assistance and utility
forgiveness programs that centered, in their design and implementation, the real, lived experiences of
residents who are economically vulnerable. We worked directly with residents to ensure that they could
successfully apply for state rent and mortgage assistance, partnering with the Center for Worker Justice and
language translators to reach households that faced barriers to application.
Astig Planning: Astig Planning is a local Iowa City planning firm focused on caring for our communities and
natural resources. Our services include master and comprehensive planning for municipalities, counties, and
regional watershed plans. In order to serve our communities, we believe in creating plans that build bridges
between decision-makers and community members that increase transparency, create action, and deepen
trust. While we have been in operation for two years, we have been involved with the Iowa City community as
engaged residents for almost a decade.
A recent community-wide engagement project is the Coralville Flood Resilience Action Plan, which is a
partnership with the University of Iowa Flood Center and the city of Coralville to implement a community-driven
planning process. This project began in October of 2019 and is in its final planning stages, working with city
staff and leadership to finalize and adopt recommendations.
Over the course of a year, Astig staff worked with the Coralville Community Food Pantry (CCFP) and Impact
7G, an environmental firm in Coralville, to conduct outreach and education aimed at reaching vulnerable
community members. Community members that are at risk for experiencing food and housing insecurity are
especially vulnerable to displacement and job interruptions in the event of a flood or major natural disaster.
Due to Covid-19 impacts, our team switched to conducting virtual workshops and donned PPE gear to hand out
surveys in three languages, as well as handed out resource pamphlets during CCFP drive-through hours.
A community resource map was collaboratively created during one of the online workshops with input from
community members and city staff/elected officials. In order to understand the interconnections and gaps of
community service providers, our team also conducted a network analysis survey for local non-profits that
identified the strength of collaboration between organizations and the service areas that can be improved upon
through relationship building. The finalized plan is currently drafted and includes action items, community
empowerment toolkits, and funding resources to address the needs/desires outlined by Coralville residents
during the planning process.
Proposal
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
The City of Iowa City and its nonprofit partners have made an ever-growing commitment to developing and
maintaining safe, stable, and affordable housing. We are investing millions of local, state, and federal dollars in
pursuit of these goals. Robust discussions and debates occur about what our short- and long-term priorities
should be.
Too often, though, these discussions and decisions take place in spaces that do not fully include the racial,
ethnic, and economic diversity of our community. Decisions are often made without robust input from the very
people they are designed to “help.” Do we really know what low-income and Black, Indigenous and people of
color (BIPOC) residents want for our homes, neighborhoods and community? What are our most pressing
needs? What are our dreams for the future? What resources will best address these hopes and concerns? As
our city enters its next phase of affordable housing planning, we need BIPOC and low-income residents to be
fully involved in leading our progress.
JCAHC isn’t the first organization to acknowledge this shortcoming. The City of Iowa City and other housing
nonprofits have also indicated an interest in cultivating and supporting greater participation of BIPOC and low-
income residents. And, they have expressed some concern with the limited success of their efforts or a lack of
understanding, guidance, or resources for nurturing that participation.
JCAHC itself is also deepening our commitment to social justice and racial equity, and we know that our
organization-- like many--needs to do much more to invest in our structure, process, and outcomes. This
project presents an opportunity for both JCAHC and our member-partner organizations to take significant steps
toward building relationships; deepening our understanding of how race, ethnicity, and culture impact housing
needs and opportunities; and fully including BIPOC and low-income people in the internal and external work of
our organization.
A foundational step to this process is to elevate the voices of BIPOC and low-income residents. Housing
professionals and decision-makers need to know the housing challenges, priorities, and dreams of our BIPOC
and low-income communities, and housing professionals need to share all the resources and knowledge
available so that BIPOC and low-income communities can become our own most powerful advocates. This
includes knowledge about the structural roots of racism in housing in Iowa City and the United States as well as
information about civic engagement strategies, available resources, etc.
We want the process used for this project to embody the values of equity and leadership development that we
seek to catalyze. That means our process has to be reciprocal and accountable to BIPOC/low income voices,
which will result in reflecting the desires of the people we are centering.
Ultimately, the inspiration for this project boils down to:
1) Individuals who are BIPOC and/or are from low-income households are underrepresented among
policymakers, city commissioners, nonprofit boards and leadership staff, and other spaces where decisions are
made
2) We want and need to change this.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
The proposed activities for this grant funding are aimed at taking inventory of specific housing needs and
issues from BIPOC/low-income residents and providing advocacy training at the household level.
This will be accomplished in two parts: 1) a household assessment; 2) community advocacy training for
community members.
Household Assessment:
Purpose: To take inventory of specific housing needs and issues from BIPOC/low-income residents and
contribute to advocacy at the household level.
Impact: Develop understanding of housing issues to inform future policies and work, and provide direct
services/information to survey participants.
The assessment will implement a door-to-door intake approach. As we talk with people and they share their
experiences, we will continue to modify our assessment and add topics that they raise to be addressed. The
assessment will be completed through a mixed-mode approach, such as paper surveys in key public spaces,
online surveys, and zoom/telephone call conversations to increase participants of BIPOC/low-income
households. Typically, when engaging low-income residents, there is a digital divide and that is why this project
utilizes a multi-faceted and in-person approach.
Participants will be provided with potential resources at the end of the assessment based on their answers. We
have prepared a collaboration with Johnson County Social Services and their “social services navigator,”
whose role specializes in assisting residents in accessing existing resources, well beyond a simple referral.
Community Advocacy Training:
Purpose: To increase BIPOC/low-income residents’ capacity to engage with housing issues and advocacy.
Impact: Build BIPOC/low-income community capacity so that members from this group are prepared to take
leadership and advocacy roles within community non-profits/government agencies/commissions and facilitate
change.
Too often community members are asked to give their time and share experiences without tangible reciprocity.
In order to give back to community members, we propose launching a pilot summer program focused on
teaching community organizing and research/analysis skills on issues related to housing/health and planning.
More specifically, we will develop interactive material on systemic and historic issues related to housing and
planning while training community members in organizing and advocacy techniques. This training will be
facilitated through one small in-person event outdoors and an online workshop. In addition to providing skills
training, this segment of the project will result in a community-developed story map that will be posted on the
JCAHC website in order to document the project and stories of neighbors living in the South District of Iowa
City.
At the conclusion of the training, participants will be given (a free) membership into the Affordable Housing
Coalition and will receive updates about housing initiatives that may impact them, notifications about openings
on city commissions and the boards/staff of local nonprofits. We will continue to cultivate these relationships,
providing support for participant engagement in housing advocacy and staying connected through the ongoing
work of Habitat for Humanity and other social services partners.
*Covid-19 Realities. We understand that there are many unknowns regarding the impacts of Covid-19,
particularly when it comes to small gatherings and one-on-one interactions. We have designed our timeline to
coincide with seasonal changes that may be more appealing to people meeting outside. We are also fully
equipped to wear and provide any personal protective equipment that would make safe our interactions with
the public. We are confident that we can remain agile and adjust to any Covid-19 realities that are present
during the duration of this grant.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
This project advances social justice and racial equity in two ways. The first focuses on a household approach,
wherein our team engages in a one-on-one interaction with community members and a social services
navigator to identify gaps in services and provide resources. This door-to-door interaction brings tools and
information directly to people so they can be informed about available services and receive the follow-through
they may need to navigate those services. This door-to-door approach directly addresses the barriers to
access that many marginalized communities face when dealing with housing and health issues.
Second, when looking at the configuration of local housing non-profit organizations and their Board of
Directors’ membership, there is a very low number of BIPOC and immigrant community members serving in
these positions. The advocacy training segment of the project is a leadership development opportunity for
people already engaged in the first segment and encouraged to further empower themselves. As a coalition of
local housing and community health organizations, JCAHC is well-positioned to assist in the integration of
emergent leaders to become involved in its partner organizations.
This program will primarily address housing and will also address health and community building. The program
will address housing and health by evaluating housing needs, including how their housing impacts their health,
for residents of Iowa City, especially low-income, BIPOC, and immigrant households. The program will also
address housing by educating residents about existing housing resources, funding, and assistance
opportunities. Finally, the program will address housing and community building by developing with residents
the tools and pathways needed to more fully engage in the pursuit of housing justice. Our hope is that
participants will be empowered to engage in new ways, which may include creating new housing initiatives,
assuming leadership roles within existing housing organizations, and advocating for their community priorities in
the city’s housing decisions and funding allocations.
Despite being the intended recipients of many housing initiatives, BIPOC and low-income residents are
underrepresented in city government; local nonprofit staff, volunteers, and boards of directors; and other
spaces where housing ideas and decisions are developed and vetted.
In our discussions with local nonprofit members of JCAHC, they have shared that they have struggled to recruit
and retain BIPOC and low-income residents for their boards. City commissions such as Planning and Zoning
and Housing and Community Development can also benefit from more voices of underrepresented residents.
When housing and planning decisions are made, the perspectives of low-income and BIPOC residents are
often unaddressed. (And, it’s worth noting, that when BIPOC and low-income residents have participated in
larger numbers in city decisions---such as with the redevelopment of Forest View and the creation of the South
District Homeownership Program--the process and outcome were greatly enhanced because of their
advocacy.)
In line with the City of Iowa City’s own Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) commitment, our project
will achieve several benchmarks for advancing racial equity in housing, including using a racial equity
framework, building organizational capacity, implementing racial equity tools, being data-driven, partnership
among entities and communities, and operating with urgency and accountability.
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
This program will include partnerships with the local housing nonprofit members of the Affordable Housing
Coalition, including Habitat for Humanity, Shelter House, the Housing Fellowship, DVIP, the Housing Trust
Fund, and Horizons. These partners will collaborate by providing education and short- and long-term
engagement opportunities to participants, as well as offering services to residents who identify a housing need.
Habitat for Humanity will be an especially key partner. Habitat for Humanity has also made a commitment to
working with community members on housing-related issues in this neighborhood. They fully support this
application and are committed to working with us on ongoing neighborhood investment and revitalization.
We have also received support from Angie Jordan of the South District Neighborhood Association. Angie
recognizes the need to center the voices of residents, build strong 1-1 connections, and leverage those
connections in the pursuit of broader economic, health, and social advancement for the South District
neighborhood. She has committed to be a partner in this project, which may include recruiting neighbors to
participate and other help with publicity.
We will also partner with the social services navigator located at the Johnson County Social Services office to
assist participants in accessing local housing services.
The South District includes Census Tracts 18.01 and 18.02, and we will place specific focus on the residential
area on the east side of the district which corresponds to Census Tract 18.02. According to ACS 2018 5-year
estimates, our focused project area has (1) higher than average number of family renters, especially for non-
White households. For example, among all black households in the project area, 96.3% of them are renters.
Our project area also includes (2) higher than average number of households that speak another language
and do not speak English very well, and (3) although the area has lower housing cost, there is still a high
percentage of cost-burden households.
In other words, our project area is a highly diverse community with higher than average family renters. Much of
our population are people of color who are disproportionately renters, and who experience a higher burden of
cost for housing. Efforts that engage this community must also account for a wide range of languages spoken,
including, French and Spanish due to the high percentage of households with limited English speaking ability.
Statistics Project Area Iowa City, IA
Renter Families with Children 34.6% 13.7%
Black Owner Occupied 3.7% 9.6%
White Owner Occupied 71.0% 54.7%
Rent 30% + of income 54.0% 58.1%
$800-$899 Monthly Housing Cost 46.0% 22.9%
Limited English Speakers 19.2% 7.0%
Black Households 24.5% 8.2%
Hispanic/Latinx Households 15.2% 5.8%
This project is meant to serve as a pilot project that could be applied to different neighborhoods throughout
Iowa City. Our initial efforts seek to directly assist at least 15-20 households over the course of this pilot
project, which depending on the size of the household would reach 30-80 people. This estimate is based on
the project focusing on a household by household approach. During the training process, we aim to engage an
additional 20-30 people.
This project also includes longer term outcomes focused on leadership development for BIPOC, immigrants,
and other marginalized community members. More specifically, we aim to create lasting pathways that increase
the number of BIPOC people serving on local boards, commissions, and decision-making positions. These
most recent pandemic times have focused a light on the deep need to strengthen the fabric of connection
during times of crisis and we must further ensure that BIPOC and immigrant community members are at the
decision-making table.
This project will begin in June, 2021 and end in November, 2021.
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
There will be no fee to participate in the survey/engagement process or the training opportunities.
--We will conduct household interviews/surveys and report the outcomes to city stakeholders
--Participants will learn about existing housing resources and be connected with resources that can address
their needs or housing goals
--We will conduct trainings/workshops, and participants will receive information, tools, and new platforms for
housing advocacy
--We will create a visual storytelling resource (a “story map”) that will share residents’ stories and visions with
the whole community. This resource will be available through social media and the JCAHC website and can be
used by others to highlight the South District community
--A report on the outcomes and information learned through this project to the Iowa City Council and the
Human Rights Commission
--A replicable toolkit to ensure that this project can be performed in other areas of town. This toolkit will include
survey template, translated training materials, recommended budgets, etc.
--Membership in JCAHC and ongoing communication with support for training participants
Short-Term Indicators/Metrics
--Number of participants in the workshops/townhalls, number of programs identified
--People having a better understanding of the resources that are available.
--Number of participants that got their needs met during the assessment
Long-Term Indicators/Metrics
--Increase the number of BIPOC people reporting readiness to apply knowledge to work on behalf of housing
initiatives.
--Increase the number of BIPOC people involved in decision-making roles at affordable housing organizations
This project will create a toolkit of information that can be used for additional neighborhood projects in the
future. This toolkit will include a survey template, any updated questions and/or feedback received from
community members about the project, training materials, and relevant housing advocacy information. Our goal
is to make this replicable for future neighborhood housing advocacy efforts. A story map will also be created
that will tell the stories of people involved in the project in order to provide an emotional connection to our
neighbors living in Iowa City. We will also provide a report detailing the project and what we learned with the
Iowa City Council, Human Rights Commission, and other stakeholders.
This project will have a formal online presence on the JCAHC’s website and social media. Updates will be
presented at JCAHC’s monthly Community Meetings that are open to members and the public. The findings
from the project will be shared with all of Coalition members and presented to Iowa City Council and Human
Rights Commission at the conclusion of the project. Participants in the household assessment and training will
receive ongoing communication and support from JCAHC. Housing is not an isolated issue for BIPOC and
marginalized community members; therefore, we will share this information widely with other service non-profit
organizations, in order to inform their practices/programs and to improve upon the pilot project for the next
round.
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
The project will be completed within the grant period using the allocated funds.
However, the impact of the program will extend far beyond this initial round of funding, because program
participants will be able to lead and join in housing advocacy and decision-making.
Further, the pilot round will result in a toolkit that can be replicated with less funding in the future, because the
methodology, tools and training content will be developed. Once this pilot round is successfully completed, the
project could be expanded to other neighborhoods or communities. Future efforts to engage different
neighborhoods will take more funding, which is currently not secured.
The professional services provided by Astig Planning are critical to the success of this project. The Coalition
has one 30-hour/week staff person who is responsible for every aspect of the organization, and this project
would not be possible without the services, knowledge, skills, and staff time provided by Astig. Astig will develop
and execute the household interviews; collect and analyze data; and develop, organize, and implement the
training; and collect stories for the visual storytelling report. The role of JCAHC will be to publicize and
coordinate the project, manage interagency collaborations, assist with developing the content of the training,
share project results with partners, stakeholders, and the general public, and further develop ongoing
relationships with program participants.
Funding Amount Request
25,000.00$
$12,685 Creating the housing assessment & conducting neighborhood household outreach
$8,825: Create and conduct advocacy training and host 2 events
$3,490: Administrative/Staff time for JCAHC
(+ $600 In-kind donation from the JCAHC for stipends (gift cards, etc.) to participants)
These line items include translation services, marketing and recruitment, content development, time spent with
program participants, etc.
JCAHC’s annual budget for FY21 was $48,832.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 25,000.00$$$
Other Revenue 600.00$$$
Professional Services 24,350.00$$$
Educational Materials 450.00$$$
Marketing/Advertising 200.00$$$
Supplies 600.00$$$
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
June:
Project Kickoff Meetings with Johnson County and Habitat for Humanity
Begin Survey Research and Creation
Start Story Map
July:
Complete Survey
Begin Door-to-Door Survey & Advocacy in Neighborhood
August:
Complete Neighborhood Survey & Advocacy
Create & Translate Advocacy Training Materials
September:
Begin Survey Analysis
Host In-Person Training Event
October:
Host On-line Workshop
Create Toolkit
November:
Conclude Story Map
Present Project Results to City Council & Human Rights Commission
June: $4,245 (may be billed in July)
July: $6,316
August: $5,281
September: $4,874
October: $3,034
November: $1,250
In 2017, JCAHC received a Social Justice and Racial Equity grant for $2,500 that was used to create a 10-
minute video about the positive impact of affordable housing on individuals and the broader community. The
video continues to be shown at public speaking engagements and through our website and social media.
Feedback collected from viewers before watching the video and then again after watching the video revealed
that the video 1) increased viewers’ belief that they could do something to promote affordable housing in
Johnson County and 2) increased their knowledge about the positive impacts of affordable housing.
In 2019, JCAHC received $5,000 from the City Manager’s office to offer a training from Frameworks Institute, a
national organization focused on achieving social justice through effective, persuasive messaging about the
impact and importance of policies and programming. This training was offered to 50 nonprofit partners, city
council members, and other housing advocates.
No previous funding has been received for this new initiative.
All costs associated with the program will be satisfied by this grant application, other than in-kind contributions
from JCAHC and Astig, which is offering lowered rates for their portion of the work.
No additional funding is required for the completion this project.
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Yes No
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/7/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
4Cs Community Coordinated Child Care
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
1500 Sycamore St
Address Line 2
319-338-7684
missie@iowa4cs.com
www.iowa4cs.com
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Missie Forbes
Executive Director
319-338-7684
missie@iowa4cs.com
Our Mission is to promote the well-being of young children in Johnson County by advocating for quality,
affordable, accessible childcare. We support families and those providing childcare through training, education,
information, resources and services.
48
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
Our program, Starting Strong, assisted in-home child care providers with registration of their programs, Child
Care Assistance administration as well as early learning activities. Our consultants provide resources and
training to help guide the set up of age appropriate learning environments with an emphasis on teaching skills
using things naturally found in one’s environment. This program, originally working with 5 providers, now
supports 29 throughout Johnson County.
Proposal
The Starting Strong program focuses only on in-home child care providers. Some of these providers have
moved from in-home work, to working in centers. While in home providers play a critical role in child care in our
community, child care centers serve the majority of children and are also very critical to the workforce.
In our work with Starting Strong providers, it was clear that some had great potential to be leaders in the child
care field and had the drive to further their education in this area as well, but it was being untapped. We
recognize that there are various reasons for this; immigrants are often unsure of how things are done in a new
country and therefore, sit back and watch. Language is also often a barrier. Obviously, there are also external
factors of inequity in our society that all people of color must negotiate on a daily basis. During COVID-19, 4Cs
has been working with home providers, as well as center-based staff, to work on their CDA (Child Development
Associate Credential) through online studies and weekly Zoom meetings. Through discussions with this group
(all women of color) it was evident that they found the language barrier a huge issue. They also felt very
invisible at their centers--parents did not greet them, but would, instead, address the lead teacher (white
teacher). This was also often the children’s communicative style as well. In our discussions we realized that the
parents, not often familiar with all staff members in the room, would naturally gravitate towards the person they
knew or felt more comfortable with. As we know, children mimic adult behavior. The participants also did not
show any initiative as they were worried about their limited English. We believe these situations can be greatly
improved through greater intentionality to include all staff.
This program’s goal is to identify people of color that have a real interest in working with young children, who
also show potential—the initiative, the drive , and the soft skills to become a leader in the flied of early
childhood education. If they choose to participate, they will be mentored by those already in the field to help
them make decisions about their education (such as relevant classes) and supported in their work in a center
or their own home-based program.
This work is imperative—the child care workforce is losing people of great value. It is important for ALL children
to benefit from a mixed group of staff, important on an individual level for participants to reach their full
potential, and not allow these barriers to be insurmountable.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
This program will identify those in the child care workforce who are interested in becoming recognized leaders
in the field early childhood education in their community and in their work environment. Interested individuals
will meet with 4Cs staff to assess interest and needs to fulfill the intention of the program. The participants
would then meet with an advisory group. The Advisory Group would be comprised of Center Directors who will
participate in the program, as well as women of color who have successfully navigated the child care
educational system, who can serve as mentors for the interested individuals we are looking to target. The
advisory group will serve as a sounding board to gain understanding of participants concerns and challenges.
Each participants meets with a coach and discusses the ideas generated by the advisory group and selects an
individual path for themselves. Five centers will be selected to participate in the program which will have 10
participants. The center directors will serve on the advisory group and will also select a peer mentor to support
the participant at the center. The participant will receive a stipend to attend trainings and a laptop to attend
online classes, complete coursework and registrations. The centers will receive a stipend for participation. The
center will also participate in an audit to consider how culturally inclusive the center is. This is a self-evaluation
and once a plan is established, centers will receive a stipend to begin work on making the center more
inclusive to all children and staff attending the center. Those participants that are English language learners
will receive 12 weeks of English classes. These classes will be open to other ELL child care providers if there is
space. This project embraces both home and center-based programs. We currently have a grant from the city
that allows us to support and help develop these programs as microenterprises. Similar technical support will
be provided to some home providers who wish to participate in this program, but this support will be provided
by an existing grant.
This pilot program will provide a pathway to greater leadership in the workforce. For instance, an assistant
teacher might consider what they could do to make themselves more eligible for promotion to a lead teacher
position. These steps may include further education or experience within the center, or potentially taking on
some projects not within the scope of their current job. Part of this program will be monitoring their success.
Participating centers will have a heightened awareness of creating welcoming and equitable communities for
staff and children.
Directors will realize that they have an untapped source of good quality staff and increased awareness of
strategies to run a more inclusive center, as well as resources to support all staff.
This program addresses both employment and education
There are 10723 children birth to five years of age in Johnson County. 76% of families have both parents, or
single parents working outside the home. There is therefore a need for child care. Child care is not similar to
the traditional community school educational system. It is comprised of a number of individual programs which
are licensed through the Department of Human Services. There are 89 Licensed Centers/Preschool in Johnson
County. The quality varies greatly from program to program. The average salary for a child care worker is $12
an hour, according to Economic Research Instituter (erieri.com). McDonalds is currently hiring at $14 an hour.
The economy needs child care. Children need good quality child care to optimize the critical growth that takes
place during this stage of development.
4Cs will partner with 5 participating centers. The centers will identify staff that they believe have potential, or will
hire someone that the program identifies as having potential. The director (or someone the center identifies)
will serve as a part of the Advisory Group. The Advisory Group will meet approximately 4 times. Once as an
introductory meeting to interview participants, 2 meetings to check on progress and continue to foster
engagement, as well as a round up meeting of "lessons learned". Centers will also participate in a self-
evaluation of how welcoming and equitable their center is to staff and children and identify goals based off of
this evaluation. An incentive will be provided to purchase more inclusive materials.
4Cs will also partner with a child care program that has made significant progress in creating multi-cultural and
equitable centers by having a representative serving on the Advisory Group and providing ongoing input, both
prior and during this project.
We hope to partner with evident organizations to help fulfill the goals of this project, such as Kirkwood
Community College and Child Care Resource and Referral. We will also partner with the Iowa Association for
the Education of Young Children (IAEYC), as they will assist with providing scholarships to individuals working
on their CDAs and furthering their education.
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
We are targeting low income refugee and immigrant women of color who are working as a part of the child care
workforce, typically between the ages of 18-35
5 Centers: 50 staff
10 participants
Children: 250
We believe this pilot program will take a full year to roll out.
There is no cost for participation
# and % of participants that are engaged in education: CDA/Associates degree (Goal: 60%)
# and % of participants that are employed/ maintained employment (Goal 80%)
# and % of participants that have received a promotion (Goal for 1st year: 10%)
The national turnover of staff is 30-34% in a child care program. We will look at center data the year before our
program and the year after to gauge if we have seen success in this regard.
We will determine the best tool for centers to utilize for assessment of their programs to measure the level of
justice and equity within their programs. The tool will assess center policies, best practices currently in use and
improvement that can be made at the classroom and center levels. 4Cs will also create materials related to
child care specifically to assist English Language Learners working in this field. 4Cs will then report which
processes worked best, what challenges were met and what tools centers used to improve their inclusion.
We will feature all of our programming in our annual report, as well as on our website, where 4Cs programming
is listed. We will also send out a report to centers in Johnson County, should the program be successful and
continue, to gauge further interest in centers in our community.
This project will allow us to evaluate strengths, weaknesses and challenges of child care programs and to
assess how those programs can pivot to become more inclusive for employees and the children they serve. If
successful, we would be in a position to apply to local and state funders with data to show that this program can
make meaningful change in our community.
N/A
Funding Amount Request
16,850.00$
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
This funding will be used to to pay a program coordinator to recruit centers and participants, as well as to
create an advisory group and look into the proper tools for assessment the centers will use for their self-
evaluations. This person will also be responsible for the coaching of the participants.
$945,000
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Professional Services 4,166.67$4,166.67$4,166.66$
Educational Materials 0.00$0.00$2,000.00$
Supplies 0.00$0.00$2,350.00$
Once funding is secured, we will begin recruitment. We anticipate that this program will last the whole year, with
two months being used to assess and recruit, and the next 10 months to train, assess and implement.
Each month the coordinator will bill their hours. The stipend for participants, centers and other materials will be
given out at the end of the program to ensure commitment until the end.
We receive $20,000 annually as a part of the Aid to Agencies funding. We received $25,000 in CDBG money
to provide technical assistance for microenterprises (child development homes in our Starting Strong program);
In September of 2020, we received $52,000 in CDBG CV funding to host a Neighborhood NEST program to
support at-risk students in microhub learning environments during the 2020-2021 school year that has been
online and hybrid models of learning. In January, 2021, we received $35,000 of this same funding to provide
scholarships to elementary students to access child care programs for support during hybrid learning.
This is a pilot program we have not previously received funding for.
We do not anticipate asking for additional funding for this program at this time.
N/A
Yes No
We would have to eliminate some stipends and request some in-kind support for some of the materials. Or
potentially limit the amount of participants.
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/7/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP)
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
1105 S. Gilbert Ct.
Address Line 2
Ste. 300
319.356.9863
ashlee@dvipiowa.org
https://dvipiowa.org/
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Ashlee Hopkins
Development Coordinator
319.359.9353
ashlee@dvipiowa.org
The Mission of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program is to provide comprehensive support and advocacy
services to victim/survivors, focusing on immediate and long-term safety, empowerment, dignity, and hope. In
collaboration with the community, we strive to end domestic abuse through education, accountability, and social
justice.
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
41
In the last year, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) has partnered with the Johnson County
Human Trafficking Coalition (JCHTC) and the Iowa City AM Rotary to bring awareness to the issue of human
trafficking in Johnson County and the state of Iowa. DVIP was awarded funding through the Iowa City AM
Rotary to use for human trafficking education in 2019. With these funds, DVIP and JCHTC partnered to run a
social media ad campaign, run radio ads, and rent a billboard for 12 weeks in Johnson County. The ads have
provided information about what human, labor and sex trafficking is and how to know if you are being trafficked.
The social media ads have been on Facebook and Instagram since December of 2020 with an average of 200
people reached by each post. DVIP’s goal is to reach as many victims/survivors as possible and we believe that
the request for funding from the Social Justice & Racial Equity committee will help us to reach more of those
most vulnerable in our community.
Proposal
The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) has been in existence in Johnson County for 41 years. In
1977, the University of Iowa’s Women’s Resource & Action Center (WRAC) received a one-year CETA grant
from the federal government to explore the problem and incidence of domestic violence in our community. The
study highlighted the barriers that battered women experience, their crucial need for safe housing, and the
unspoken epidemic of violence against women in our community. With the news of funding, came requests for
help from Iowa City residents. Responding to these needs, volunteers quickly established a safe home network,
referral services, and some emergency housing through area motels. Today, DVIP provides 24/7 shelter and
hotline services to over 1900 women, children, men and their pets each year. DVIP has also grown to provide
youth services, law advocacy, counseling, education, and social awareness programs in 8 Southeastern Iowa
counties.
DVIP has always held the ideal that we should support all in our community who seek refuge from domestic
violence, dating violence, stalking and human trafficking. The request for funds from the SJRE committee will
help us to partner with the Iowa Freedom Riders in presenting a virtual educational workshop series in the Fall
of 2021.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
DVIP and the Iowa Freedom Riders would like to host a virtual presentation to educate Iowa City citizens and
students on how historical trauma and institutionalized/systemic racism has impacted black women and girls.
Exploring both long-held and current narratives around black love, relationships, violence, and trauma, and the
impact that these narratives have on survivors’ help-seeking abilities, strategies, and socialization.
The presenter is Ayana Wallace and she is a training specialist at Ujima, Inc: The National Center on Violence
Against Women in the Black Community, Washington, D.C.
Ayana Wallace is a Black American, intersectional womanist. Ayana graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in
Women’s and Gender Studies. She went on to obtain her Master’s from Towson University, with a degree in
Women’s and Gender Studies. Throughout her time at Towson University, Ayana focused her area of research
on violence in communities of color, specifically intimate partner violence, sexual violence, reproductive
coercion, and medicalized racism. Ayana has studied extensively the theory and every day implications of
privilege, oppression, and intersectionality. She always strives to be intersectional in her approach and to
highlight the experiences of victim-survivors who have been marginalized and how systemic barriers and
violence further impact victim-survivors.
The virtual workshop would be a 2 part series for 90 minutes each (one session each week for two weeks).
Ayana’s workshop title is “She’s Too Strong:” Understanding the Intersections of Misogynoir, Domestic
Violence, and Victimization.
Workshop Part I Description (90 Minutes)
This workshop will underscore the ways in which historical trauma and institutionalized/systemic racism have
impacted Black women and girls. Workshop participants will delve into IPV and other forms of intersecting
violence and examine how these multiple layers of violence impact and shape Black women’s and girls’
realities. Workshop participants will also explore and potentially critique both long-held and current narratives
around Black love, relationships, violence, and trauma, and the impact that these narratives have on survivors’
help-seeking abilities, strategies, and socialization.
Workshop Part II Description (90 Minutes)
Part II of this workshop will allow participants to use the context and understanding gained from Part I, to
identify challenges when intervening with victim-survivors in the Black community. We will identify the ways in
which advocates can change the narrative surrounding Black womanhood and girlhood to support and uplift
victims in a meaningful way. Advocates will leave this session with an understanding of how to engage victim-
survivors in culturally specific and relevant safety planning and help-seeking strategies.
The funding requested to hold the workshop by Ayana Wallace gives DVIP and Iowa Freedom Riders a
platform for our public partnership and participation from each group to hold a successful event reaching
community members of all ages, race, and gender identity. DVIP has never stopped evolving and growing, this
is due to the many partnerships made by advocates, our Board of Directors and volunteers in our community.
In partnering with the Iowa Freedom Riders we would diversify our reach and infrastructure to support those
who need our services, while working to advance social justice and racial equity through the educational
presentation.
The Domestic Violence Intervention Program’s core mission is to empower victims of intimate partner violence.
This principle has guided DVIP in all that we do for 41 years. Our work culture and training teaches advocates
to listen with no judgement and provide options so survivors can make their own choices, we believe
victims/survivors know what is best for them and their families’ safety. With this philosophy our goal is to
decrease barriers and help survivor’s to reach their full potential.
IFR believes that the most marginalized citizens deserve to have their problems addressed not by those with a
badge and a gun, but by professionals who are trained in compassion, resource-provision, community support
and services that get to the core of the problem. We look forward to learning from each other and expanding
our understanding of what justice looks like for people from many vulnerable identities.
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
This presentation by Ayana Wallace would allow DVIP and IFR to promote a stronger community partnership
between two organizations and provide an educational resource for community members and students in Iowa
City. This opportunity to have Ayana share her training and resources with our community is different than
anything that is currently available. As the domestic violence resource in Johnson County, DVIP believes it is
our duty to represent those who do not have the resources to do so themselves. It takes a community of
people making connections to make a difference. This free workshop will provide the opportunity for all
participants to learn more about black women and trauma, hear a black woman’s perspective and learn how to
help those most vulnerable in our community everyday.
DVIP is founded on the belief that everyone has the right to live free of fear and harm. For over 40 years, DVIP
staff and volunteers have been trained under the guiding principles of trauma-informed client-based services.
Our advocates help create “safety plans” and give options for resources.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 72% of all murder-suicides involve an
intimate partner and 94% of the victims of these crimes are women. The risk of child abuse is much greater in
households where domestic violence occurs. Our services are vital to 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men who
experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. The incidence of domestic abuse affecting black women is
35% higher than that of white women and about 22 times the rate of women of other races. This information is
provided by the Institute on Domestic Violence in African American Communities.
In Johnson County, DVIP assisted over 1100 people last year. In Iowa City, 701 victims were provided shelter,
housing assistance, advocacy in many forms and basic needs such as hygiene products, food and clothing.
Each year our reach and numbers grow in Iowa City, this is not because more people are being abused it is
because we are reaching more people and our services are accessible to all. With the support of the Iowa City
Social Justice and Racial Equity committee we can reach more people who may have never heard of DVIP
through this public presentation by Ayana Wallace.
Iowa Freedom Riders- This is a new partnership between DVIP and IFR. We have been meeting and discussing
ways that our groups can support each other. This grant would allow us to officially co-host a public event for
the Iowa City community and beyond.
Ujima- our speaker Ayana Wallace is employed with Ujima. DVIP has been looking to Ujima for resources and
support for the last two years as we work to create educational materials and to diversify our programming.
For the presentation, all would be encouraged to attend to learn more about the topic of being a black woman
and dealing with trauma, such as domestic violence.
DVIP is an inclusive organization. We do not discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race,
color, age, religion, political beliefs, mental or physical disability, economic standing or any other beliefs and
affiliations. We also understand that safety and sobriety do not always go hand in hand. Our advocates will
travel to meet clients where they are in either urban or rural areas. The age range of victims served is from 0 to
100. DVIP services are free and confidential.
Our goal would be to have 100 people in attendance for each presentation. Between promotion from DVIP and
IFR, we are confident that we can reach 100 people and engage them in this important, relevant topic.
There will be no charge for the workshop.
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *
Presentation Outcome Measurement:
-DVIP will be able to share the attendance total at each presentation
-This event will help develop our partnership with IFR and leaders in the BIPOC community of Iowa City.
-DVIP will provide a survey for each participant to fill out at the end of the series. This will include optional
demographic information and questions about how effective the presentation was. We will also provide
opportunities for questions and feedback in an informal manner.
-In preparation for this grant request, we have received a letter of support from the leadership of IFR.
This workshop series will help us to gain tools and knowledge about holding online forums for learning and
discussion which can be shared with others in our community. By collaborating with IFR and many other
organizations who align with the principles of eliminating racial and social inequities we learn from each other
and work to make our community better.
The presentation will be recorded and made available to those who attended or those who could not attend but
were still interested in learning about the topic. We will ask for participants' email addresses to share Zoom link
information, the recording and biographical information about our presenter. As well as IFR and DVIP’s mission
to eliminate barriers to racial and social inequities.
At this point, the presentation by Ayana Wallace will be a one-time event. However, DVIP will continue to
provide educational content for our community.
The fee for Ayana Wallace’s preparation and time is necessary to hold the workshop series. DVIP also
requests a portion of the funding go toward operational costs-payroll, supplies and marketing costs.
Funding Amount Request
2,430.00$
Speaker Fee- $1950 ($650 for each presentation day and one day of prep)
Promotion of event via flyers/paid ads on social media/newspaper ad- $300
Operational Employee salary at an average of $18 per hour for 10 hours of preparation and runtime- $180
$2,352,166.00
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 0.00$0.00$2,430.00$
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Professional Services $$1,950.00$
Marketing/Advertising $$300.00$
Operational Salary $$180.00$
Fall of 2021- 2 day workshop series
Preparation in July/August 2021
Promotion in August 2021 and September 2021
Event in late September 2021 or early October 2021 to coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
FY20 - $50,000 for shelter operations and services, $120,000 for shelter property repairs (fencing, youth
services area and parking lot asphalt)
FY19 - $40,000 for shelter operations and services
FY18 - $39,756 for shelter operations and services
FY17 - $40,000 for shelter operations and services
FY16 - $45,000 for shelter operations and services, $116,256 for shelter property repairs (bathroom
replacements, replace 19 doors)
No.
No.
N/A
Yes No
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/7/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Food Pantry at Iowa
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52242
Country
United States
Street Address
125 N Madison St
Address Line 2
515-333-8943
studorg-foodpantry@uiowa.edu
https://leadandserve.uiowa.edu/organizations/food-pantry/
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Sarah Henry
Civic Engagement Program Coordinator
515-333-8943
sarah-henry@uiowa.edu
Our mission is to provide nutritious food and necessities for University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff in
need, and to fight food insecurity through education and advocacy.
4
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
In the summer of 2020, after seeing several years of growth at the pantry and an increased need for its
services, Food Pantry at Iowa began searching for a new space on campus. After months of advocacy from
students and staff members at the University, Food Pantry at Iowa was moved to a larger, more accessible
space in the Iowa Memorial Union. This new space allows us to serve more clients and store more food than we
could in our previous location. Because this new space allowed us to meet a greater demand (mostly caused
by COVID-19 and the derecho), on average we served three times as many clients and gave out five times as
much food every week of the fall 2020 semester as compared to the fall 2019 semester. The year 2020
presented disastrous setbacks for the world and the Iowa City community, but because of student advocacy for
the pantry and its clients, Food Pantry at Iowa was able to provide necessary food and supplies in the midst of
great community need.
Proposal
In February 2019, the University of Iowa West Side Food Pantry was opened to UI community members. This
pantry was an addition to the East Side Pantry and was created in recognition of a gap in food pantry services.
The West Side Pantry was opened in the Pride Alliance Center in order to increase accessibility for clients on
the west side of campus. Since then, we have continued to expand the West and East pantries in an effort to
fight food insecurity in our community.
In January 2020, one year after expanding our services to the west side of campus, the new executive team
identified a need for increased outreach to Black students and students of color. Hunger on Campus, a 2016
study on college food insecurity, found that food insecurity is higher among students of color, with 57% of Black
students, 56% of Latinx students, and 45% of Asian students reporting food insecurity, as compared to 40% of
White students. 18.7% of students at the University of Iowa and 21.5% of Iowa City residents are people of
color, but at the time there was no targeted effort to reach out to BIPOC community members or purchase
culturally relevant food items to expand the pantry’s ability to provide food for communities of color. Food
Pantry at Iowa’s pantry managers began shopping for culturally relevant foods at two local stores, Iowa City
African and Oriental Market and Chong’s Supermarket. Now, almost every week these foods are completely
gone from our shelves by the end of the day.
Sources: http://studentsagainsthunger.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Hunger_On_Campus.pdf,
https://admissions.uiowa.edu/future-students/university-iowa-student-profile,
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/iowacitycityiowa
The service that we hope to have funded by this grant is the purchasing of culturally relevant and diverse
foods to have available for clients of the Food Pantry at the University of Iowa. At the beginning of 2020 the
Food Pantry at Iowa pantry managers began making an intentional effort to purchase food from Iowa City
African and Oriental Market and Chong’s Supermarket, and have since continued that effort. However, limited
funding restricts how much and what kinds of food we can purchase. Our pantry managers buy the same
limited list of food from both of these stores every week, and we are unable to adjust much to accommodate
what clients are looking for week to week. Ideally, we would be able to use feedback from our clients and take
notice of which food goes quickly and reflect that in our grocery shopping, but we are limited to the same
purchases every week.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Food pantries do not traditionally address systemic racism or provide for clients with marginalized identities in
the ways they should. A quick Google search reveals pages of academic studies, op-eds, and published
literature about the need for racial justice when addressing food insecurity, but we are still behind. Virtually
every systemic issue that furthers racial injustice can be seen in the context of food insecurity and food
pantries, yet many pantries have made little or no effort to make systemic change. Often, pantries have affluent
White board members, staff members, and volunteers choosing food for pantry clients that are more often
people of color or immigrants, giving little consideration to what foods are culturally relevant and what clients
are familiar with. This furthers white supremacy by giving White volunteers control over what foods BIPOC
pantry clients have access to, even when there is an intentional effort to expand the pantry’s stock.
Funding from this grant would allow us to bring more autonomy and control to clients of the pantry by allowing
us to act on their feedback and by making the pantry accessible and useful to more communities of color. In
turn, this would lessen the extent to which our pantry contributes to racial inequity in our community and, with
the information we gather about what food members of our community are looking for in Iowa City’s pantries, we
can help other pantries make that shift as well. Food pantries are just one way to help address food insecurity,
but with our great impact on community members, it is vital we are doing everything we can to address racial
inequity.
This purchasing of culturally relevant foods for the food pantry will directly address the following priority areas:
Education, Building Community, and Health. Because many of our clients are University of Iowa students,
enhancing their education is an important priority for Food Pantry at Iowa. The 2016 study Hunger on Campus
found that 81% of students who reported hunger or housing insecurity said that these problems harmed their
academic performance. 53% missed class, 55% did not buy textbooks, and 25% dropped a class because of
their struggle with food or housing insecurity. Seeing as students of color and non-traditional students
experience food insecurity at disproportionate rates, it is vital that our pantry provides adequate and
appropriate food to our community to help ensure all of its members have access to a good education.
Purchasing culturally relevant food helps build community by ensuring the pantry’s services are accessible and
useful to community members with varying diets. If our food pantry, an important piece of addressing food
insecurity in our community, does not cater to different cultures, religious practices, and diets, it is not equitably
fulfilling its purpose. Additionally, working with current and potential clients to hear feedback and make
adjustments in our grocery shopping will give our clients a sense of community and influence within the pantry
services.
Access to nutritious and adequate food is one of the most important things anyone can do to stay healthy, both
mentally and physically. According to Feeding America, 1 in 10 Iowans struggle with hunger, and that number is
even higher among college students. In a 2019 Hope Center study, 39% of college student respondents had
been food insecure in the prior 30 days. The combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the derecho left
many Iowa City-area residents and University community members without consistent access to nutritious food
for months, but Food Pantry at Iowa, among other food resources, has made a solid effort to combat those
struggles and keep our community fed.
Sources: https://www.aacu.org/aacu-news/newsletter/facts-figures/jan-
feb2017#:~:text=According%20to%20Hunger%20on%20Campus,had%20very%20low%20food%20security,
https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-
america/iowa#:~:text=In%20Iowa%2C%20305%2C100%20people%20are,of%20them%20102%2C190%20are
%20children.&text=1%20in%207%20children%20struggles,to%20meet%20their%20food%20needs
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
Food insecurity is a pressing need for many Iowans and Iowa City residents, including members of the
University of Iowa community. 1 in 10 Iowans face hunger and almost half of college students are food
insecure. Beyond that, food insecurity disproportionately impacts Black people and people of color. A recent
USDA study revealed that from 2001-2016, food insecurity rates for both non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic
households were consistently at least twice that of non-Hispanic White households. However, the operations,
staff, and stock in food pantries, an important weapon in fighting food insecurity, do not often reflect that
disparity. Before January 2020, our own pantry did not make any targeted effort to provide culturally relevant
food or consistently collect data on our clients’ feedback, and in conversations with other pantries in the area,
that is not uncommon. The ability to purchase more culturally relevant food for our pantry and adjust our
purchases based on client feedback would help lessen this disparity and close the gap between our ability to
serve different members of our communities.
Sources: https://www.aacu.org/aacu-news/newsletter/facts-figures/jan-
feb2017#:~:text=According%20to%20Hunger%20on%20Campus,had%20very%20low%20food%20security,
https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-
america/iowa#:~:text=In%20Iowa%2C%20305%2C100%20people%20are,of%20them%20102%2C190%20are
%20children.&text=1%20in%207%20children%20struggles,to%20meet%20their%20food%20needs
This service does not include partnerships or collaborations with other organizations, but it does involve local
businesses. Our pantry managers purchase culturally relevant food from Chong’s Supermarket of Coralville
and Iowa City African and Oriental Market of Iowa City. Once per week, pantry managers shop for food at these
two stores, spending an average of $55 at Chong’s Supermarket and $80 at Iowa City African and Oriental
Market each week.
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
All clients of the pantry are either a student, staff member, or faculty member at the University of Iowa. Some of
the following data is impacted by student enrollment status for a particular semester and/or employees of the
University choosing not to disclose their demographic data to the campus system. Because of these two
reasons, we do not have a complete picture of the demographic data for each category. Income information is
not available to us.
Age (students only) Percentage
Under 21 24.6%
Over 21 54.6%
Ethnicity
African American or Black 9.7%
Alaskan Native or American Indian 0.2%
Asian 5.8%
Hispanic or Latino(a) 12.2%
Multi-Racial 3.7%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0.0%
Nonresident Alien 13.4%
Race and Ethnicity unknown 2.1%
White, not of Hispanic or Latino(a) origin 30.7%
Sex
Female 51.5%
Male 25.3%
Intersex 0.0%
Prefer not to answer 1.2%
First-Generation Status (students only)
First-Generation 25.4%
Not First-Generation 52.5%
Residency Status (students only)
Iowa Resident 44.9%
Non-Iowa Resident 19.6%
Non-Iowa Resident (International) 13.4%
Food Pantry at Iowa serves an average of 135 clients per week during the semester and 60 clients per week
during the summer. If those trends continue, which we predict they will, from June 1, 2021-June 1, 2022 at least
4,890 community members will be served by Food Pantry at Iowa. We do not separate food by category when
measuring how much clients take, so we will not know exactly how many people will take the food purchased by
this grant from our client data alone. The client survey, to be implemented this spring, will give us a picture of
how many of our clients take the food purchased by this grant funding.
There is no charge for clients to utilize the pantry’s services.
Food Pantry at Iowa utilizes the University of Iowa’s SWIPE technology to measure the reach and success of
our programs. This technology allows us to keep track of how many clients we are serving and how much food
is given out, as well as some demographic information of our clients. We will use this SWIPE technology to
measure the outcomes and performance of purchasing more culturally relevant food items, as well as a client
feedback survey to be implemented in spring 2021. The survey will measure clients’ satisfaction with various
pantry services, with a large focus on the availability of culturally relevant food items before and after the
implementation of this grant funding.
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
As we are developing the client feedback survey, we are placing a large emphasis on measuring client
satisfaction with the food available to them week to week, including culturally relevant food. The survey uses
the Likert scale, which prompts clients to rate their level of satisfaction with various pantry services. There is
also an opportunity to provide direct suggestions on food they would like to have available in the pantry, which
we will be able to provide with this grant funding.
As part of expanding our stock of culturally relevant food and our ability to act on feedback from our clients, we
will create a report of our processes and outcomes to share with other campus and community pantries. Many
pantries, including some in the Iowa City area, either do not stock culturally relevant food or do not have an
established process to collect feedback from clients on the foods they would like to have available in the
pantries. Some pantries purchase culturally relevant foods, but it is often done so inconsistently and based on
anecdotal experiences, not data. Our report would include how and where we spend this grant funding and
what kinds of food are requested by clients. Ideally, this will help other Iowa City-area pantries develop their
stock of culturally relevant food items as well.
Food Pantry at Iowa will utilize its existing social media channels and marketing resources, including Instagram,
Facebook, and mass emails to the University community, to advertise the pantry and its stock of culturally
relevant food items. Our pantry managers, volunteer coordinator, and volunteers will work together to organize
class and student organization presentations about the pantry and the services we offer. We will partner with
the Office of Financial Aid and the Basic Needs Committee to advertise our services to the community.
We will continue purchasing culturally relevant food for the pantry after the grant funding ends. With consistent
funding and a chance to develop a way to best provide culturally relevant food over the next year, we can
begin to direct existing and future community donations toward grocery shopping and utilize our partnership
with University of Iowa Student Government to receive additional funding for this purpose.
The proposal does not include fees for professional services.
Funding Amount Request
6,075.00$
The funding from this grant will be utilize to purchase culturally relevant foods from local stores, including but
not limited to Iowa City African and Oriental Market and Chong’s Supermarket. A more detailed spending plan
is below under “Proposed Budget.”
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Food Pantry at Iowa’s annual budget for FY21 is $28,000. The annual budget comes from University of Iowa
Student Government and it can change each year. The organization also receives community donations
throughout the year that cannot be predicted ahead of time. The follow is the breakdown of the $28,000
allocation from UISG:
Stipends/Fringe
$15,500
Groceries
$10,000
Events/Training/Outreach
$2,000
Tech/Space Updates
$500
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 2,025.00$2,025.00$2,025.00$
Other Revenue 2,160.00$2,160.00$2,160.00$
Supplies 4,320.00$4,320.00$4,320.00$
Marketing/Advertising 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Every week of the year groceries are purchased and stocked on Sunday. On Wednesday mornings, pre-
packed bags are prepared for clients that have filled out an order form. On Wednesday afternoon, the pantry
is open for clients to grocery shop. This process will repeat throughout the year.
Currently, we spend an average of $135 on culturally relevant food each week, totaling $6,075 after shopping
for 45 weeks out of the year. With this grant funding, we would be able to double that spending and purchase
culturally relevant food based on client feedback.
No, we have not previously received funding from the City of Iowa City.
Food Pantry at Iowa receives yearly funding from University of Iowa Student Government for all of its
operations, including grocery shopping. In FY21, the pantry received $28,000 for the year, with $15,500
allocated for stipends, $10,000 for grocery shopping, $2,000 for events, training, and outreach, and $500 for
technology and space updates. Additional funding will be allocated to Food Pantry at Iowa for FY22, the exact
amount to be determined at a future date.
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
No, we do not plan to apply for additional funding at this time. If we did not receive this funding, we would create
a plan to direct community donations toward grocery shopping for culturally relevant foods.
N/A
Yes No
We can adjust the amount of groceries we purchase based on the amount of funding we receive. Any amount
help us to work toward the same goal, but more funding would make a bigger impact on our clients'
experiences.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/7/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Little Creations Academy (LCA)
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
United States
Street Address
2929 E. Court Street
Address Line 2
319-499-1764
pastor@ncichurch.com
N/A
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Nancy Gardner
Dr.
319-325-2674
nancy.hayes.gardner@gmail.com
To provide quality child care in a loving and safe environment and to ensure consistency of care for Little
Creations Academy by recognizing teachers for their dedication and commitment to children.
5
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
In June 2020, Little Creations Academy (LCA) received an SJRE grant to provide four parent engagement
nights over the ensuing year. Each of these events included a theme of educational importance (Literacy and
STEM sessions have been held, nutrition and a future themed event are yet to be held). At each event,
teachers met with families to discuss the importance of parent involvement and ways to support learning in the
home. Children received tote bags containing several books for their home libraries as well as ideas and
materials for home activities. These events are becoming quite popular and have had a deeper impact than
originally planned. Parents are beginning to view themselves as their child’s first teacher, staff at LCA feel
empowered as educators to plan and host these events, and children reap the benefits of parents and staff
working together for their best interests. With two more events in the works, these effects will only grow
stronger. Of course, the long-term benefits as proposed in this grant will not be realized for a while, but,
engaging parents in their child’s education at this young age will, hopefully, set the stage for positive
engagement in the future and all the benefits that come with it.
Proposal
As stated above, nutrition is going to be the theme of an upcoming parent engagement event this winter. There
will be activities, books, and helpful information provided to children and parents. However, the theme of
nutrition, in and of itself, is much more than an evening of family fun. It’s a lifestyle, it’s a way of thinking, and
it’s critical for a healthy future. This realization led the staff at LCA to consider how the concept of nutrition
education could play a major role in both academic growth and physical wellness in children. The staff
addressed this idea by researching the following questions:
1. Does good nutrition positively affect student learning?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Improving a child’s access to healthy
foods and physical activities is linked to healthier students who are better learners. Both habits have been
shown to improve brain function, memory and concentration. Children can improve their academic performance
by altering their eating habits to include healthy snacks in their daily routines. Parents can support their
children in developing those smart eating habits by making sure they can access healthy snacks and meals”
(https://ccaeducate.me).
2. Is there a need to address nutrition education?
A report by Green Tea Health ranks Iowa as the 20th most obese state in the nation with 66% of the state’s
population considered overweight or obese. Of this total population, 33% are Black, 30% are Latino, and 28%
are White. Over 11% of Iowa’s obese population are children ages 10-17 (http://www.green-tea-health-
news.com/Iowa-obesity.html). Johnson County is faring a bit better with 26% percent of its population
considered obese. However, this rate is steadily increasing as it was at 22% in 2004
(https://www.countyhealthrankings.org).
3. What should be included in an effective nutrition education program?
Studies by several researchers indicate critical components to any nutrition education program should include:
classroom instruction by teachers and nutrition education curricula, as well as environmental components such
as healthy school menu offerings, classroom snacks, and fruit and vegetable taste tests. Research results
showed that students participating in nutrition education exhibited improved dietary habits, higher consumption
of fruits and vegetables, reduced consumption of sweetened beverages, and improved weight status
(https://www.countyhealthrankings.org).
4. How can busy parents become a part of a successful nutrition education program?
An article in The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Blitstein et al., 2016) addressed the
importance of parent support for sustainable nutrition changes in children’s diets. One effective means to
address this incorporated a parent-focused social marketing campaign in nutrition education interventions
(https://www.sciencedirect.com). Using social media to communicate classroom activities, nutritional information,
and parenting tips will enable parents to carry over good nutritional habits into the home.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids, Healthy Families
Our proposal encompasses several aspects of nutrition education and health involving children at LCA and
their families. Below are the core concepts and how they will look:
Educating Children at LCA on Good Nutrition
Teachers and staff at LCA will devote time each week teaching the importance of good nutrition. A focus will be
on the MyPlate federal government initiative which includes easy to implement lessons, activities, and games to
reinforce the information presented. Books with nutrition, gardening, or other related themes will also be
included in the lessons and provided to children for their home libraries.
Exposing Children to New, Healthy Foods and Snack Options
Once each week, students will be exposed to a different fruit or vegetable that they may have never tried
before. Teachers will introduce the food, explain how it grows, and how it helps our bodies. Students will
participate in preparing the snack, and encouraged to try the new food item.
Providing Field Experiences
Field experiences that allow children to see first-hand where their food comes from will be planned within the
Iowa City area. Examples of such trips include Wison’s Apple Orchard and a working farm.
Planting a Garden
Both children and parents will participate in planting a garden on-site. From deciding what to plant, tending the
garden, and harvesting the food, children and families will learn the joy and skills for successful gardening.
Harvested food will be used in meal preparation so children can see and taste the results of their efforts.
Connecting with Parents
It will be important to communicate what children are learning with parents and to encourage support of good
nutrition habits in the home. Using a social network campaign similar to that used in the Blitstein study
mentioned above will keep parents informed and engaged. Typical platforms that serve in this capacity are
Seesaw or Google Classrooms.
The Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids, Healthy Families initiative will advance social justice and racial equity in four
ways:
1. Children and parents will be educated on better nutrition practices in the home, helping to reduce the
obesity rates for all participants. Currently, in Iowa, 33% of the Black population, 30% of the Latinex population,
and 28% of the White population are considered obese (green-tea-health-news.com).
2. Children will be exposed to new fruits and vegetables making it more likely that they will consume these
foods in the future. According to US News & World Report (usnews.com), families in Johnson County spend
11.4% of at-home food expenditures on fruits and vegetables compared to 11.9% in the United States.
3. Helping children and adults learn the skills of gardening will empower families to address food insecurity as
well as increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in the home. The Food Environment Index Score for
Johnson County as assessed by US News & World Report (usnews.com) is 5.98 as compared to the Iowa index
score of 10.22. A higher score indicates more healthy food than unhealthy food is available in a community.
4. Receiving books on nutrition, gardening, and overall healthy practices will enable students to continue to
grow their home libraries. Not only will children at LCA be reading these books, but parents and other family
members will benefit as well.
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
The Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids, Healthy Families initiative addresses three of the priority areas:
Education: Students and their families will be learning about good nutritional practices. The curriculum
presented by MyPlate.gov and additional information from the Iowa State and Johnson County Extension
offices will teach this information using fun, engaging projects and activities. Students will learn new vocabulary,
pre-reading skills and math concepts, as well as acquire the 21st Century skills of following directions, critical
thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and flexibility. Proficiency in these areas will provide students
with a stronger academic foundation and support future learning in public school. The books that children take
home will support literacy and the importance of a home library that the entire family can access.
Health: Good nutrition is the foundation for good health, and good health is necessary for every aspect of
living. Healthy children do better at school; they can focus longer, remember more, and show greater cognitive
growth. But, children cannot practice what they don’t know. With over 11% of children in Iowa considered
obese, and the majority of Iowa’s obese population identifying as Black, the target group for nutrition education
is Black children (green-tea-health-news.com). In addition, close to 100% of the population at LCA live below
the poverty line. It then becomes imperative to educate parents as well, teaching them not only about good
nutrition, but ways to access fresh produce. Our proposed initiative will provide the education and hands-on
experiences that children and adults need to make better nutrition choices that will enhance their entire lives.
Criminal Justice: The “school to prison pipeline” is very much a reality for many children of color. However, it
has been proven that children who have a quality early childhood education experience go on to do better in
school than those children who do not have access to quality early childhood instruction. Research also tells us
that children who participate in quality early childhood education are less likely to be in the criminal justice
system later in life (HighScopes/Perry Project, https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED475597). This initiative will add depth
of learning and experiences to the program offered at LCA providing life skills for a more positive future.
The Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids, Healthy Families initiative will address four critical community needs
including:
Child and adult obesity- Of Iowa’s obese population, 11.2% are children and 33% are Black (green-tea-
health.com).
Nutrition and health of children and adults- Iowa is ranked 20th in national obesity
School readiness-This initiative addresses four of the five critical elements for quality early childhood
education: healthy children, ready to succeed in school, secure and nurturing families, secure and nurturing
early childhood environments (earlychildhoodiowa.gov).
Access to quality affordable daycare- Little Creations Academy is one of the few daycare centers in Iowa City
that accepts Child Care Assistance vouchers. Of this subset of daycare providers, it is one of the most
affordable for struggling families. Almost 100% of families attending LCA are living below the poverty level
(https://ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us).
The Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids, Healthy Families initiative will be an extension of a partnership with the
congregation at First Presbyterian Church (FPC) in Iowa City. Members of FPC include retired educators who
can support components of curriculum implementation. Others in the church are able to help with supervision
during gardening activities and field experiences. Dr. Nancy Gardner, a retired school administrator and
member of FPC, will work directly with staff in coordinating aspects of the program. Personnel from both Iowa
State and Johnson County Extension Services will be involved as consultants to the program. The Iowa
Association for Education of Young Children (IAEYC) will be available for consultation on teacher training, if
necessary.
Community members benefiting from the Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids, Healthy Families initiative represent the
following demographics:
Ages: Birth-adult Race: African-American Gender: Equal representation of male and female
Income: Families from low socio-economic environments as indicated by DHS- 100%
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Approximately 25 children and their families will be served by this program for a total of 50-75 people. It will
begin on June 1, 2021 and continue through June 30, 2022.
There is no charge to participate in this program.
1. Children attending LCA will experience a fruit or vegetable each week, identifying the food item by name,
describing how it grows, and tasting it.
2. After completing the MyPlate nutrition curriculum, children attending LCA will be able to categorize food items
as healthy (eat often), or unhealthy (eat less often).
3. Children attending LCA will participate in the planting, tending, and harvesting of vegetables in a raised
garden.
4. Teachers at LCA will communicate experiences and information from the Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids,
Healthy Families initiative at least once a week using Seesaw or similar parent engagement app.
The following will be used to measure each of the goal statements above:
1. Teachers will keep a weekly record of each fruit or vegetable introduced and communicate this information
with parents.
2. Using pictures of various food items, children will be able to separate them into healthy and unhealthy
options with 80% accuracy.
3. Teachers will photograph each step of the gardening process, sharing photos of children with their parents.
Photos will also be taken of children enjoying their harvested items during a meal at LCA.
4. Teachers will be trained on using the Seesaw app (or similar app). Communication via the app will take place
at least one time each week.
Social media as well as local news sources will be utilized to publicize the Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids, Healthy
Families initiative. Information for families to start container gardens will also be shared. As children and
parents become more aware and knowledgeable of better food choices, these new behaviors can be shared
with others. Finally, should any other daycare center wish to replicate the Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids, Healthy
Families initiative, the staff at LCA will happily share any curriculum, activities, and other components
developed for this program.
The results of the Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids, Healthy Families initiative will be shared on the LCA Facebook
page, website (to be developed), and other social media platforms. Results will also be offered to newspapers
for publication. A culminating activity for children to share the harvest from the garden and fruit/veggie tasting
event will be hosted for families of children at LCA.
Yes, many components of this initiative can continue after grant funding ends. Additional funds to maintain the
garden, food tasting expenses, and other minor costs can be covered through the partnership with First
Presbyterian Church in Iowa City.
Professional services includes those staff members who will be providing time outside of the school day to
support this project either by acquiring materials, prepping for lessons, making parental contact, attending
training, tending the garden, or any other aspects of the grant.
Funding Amount Request
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
10,089.00$
The funding will be used for the following:
Wages for LCA staff to cover time required for training, prepping activities, tending the garden, and after-
contract family events.
Garden set-up, seeds, plants, child-sized garden tools and gloves
Fuel and car seats for field experiences
Technology needed for lessons including 2 laptops, 2 classroom projectors, 2 carts, and 2 screens
Curriculum materials
Fresh fruits and vegetables for food tasting activities
$176,004
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 3,363.00$3,363.00$3,363.00$
Professional Services 759.00$759.00$759.00$
Educational Materials 813.00$813.00$813.00$
Equipment/Hardware 764.00$764.00$764.00$
Supplies 160.00$160.00$160.00$
Misc. Supplies 867.00$867.00$867.00$
The following is the proposed timeline for this project:
Summer 2021: Construct garden
Train staff and parents on chosen communication app
Train staff on curriculum
Update Facebook page/LCA website
September-June: Weekly tasting of new fruits and vegetables
Complete lessons and activities from MyPlate.gov and other sources
Weekly communication with parents
4 Field experiences
March/April: Students choose vegetables to grow in the garden
Seeds are started indoors
Tasting event is held (family event)
April/May: Plants are placed in garden
June-August Produce is harvested/ garden celebration held for families
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Funds provided from this grant would be spent within the proposed timeline:
June-Sept Garden set-up expenses, ⅓ curriculum, ⅓ wages, ⅓ food tasting, tech
equipment ($3,353)
Oct-Jan 2 field experiences, car seats, ⅓ curriculum, ⅓ wages, ⅓ food tasting
($3,353)
Feb-May 2 field experiences, ⅓ curriculum, ⅓ wages, ⅓ food tasting, remaining garden
expenses ($3,353)
This past year, LCA received a SJRE grant from Iowa City to design and implement a parent engagement
program, The grant amount was for $7,360.
No funding has been received for this program from a non-City of Iowa City source.
LCA will not be applying for additional funding for this program.
LCA will not be applying for additional funding for this program.
Yes No
Yes, the project can be completed with less funding. We could eliminate the larger gardening experience and
focus on the nutrition curriculum and other activities only.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/7/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
Organizational Information
INTERDANCE
City
IOWA CITY
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
1600 BROOKWOOD DR
Address Line 2
3194004695
interdance2015@gmail.com
https://www.iowadancefestival.org/
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Nora G Garda
InterDance Executive Director
3194004695
noragarda@gmail.com
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
InterDance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit art organization based in Iowa. Incorporated on July 13, 2009, our goal is
to promote dance as a universal art form that reaches across political, cultural, and ethnic barriers – facilitating
cultural exchange and uniting people of all backgrounds. We bring a wide variety of dance education and
performance to the local community through week-long residencies, workshops, classes, and performances
held in public spaces. Dance is a universal language that has the power to unify people from different
communities, provide entertainment, and give participants a physical outlet for creative expression. Interdance
is dedicated to developing these community-wide participatory events to increase public awareness and
engagement in the arts, as well as to strengthen the community.
11
For the past three years, we have made leaps and bounds in the offerings we showcase in our
Festival. In 2017, Eloy Barragan created the International ScreenDance Festival, attracting submissions from
artists all over the world. This expanded our reach and gave us a global presence; we are so proud to be able
to have exemplified the values of diversity and inclusion in such a big way! As a result of this addition, we also
began a valuable partnership with FilmScene (a local theater in downtown Iowa City). We continue to maintain
this partnership today. In the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Festivals, we featured three professional dance companies:
The Cambrians, from Chicago, Nimbus Dance from New Jersey and DanceWorks Chicago from Chicago.
Throughout our Festival, they offered many master classes, workshops, and performances (both public/free
and on the stage). At this time, we also developed a partnership with the historic Englert Theater in Downtown
Iowa City – yet another partnership we still maintain today. Due to these additions, The Festival gained a
tagline, now called: IDF: On the Stage, On the Screen, On the Street.
The most recent example of how our organization exemplifies a wide and diverse community reach is through
our 2020 Iowa Dance Festival. The year 2020 has been a difficult year to say the least – especially for the arts
community. Despite the circumstances, our team was determined to continue our fourteen-year legacy and
produce a successful, accessible event for our community. With the help of volunteers, donations, and past
grants from organizations who believe in us, we were able to produce a three-day festival that consisted of
three virtual masterclasses held on zoom and 2 virtual performances (an evening of screendances and an
evening of pre-recorded stage works) that premiered on YouTube. We also produced a live performance held
outdoors at the Iowa Municipal Airport where the audience watched from the safety of their vehicles and
listened to the sound broadcasted over the radio. Despite the extenuating circumstances, the Iowa Dance
Festival was able to bring dance to the community in a safe manner, featuring choreographers, dancers, and
other artists from around the United States. We also brought in over 750 virtual views from people around the
world – not including those who were able to attend classes and our live performance. Further, amidst this
global pandemic, which put financial strain on our organization, we were still able to pay our artists for their
outstanding work. This year’s Festival was a phenomenal example of how diverse and impactful our reach has
become over the past fourteen years.
Proposal
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
The organization’s roots reach back to 2007, when a group of Iowa City/Coralville dancers, choreographers
and supporters united under the leadership of Nora Garda and Mark McCusker to create Iowa Dance Fest,
whose name was later changed to the Iowa Dance Festival. Our passion for dance and the arts as something
that can be enjoyed by everyone inspired us to create this annual outreach program. We strive to include free
and low-cost events, such as classes, workshops, and performances in our annual program in order to remain
accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. Above all, we want to address the beauty, physicality, and
importance of dance here in Iowa.
In our first year of operation, we provided free classes and workshops and three evenings of dance concerts at
Old Brick Auditorium, the Iowa City Recreation Center, National Dance Academy Studios, and the Iowa City
Senior Center. In 2009, we offered a month of free dance workshops in 12 area public schools, culminating in
an evening dance concert at Old Brick Auditorium.
In 2010, we produced a public dance installation through flash mobs in downtown Iowa City and Southeast Jr.
High School. Our evening concert was held at the Iowa City Recreation Center. In 2011, we offered free dance
concerts at the Senior Center, the Old Capitol Center, and the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall. From 2012-2014, we
held presentations at multiple area public schools and produced performances at the Coralville Center for the
Performing Arts. In 2014, we added an installation at the Englert Gallery and held free performances at the
Iowa City Public Library.
The year 2015 consisted of a weekend festival with a Friday evening welcome performance, a Saturday
workshop/brunch at Trumpet Blossom Café with guest speaker, Eloy Barragan, and performances throughout
the afternoon and evening at four different venues in downtown Iowa City. In 2016 we marked our 10th
Anniversary! We held an opening reception, multiple master classes teaching variety of different dance
techniques, performances in Downtown Iowa City, and a closing concert at the Riverside Theater featuring
Chicago-based professional dance company, The Cambrians.
In 2017-2019, we continued hosting an Opening Reception in iconic houses around Iowa City; during these
years, The International ScreenDance Festival was created by Eloy Barragan as part of the Festival’s events.
As a result, we gained a valuable relationship with FilmScene, which we continue to maintain today.
Professional companies Nimbus Dance (from New Jersey) and DanceWorks Chicago were brought as guests
for Master Classes and Performances at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts and The Englert Theater.
As a result of these large leaps in the Festival’s offerings, in 2019, the festival was renamed to, IDF: On the
Stage, On the Screen, On the Street, to better represent our multidisciplinary approach.
Our most recent festival, RESILIENCE, consisted of two virtual performances (On the Stage and On the
Screen) and one live performance (On the Street) in Iowa City. All three masterclasses were free, with the
option to donate. Even in a pandemic, we were still able to attract a wide variety of performers,
choreographers, and teachers. Holding online events also allowed us to reach an international audience, which
will be something we consider for future festivals.
Over the years, we have gained significant traction, attracting submissions from choreographers, performers,
and teachers all over the United States. Additionally, our audiences have continued to grow, which has allowed
us to grow our team and expand the variety of events we offer. Year after year, we are continuously fueled by
our love of dance to continue to entertain, educate, unite, and inspire artists and audiences alike.
The Iowa Dance Festival is a celebration of dance in collaboration with musicians, writers, videographers,
visual artists, and the community in the State of Iowa. It includes not only stage, street and screen
performances, but also brings inclusive programs to local schools, nurturing conversation and connection
among all participants (performers, choreographers, instructors and audiences).
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
From the moment art was created, it served as a way to express and reflect on society and the times in which
we live. Through their creations, artists have the power to raise awareness and make powerful statements on
the social justice issues of the day, provoking conversation and causing audiences to think about issues in new
ways.
Our Festival always includes multiple dance and music styles, cultural expressions of different countries, and
representation of underserved social groups. We offer social gatherings before and after the workshops and
performances that generate round tables where artists and audiences can engage in a conversation and
express their thoughts, ideas, needs and concerns in a friendly, non-judgmental space.
A standout example of our passion for diversity and inclusion is seen through our international On the Screen
portion. We encourage Q&As before and after the screendance showings between audiences and filmmakers
all over the world (through Skype at FilmScene), which unifies diverse groups while advancing social dialog and
civil communication among human beings.
On a local scale, we strive to reach our community on all levels by going to schools, community centers, and
senior living organizations to reach all ages, genders, minorities, and those at risk. Everyone can dance and
everybody should have the opportunity to participate in dance in some way (spectating, creating or
participating); the Iowa Dance Festival has exemplified these values for fourteen years, and we are eager to
continue amplifying them.
Building Community: Through our belief that art is a universal language, we have been uniting artists and
audiences from all over the world for the past fourteen years. By including multidisciplinary forms of
performance, encouraging collaboration among artists of different backgrounds, and making our programs
widely accessible, we have devoted ourselves to sharing, including, and engaging with people far and wide.
Education: For every year of the Iowa Dance Festival, we have offered multiple master classes and workshops
in different dance techniques to promote arts education. By bringing in professional companies from around
the United States, we have been able to expand our variety of techniques offered, promoting well-rounded
dance education to anyone who is interested.
Employment: Each year, we are able to not only pay our team, but also pay each artist for their valuable work.
In a time where artists are too often underpaid for their work, The Iowa Dance Festival pays each artist for their
contribution, working to promote the notion that art can, and should be sustainable career.
Health: Dance can contribute to the health of a community in a variety of ways. First, a unified community is a
more stable, healthy community. Through our work, we believe that we can create stronger bonds between
diverse groups. Second, dance is a phenomenal way to stay physically active and develop creativity in both
youth and adults. Serving as a physical and emotional outlet, dance can improve both physical and mental
health in an enjoyable way.
The Iowa Dance Festival fulfills a community-wide need for artistic activities, as well as the need for unification
and group activity. Iowa City houses several art galleries, public art works, an indie movie theater, and the
historic Englert Theater. Art is at the center of our city; by adding dance to this multicultural town, we are filling
an artistic gap and creating an event that that builds community and relationships through activities that
encourage mass participation. Additionally, amidst stress, uncertainty, culture conflict and divide, the Iowa
Dance Festival brings people together - regardless of race, background, or beliefs. We want to dance, enjoy
dance, and engage with the community as a way to encourage acceptance and diversity as a valuable part of
what makes our community unique.
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
Among the many music and visual arts venues and festivals in Iowa, there simply is not enough dance. At the
Iowa Dance Festival, we want to change that. Our many partnerships play a huge role in this change, as they
have continually helped us achieve success in our Festivals.
InterDance Collaborators (in the production of the Iowa Dance Festival) include: the University of Iowa, Iowa
City Downtown District, Iowa City Public Library, The City of Iowa City Pubic Art Program, The Iowa Arts Council
at the Dept. of Cultural Affairs, the Iowa City Community School District, Summer of the Arts, KCCK Radio,
Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, FilmScene, The Englert Theater, etc. Below is a breakdown of how
these various organizations have supported us.
University of Iowa: The University of Iowa Department of Dance has helped spread the word about our festival,
as well as produced artists who end up performing in it. WE also have students as a part of our team serving
various positions (Marketing and Communications positions and Assistant Director).
IC Downtown District: Marketing, advertising, and providing free venues.
IC Public Library: Children and adult rehearsal and performing venue, advertising, and promotion.
The City of Iowa City Public Art Program: We have received two Public Art Grants from the City of Iowa City’s
Public Art Program.
The Iowa Arts Council at the Dept. of Cultural Affairs: they have provided general support, advice, fluid
communication and discussion, and have awarded grants to InterDance multiple times.
IC Community School District: The school district has opened the schools’ doors to a variety of creative
experiences.
Summer of the Arts: Marketing, advertising, sound systems and technicians, venues, etc.
KCCK: partnering in music-dance celebrations, the Iowa City Jazz Festival, the Cultural Crawl, and more.
DanceWorks Chicago: ongoing collaborative works on performance and films
The Cambrians: Chicago Keynote speakers advocating for the arts, master classes and performances.
Nimbus Dance, New Jersey: dance advocation, classes, free speeches, and performances.
FilmScene and the Englert Theater: true collaboration through supporting each other in the creation of art
experiences in town. We are so thankful for them!
Additional collaborations and support from: Hotel Vetro, Alan Swanson, The Chait Galleries Downtown (while
they were in existence), Hills Bank, Green State Credit Union, the Iowa City Optimist Club, the Iowa City
International Rotary Club, Casey Cook (Cook Appraisal and Garage Mahaul).
Our artists and audience consist of children and adults of all ages and backgrounds (master classes are
typically age 8-55 with varied nationalities based on population, and performances are ALL ages with varied
nationalities based on population). Ethnicities and backgrounds that have been represented in the Iowa Dance
Festival through the years include: African, Indian, Irish, Near Eastern, Latin, Asian, and Bosnian. Styles of
dance that have been represented include: Aerial, Juggling, Queer Tango, and the more traditional styles of
Classical Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Hip Hop. Additionally, local groups that include people with disabilities have
been collaborating with the Festival from its start in 2007. We include encourage all genders in every event,
striving uphold our values of inclusivity and equality. To further our inclusivity and accessibility, we also provide
scholarships those who want to participate, but are under significant financial strain. Specifically, in 2020, the
entire Festival was intentionally FREE for everyone targeting to reach larger community and supporting low-
income communities and underrepresented communities. It is clear that the inclusive nature of our festival is
represented by the participation of people of all ages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds and abilities – in both
performers and audience members.
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
Each year, the IDF reaches approximately 1000 people in person and approximately 3000 virtually through the
Iowa International ScreenDance Festival (On the Screen). On average, 25 countries, participate in On the
Screen and audiences worldwide are participating through virtual communication. On the Screen has been
taken to Mexico for the past 3 years and we are in communications with a group in Casa de la Cultura,
Tenerife, Spain to produce it 2021. Most in-person participants and viewers reside in the U.S., though we do
frequently attract people from other countries.
Many of the Festival events are free; when we do need to charge for an event, we try to keep it to a minimum.
Cost of performances and Master classes are kept to $10/each. Scholarships are always made available (but
not limited to) to minorities and youth at risk. “Packages” for classes and performances are also available at a
50% discount from the regular price.
Dance events that are brought to schools through week-long residencies, workshops, and classes are widely
free of charge. Pop up performances in the IC downtown, IC Public Library, the IC/Johnson County Senior
Center, the Iowa Children’s Museum and UIHC are completely free of charge.
The money we make from charging for classes and performances goes toward studio and theater rental, movie
theater rental, lights and music equipment/DJ, Web-Master and Social Media manager, marketing, posters and
programs designer, printing, video editing, and to pay a minimum fee to performers.
The outcome that we are most proud of is the quality of the events presented during the Festival and the
offerings to the community that have continued to grow since the Festival’s beginnings in 2007. We also pride
ourselves in the number of countries (approximately 25 per year) we include each year in the ScreenDance
portion of our Festival. Additionally, the consistently large number of people at all the events, audience
participation, and positive feedback are clear indicators of our success. The fact that we have continued to
operate successfully over the past fourteen years and continue to do so is something we are incredibly proud
of.
Alignment with organizational goals: Each year, the Iowa Dance Festival has met and surpassed our goals. We
are continually able to produce this festival through hard work, dedication, passion, a wonderful team, and
endless support from our community. It is clear that we are succeeding in our goal of arts promotion and
engagement.
Return on Investment: Each year, we pour our resources into producing a quality festival that can be enjoyed
by the community as a whole. Our fourteen years of success through growing numbers of participants,
inclusivity, and diverse representation has resulted in strong support from our community. Through this
support, we are able to recoup the money we put in, allowing us to keep producing and improving the Iowa
Dance Festival.
Submissions, class participation and attendance: The full classes, workshops and crowded audiences, and
virtual viewers from around the world speak for themselves. On average, the percentage of sold tickets for our
live shows is 80-100% per year. Similarly, our classes sell at 80-100% capacity, with last year’s class having to
be divided into three groups in order for all the participants to dance on the Englert stage! Our free
outdoor/public space shows also consistently attract a large audience; over the past 14 years, our Festival has
become a popular event. Additionally, in the past four years, there have been over one-hundred applicants
representing twenty-five different countries for our ScreenDance Festival. People want to engage with us, they
want to dance with us, and they want to be included in fulfilling the Iowa Dance Festival’s mission.
Customer satisfaction: Year after year, we have received support from numerous local organizations, most of
which we consider strong partnerships. Additionally, we have numerous donors and sponsors each year, with
2020 bringing us over 30 contributors. We continue to make more relationships and gain more donors each
year. Through these metrics, it is clear that the community wants more of what we offer.
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
The Iowa Dance Festival will create more outreach programs, including presentations followed by discussions,
Q&As, conversations with children in schools, minority groups around Iowa, and with youth at risk. The Iowa
Dance Festival wants to break the artist/audience barrier by getting involved with our viewers, finding out what
their needs are, and making an effort to help improve the community through art.
In 2020, IDF managed to stay alive with virtual performances, master classes, concerts, AND a live drive-in
performance at the IC Municipal Airport, where people could watch a beautiful show from the safety of their
cars. Although we implemented this strategy due to the pandemic, the success that ensued has prompted us to
incorporate online events into future festivals, even when the pandemic is over.
We want to produce inclusive, free/low-cost, live performances, and post them on our website for all to see
(refer to section 8). We want to encourage in-person discussion, as well as virtual conversation. We want
participants to be able to take class in person or at home. IDF will continue reaching out in person and virtually
in order to encourage a wider variety of participants, bring art and entertainment into people’s homes, and to
boost our educational reach. Additionally, we will continue to develop our social media presence on various
platforms in order to further immerse ourselves in the community.
The IDF has been sustainable for 14 years, thanks to the countless hours of time volunteers have committed to
us, as well as financial support from the community. Given this continual success, we want to start making and
meeting bigger goals. Should we receive the SJRE grant, we would be able to improve the quality of our
community service offerings, increase our networking opportunities, and successfully expand the offerings of
the Festival. Instead of pouring energy into making ends meet each year, this grant would provide us with a
launching point to take our Festival to the next level, ultimately helping us maintain a strong and growing
presence in our community.
In 2020, we operated on the smallest budget we have ever had, yet the IDF was able to reach an even wider
audience. Thanks to the virtual events, the festival reached people all over the U.S. and other countries
(Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Italy to mention a few). The SJRE grant would allow us to produce in-person events
and virtual events on a larger scale, giving us the chance to have our most successful and high-quality year
yet!
We want to continue reaching more schools, bringing in more prominent dance companies, choreographers
and artists, and using our Festival as a vehicle for inclusivity, diverse representation, and the sharing of the art
form we love the most. We are a dedicated and passionate team who will continue to deliver the Iowa Dance
Festival to our community, no matter the circumstances; this grant would be the ultimate validation of the value
we provide to the community.
Webmaster (website maintenance and development), Social Media Manager, sound editing, film editing,
marketing, and paying the artists who create and perform in our festivals being are all expenses the Iowa
Dance Festival MUST incur in order to produce and share quality work (often free of charge) with the
community and to support our partner organizations (FilmScene, Englert, Coralville Center for the Performing
Arts). Without these expenses, we would not be able to successfully function.
Funding Amount Request
7,500.00$
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
This grant money will be used for professional services (documentation, web designers and social media &
marketing managers, compensation for artists, and venue fees). We will be paying two coordinators to
implement and develop more outreach programs at schools and in the community. We also will be using the
money to pay for education materials needed for virtual classes and events.
$20,000
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Fees for virtual Master Classes and,
shows and round tables
1,400.00$1,200.00$400.00$
Other Revenue (other grants, donations
and fundraisers)
$9,500.00$$
SJRE Grant $7,500.00$$
Professional Services 5,000.00$5,000.00$1,500.00$
Educational Materials 1,000.00$300.00$300.00$
Marketing/Advertising 2,000.00$$$
Equipment/Hardware 1,500.00$$$
Rentals 1,000.00$$$
Supplies 600.00$200.00$200.00$
Printing 500.00$$$
Misc. Supplies 500.00$200.00$200.00$
Starting January, 2021, we will be offering once a month, online master classes of various dance techniques.
These classes will go from January to August. February will mark our open call for submissions to the festival.
June will be the deadline for submissions and our selections will be finalized in August.
The Festival will take place October 1st-3rd, with master classes and workshops taking place throughout these
three days. October 1st will feature the virtual stage show, October 2nd will be the premiere of the
ScreenDance portion of the Festival, and on October 3rd, we will hold a live drive-in performance. Each show
will have an after-reception/Q&A live or on zoom, depending on the state of the world.
A rough timeline for how this grant money will be spent is detailed below:
January: $500 for Outreach Coordinators
February: $1,000 for professional services, $500 for Outreach Coordinators, and $1,000 for education
materials.
April: $500 for Outreach Coordinators.
June: $1,000 for professional services, $500 for Outreach Coordinators, and $300 for education materials.
September: $1,000 for professional services, $1,000 for Outreach Coordinators, and $200 for education
materials.
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
City of Iowa City Public Art Grant Program twice in the past 3 years (different projects: Iowa City Dance Pina,
$800, 2018 and the IDF, $2000, 2020).
2016: Iowa Arts Council, $8,000 to be used within a year.
2016: Across Borders UI, $2000 to be used immediately for the festival.
2017: Across Borders UI, $2000 to be used immediately for the festival.
2020: Iowa Arts Council, $10,000 to be used within a year.
Yes.
$12,500
No matter how difficult our financial standing has been, we have always figured out a way to make the Iowa
Dance Festival happen. However, the less funding we have, the more stress and sacrifices we have to make in
order to produce the event (less classes, smaller performances, less community engagement). At minimum, our
goal is to keep the Iowa Dance Festival an annual event. However, our past success has caused us to reach
far beyond this goal, looking to multiply our events, produce performances on a larger scale, expand our
network, and support artists. This is not possible without additional funding.
Yes No
Less funding means a smaller festival. We would have to sacrifice the number of performances, classes, and
workshops we offer, as well as the ability to fairly compensate our workers and artists. The less funding we
have, the more difficulty we face in order to produce a quality and community-centered Iowa Dance Festival.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/7/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organizational Information
Multicultural Development Center of Iowa
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
136 S. Dubuque St
Address Line 2
319-333-0600
info@mdciowa.org
https://www.mdciowa.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Tracy Jon Sargeant
Founder
920-312-8408
tracyjon@mdciowa.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Julia Crowley
Executive Director
319-333-0600
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Email *
julia.crowley@mdciowa.org
Multicultural Development Center of Iowa (MDC Iowa) serves the underrepresented and underserved
communities of Eastern Iowa by addressing the digital divide and providing pathways for STEM degrees and
career opportunities through hands-on learning, mentoring, and economic support. The mission of MDC Iowa is
to provide the community with consistent access to tools, training, resources, and support through four main
initiatives:
- Logic Learning - STEM-based learning programs for marginalized people ages 9 to 99
- Intercultural Community Development - training and community development with a focus on improving
multicultural communities and awareness
- Underrepresented Students of the Creative Corridor scholarship - Annual scholarship and college
preparation award to high school seniors interested in pursuing a STEM-related degree
- Black in Business Incubator - Program providing workspaces, mentorship, education, and access to free
professional services to support aspiring and startup companies
The digital divide is defined as the gap between those who have access to information and technology and
those that do not. Restricted access due to economic, educational, linguistic, and/or generational reasons
disproportionately affects people of color. To address this problem, MDC Iowa provides free resources
including STEM training throughout the year with a focus on supporting black, indigenous, people of color
(BIPOC). The goal is to increase the exposure, frequency, and interest in STEM within these communities.
Representation matters and our weekly Featured Friday interviews showcase BIPOC in STEM which addresses
the issue that young students of color cannot be what they cannot see.
MDC Iowa believes that every individual should have the support and tools to pursue a STEM-related career
regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or gender. Through public and private partnerships, we constantly
work towards improving diversity in education and the workplace while promoting racial equity, and inclusivity in
our community. Our logo is inspired by those principles and represents the growth that we strive to achieve and
the diverse, inclusive, and economically strong communities that we support.
3
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
The Logic Learning program provides free hands-on STEM training to underserved and underrepresented
people for the third year. In 2020, MDC Iowa partnered with multiple community organizations to deliver training
through their respective outreach programs. During the summer, MDC Iowa partnered with the Iowa City Bike
Library to provide STEM classes to kids in the South district neighborhood. This “pop up” class was held in the
parking lot of the Neighborhood Center of Johnson County every Friday at 4 pm. Over the course of the
summer, we introduced young learners to various STEM projects and had guest speakers and volunteers from
the science community.
Another successful program was with the Young Parents Network (YPN) which provided a fun technology
project and hands-on learning experience to adult learners. During this class, young parents learned about the
history of the Internet, how the Internet works, understood entry-level computer networking concepts, and
ultimately built and programmed their own Internet ad-blocker using a Raspberry Pi. The impact that these
programs have had on the community is economic and health-related which reached immigrant youth and
parents, young parents, at-risk youth, and formerly incarcerated residents in Johnson County. The projects
provided education and skills for employment in technology jobs which contributes to economic growth and
racial equity. The training programs sparked an interest in STEM and enabled them to pursue additional
training. Many of our program participants have gone on to study at Kirkwood Community College, the
University of Iowa, online accredited institutions, or pursue self-paced learning through various platforms. The
classes provided to the community are often the main catalyst for shifting a student’s mindset and encouraging
them to pursue a STEM-related degree or career. Many of our adult learners have leveraged the MDC Iowa
learning programs to prepare for a new career in technology. Most of the adult learners that participate in the
hands-on classes had no prior experience with technology and had previously avoided technical training due to
socioeconomic barriers.
Proposal
As a black man in technology, our founder saw first-hand the lack of diversity in technology. Despite a growing
job market, less than 10% of STEM careers are held by people of color. This is a systemic problem that begins
during early childhood development when black and brown children are told they are not good at science and
math or do not receive support and encouragement to pursue a degree or career in science, technology, or
engineering. The problem persists due to several factors including but not limited to implicit bias by teachers,
the lack of representation in education and STEM, and ongoing socioeconomic challenges by underserved
communities in Iowa City.
At the beginning of 2020, MDC Iowa provided free STEM classes at the public library and Iowa City Fab Lab. In
the first few months, more than 200 young and adult learners participated in classes before the pandemic
forced the library and Fab Lab to close their doors to the public. We received dozens of emails and phone calls
asking for online classes. At that time, the current training model was instructor-led only, and the supplies were
provided as part of the classes. Resources were not available to make the transition to online learning, but the
commitment to deliver learning experiences to those that needed them the most remained. An unlikely
partnership with the Iowa City Bike Library created an opportunity to provide a STEM class to kids in the South
district as part of the summer bike program. Every Friday 20 kids ranging in ages from 9 to 17 learned a new
skill like how to solder, make a bike light out of recycled materials, and learned about science, engineering, and
math through fun hands-on projects taught by people that look like them. The feedback confirmed that these
kids were not getting adequate access to STEM training and that the underserved community is hungry for
someone to show up for them on a consistent basis. The STEM kit was born out of that experience.
Recent statistics from the Pew Research Center reveal that Black and LatinX workers are still
underrepresented in the STEM workforce at shockingly low numbers (7% and 9% respectively). This confirms
that we still have an outreach and pipeline problem and that there is clearly not enough emphasis and focus on
addressing this problem. While it is true that other community organizations provide variations of STEM
programs it is not a year-round focus and there is no emphasis on the marginalized groups in the community.
This is the definition of inequality and something must be done to redistribute the funds so new initiatives have
a chance to grow without being overshadowed by legacy nonprofit organizations. If a community with privilege
and wealth truly cares about racial equity it can be seen in how financial resources are allocated to
organizations that directly support the communities of color. Those closest to the problem are closest to the
solution so MDC Iowa founding members, board members, and volunteers use their lived experience as people
of color to solve these problems.
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
The STEM kit provides all the materials and building blocks to complete 13 hands-on projects that develop
skills in STEM in a fun and creative way. Paired with our BIPOC instructors, our self-paced courseware,
quizzes, and certificates of completion, the kit is an essential tool to improve diversity in STEM and build
confidence in students of color. The STEM kit allows students to complete unique projects and can graduate to
advanced learning with add-on modules that allow the students to build their own functional tablet or laptop.
MDC Iowa recognizes that there is a difference between equality and equity. Equality is defined as equal
sharing and division, keeping everyone at the same level. Giving the same thing to all people, regardless of
their needs does not help improve the situation of those that need help the most.
Equity is defined as fair treatment, access, advancement, and opportunity for all people. It strives to identify
and eliminate barriers that prevent the full participation of some groups or individuals. Promoting equity
requires an understanding of the causes of outcome disparities within our society.
The digital divide, lack of representation in public schools, lack of diversity in STEM, and defunding of pipeline
programs for people of color are all factors that limit BIPOC from accessing STEM-related degrees and careers
which perpetuates inequality. The MDC Iowa STEM kit and learning program addresses all these problems by
providing free access to training, resources, materials, and BIPOC instructors. The pandemic has prevented in-
person classes in easily accessible public spaces which also affects those with a low-socioeconomic status
(SES) which are disproportionately black and brown residents. A fully equipped STEM kit and online learning
platform remove any barriers that prevent people of color from accessing these resources.
A recent study by John Hopkins University found that for low-income black students, having at least one black
teacher in elementary school reduces their probability of dropping out of school by 29%. The study also
showed that a black student that has just one black teacher by third grade is 13 percent more likely to enroll in
college and a black student that has two or more black teachers is 32 percent more likely. Currently, the
teacher workforce in Iowa City is not diverse and does not reflect the student population with less than 2% of
the teachers identifying as people of color with 19% of the student population identifying as people of color.
ICCSD has at least five schools with no teachers of color, many of these schools have a student population
that is majority people of color but taught by an all-white staff. The bottom line is that representation in the
classroom matters and the benefits of having a black teacher are clear. More than 75% of the MDC Iowa board
members are black or mixed, and 85% of the staff, volunteers, guest speakers, and professionals that are
directly involved in delivering STEM classes are people of color, women, or both. Our public-school system has
a difficult task of improving diversity in the teacher workforce and that may not change before a current 3rd-
grade student gets to high school so what is the plan to improve the equity of our students of color? A teacher
is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue. The role of a teacher or educator
can be taken on by anyone and in the absence of black teachers in the Iowa City community that role will be
filled by MDC Iowa until the issue of diversity is resolved
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Multicultural Development Center of Iowa (MDC Iowa) was founded to serve the underrepresented and
underserved communities in Eastern Iowa by addressing the digital divide and providing pathways for STEM
degrees and careers through hands-on learning, mentoring, and economic support. The STEM kit program is
designed for anyone ages 9 to 99 and specifically addresses education and employment. Young and adult
learners have the chance to reach their full potential without socioeconomic barriers regardless of education or
personal background.
We don't yet know the long-term effects that prolonged virtual learning will have on our children but we do know
that providing access to hands-on learning will have a positive psychological impact and help students get
excited about learning experiences with foundations in science, technology, engineering, and math.
No one could have anticipated the pandemic or the impact it would have on young students. The virtual and
hybrid models lack the hands-on experience that improves memory retention. Providing a STEM kit is the start
of addressing these issues and improves the overall confidence and mental health of the student while creating
a foundation of technical skills that can lead to career opportunities. MDC Iowa believes that every individual
should have the support and tools to pursue a STEM-related degree or career regardless of socioeconomic
status, race, or gender. MDC Iowa uses public and private partnerships to improve diversity in education and
the workplace while promoting racial equity and social justice in our community.
Of the nearly 6 million jobs expected to require technical skills in the future, labor statistics project a candidate
pool of only 3.2 million. The recent pandemic has created a need for employers to redesign workplace models
increasing work from home positions. This change has created opportunities for candidates with basic tech
skills to apply for positions outside of their current market without the need to relocate. This has opened a new
job market previously not available to entry-level workers.
Additionally, many tech companies and employers have publicly committed to improving diversity in their
workforce which will create a demand for a more diverse candidate pool. Several participants in the early
phases of the Logic Learning program have gone on to achieve industry-recognized certifications after
completing the Cloud and Security tracks and now have full-time jobs with salaries that range from $80,000 to
$150,000 without having a college degree. Being paired with a mentor, having a teacher that looked like them
and could relate to them, and having a role model is what they each credit as the catalyst for their new careers.
It all started with one free STEM class delivered in their neighborhood by a black cybersecurity professional
that wanted to see more people in the tech industry that looked like him.
Addressing the Digital Divide is a well-documented problem and one that disproportionately affects people of
color in Iowa City. The socioeconomic status of countless families in Iowa City prevents them from having
access to devices and the underlying technology. The data from the ACT Research & Center for Equity in
Learning shows that 89% of survey participants that identified as a person of color had access to only one
device. Additionally, the survey shows that 51% of students of color had access to only a smartphone.
Providing access to technology including devices, software, systems, and training is a critical resource to
students, both young and old, to ensure that everyone has the necessary tools to access information in the
digital age.
In order to bridge the Digital Divide, we must go beyond ensuring people have access to the proper resources
by improving technological literacy and skills. This can be achieved through increased engagement in content
creation, increasing the number of technically trained individuals, changing the attitude around technology, and
empowering individuals to get involved in STEM which can all start with just one STEM kit.
The communities of color in Iowa City need people to show up for them and provide access to resources that
can empower them to reach their full potential. The BIPOC communities need an equitable distribution of funds
to pay for programs and services that improve socioeconomic statuses, increase the higher education
outreach, and decrease the school-to-prison pipeline. These STEM kits and training materials are tools to
encourage innovation, build problem-solving skills, and create a pathway for a future that the ancestors would
be proud of. This program shows people of color in this community that they are not invisible, and someone
wants to invest in their future.
The need for programs that provide access to STEM training is not new or exclusive to any of the existing
organizations that may provide these types of programs, services, or activities. What is new and very much
needed by the Iowa City community is an organization that focuses on providing this type of training and
access to resources with a focus on serving people of color all year round.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
MDC Iowa partners with several community organizations to provide STEM-related training and resources.
Imagine for Youth was founded by Micah Hyde and started as a class project while attending the University of
Iowa. Their mission is to ensure that youth facing financial hardships in the communities we serve have the
opportunity to excel both athletically and academically by providing the necessary resources, supplies, and
equipment. The partnership with Imagine for Youth allows MDC Iowa to provide STEM kits to 2nd through 5th-
grade children at Title 1 schools as part of an annual backpack drive.
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, Iowa City Bike Library, Young Parents Network, and the Neighborhood
Centers of Johnson County are all collaborators and partners in delivering MDC Iowa STEM-related classes,
events, and projects to the community members that they serve.
MDC Iowa also partners with private corporations in the technology sector that provide access to industry
professionals that assist with content creation, courseware development, and mentorship.
Additionally, MDC Iowa is continually working on local public and private partnerships to collaborate in the
ongoing development of programs and materials. Some examples of these partnerships that are still in
development are local schools (K-12), universities, and private corporations with an engineering focus.
MDC Iowa does not discriminate or limit access to services to any specific demographic or prevent anyone from
participating in our learning experiences.
Our mission is to support an inclusive community and celebrate our diversity which cannot be accomplished by
excluding participants based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Our outreach does focus on
underrepresented and underserved people in the community which are disproportionately Black or African
American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic or LatinX. We recognize that a free STEM kit
would benefit all families regardless of income but especially those with annual household income less than
$36,000.
Our mission is to support an inclusive community and celebrate our diversity which cannot be accomplished by
excluding participants based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Our outreach does focus on
underrepresented and underserved people in the community which are disproportionately Black or African
American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic or LatinX. We recognize that a free STEM kit
would benefit all families regardless of income but especially those with annual household income less than
$36,000.
Our mission is to support an inclusive community and celebrate our diversity which cannot be accomplished by
excluding participants based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Our outreach does focus on
underrepresented and underserved people in the community which are disproportionately Black or African
American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic or LatinX. We recognize that a free STEM kit
would benefit all families regardless of income but especially those with annual household income less than
$36,000.
The STEM kit is an ongoing initiative that can grow with the child or adult learner as they increase their skill
level. With the ability to expand the kit with add-on modules, the STEM kit and associated training material can
be an effective learning tool for years. The amount of funding received will determine how many community
members can be served by this program. If the requested amount is granted, MDC Iowa can serve an
estimated 200 members of the community.
No, MDC Iowa has never charged for any services or participation in any programs or events.
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
The outcome for the STEM kit program is an increase in interest by people of color in STEM-related degrees
and careers captured throughout the STEM learning program and compared to data collected during the initial
student onboarding process. Performance or success is measured by the number of STEM kits distributed
compared to the number of students enrolled in the online learning platform.
The Program Coordinator has identified key metrics and data points to measure the outcome and performance
of the STEM kit program. The online learning platform tracks progress and provides feedback on the total time
to complete a task, supports group discussion and collaboration, and tests the students’ knowledge retention
with quizzes throughout the project. This near-real-time data will allow for more actionable intelligence to
support an agile approach to program lifecycle management.
- Tracking demographic data of program participants
- Program referral data
- Participant needs and progress assessment
- Participant history information
- Attendance monitoring
- Identification and tracking of key trends
- Monitoring and assessing programs effectiveness
There is no current plan for process or tool development specific to the STEM kit program, but the data and
performance metrics could be shared with certain community organizations. Additionally, MDC Iowa follows an
open-source methodology and will make curriculum and courseware available to any non-profit organization
interested in providing similar training to underserved people in the community. The success and outcome of
the program could also be shared with others in the community to support the need for more programs that
focus on eliminating racial and social injustices through STEM training, career-building, professional
networking, mentoring, and other services to support the redistribution of wealth.
As part of an ongoing campaign to illustrate the need and benefit of programs like the STEM kit, the MDC Iowa
Marketing Manager will routinely showcase program participants’ success on social media. Additionally,
program participants can opt-in to participate in a monthly featured student profile that will communicate their
experience in the STEM kit program which will be delivered in both print and digital media throughout the Iowa
City area. Also, students that have successfully completed the program can become STEM Ambassadors and
mentors for younger learners creating opportunities for them to talk about their experience at schools and
within their own communities. As part of the MDC Iowa marketing plan, the results will be openly communicated
with local leaders and educators to emphasize the success of the program while simultaneously supporting the
ongoing need for such programs. The Executive Director, staff, and volunteers will also share the program's
success on social media. The summary of success, student showcase, and scholarship recipients will also be
featured in the annual Little Village Giving Guide.
The STEM kit program started with small private donations and was expanded with a grant from the Community
Foundation of Johnson County and has become a permanent program for MDC Iowa. The SJRE grant will help
to further expand the number of recipients that can benefit from this hands-on learning approach. To sustain
the program, the MDC Iowa Development Manager has a detailed strategy and defined goals for ongoing
fundraising campaigns to support operations and continued growth of the four initiatives including the STEM kit
program. MDC Iowa has also partnered with Jill Smith Ph.D. at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business
to identify grant and funding sources that align with the STEM kit program objective.
There are no anticipated fees for professional services associated with the STEM kit program.
Funding Amount Request
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
6,000.00$
The SJRE Grant will be used to purchase materials, supplies, and tools for the STEM kits.
MDC Iowa operates with an annual budget of $25,000
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 6,200.00$0.00$0.00$
Fees 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Other Revenue 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Educational Materials 500.00$500.00$0.00$
Marketing/Advertising 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Equipment/Hardware 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Supplies 5,000.00$0.00$0.00$
Outside Printing 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Misc. Supplies 0.00$0.00$0.00$
From purchase to the distribution of the STEM kits it will take approximately four months. The initial purchase of
equipment, materials, and supplies will be staggered to allow for assembly and distribution without creating a
bottleneck. The training content will be released on a weekly basis and should take students at least four
months to complete the initial 13 projects.
Since the STEM kit components are sourced from various vendors and assembled by staff and volunteers, the
projected timeline for using the funds would be staggered over a four-month period. Distributing the STEM kits
in batches of 50 per month is a manageable amount for the limited resources available to assemble the kits
and provide initial support for onboarding new students.
No, MDC Iowa has never received any funding from the City of Iowa City.
Yes, MDC Iowa received a one-time grant in October 2020 for $6,200 from the Watts Family Endowment fund
through the Community Foundation of Johnson County. The funding was for STEM kits which have been
distributed to BIPOC residents in the South district neighborhood.
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Yes, the goal is to provide every student of color with a STEM kit which will require additional funding. Also, the
kits are designed to be modular, and to support new content additional materials will be required. Eventually,
the students that complete the advanced STEM kit will be able to build their own tablet or laptop which will
require electronic components not included in the initial kit.
Based on the success of this program it is likely that MDC Iowa will consider applying for additional funding to
expand the STEM kit program. The complete STEM kit program is a progressive, three-tiered initiative (Level
100 - beginner, Level 200 - intermediate, Level 300 - advanced) that is designed to span 12-24 months.
Without the SJRE grant, the STEM kit program will be suspended until an alternate funding source can be
secured and would not be able to progress to Level 200 program expansion.
Yes No
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Johnson County Interfaith Coalition (JCIC)
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52244
Country
United States
Street Address
P. O. Box 966
Address Line 2
319-654-4624
organizeiowainfo@gmail.com
organizeiowa.com
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Bea E. Hicks
Treasurer
301-775-1431
beaehicks2501@gmail.com
The member organizations of the Johnson County Interfaith Coalition (JCIC), with the support of the Gamaliel
Network and in covenant with Quad Cities Interfaith, commit to a long term, productive collaboration that
creates justice, especially for persons of color experiencing racial and economic inequality in the county, region
and state.
3
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
As part of the Iowa City 2020 Martin Luther king Jr. Celebration of Human Rights Week, JCIC hosted a South
District Voter Education event after this community was identified by the Auditors Office as a neighborhood with
low voter registration. A survey of residents in the area identified six issues as priorities: health care, affordable
housing, social services, employment, immigration and education. Besides stations set up at the event to
provide information, including handouts related to these issues, this family friendly event featured a short
entertainment program, activities for children, a free buffet dinner featuring international cuisine and, most
importantly, opportunities for attendees to receive information about issues important to them from translators
in five languages (Arabic, French Lingala, Spanish and Swahili). Approximately 200 persons attended. Co-
sponsors of the event included the South District Neighborhood Association, Kingdom Center, Center for
Worker Justice, NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Black Voices Project and the League of Women Voters
who registered at least 20 residents to vote.
Proposal
Following the police shooting of an unarmed Jerime Mitchell in Cedar Rapids in late 2016, participants in a
prayer meeting attended by religious leaders in Iowa City mobilized to rally for this cause and other issues
relevant to people of color. This group grew to become the JCIC, a volunteer-only, not-for-profit comprised of
approximately 20 entities, mostly religious, inclusive of Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and non-
denominational congregations, and like-minded others (Habitant for Humanities, Center for Worker Justice
and individuals.
In the 3 short years since inception, many successful programs have been undertaken by JCIC, in partnership
with others, to increase knowledge and and participation of people of color around issues of concern to them
including adoption of Iowa City's Hate Crime Ordinance, Black Voices Inside Out Program, Speak Out -- Speak
Up events, and most recently, a series of 7 videos in 3 languages covering topics of immigration, education
environmental justice, affordable housing, health, and employment. The video series is available on our
website, free to anyone, and has been enjoyed by many in Iowa City, the states of Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania
and others.
Educational Outreach to increase the availability of information and knowledge for minority residents and helps
improve voter and civic engagement as well as invite a collaborative use of power to transform racial and
economic relations for people of color. We believe that addressing issues of personal importance to
participants heightens their understanding of voting issues and participation in the process.
JCIC would like to build upon its initial educational outreach work by increasing the membership of our
organization, building relations among current members and allies, increasing community volunteers, and
promoting greater fundraising to address the needs of the minority population in Iowa City area to meet our
mission This grant would allow us to share the services (and expense) of a Community Organizer, continue to
develop and provide quality video and written media addressing issues and expand outreach to schools and
other communities and constituents. Expansion would allow greater resources -- individual, organizational and
financial -- to identify and implement appropriate solutions for the needs of the target population. Furthermore
we could begin to measure actual improvements experienced.
Our voter and civic engagement education and engagement covers all six of the SJRE priority service areas.
The series of 7 videos in 3 languages and the South District written material covering 6 topics in 5 languages
can be presented to larger audiences, expanded to include new topics of interest to the target population and
developed to include other subjects and types of material.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
"A rising tide lifts all boats." And so it is with the work of JCIC -- to build relationships between organizations and
individuals to discover self-interests, present educational opportunities to explore solutions, and invite a
collaborative use of power to transform racial and economic relationships for targeted populations in Iowa City.
As with the South District experience, selected population areas or communities will be surveyed to determine
greatest need as identified by the actual residents and programs developed to realize them.
Yes; besides the support of volunteers from the varied membership of JCIC, we will continue to collaborate with
the League of Women Voters and engage with Hills Bank, MidWestOne, HyVee, GreenState Bank, Goodfellow
Printing, Iowa Freedom Riders and commjunity leaders and individuals. Last, we would lke to continue to
identify additional members, such as the School Board or recreational groups, for example, and partners to
share our vision and outcomes.
We anticipate our offerings to directly benefit people of color in City of voting age, future voters, specifically if
they have never voted, or those who share other needs or issues for which we have developed information. Of
course, many others will benefit indirectly as well.
Our target area in Iowa City would be between 20 and 25 percent of the City's population or 15,000 to 18,000
persons. Not only would the targeted minority populations be directly served but the effects of improvement will
be experienced indirectly by others whether minorities or not and regardless of other demographics. This
calculation assumes an Iowa City population of 75,000 and minority percentages of 8.12% Blacks/Afro
Americans; 7.55% Asian; 3.48% Latinx/Hispanic; and 3.52% Other.
No; there is no charge for participation.
1. Greater voter registration and civic participation
2. increased membership in JCIC
3. Expansion of educational materials and audiences
4. Increased resources to achieve our vision
1. Voter turnout
2. Additional funding
3. Membership growth
1. Printed materials such as flyers, workbooks
2. Videos
3. Expanded website
4. Workshops/Seminars
Besides social media, JCIC will roll out available offerings at member locations, community meetings, recreation
centers and parks, City Fairs, expanded mailing lists and word-of-mouth to target audiences. Every effort will
be made to assure available opportunities are accessible to the target audiences based on mobility and
language.
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
JCIC will be sustained by expanding and increasing its membership, partnerships and funding. As additional
needs arise, it is the mission of our organization to address them.
We have identified "translators" as professional service providers.
Funding Amount Request
24,990.00$
To cover costs associated with developing and printing materials, producing videos, providing meals and
community organizing.
Currently $25,000.00
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grant (Need to adjust column headings)9,000.00$9,000.00$7,000.00$
Professional Services (adjust headings)2,000.00$2,000.00$2,000.00$
Personnel Salary & Taxes 2,080.00$2,080.00$2,080.00$
Educational Materials 800.00$800.00$800.00$
Events and Videos 3,500.00$3,500.00$3,500.00$
We anticipate less virtual and more face-to-face opportunities beginning in the fall and holding at least one
community event each calendar quarter.
See budget above
No
We received one-time $2,500.00 grant from the Congregational United Church of Christ to produce the videos.
Additionally, approximately $4,000.00 support was received for our South District event from member
organizations and individuals; Hills, MidWestOne, GreenState Banks; HyVee; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; and
various in-kind donations of goods, services.and catering.
yes, through our network of previous contributors and subject to remediation of the Covid-19 pandemic.
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
$40,000.00; Yes.
Yes No
Subject to remediation of Covid-19 and with a reduction of scope.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
IC Compassion
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
USA
Street Address
1035 Wade St
Address Line 2
319-330-9883
info@iccompassion.org
https://www.iccompassion.org/
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Teresa Stecker
Executive Director
319-220-9883
teresa@iccompassion.org
The mission of IC Compassion is to engage culturally diverse communities together through hope,
opportunities and partnerships. Together we equip people at their point of need to move out of poverty and
inspire them to be of service to others. The Global Food Project is a program of IC Compassion.
14
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
In 2019, the Global Food Project was gardening on two acres of land at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm
and working with over 40 families for at least 20 different countries. Before the realities of COVID-19 caused
people to socially distance, GFP gardeners held regular community events where the food of their cultures
were prepared and shared, using the produce grown at the Historic Poor Farm. These events brought together
people from all parts of the community -- immigrants and established Iowans -- to share food, stories, recipes
and friendship. Participants of these events left with full bellies, new friends, and a better understanding of who
lives in their community and the incredible lives they’ve led. These events highlighted how the simple coming
together of all reaches of the community, through food and social engagement, can foster understanding and
acceptance, assuage xenophobia, and combat racism.
Proposal
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
For more than 150 years, Iowa has been one of the leaders in the nation as a model host state for refugees. In
more recent times, Iowa served as the first state to offer relocation assistance to 1,500 Tai Dam refugees from
Laos and Vietnam in 1975. Iowans have continued this legacy of inclusion, as the ranks of immigrants and New
Iowans play an increasingly important role in shaping and enlivening communities across the state, from areas
of business, agriculture and technology, to local food movements, arts and education.
From 2005-2009, the state of Iowa provided resettlement assistance to more than 1,000 Sudanese refugees.
In Johnson County, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of immigrant and refugees to the region,
particularly in the Sudanese American community, which has recently reached an estimated 2,000 residents.
According to most estimates, the Sudanese American community will continue to incrementally increase in the
next decade. In an effort to create opportunities for New Iowans to engage with the established community and
address common issues such as food access, educational resources, and cross-cultural exchange, members
of the Sudanese community, in partnership with several established organizations, developed The Global Food
Project (GFP).
In 2016, the founders of GFP, many of whom identify as immigrants, refugees and New Iowans, were accepted
as a James Gang endeavor, which provides fiscal sponsorship, community connections, and a broad range of
expertise culled from the collective experiences of the group members in non-profit development. Having
established themselves as an official 501(c)3, GFP applied for an RFP released by the Johnson County Board
of Supervisors that would provide access to 3.7 acres of land at the Historic Johnson County Poor Farm for
organic-method food production. In January 2017, GFP was selected by the Johnson County Board of
Supervisor to lease crop land at the Historic Poor Farm for an initial lease term of three years.
From 2017-2019 GFP operated community garden and education programs at the Johnson County Historic
Poor Farm with 40 families from at least 20 different countries. In 2017, the first year GFP operated at that
Historic Poor Farm, gardeners produced more than 4,000 pounds of organic food, with this number increasing
steadily over the next two years. In 2018 GFP was granted an Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship (IDALS) Speciality Crop Block Grant that supported the organization for two years, through the
summer of 2019.
While the program continued successfully with unlimited potential to grow through 2019, it became apparent to
GFP leaders that GFP did not have the capacity to build and grow the organization in its current configuration.
While there was some money allocated through the IDALS grant for stipends and contracts (most of the IDALS
funding went to supplies such as hand tools, irrigation, and garden seeds) the majority of the work to manage
the organization and the farm was being done by volunteers, some of whom had two or three jobs, large
families, and other community obligations. With an already established relationship through the Johnson
County Refugee Alliance, GFP approached IC Compassion about becoming a program of IC Compassion,
identifying many intersections in both organization’s missions and goals. In late fall of 2019, GFP became on
official program of IC Compassion, and the remainder of the GFP budget was transferred to IC Compassion.
Shanti Sellz, a founding board member of GFP, joined the IC Compassion board for a term of five years.
In early March of 2020, COVID-19 swept the United States. With this reality and all of the unknowns it
presented at the beginning of the growing season, the IC Compassion Board of Directors chose to suspend all
GFP garden programs at the Johnson County Poor Farm in 2020. The GFP gardeners were very supportive as
well as the team of managers at the Historic Poor Farm. GFP renewed the land lease with the Johnson County
and donated the allotted land to Grow Johnson County for the 2020 growing season to increase charitable
food production for regional distribution.
Today, almost one year later, IC Compassion has just hired a farm manager to kick the Global Food Project
back into action who will reconnect with existing partners, establish new ones and get gardeners back on the
land in 2021.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
“It is not a project that is just aiming to feed people, it is a project aiming to empower people and connect
people.” Ayman Sharif, Global Food Project Founder.
The Global Food Project (GFP) connects newly arrived and established residents of Iowa City and Johnson
County through sustainable local food production, educational events, and community gatherings. GFP provide
a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment for sharing life experiences, building trust between cultures, and
embracing the diversity of our fellow Iowans while growing healthy, culturally relevant food.
In 2021 GFP plans to host up to 60 community garden plots at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm.
Gardeners will have access to their plots as soon as the ground can be turned in the spring. As participants in
GFP, gardeners will have continual access to shared tools, irrigation, and harvest equipment. GFP utilizes
community funding and donations to supply gardeners with seeds and plants, as well as commonly used
garden supplies such as floating row cover, irrigation drip tape, and tomato cages. Gardeners will be able to
access their plots at their own discretion during daylight hours. The GFP Farm Manager will be available on-
site two evenings per week and two Saturdays per month to provide support and technical assistance.
Food produced by the community gardeners will be consumed and distributed at their discretion. Any excess
food produced will get donated back to the greater community through IC Compassion’s emergency food
programs. While the project will be primarily supporting families in growing food for themselves, gardeners who
show interest in developing market-farm enterprises will have the opportunity to explore other programs at the
Historic Poor Farm that support beginning market farmers.
The Global Food Project supports the immigrant community, as well as socially-disadvantaged and limited-
income residents in Iowa City and Johnson County by providing access to quality agricultural land while growing
and training new community leaders of diverse backgrounds. Gardeners are able to have more control and
autonomy over the food they chose to produce and eat, growing crops that are of nutritional and cultural
importance. GFP integrates participants with local communities to achieve productivity and prosperity,
increases families’ understanding and awareness of food production and sustainability by providing technical
assistance and training, and develops a platform, through agricultural and culturally relevant food, for all of
Iowa City and Johnson County to celebrate the rich cultural diversity that defines the region.
Education: Education is at the heart of the Global Food Project. Gardeners work alongside each other to grow
food, many utilizing traditional techniques from their home countries. Gardeners are able to learn from each
other as well as from experienced farmers who share the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm land as well as
from the GFP Manager who will be on site regularly to support gardeners as they learn the specifics of the Iowa
climate and best practices for growing organic food here. GFP gardeners will then educate their greater
community on food production in our region, leading to more experienced, confident, and food secure
producers.
Building Community: Food has the power to unite all races, classes, and economic backgrounds and good food
is at the center of a healthy, intact community. No matter where an individual is from in the world, the food of
their homeland is a part of the fabric of who they are and food is a way of maintaining and sharing one’s culture
and heritage. Many immigrants and refugees in the United States also come from agricultural backgrounds in
their home countries and have immense knowledge and expertise to share with the community. By creating
community gardens at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm, GFP gardeners will be working alongside
people from all areas of the world, including established Iowans, fostering connections and friendship that may
otherwise not be realized given the limited spaces where immigrant communities are able to interact with the
community as a whole.
Health: Many immigrant and refugee families are on limited incomes that do not necessarily provide the
resources to access healthy food, especially produce. Global Food Project offers access to land for families to
grow their own nutrient-rich, organic food. This food will foster the health of the individual families as well as
their greater communities with whom they will share the food they grow. Gardening is also known to help
combat stress, depression, and anxiety.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Land Access: Due to high property rates, it is difficult to access land (both for sale and rental) in Johnson
County and the surrounding area, especially for low-income residents, immigrants or “New Iowans” who do not
have multi-generational family ties in Iowa;
Community Engagement: Newly immigrated community members find it hard to get involved in the greater
community at-large, often resulting in isolation within their minority group and living on the margins of the
community development and discourse;
Whole and Organic Food: Access to fresh, healthy, organic and culturally diverse foods in the marketplace is
often expensive and very difficult to obtain for low-income or immigrant populations;
Reclaiming Agricultural Ways: Many people who immigrate to the US are coming from agricultural backgrounds,
including the New Iowan from the Sudan, once the largest agricultural producer in eastern Africa. As immigrants
in the US, without access to land, many recently transplanted immigrants struggle to maintain their agricultural
traditions, knowledge and cultural ways, and find ways to apply them in Iowa;
Multi-Generational Needs: Community gardens and food initiatives such as GFP provide immigrant and New
Iowan children with healthy and traditional foods, as well as a way to connect and adapt agricultural traditions in
urban environments;
Bridging Communities: Providing a public commons for both native and new Iowans, first-generation to fifth-
generation immigrants, fosters greater community understanding, cooperation and development.
There are many partnership opportunities as GFP re-establishes in 2021. Existing partners include but are not
limited to:
Grow Johnson County: Grow Johnson County’s mission is to combat food insecurity and promote health
through charitable food production and education. Grow Johnson County is the other leaseholder at the
Historic Johnson County Poor Farm and are the neighbors to GFP. Grow Johnson County offers support to
GFP through land management, equipment sharing, technical support, and educational resources.
Johnson County Board of Supervisors: Grants land access to GFP at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm
for $1.00 per year.
Astig Planning: Astig (pronounced ah-STEEG) is the Tagalog (Filipino) word for 'fresh, bold, unique'. Astig’s
planning services are aimed at transforming communities and landscapes through engagement, empowerment,
and advocacy. Astig Planning co-manages the Johnson County Poor Farm.
Sudanese American Community of Eastern Iowa: The Sudanese American Community of Eastern Iowa plays a
leading role in organizing and implementing IVGFP. The Sudanese American community of Eastern Iowa has
grown during the past few decades to reach an estimate of 2000 people who have a common objective to place
a significant fingerprint in the larger society.
GFP serves ALL members of the community. From 2017-2019 GFP hosted gardeners ranging in ages from
one year to ninety years old. Entire families worked their plots together and children bent toward the land
alongside their grandmothers. Past GFP participants represent over twenty different countries including
Congo, Egypt, Guatemala, Canada, Honduras, Mexico, Morocco, Sudan, and the United States.
Income demographics of GFP participants are difficult to estimate, but it is understood that New Iowans have
financial limitations and are considered low-income as many immigrated people cannot work their paid
professions in the United States. Many immigrants live in public housing and utilize public resources such as
food and transportation assistance.
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
The Global Food Project plans to manage up to s60 garden plots that will support up to 40 families from all
regions of the world by the end of 2022. There is enough land at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm to
grow these number exponentially in the years to come.
There is a $20.00 seasonal fee per garden plot. The fee is charged because previous experience and
research into similar programs nation-wide have shown that a small monetary buy in to the program increases
long-term participation, ownership and consistency. If someone is unable to pay the fee but would like to
participate in the garden program, the fee can be waived.
Outcome 1:
At least 60 community garden plots will be established in 2021 in a newly established site at the Johnson
County Historic Poor Farm. Each plot will be approx.10 x 15 or 20 x 40 and families will be able to rent multiple
plot as desired. The number of garden plots can increase in 2022 with participant demand.
Outcome 2:
Up to 20 immigrant, refugee, minority and socially disadvantaged families (average family of four = 80 people)
will obtain garden plots to grow food at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm in Spring of 2021.
Outcome 3:
Gardener participation will increase from 20 immigrant, refugee, minority and socially disadvantaged families
(average family of 4 = 80 people) to up to 40 families (160 people) who will obtain garden plots to grow food at
the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm in 2022.
Outcome 4:
Gardeners will obtain new skills and knowledge in the area of small-scale food production in Iowa. Gardeners
will learn from and work with the GFP manager, Grow Johnson County farmers, and their fellow gardeners to
learn best practices for organic production in this region that will lead to increased food production without
chemical inputs. Gardeners will have free access to resources such as organic seeds and plants, compost,
organic insect control, and weed suppression materials to increase their success.
Outcome 5:
Gardeners will donate excess produce from the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm to the IC Compassion
emergency food pantry that serves the greater community, many of whom are immigrants and refugees and
engage in other services provided by IC Compassion.
Outcome 1: Indicator(s): The number of garden plots created on new ground in 2021 and increased number of
garden plots based on gardener demand in 2022.
Outcome 2: Indicator(s): Number of families participating and the demographics of those families (family size,
age range, nationality). An optional survey will be offered to assess socio-economic status of the families but
will not be required.
Outcome 3: Indicator(s): Increased number of family participation in 2022 and the demographics of those
families.
Outcome 4: Indicator(s): Record total pounds of food grown in the gardens in 2021 and again 2022. Families
will have access to wash stations and scales for their produce and will manage their own weight calculations
and record their numbers in a shared log that will be regularly consolidated into an electronic document by the
GFP Manager.
Outcome 5: Indicator(s): Record total pounds of food donated to IC Compassion emergency food program in
2021 and 2022. IC Compassion volunteers will weigh and measure food as it is donated and transfer records to
the GFP Manager to be electronically documented.
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
1. Established Community Gardens: New gardens (60) will be established in the spring of 2021 at the Johnson
County Historic Poor Farm. These gardens will be grown-in and worked by families using organic production
methods that build soil health and productivity. The vitality of the gardens will increase over time and lead to
increased food production with less inputs for future families gardening on the land.
2. Community Engagement: The Johnson County Historic Poor Farm will continue to develop as a community
space where gardeners of ALL backgrounds are equally represented on the land. Global Food Project is at the
center of the Poor Farm working toward this vision.
3. Model for Immigrant-led Community Program: The immigrant community in Iowa City and Johnson County is
still wholly under-represented in community-based programs, especially as leaders. Global Food Project was
founded within the immigrant community and address the interests, needs and desires of the communities it
serves from within, rather than through a top-down, charity based model.
Yes. IC Compassion is committed to the development, building and sustainability of the Global Food Project. IC
Compassion works off a number of funding resources including direct donations from the religious community.
In 2019, GFP worked with a grant firm to generate a list of over fifty grants for which GFP is a strong
contender. The GFP Manager as well as IC Compassion board members will be pursing additional funding
throughout 2021. Access to the land is very low-cost ($1.00 per year) and many of the tools and supplies
needed to run the program have already been purchased. Funding is needed to increase capacity.
The Global Food Project is funding a part-time Manager at 20 hours per week for the year.
Funding Amount Request
25,000.00$
The funding will be utilized to wholly support the Global Food Project at the Johnson County Historic Poor
Farm. 25% of the funding received from the SJRE grant will go to support the staff time of the GFP Manager.
All other funding will be used for supplies and equipment to further the mission of the Global Food Project and
directly support GFP gardeners. See below budget.
IC Compassion works on an annual budget of approx. $156,000 per year. The Global Food Project's projected
budget for 2021 is $37,000, much of which is for personnel.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Other Revenue 12,000.00$$$
Grants 25,000.00$$$
Fees 1,200.00$1,200.00$$
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Professional Services 6,250.00$$$
Equipment/Hardware 12,000.00$$$
Supplies 3,375.00$3,375.00$$
Late winter 2021: GFP Manager will work with established community partners and to create new partnerships.
Participate recruitment and orientation.
March-May 2021: Begin 2021 growing season: start plants in greenhouse, acquire materials, create garden
plans. Dig and build garden plots as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring.
April 2021: GFP gardeners begin the program and begin planting their gardens in late April.
May 2021 - October 2021: GFP garden programs operate at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm.
Continued fundraising and program outreach.
October 2021 - Feb 2022: Program assessment, reporting, and visioning. Continued fundraising. Support
other IC Compassion programs.
Feb 2022-March 2022: Early season field and crop planning. Gardener recruitment.
March 2022 - May 2022: Begin 2022 growing season: start plants in greenhouse, acquire materials, create
garden plans. Dig and build additional garden plots as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring.
April 2022: An increased number GFP gardeners begin the program and begin planting their gardens in late
April.
May 2022 - October 2022: GFP Garden programs operate at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm.
Continued fundraising and program outreach.
June 2021: Funds Awarded: Allocate 25% of funds to GFP Manager salary.
July 2021: Purchase a BCS Walking tractor with tiller and mower implement.
Fall 2021: Assess and purchase necessary additional tools for the 2022 program.
Spring 2022: Purchase seeds and materials for the 2022 growing season.
No
IDALS Speciality Crop Block Grant: $23,000 for two years.
Johnson County Community Foundation: $1,500 for one year.
Yes
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
If the program receives the fully requested amount of $25,000 we are set for the 2021 season. We will be
continuing to raise money for the future of the program, specifically to support the GFP Manager to increase
from part-time (20 hours/week) to full-time.
Yes No
IC Compassion is committed to the Global Food Project in 2021. The Board of Directors has allocated $12,000
from the 2021 operating budget to sustain the program for the first half of the year with fundraising being a
primary goal of the newly hired GFP manager. If the money has not been raised to support the program for the
remainder of 2021 and 2022 by June of 2021, the Board is committed to working toward allocating this money
from within. This is, however, not the current plan or ideal for the project or organization.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
The Rotary-Kerber HeartSafe Community Campaign of the
Rotary Club of Iowa City (Noon)
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52246
Country
USA
Street Address
87 Leamer Ct.
Address Line 2
P.O. Box 684
805-703-3150
melewisesq@gmail.com
iowacitynoonrotary.org; IowaHeartSafe.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Mary-Ellen Lewis
Committee Member
805-703-3150
melewisesq@gmail.com
The Rotary-Kerber HeartSafe Community Campaign's Mission is to increase the survival rate of sudden cardiac
arrest (SCA) victims in Iowa City and Coralville by motivating laypersons to intervene effectively using
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an automated electronic device (AED).
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
2
Rotary grant funds purchased ten CPR manikins, six AED trainers, training tables and other training supplies.
Fourteen Rotarians were trained to provide hands-only CPR, the use of an AED and the Heimlich maneuver to
prevent choking. Educational presentations followed by training sessions were provided to members of the
Noon Club of Iowa City and the Consultation of Religious Communities leadership group.
Proposal
The Campaign has provided AED kits to nonprofit organizations, primarily those affiliated with the Consultation
of Religious Communities, through the generosity of donors.
The Campaign offers the AED kit that provides an alarmed metal cabinet, an AED with battery and carrying
case, a rescue pack including a pocket mask, gloves, razor, scissors and wall signage.
The Campaign has offered the AED kits to nonprofit organizations through a 75% cost sharing program, asking
for a $500 donation to the Rotary-Kerber HeartSafe fund at the Community Foundation of Johnson County
(CFJC). During our second year, the Campaign will offer AED kits to small Iowa City and Coralville businesses,
through a 62.5% cost-sharing program. The Campaign requests this grant to be able to offer the AED kit to
faith communities that serve a diverse population at no cost.
The six priority areas include education and health. The Campaign proposes to offer the AED kit at no cost,
plus training in the use of the AED as well as education about sudden cardiac arrest. Approximately 350,000
people suffer a sudden cardiac arrest annually in the United States. The survival rate is 10%; research shows
more than 60% can survive with timely CPR and use of an AED.
Small faith communities without the financial resources to participate in a cost-sharing program would be able
to receive the AED kit, as well as training in its use, and education about cardiac health, at no cost.
The Rotary-Kerber HeartSafe Campaign is a committee whose members are members of the Rotary Club of
Iowa City (Noon). As well, the Campaign's funds are administered by the Community Foundation of Johnson
County.
The Campaign requests the funds for ten (10) AED kits, which will be provided to small faith communities, which
serve diverse populations and vary in age, race, gender and income.
The Campaign requests the funds for ten (10) AED kits, which will be provided to small faith communities, which
vary in size from fewer than 10 to hundreds of members.
No, there is no charge to participate in the program. All training is provided by experienced Rotarians at no
cost to the participants.
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *
The AED kit and training/education will be a safety measure for the members of the small faith communities.
Outcomes and performance will be measured by the number of AED kits distributed, the number of persons
trained and the number of education programs provided.
The Campaign's goal is to provide AED kits to small faith communities that otherwise would not be able to
assist in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. It is therefore difficult to measure the outcomes/performances.
Once the pandemic is under control, tentatively September 2021, in-person training will be available.
With an AED kit in the building or place used by a small faith community, services and activities offered by the
community (i.e., meetings, after school care, classes, etc.) can be shared with others in a diverse population.
Members of the Campaign committee who are medical doctors (cardiologists and pulmonologists) provide
information about the AED distribution program through targeted zoom meetings, mailings and e-mailings,
word-of-mouth and direct in person meetings (once such meetings are allowed). Community-wide awareness is
raised by educational programs provided by the committee members and also through our dedicated website:
iowaheartsafe.org.
The Campaign requests funding from the SJRE Grant fund for ten (10) AED kits. The Campaign plans to
continue an aggressive fundraising goal of $80,000 in our second year. We will continue the AED cost-sharing
programs for non-profits and small businesses.
The proposal does not include fees for professional services.
Funding Amount Request
10,000.00$
Each AED kit as described above has been available to our Campaign through a bulk-purchase contract for
$1000 each.
$40,000
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Other Revenue 46,372.00$40,000.00$40,000.00$
Grants 10,000.00$$$
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Marketing/Advertising 2,500.00$1,500.00$1,500.00$
Educational Materials 5,000.00$2,500.00$2,500.00$
AED kits 32,000.00$20,000.00$20,000.00$
The Campaign proposes to purchase the AED kits in preparation for distribution as soon as the grant is
funded.
The AED kit distribution would include education and training for each small faith community donee.
The grant money would be spent to purchase ten (10) AED kits.
No
The Campaign initially received a grant of $5000 from the Rotary Club of Iowa City (Noon) and a grant of an
additional $5000 from Rotary District 6000.
The Campaign will aggressively pursue additional funding for this program through cardiac and other health-
related foundations and sources.
The Campaign is not dependent on receiving SJRE funding but the no-cost proposal to provide the AED kits to
underserved small faith communities with diverse populations would be dependent on SJRE funding.
Yes No
Each AED kit is available to the Campaign for $1000.00. Our goal is to distribute the AED kits to ten (10)
underserved small faith or other non-profit community serving a diverse population.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Corridor Community Action Network
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
C/O Iowa City Fab Lab
Address Line 2
870 S. Capitol Street
319-677-1153
director@corridorcan.com
corridorcan.com
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Amanda Nichols
Director
319-677-1153
director@corridorcan.com
Corridor Community Action Network serves to facilitate resident participation and empowerment, raising
awareness about opportunities to improve the quality of life for all individuals in the Iowa Corridor. We take
action to promote individual and community equity and quality of life through policy and advocacy work, service
projects, volunteer efforts, and the formation of alliances, partnerships, and coalitions with other organizations.
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
1
Corridor Community Action Network (CCAN) had a very successful back to school drive, supplying backpacks
filled with all needed supplies to 91 Iowa City children via student family advocates at Grant Wood Elementary
and Elizabeth Tate Alternative High in September of 2019. We also supplied masks to Neighborhood Centers
of Johnson County and other organizations at that time. Since November, CCAN has directly provided several
families in Iowa City with all needed seasonal gear. We are also working again with family student advocates
and have delivered several boxes and bags full of coats, boots, hats, scarves, and gloves to them for
distribution to students in need. This experience has inspired us to fill Iowa City's need
for a free clothing closet.
Proposal
The success of CCAN’s back-to-school drive led us to look ahead to the next widespread community need
(winter clothing) and organize a drive for that as well. With the help of other organizations and local
businesses, we have been working to fill that need since early November. Many community members have
mentioned that in addition to coats, boots, and other seasonal gear, they are in need of basic clothing items for
work or school. We have now amassed a large collection of these types of clothing in addition to winter items.
This proposal reflects our effort to create a sustainable manner in which we can continue to get quality
clothing to those in need.
Corridor Community Action Network is requesting funding to establish a free mobile clothing closet
in Iowa City. We will continue to collect clothing from donors and provide it to people in need, who
will be able to select their own items. In addition to continuing to collect items from individual donors, who can
mail them to us through Iowa City Fab Lab, drop them off at Yotopia-Iowa City, or contact us to make other
arrangements, we will reach out to existing secondhand stores to inquire about establishing partnerships in
which we may receive items that do not sell. Clothing is sorted by volunteers and stored in the shed we have
rented at Southside Mini Storage, which is currently paid through January 28, 2022.
Poverty is a pressing social justice issue, particularly in this time of economic turmoil when more and more
people find themselves facing it. The need for appropriate interview and work clothing is a common barrier to
employment equity, which is directly tied to financial equity. A free mobile clothing closet will advance social
justice and racial equity in Iowa City by addressing this need as well as the clothing needs of our unhoused
population and of children in our community whose academic performance and overall wellness may be
affected by a lack of appropriate clothing, particularly in inclement weather.
CCAN’s proposed mobile clothing closet would address education and employment by working to eliminate the
barriers created by a lack of appropriate clothing. Multiple studies have shown that proper sizing, fit, thermal
performance, and perceived comfort of clothing all impact cognitive performance (source:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227956763_Relationship_Between_Perceived_Clothing_Comfort_and
_Exam_Performance). This program would improve community health by ensuring that residents have access
to clothing and gear that is appropriate for the weather.
This program fulfills a need for quality clothing among residents in our community. While the Iowa City area is
fortunate to have multiple resources available to address other needs, we do not have a community-wide free
clothing program. Clothing Closet of Iowa provides for University of Iowa Students only. Clients of CommUnity
Crisis Services and Food Bank may receive thrift store vouchers once every six months, if they are available.
However, these vouchers do not meet the needs of our community as they run out quickly (within the first two
days of every month per CommUnity program staff) and come with barriers to use, such as a need for photo
identification and the ability to get to the store within a narrow range of dates.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
This program will include partnerships and collaborations with other organizations. A large part of CCAN’s
mission is to facilitate the collaboration of community organizations towards shared goals. Our Wishlist
Wednesday posts are frequently full of requests for clothing from Shelter House-Iowa City, Neighborhood
Nests, Domestic Violence Intervention Program, and others. A mobile closet would allow us to schedule regular
times to take large amounts of clothing directly to these organizations so they can select the items they need. It
would also allow us to reach out to the Iowa City Mobile Health Clinic and the Antelope Lending Library to try to
coordinate routes to low-income areas in order to provide multiple services simultaneously.
This program will serve low-income individuals in our community of all ages, races, and genders. Families and
Black and female residents in Iowa City face higher rates of poverty than single men and white residents
(http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-Iowa-City-Iowa.html), so it can be projected that a high percentage of
those served will be the former.
We estimate that 1,200 community members will be served by this program over the course of its first year.
This is based on an initial goal of serving 100 individuals per month.
There is no charge to participate in the program.
Outcomes and performance for this program will be measured based on the number of individuals
served per month.
Indicators and metrics identified to measure outcomes and performance include the number of
routes driven, events attended, and individuals served per month.
Through this program and coordination with other community organizations, CCAN will create a process
through which multiple services aimed at eliminating inequities can be simultaneously offered to residents in
their own neighborhoods. We will do this by coordinating routes with other services and by offering to distribute
supplies for organizations that do not have a mobile program.
The free clothing service produced as a result of this project will be communicated with the targeted
community and the larger community through the vehicle’s presence in neighborhoods as well as
through social media, news outlets, and administrators of other organizations that serve low-income
populations.
Yes, this program will be continued after the SJRE grant funding ends. The primary funding need is for the
one-time expense of purchasing a large vehicle. Since September 24th, 2020, CCAN has raised $2,088
through fundraising efforts. It can therefore be projected that we have the capacity to raise approximately
$8,355 per year, which far surpasses the annual maintenance cost estimations we have received from
Antelope Lending Library.
N/A
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Funding Amount Request
24,692.38$
The funding will be utilized to purchase a large vehicle to serve as a mobile free clothing closet, to insure, fuel,
and maintain that vehicle, and to improve the Corridor Community Action Network website.
Corridor Community Action Network’s current annual budget is $8,000.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 24,692.38$$$
Equipment/Hardware 11,000.00$$$
Marketing/Advertising 2,329.00$$2,080.00$
April 30, 2021- Confirm funding and begin looking for a vehicle, coordinating schedules with other
organizations, and seeking drivers
June 1, 2021- Receive Funding
by June 11, 2021- Purchase Vehicle and insurance, begin setting up and organizing as a mobile clothing closet
, formally hire a paid driver to work approximately 5 hours per week at $10.10 per hour.
by June 16, 2021- Begin offering regularly scheduled services in low income areas approximately 5 hours per
week.
(I had difficulties making things line up with the embedded chart. The information in this box is a more accurate
reflection of how grant money would be spent over the next year)
June 2021- Purchase vehicle ~$11,000
June 2021- Insure Vehicle for the year ~$400
June 2021- Register Vehicle for the year ~$600
June 2021- Improve website and online productivity (total $2329)
More efficient theme format life time use- $249
Website donation processor annual cost- $270
Cloud backup annual cost- $80
HootSuite annual cost- $350
Schedulicity annual cost- $1380
June 2021- Gas & Maintenance ~$290 (3,770 total for year)
June 2021- Driver Pay- $101 (2878.50 total for year)
July 2021- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
July 2021- Driver Pay- $227.25
August 2021- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
August 2021- Driver Pay- $227.25
September 2021- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
September 2021 Driver Pay- $202
October 2021- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
October 2021 Driver Pay- $227.25
November 2021- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
November 2021- Driver Pay - $227.25
December 2021- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
December 2021- Driver Pay $227.25
anuary 2022- Renew Storage Shed $605
January 2022- Renew website domain $29.88
January 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
January 2022- Driver Pay $227.25
February 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
February 2022- Driver Pay $227.25
March 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
March 2022- Driver Pay $227.25
April 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
April 2022- Driver Pay $202
May 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
May 2022- Driver Pay $227.25
June 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
June 2022- Driver Pay- $202
January 2022- Renew Storage Shed $605
January 2022- Renew website domain $29.88
January 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
January 2022- Driver Pay $227.25
February 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
February 2022- Driver Pay $227.25
March 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
March 2022- Driver Pay $227.25
April 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
April 2022- Driver Pay $202
May 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
May 2022- Driver Pay $227.25
June 2022- Gas & Maintenance ~$290
June 2022- Driver Pay- $202
June 2022- Insure Vehicle for the year ~$600
June 2022- Register Vehicle for the year ~$400
June 2022- Annual website & online presence fees (total $2,080)
Website donation processor annual cost- $270
Cloud backup annual cost- $80
HootSuite annual cost- $350
Schedulicity annual cost- $1380
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
No, CCAN has never received any funding from the City of Iowa City.
No, CCAN has not received any funding for this program.
No, CCAN does not have plans to apply for additional funding for this program.
N/A
Yes No
The website improvements would expand our reach, but the program can be completed without them. We
would likely be able to recruit volunteers to drive the vehicle, but given the importance of dependability to this
project, believe that hiring someone would be more appropriate. We also could likely find a cheaper vehicle if
needed, as U-Haul in Coralville currently has some available for around $8,000.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
3109 Old Hwy 218 South
Iowa City, IA 52246
PHONE 319-337-2145 x.113
WEB www.bbbsjc.org
DALETA THURNESS
Executive Director
daleta@bbbsjc.org
A program of Iowa State University and Outreach and United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties
November 16, 2020
To Whom it May Concern,
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County (BBBSJC) is writing in support of the Corridor
Community Action Network (CCAN).
CCAN has been a valuable partner in the Iowa City area connecting valuable volunteer resources
to a wide variety of community organizations. BBBSCJ has participated in a volunteer community
convention hosted by CCAN where we were able to engage with potential volunteers.
Volunteers fuel the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. BBBSJC creates and supports one-to-one
mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. On an annual basis we
support over 400 volunteer mentors. At any one time we have over 50 youth on a waiting list to
be matched with an adult mentor. Therefore, having a dedicated partner like Corridor
Community Action Network is critical in our recruitment strategy.
CCAN has also been a great partner in helping spread the word and share communications
through social media.
We look forward to continuing to grow this partnership by attending future volunteer
community conventions, regular networking meetings and sharing outreach communication and
resources.
Supporting the expanded efforts of the Corridor Community Action Network further supports so
many members in our community who rely on the support, companionship and generosity of
volunteers. We strongly recommend consideration for this grant opportunity.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Daleta Thurness
Executive Director
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
Organizational Information
Iowa City Coralville Boxing Club
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52246
Country
United States
Street Address
1127 Shirken Dr.
Address Line 2
3192448282
icorboxing@gmail.com
www.icorboxing.com
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Emily Klinefelter & Clif Johnson
Co-Founders
3194403806
icorboxing@gmail.com
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
The Iowa City Coralville Boxing Club provides a supportive environment for all under privileged individuals ages
5 and up, including low-income individuals, those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, military service members
& veterans, first responders including police, firefighters, and paramedics, mentally and physically disabled
individuals, senior citizens, and those fighting addiction. Our supportive environment consists of several
structured introductory programs, several competitive athletic programs, multiple mentoring groups which will
include assessment strategies that teach determination, life skills, discipline, positive self-esteem, while
promoting exemplary citizenship and appreciation of and cooperation with our community’s institutions that
serve the public good. We strive to bring the best to our communities and inspire the competitive spirit of
athletics from recreational to the elite while meeting the needs and challenges our disadvantaged communities
face every day. We care about every member of our community and that is why our vow is unity, honor,
courage, and commitment. Semper Fi.
3
Through our for-profit boxing gym (ICOR Boxing) we started a scholarship program where low-income students
K-12 can participate in our youth boxing program for only $20 per month (and sometimes for free). The
eligibility for these scholarships is if the child is eligible for free and reduced-price school lunches. The
scholarship program has to date served 15 students ages 5 through 18. Our normal fees range from $40 to
$130 per month. We started a non-profit in 2017 to expand this program and to reach out to additional
underserved communities.
Proposal
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
ICOR nonprofit (legal name is Iowa City Coralville Boxing Club) was founded by Clifton Johnson and Emily
Klinefelter. Clif and Emily also operate a for-profit boxing gym, ICOR Boxing, which they have co-owned for the
past 7 years. Clif and Emily were both troubled teens who got into boxing. Clif is from Philadelphia and began
boxing as an adolescent in his father’s boxing gym. Emily began boxing in high school in Iowa City. Both Clif
and Emily had 10-year competitive careers and credit boxing with keeping them out of trouble, teaching them
discipline, confidence, determination, self-defense, and resilience, as well as improving their health and
physical fitness.
As our boxing gym has grown over the past 7 years, we have seen boxing help hundreds of people of all ages
and from all walks of life and therefore we have started a non-profit 501(c)(3) Here are some of the reviews the
gym received:
“My 9 year old daughter has been in the kids boxing class for a while now and loves it. My 6 year old daughter
just started in the young kids class, and was so excited after her first class. I’m glad my girls have something to
look forward to, that focuses on athleticism and confidence. Highly recommended!”
”We got involved because of Parkinson’s related Rocksteady boxing. Emily and Cliff are great! With the onset
of COVID-19, they have kept us going with a combination of live streaming and socially distanced mask wearing
in person classes. The average age for RockSteady is probably in the 60s and we are getting pushed for an
impressive good work out. . We have enjoyed them so much that we have enrolled our three older
grandchildren in the youth boxing and the three younger grandchildren in the little bugs classes for the 4-7
year olds. They are loving it too. This is a gym for those who are serious about getting a great workout. And if
you have Parkinson’s disease, highly, highly recommended!”
“Our son became involved at ICOR a year and a half ago and has loved the youth boxing program. The skills
he has learned and the strength he is developing is amazing. Coach C and Coach Emily are strong motivators,
skilled teachers and all around great people. And the gym is legit! I’ve been so impressed by the equipment
and expectations and all the people we’ve met there. My son also attended their summer boxing camp and had
a great week. This has been the one thing that he’s stayed with and looks forward to. Can’t recommend
enough!”
To bring boxing training to more kids who could benefit from it, a boxing scholarship program for low-income
kids K-12 was started. Since 2018 there have been 15 students in the scholarship program. Any student who is
eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches can box for just $20 per month and in some cases, no charge
at all. Clif and Emily started a 501(c)(3) organization to serve more eligible kids with no fee charged.
In addition to the boxing scholarships, the boxing gym has, for the past 3 years, sponsored families through
HACAP’s adopt-a-family holiday program where the gym and members buy Christmas gifts for a family in need.
Each year the gym adopted a larger family, and the members and staff gathered for a holiday gift-wrapping
party. This event has brought the best out of our members and brought together everyone who participated.
Even some of our member families who were struggling financially themselves contributed. The gym also has
participated in the University of Iowa Homecoming Parade, which our kids and all the participants loved.
Another successful program the gym has started is a girl-power-hour Warrior Women class. Before the
pandemic, the class was thriving and a majority of the participants were high school girls who were also boxing
scholarship recipients.
With additional funding, the non-profit will be able to serve many more children at zero cost to the families.
Boxing has historically been a sport of the working class and poor, and ICOR non-profit will continue this
tradition and add a strong focus on building moral character and pro-social values. Many of boxing’s greatest
legends came from poverty and circumstances of oppression. This has inspired us to make sure that everyone
gets a chance to better themselves.
World Champion boxer Manny Pacquiao and senator of the Philippines said: “I remember as a little boy I ate
one meal a day and sometimes slept in the street. I will never forget that and it inspires me to fight hard, stay
strong, and remember all the people of my country, trying to achieve better for themselves.”
World Champion and Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali said: “In your struggle for freedom, justice and equality I
am with you. I came to Louisville because I could not remain silent while my own people, many I grew up with,
many I went to school with, many my blood relatives, were being beaten, stomped and kicked in the streets
simply because they want freedom, and justice and equality in housing.” Ali also said, "Hating people because
of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong."
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Our boxing program consists of boxing instruction and mentoring focused on building better citizens, teaching
determination, learning life skills, and promoting discipline and exemplary citizenship. When these traits are
taught, our younger citizens can better understand and deal with social justice and racial equality issues as
they arise. This will be evident in each individual’s actions and reactions to the injustices and discrimination
they experience on a daily basis.
Our program gives each participant the skills he or she needs to deal with social justice and racial equity
issues. The self-esteem they will build through boxing will give them the confidence they need to stand tall
when they experience injustice. Our program advances social injustice and racial equity by teaching each child
that they have inherent value and that they are no worse or no better than anyone else; by teaching pro-social
values and bravery so each child can stand up for themselves and for others when they face discrimination or
injustice; by showing each child that they are strong and capable through the physical prowess they learn in
boxing training. By teaching each child to never give up, no matter how much adversity he or she faces or how
much of an underdog they may be, just as is needed in a boxing match.
There is a warrior creed promoted in the youth boxing program:
ICOR KIDS WARRIOR CREED
I am an athlete
I am strong
I am disciplined
I am determined
I welcome challenges
I overcome obstacles
I work hard
I never give up
I am not a bully and I will not be bullied
I am confident
I can do anything I put my mind to
I am a fighter
I am a champion
I am hard-core ICOR!
1. BUILDING COMMUNITY-The COVID pandemic and technological advances have increased isolation to an
all-time high. Our youth boxing program will foster a sense of community through unity, brotherhood, and
community service. The children are not fighting each other but are fighting TOGETHER to improve themselves
as athletes and as citizens.
2. CRIMINAL JUSTICE-According to an article published by Law Teacher titled “Poor Parental Supervision
Contribute Psychologically,” (https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/criminology/poor-parental-
supervision-contribute-psychologically.php) children who lack parental supervision are more likely to engage in
early sexual behavior and drug use than children with involved parents. Children who lack support at home
also lack self-esteem and therefore look to gain status among their peers. For boys, the lack of self-esteem
and home support can lead to involvement in criminal activities. For girls, the lack of self-esteem and home
support can lead girls to seek attention from older boys or men, who might be involved in criminal activities. Our
program will provide supervision, guidance and support that many of these at-risk children may not be
receiving at home. Furthermore, the program’s focus on building self-esteem will also contribute to lower
incidences of criminality.
3. HEALTH-According to The Aspen Institute Project Play, physically active kids are one tenth as likely to be
obese compared to inactive kids and adolescents who are physically active are less likely to engage in
smoking, drug use, risky sex and pregnancy.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
Because schools dismiss before most parents get off work, children need positive, supervised activities that at-
risk children can participate in until their parents return home. According to a Des Moines Register article titled
“Blacks 4 times more likely to be removed from class,” published on December 21, 2015, nearly 53 percent of
students removed from Iowa City’s public K-12 classes were black, the highest percentage among all Iowa
school districts, according to Iowa Department of Education data for last school year. Blacks make up less than
20 percent of the district's enrollment.
According to talkpoverty.org, (https://talkpoverty.org/state-year-report/iowa-2020-report/), Native American
Iowans are 3.3 times more likely, African American Iowan’s 2.8 times more likely, Latino Iowan’s 1.8 times more
likely, and Asian-American Iowan’s 1.5 times more likely to live in poverty compared to white Iowans.
The gym has partnerships with G!World, a minority girl group sponsored by the Neighborhood Centers of
Johnson County, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County. The populations served by both
organizations are very similar to the populations our non-profit serves. ICOR non-profit has been in
communication with Big Brother Big Sisters to host a special session of boxing instruction and training for the
bigs and littles to participate in together. On January 15, ICOR nonprofit is hosting a group of girls from
G!World for a special private Warrior Women class. The gym has also participated in HACAP’s adopt-a-family
holiday sponsorship program and has held special classes for the UI College of Dentistry students.
We anticipate that the majority of students served will be minorities. We will serve children from homes that
earn up to 185% of the federal poverty line. In Iowa, the poverty threshold is $26,200 for a family of 4,
according to the Federal Register (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/17/2020-00858/annual-
update-of-the-hhs-poverty-guidelines).
The ages our program will serve are Kindergartners through 12th grade, both boys and girls. The anticipated
ethnic breakdown of the children we will serve is 29% African-American, 29% Native-American, 19% Latino,
14% Asian-American, and 10% Caucasian. The anticipated male/female ratio is 60% male and 40% female.
The ages of participants will be 5-18 years old.
The capacity for this program is 50 children for 1 year. Ten 5- to 7-year-olds, fifteen 8-12-year-olds, and 25 Jr.
High & High school students.
Any children from families with an income under 185% of the federal poverty line (for a family of 4, 185% of the
federal poverty line of $26,400 is $48,470) will be charged no fee. There will be a fee for children who do not
meet this income eligibility. The participants who can afford the dues will be in addition to the 50 children paid
for through the grant funds.
The outcomes of the program will be increased fitness, measured by an initial and periodic physical fitness
assessments. Academic improvement measured by children’s grades, attendance, and school discipline
statistics (like office referrals, detentions, and suspensions) will be confirmed with parents.
We will do an initial fitness assessment and quarterly re-assessments. We will track students’ grades and
school discipline information monthly.
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
In addition to teaching boxing, we have team values and an athlete creed that specifically addresses bullying.
Bullying can often occur due to children’s race and socio-economic status, so we will teach kids how to stand
up to bullies in a non-violent manner and how to appropriately intervene when they witness others being
bullied. We will go by the same creed as the Marine Corps, Honor, Courage and Commitment and treat it as a
marine corps style environment appropriate for children.
To spread the word, we will reach out to other organizations who serve low-income children, such as the
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Four Oaks, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the ICCSD, and Johnson
County Juvenile Court Services. We will also do targeted advertising on social media. We will invite the local
news and public access tv to come for press days to highlight outstanding students and encourage the children
to be more community oriented. On our website and on social media we will feature an outstanding boxer-
citizen of the month.
Yes. We wish to continue this program indefinitely. See attached sustainability plan.
Not applicable as we have a volunteer recruitment strategic plan in place.
Funding Amount Request
25,000.00$
Advertising $1,300
Supplies $2,175
Gym Equipment $1,250
Travel (including fuel) $1,825
Scholarships $10,000
Scholarship Recipient Equipment $8,450
Total $25,000
SEE ATTACHED BUDGET (emailed to Stefanie Bowers)
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants $$25,000.00$
Total $$25,000.00$
Because we already have an operating framework for this program, we can roll out the full program within 1-2
months of receiving funding. After we officially start the program, this funding will support the program for 1 full
year.
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
June 1 – Sep 30, 2021 – Advertising, supplies, gym equipment, travel, scholarships, scholarship recipient
equipment.
October 1, 2021 – January 31, 2021—Advertising, supplies, gym equipment, travel, scholarships
February 1, 2022 – May 31, 2022—Advertising, supplies, travel, scholarships
No.
No.
No.
N/A
Yes No
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Antelope Lending Library
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52246
Country
USA
Street Address
450 HWY 1 W
Address Line 2
#126
(319) 343-6872
info@antelopelendinglibrary.org
antelopelendinglibrary.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Cassi Elton
Library Director
(908) 868-5142
cassandra@antelopelendinglibrary.org
Antelope Lending Library, founded in 2012, is an independent, non-profit bookmobile library working to
overcome barriers and provide full and equal access to information and ideas in our community. All materials
are lent on a no-fees basis, so access is always free, no matter what.
8
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
Just like so many other organizations, Antelope Lending Library had to suspend our in-person services last
March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic became a long term barrier to our patrons, we figured
out another way to reach our community. In June 2020, we launched Antelope ROAMS (Requested Open
Access Material Service). Antelope ROAMS is our free home delivery service of library books available to
everyone within the limits of Johnson County, completely fees-free. Community members may fill out a form on
our website--available in English or Spanish--with their contact and delivery information, how many people they
want books for, what each individual reader enjoys, and whether they want a one-time delivery or regularly
scheduled drop offs. Forms are also available to mail or patrons may call our phone number if they are unable
to use our website or do not have internet or computer access. Our Antelope staff selects books for each
specific reader based on their reading preferences and we include a form for them to include feedback and
any notes they have. Our bookmobile librarian turned delivery librarian then delivers books and picks up
returns from our patrons homes each week.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed what our community barriers look like. Now there are barriers to individuals
who usually have ready access to materials and library services in high income communities as well. Our
regular patrons and families from low income communities and neighborhoods across Johnson County are now
facing even more barriers. This service has allowed us to widen Antelope Lending Library’s impact and reach
more of the Iowa City area and surrounding communities. We are continuing to find more ways to broaden our
organization’s reach and are excited to continue this service. Most recently, we added promotional posters to
the Iowa City and Coralville public buses to help spread the word in a brand new way.
Over the last 32 weeks, we have delivered over 2,000 books to 367 reading community members with over 200
deliveries so far. Our deliveries are across the county, including 8 Johnson county towns.
Proposal
Last summer, the South District Neighborhood Association reached out to us about assisting them with
stewarding the Little Free Libraries throughout that area of Iowa City. Little Free Libraries are often stewarded
by individuals or households. While some might be able to provide the regular attention needed to keep their
Little Free Libraries filled, others benefit from additional support. The need for our services was evident when
our staff found wasps, broken doors, holes in roofs, mold, and tattered books. Through our partnership with
the South District Neighborhood Association, Antelope Lending Library has been able to assist this local Little
Free Library network so residents can use and enjoy these libraries as a combined community resource.
This support includes monthly maintenance throughout the year by checking the physical quality of the books
currently there (such as removing moldy or damaged books), adding new books from donations or withdrawn
library books, and shifting or trading out materials within the libraries to include books for all ages. Our staff
also checks the condition of the physical Little Free Library for damage or repairs needed, mending, or
structural problems that make the library unable to house books.
Recently, we were able to include donated art kits for families to grab alongside books. These kits had a great
variety of new art supplies ready for kids to dig in and get creative with! These kits were quickly found in Little
Free Libraries and it prompted us to find a way to continue providing activity kits in these libraries on a regular
basis.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
Our hope is to take our current Little Free Library support program and expand this service to help families and
households grow their at-home libraries. Especially now, in a time with social distancing and limited library
service, we believe that we can reach more of the community by increasing our presence in this self-serve, and
therefore naturally socially-distant, library resource. We will purchase books, splitting the funds between
discounted organizations such as First Book Marketplace and Scholastic to buy titles in bulk and local shops
we partner with including The Haunted Bookshop, Daydreams Comics, & Prairie Lights to support our local
economy and businesses. Then from June 2021 through June 2022, we will distribute these books monthly.
The second part of this project is adding monthly Creative Engagement Kits to all the Little Free Libraries we
assist in stewarding. We are basing this program off our success with the Sensory Kits that we launched last
summer alongside Antelope ROAMS. Funds from last year’s generous contribution from the Social Justice and
Racial Equity Grant were used to fund our weekly summer Sensory Stop. Due to the pandemic, we shifted our
scheduled in-person activities into at-home Sensory Kits when we suspended our in-person services. With our
Sensory Kits, we continued our planned partnerships with local businesses, artists, and community members
and created sensory-based activity kits, delivering them weekly every Wednesday to 25 families this summer.
We continued this service into the school year, increased to 30 families, and shifted to monthly deliveries. We
would like to use this as a model to create monthly activity kits, together with community partners, to distribute
in the South District Little Free Libraries. Over the period of this grant funding, we will include 13 community
partners to distribute 50 Creative Engagement Kits each month through the 25 Little Free Libraries we
maintain.
Adding this curated aspect to our services alongside donated books means that community members can pick
out new books of their own and we are able to include books that will help our community learn, grow, and
educate themselves on stories and experiences both outside of and reflective of their own. We plan to include
Black Lives Matter titles for all ages, puberty books that include information about consent and LGBTQ+,
activism board books, self-help books on parenting neurodiverse kids, and so much more. Funds will go
towards fiction books that show proganists from all backgrounds and nonfiction books that can deepen our
thinking, materials that can speak to many and stories that increase our capacity for empathy. By relying solely
on donations and withdrawn library materials, we simply do not have enough books that accurately reflect the
individuals in our community.
In regards to our community partnerships, we are looking to work with black-owned, LGBTQ+, and minority
religious organizations and businesses as well as maintaining our current partnerships. All partnerships will be
paid so we can support our local economy.
For the activity kits, these new partnerships focusing on diverse local organizations and businesses will help us
in creating thoughtful Creative Engagement Kits with accompanying literary selections in the Little Free
Libraries. These will promote empowerment and self-care for those within diverse communities, and provide
self-growth challenges and learning opportunities for white, heterosexual, able-bodied, and cisgender folks.
One idea we’re excited to pursue is a partnership with a local barbershop and a black hair care salon to create
a kit making a hair care product, which would be accompanied by books on black hair love and educational
materials on different black hair types, how to style and care for them, and the cultural erasure that has
occurred around black hair throughout history. We also hope to partner with a local mosque and/or synagogue
to create kits that provide learning opportunities about different holidays and traditions.
Education: Our curation of books and activity kits in Little Free Libraries will increase access to books outside
of school for youth and provide free reading materials for all ages. Availability of early literacy materials (such
as board books, which are not traditionally found in Little Free Libraries) will help support parents and pre-
readers. Research shows that if children read with their caregivers before entering kindergarten, they are more
likely to be successful readers than their peers who do not have that same pre-reading support. Children who
read at least 10 books during the summer break are more likely to maintain or even make gains in their
learning in the fall, combating the summer slide. Readers of all ages are more empathetic and thoughtful
community members. By providing these materials for free in our neighborhoods, we are eliminating the cost
barrier to these important resources.
Building community: The Creative Engagement Kits will provide free activity supplies to families while promoting
local businesses. The activities themselves will emphasize learning about and celebrating our diverse
community. The 13 community partnerships that this program fosters will encourage communication and mutual
aid between organizations and community members alike as well as spotlighting local businesses and
organizations run by people of color. Because these materials will be made available embedded in existing
community structures, this program supports and strengthens community efforts that have already begun by
South District residents for South District residents, an important and vital aspect of this service.
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
Little Free Libraries are a free resource that are already embedded in our neighborhoods. Traditional access
to libraries can be restricted because of distance, lack of transportation, lack of adults to accompany kids,
library fees, public health crises, etc. Public libraries also require photo identification and proof of a physical
address to set up an account and check out materials. These types of requirements disproportionately effects
homeless and undocumented community members and prevents them from being able to have a public library
account. Little Free Libraries allow access without these restrictions.
Disparities that already existed within our community have been intensified during the pandemic. Despite the
rollout of a vaccine, the timeline for when we can safely be back on the road to provide direct service with
Antelope bookmobile is still uncertain. Antelope ROAMS has allowed us to reach our patrons in a new way, yet
there is still much of the community we are not reaching. This grant would ensure that all South District
households have access to relevant, high-quality, and diverse books without any of these barriers affecting
them.
In addition to books, our monthly Creative Engagement Kits will provide access to materials that support artistic
expression. Creative activity is critical for brain health and development but is not always accessible, but
barriers due to cost or other avenues such as school being closed (during the summer or otherwise) can be
overcome with these Kits. The activities will include a variety of learning styles, such as visual, textile, and
auditory, encouraging kids to learn in their own way. Multiple sensory learning techniques will also make
information more easily absorbed by young, creative brains.
Yes. Funds for books will be split between buying in bulk online and local purchasing through our existing
community partners, The Haunted Bookshop, Daydream Comics, and Prairie Lights. The Creative Engagement
Kits will foster 13 additional community partnerships with existing partners and new partners. The activity kit
partnerships will aim to include black-owned, LGBTQ+ owned, or local religious organizations.
Partnerships with our existing Sensory Kits included working with local partners to create activities that are
stimulating and engaging (and messy is always fun too!), and is the model we will use for our Creative
Engagement Kits as well. When the partner assembles the kits, including planning the activity as providing the
materials, we will give them the full partnership and supply funding amount for that month. When partners
create the activities and then pass them along to us to purchase materials and assemble kits, they’ll receive
just the partnership funding.
In terms of the Creative Engagement Kits for the Little Free Libraries, we will also be consulting with partners to
help us choose books that will best fit with that month’s activity. Our bookmobile librarians will curate a list of
books that are available for us to purchase and discuss which would be most beneficial alongside the Creative
Engagement Kits.
We based our demographics on the Iowa City School District's Winter 2018-19 Enrollment, Demographics, and
Class Size Report. The area of Iowa City that we cover contains students and families from Hoover, Alexander,
Wood, Twain, Shimek, and Longfellow Elementary Schools, Southeast Junior High, City High and Tate High
Schools. According to the report, Alexander elementary school is made up of 3.9% Asian, 45% Black, 17.2%
Hispanic, 6.9% Multiracial, and 24-28% White students. Hoover has a breakdown of 8.9% Black, 7.9% Hispanic,
4.3% Multiracial, 75-79% White students. Wood’s student population is comprised of 3.3% Asian, 48.7% Black,
22% Hispanic, 4.2% Multiracial, and 20-24% White children. Twain has 29.4% Black, 29.4% Hispanic, 6.1%
Multiracial, 32-36% White students. Shimek has 8.2% Black, 5.2% Hispanic, 5.2% Multiracial, and 78-82%
White students. Longfellow has 15.9% Black, 4.8% Hispanic, 5.1% Multiracial, 70-74% White students. South
East Junior High has 1.6% Asian, 18.8% Black, 17.4% Hispanic, 4.4% Multiracial, 56-60% White students. City
High has 3.4% Asian, 17.8% Black, 17.1% Hispanic, 4.2% Multiracial, 56-60% White students. Tate High School
has 39.6% Black, 11.3% Hispanic, 45-49% White students.
We used the percentage of students approved for the Free and Reduced Price Lunches program as a stand-in
for socioeconomic status. Looking at our neighborhood, Alexander Elementary School has 41.9% of it's
students approved, Hoover has 19.8%, Wood has 77.1%, Twain has 78.8%, Shimek has 18.5%, Longfellow
has 27.3%, City High has 39.5%, Tate has 66.9%, and Southeast Junior High has 42.8% approved for free or
reduced prices for their lunches. The age and gender breakdown data is not available for Free and Reduced
Lunch numbers.
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
The schools in the area served by the South District Neighborhood Association and this Little Free Library
project are Alexander, Hoover, Longfellow, Shimek, Twain, and Wood Elementary schools as well as Southeast
Junior High, City High, and Tate High Schools. Based on the 2018-2019 school year Enrollment,
Demographics, and Class Size Report, we will have the opportunity to serve up to 4,447 students and their
families.
This Little Free Library collaboration is a new and ongoing project. The funds from this grant would provide aid
to our services for the 13 month grant cycle. We plan to continue this project in whatever form proves to be
successful and sustainable for as long as needed.
No, Antelope Lending Library never charges for any programming or lending, and this program is no exception.
Little Free Libraries work by community sharing and we are engaging in that same mindset by providing these
art activities and books as a way to share our resources free of charge.
The outcomes of this program are that more households in the South District will have home libraries, or be
able to grow their existing home libraries. Residents will also have increased access to creative materials to
learn through a variety of ways, including tactile, visual, and auditory.
We will keep a count of how many books and kits we distribute each month as well as an estimate of how many
books and kits are left from the last month to compare. These numbers will measure how much interest the kits
and books have generated over the month. The estimate of how many books and kits were taken over the
month will be gathered through a quick visual count of how many books have our paper leaflet still and how
many kits are still in the Little Free Libraries. A successful month would have most if not all of the previous
month’s LFL book and kit distribution no longer in the Little Free Library.
Little Free Libraries are already founded on the idea of mutual aid and Antelope Lending Library hopes to
assist in this exchange of aid by providing new books that accurately reflect and represent the audiences that
are reading them. Currently, most of the books in the Little Free Libraries are ones that people no longer want.
Moreover, the only books Antelope is currently able to add to the LFL are donations, which may be older and
are primarily white authors. The program Antelope Lending Library is creating will primarily target the goal of
expanding and supporting the Little Free Libraries by supplementing the libraries with new and updated books
with diverse characters and diverse authors. From there, this resources may continue to be shared among
neighbors, families, and friends by being put back into the libraries or handed over to siblings to read or
recommended to a friend.
The Creative Engagement Kits are meant to be educational about racial and social inequality. They are meant
to spark conversations between children and families and adults alike, taking what they learn from interacting
with the kits and sharing them with our community. In addition, the children and families that engage with the
kits will have racial biases and assumptions challenged and will grow in their empathy with others who might be
different than them. Hopefully, the kits and books will encourage the individuals and neighbors to act kindly and
boost neighborly feelings toward each other.
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *
Pictures and promotional infographics will be shared through our primary social media outlets. We already
have many followers from in and around the South District from our other community services. We also have a
monthly newsletter that goes out to our donor list and many of our current patrons. We may also ask the South
District to include the project's information on their social media pages.
Furthermore, the Little Free Library's themselves are excellent at promoting themselves. Most have clear
plexiglass doors so community members can see all the new and interesting books inside. As long as the books
stay organized, many people engage with the Little Free Libraries as they walk to work, school, or over to a
friends house. Since the Little Free Libraries are permanently located within the communities we hope to serve,
we already have a solid line of communication. All the books we put in the Little Free Libraries have paper
inserts with information about Antelope Lending Library and our projects as well as our contact information.
These inserts also include that they were provided with the assistance of our funding source and in partnership
with that month’s local community partner.
In the summer, we hope to focus our Summer Reading Program on partnering with the South District
Neighborhood Association’s Bike to Books program which promotes getting out to these Little Free Libraries.
We also plan on including the 2021 Iowa City Community Read and the 2021 adult, young adult, and kid All
Iowa Reads books with accompanying information.
We’re really excited to be supporting some of Iowa City’s Little Free Libraries in partnership with the Southeast
Neighborhood District because it is so in line with Antelope Lending Library’s mission, but also because it is a
service that we can sustain. Our staffing budget comes from two places--grants and our monthly donors. While
we started our organization completely with volunteers nearly 9 years ago, we have been able to maintain paid
staff alongside our volunteers for over 3 years now. After SJRE Grant funding ends, we want to continue to
curate and purchase a portion of the books placed in the libraries. Yearly grants such as Dollar General
Literacy Grant will help with the purchase of books. We have also found success when presenting to potential
donors by including levels of funding and what that funding purchases and will now incorporate Little Free
Libraries as one of our levels of giving.
In order to maintain Creative Engagement Kits, we would shift from community collaboration with local
businesses and community members to relying on our staff to create activities that work within our decreased
budget until another funding source is secured.
n/a
Funding Amount Request
15,405.00$
will the funding be utilized
We will purchase books from The Haunted Bookshop, Daydreams Comics, Prairie Lights, First Book
Marketplace, and Scholastic Books. Community partners will be paid to create and put together activity kits.
Supplies not provided for by community partners, we will purchase for the Creative Engagement Kits. Operating
costs including staffing for deliveries and maintenance.
The anticipated annual budget for Antelope Lending Library in 2021 is $58,786 to cover all the services we
provide in the community, in addition to this project.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Grants 5,925.00$5,925.00$3,555.00$
Other Revenue 657.60$657.60$394.56$
Mobile wifi hostpot for deliveries 461.00$461.00$276.84$
Circuit Route Planner 111.20$111.20$66.72$
Fuel 85.00$85.00$51.00$
Books from bulk distributors 1,250.00$1,250.00$750.00$
Books from local business partners 1,250.00$1,250.00$750.00$
Activity kit community partnerships 750.00$750.00$450.00$
Activity kit supplies 750.00$750.00$450.00$
Staffing for prep and distribution 1,925.00$1,925.00$1,155.00$
From June 2021 through June 2022, Antelope Lending Library will make monthly maintenance and quality
checks alongside distributing the newly purchased books, good-condition donated books, and Creative
Engagement Kits to the Little Free Libraries.
Books will be purchased quarterly (June, September, December 2021 and March 2022). Monthly payments will
include the community partner for that month’s activity kit, the supplies for the kit, and staffing.
Yes. Last year we received funding from the Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant. Our large print children’s
and young adult collections have been thriving and very popular through Antelope ROAMS thanks to your
support. We also grew off of the Sensory Kit project that this grant funded and have continued it into this
school year, increasing the families we reach with this program. Those funds gave us the opportunity to see a
new project succeed in our community and a chance for us to keep growing that service! We received $6,644.
In 2019 we also received $1,000 from the Iowa City Public Art Performing Grant. With these funds, we brought
in a local animator to hold an Animation Workshop at our busiest 3 bookmobile stops. It was a blast! And our
Antelope kiddos did an amazing job, check out the final video here: Antelope Lending Library 2019 Stop-
Motion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaHqtS6Ok1M).
We have not received any funding for this project.
No, though funding from direct donations may be used for this project as needed.
n/a
Yes No
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
The number of books and money we spend there can be adjusted. Creative Engagement Kit supplies may be
able to be provided for through community donations. We're good at being creative with the money we have to
make it stretch. This program is sustainable for us with or without outside grant funding. Our ability to grow in
the way we have described above is dependent on funding however.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Refugee and Immigrant Association
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
USA
Street Address
1566 South Gilbert St.
Address Line 2
319-383-9819
refugeeiowa@gmail.com
www.refugeeimmigrant.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Jean Paul Mugemuzi
Executive Director
319-383-9819
jpbmugeuz@yahoo.fr
We aim to provide community civic education, issue awareness, and financial support for immigrants and
refugees from around the world. We hope to foster a community that participates in and contributes to helping
immigrants become self-reliant, independent, and integrated.
6
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
The Refugee & Immigrant Association (RIA) is very proud of the success accomplished so far through the
Awareness and Prevention of Social Conflict Initiative, but since we believe you may be very familiar with that
program because of the support you have given, we would like to tell you about another successful initiative -
The Academic Improvement Program.
The Academic Improvement Program began in September of 2019 providing academic help to youth in
kindergarten thru 12th grade and providing computer training and assistance searching for jobs, housing, and
resources to adults of all ages. All individuals served also had access to English classes.
Our goal was to serve 100 children and adults in the first year of the program. We are excited to report that the
Johnson County Academic Improvement Program actually served a total of 119 individuals from September
2019 thru December 2020. Seventy-three of those individuals were children and 46 were adults.
Expected outcomes for youth included improved grades, and a demonstrated improvement in reading, math,
writing, computer skills, and speaking English. Expected outcomes for adults included demonstrated
improvement in speaking English, utilizing technology to access resources, and meeting the needs of their
family in the area of job searches, housing accommodations, and basic resources.
Instead of shutting the doors on this program in the middle of March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit,
the RIA board members got to work reaching out to the families they were serving and secured the necessary
safety equipment so they could continue services in the homes of the children and adults previously being
served in the Center. RIA secured 500 face masks and adequate hand sanitizer from the City of Iowa City
through the support of the Community Foundation of Johnson County. Using a portion of these safety supplies
themselves, ensured that they could go into the homes of those individuals in the program and continue critical
academic support to children, and services to adults.
Proposal
Like all organizations since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Refugee & Immigrant Association had to
make a major pivot to continue serving its community of refugees and immigrants. The board members of RIA
understand first-hand what it takes to overcome adversity, so they got to work immediately to provide
information, resources, and hope to individuals needing assistance navigating a pandemic so they could keep
their families safe.
RIA had been working towards designing a multilingual newspaper, but when the pandemic happened, our
efforts quickly developed into a comprehensive communication strategy project called Access to Information for
Non-English-Speaking Community Members.
In addition to this popular newspaper, our organization must continue to develop enhanced communication
methods to ensure refugee and immigrant community members receive the information they need, in a way that
is most accessible to them. As a grass-roots organization, we have been successful in impacting the lives of
individuals through our variety of programs, but when the pandemic hit and we were forced to stop all
programming, we needed to pivot quickly to keep the information, support, and resources flowing to our
community members.
The pandemic has caused tremendous challenges and heartache for countless Johnson County residents, but
RIA believes that the pandemic has also served as a catalyst for positive change in the way it will expand its
communication platforms to its members, now and into the future.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
The Access to Information for Non-English-Speaking Community Members program is a comprehensive
communication strategy project involving a printed and digital newspaper, email communication system, and
information collection in the way of surveys and focus groups.
The Refugee and Immigrant Association achieved its goal of designing, writing, printing, and distributing an 8-
page multilingual (French, Swahili, Arabic, English) newspaper to inform community members of vital health
information in response to a global pandemic. The Refugee & Immigrant Newspaper is part of the overall vision
for the Access to Information for Non-English-Speaking Community Members program.
Getting a print publication into the hands of refugees and immigrants has been a huge accomplishment, but it
is obvious that we need to do more. We must open up communication with our community in a way that is
responsive to the needs in the moment and also provides two-way communication between RIA and the
community members it serves. We are able to accomplish this by tapping into technology using a three-prong
approach – website, email platform, and survey tools. We need to develop a new website that has the
functionality of news and information in multiple languages. This will allow for information to be updated and
shared in a timely manner. Email functionality will allow for the two-way communication refugees and immigrants
need.
Johnson County has a significant number of refugee and immigrant community members and there would be
many benefits to engaging with individuals in understanding their struggles and needs. Through a series of
surveys and focus groups, we believe that we can better understand, document, and address the needs of this
community.
The Access to Information for Non-English-Speaking Community Members project advances Social Justice and
Racial Equity by working to balance the playing field through information sharing and collection – delivered in a
way that is understandable and can be acted upon. This initiative focuses on providing information and
resources to a group of people who have been through tremendous disruption and trauma.
The Refugee & Immigrant Association serves a group of community members striving to be self-reliant,
independent and integrated into American and Iowa cultures. They experience countless barriers such as
diverse languages, access to affordable housing, jobs that pay a living wage, difficulty navigating school
enrollment and school interactions, shortage of translators, legal aid, transportation, and civics and voting
education. Additionally, they are attempting to navigate activities such as learning how to prepare healthy
meals with American food, children are struggling to participate in American sports and activities, and parents
are unable to assist with homework and communication with teachers due to language and information sharing
barriers.
These are significant challenges that can’t just simply be fixed through cultural adjustments. They are
challenges that require a strategic and concerted plan of action. We believe that the Access to Information for
Non-English-Speaking Community Members program will positively affect the lives of many refugees and
immigrants living in Iowa City.
We believe that the Access to Information for Non-English-Speaking Community Members program addresses
all six priority areas:
Building community: This is at the heart of the program. The work of the initiative is centered on hearing what
the community has to say. Giving community members a voice. Uncovering what it is that they need based on
their cultural needs and understanding. Our goal is to help the refugee and immigrant community be more
cohesive with the larger Iowa City community by increasing understanding and reducing social, racial and
judicial confusion and isolation.
Health, Employment, Education, Housing, and Criminal Justice: The remaining service areas are addressed
also through this program by providing information in print and digitally in English, Swahili, French, and Arabic.
Not only are these topics all addressed in the ongoing communication by RIA, but the survey tools provide an
opportunity to ask about these areas in the lives of refugees and immigrants.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
The Refugee and Immigrant Association (RIA) believes that integration into an American society such as the
one found in Iowa City requires not only learning the language and culture but also experiencing an authentic
connection to the community. Access to information through removing barriers of language and understanding
is greatly needed in our community. We also need to open up structured two-way communication with this
population so we as a community can better meet their needs. We believe we can specifically gain that two-way
communication effectively through surveys, focus groups, and email communication.
The RIA is a volunteer-run organization and has made a significant impact in the lives of the people it serves
over the previous six years of its existence. From facilitating food and household needs to assisting couples
who are experiencing legal issues as a result of domestic violence, the RIA is committed to serving the complex
issues of refugees and immigrants in need.
Coming to the United States as a refugee or immigrant is very stressful and can be difficult to navigate. Many of
these families come from African countries and have common experiences of trauma, dislocation and loss, and
many are victims of genocide, war, and torture. Pre-migration experiences together with the considerable
challenges of living in a vastly different country can significantly affect family well-being for many of these
families.
We believe that the Refugee & Immigrant Association is especially well situated to address these challenges
throughout the community by implementing this project.
Currently, we are collaborating with a variety of organizations for distribution of the newspaper, including
Evangelical, Gospel, and Pentecostal Churches, African Ministry in Coralville, Iowa City Walmart, a variety of
African stores, and the Johnson County Sudanese and Benebuvira community organizations. These
organizations have all assisted this project by informing their members where they can get the newspaper
and/or displaying the newspaper for pickup or distributing the newspaper in a safe, socially distanced manner.
These partnerships will continue in relation to the enhanced digital focus of our communication goals.
Board members of the association have natural partners that they work with, but as a new initiative,
partnerships and collaborations will be determined and established as part of the planning process to ensure a
robust and effective initiative.
To increase access to the target audience, the association will work to partner with churches and organizations
that serve similar demographics, such as King of Glory Church, African Ministry, Solid Rock Christian Center,
University Baptist Church, and New Jerusalem Church.
The Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa provides survey development consulting services. RIA will
work with them on the Survey Instrument Development.
The Refugee and Immigrant Association primarily serves men, women, and youth from African countries such
as Congo, Sudan, Togo, Burundi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Somalia, and more.
We believe that the majority of those served will be from low-income socioeconomic status.
Community members served are from both genders and all ages.
It is difficult to know exactly how many refugees and immigrants are living in Iowa City, but we know that there
are people from African countries moving here every day – seeking refuge. Many refugees are coming from
resettlement camps and immigrants are seeking asylum through diversity, student and worker visas.
We believe that nearly 3,000 Iowa City refugee and immigrant community members will be served annually by
the Access to Information for Non-English-Speaking Community Members program.
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
No, all components of the Access to Information for Non-English-Speaking Community Members project will be
available to refugees and immigrants at no cost.
The following outcomes and performance measures for the program include:
Access to Information outcomes:
- Print, post on the website and social media, and email bimonthly issue of Refugee & Immigrant News.
- Display critical and relevant information on the website.
- Offer email sign-up on the website.
- Demonstrate an increase in distribution, viewership, sign-ups, and click rates.
Listening Platform outcomes:
- Develop a comprehensive multi-language survey on key topics to the lives of refugees and immigrants.
- Hold three in-person focus groups (or remotely using Zoom if necessary).
- Offer ongoing mini-surveys via email.
The following indicators or metrics will be used to measure the corresponding outcomes for the program:
Access to Information outcomes:
- Track distribution rates of bimonthly issue of Refugee & Immigrant News.
- Display critical and relevant information on the website.
- Track email sign-up on the website.
- Track distribution, viewership, sign-ups, and click rates.
Listening Platform outcomes:
- Track distribution and completion rate of multi-language survey.
- Track attendance at focus groups.
- Track distribution of mini-surveys via email.
Access to Information shared:
Distribute print and digital Refugee & Immigrant News to all community organizations serving and/or interfacing
with refugees and immigrants.
Invite all community partners to share an invitation to sign up for email communication from RIA.
Listening Platform shared:
Share findings from surveys with all funders, community partners, and organizations serving and/or interfacing
with refugees and immigrants.
Share Focus Group Report with all funders, community partners, and organizations serving and/or interfacing
with refugees and immigrants.
Information will be shared with the general Iowa City community through submission of press releases to the
media, utilization of Facebook, pitching story ideas to local media to garner press coverage.
It is the intention of the Refugee and Immigrant Association to continue the initiative after any SJRE grant
funding ends. The dollars requested from the SJRE grant are start-up/one-time dollars for web designer
services. We will continue to seek funding to support the Access to Information for Non-English-Speaking
Community Members through grants, individual donations, and fundraising events.
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
The budget includes the following fees for professional services:
Web Designer – It’s important that the organization utilize the expertise of a professional web designer to
ensure the full functionality of the website and corresponding digital materials.
Focus Group Facilitator – We must open more formal and documented pathways to hear from our refugee and
immigrant community members and we believe a series of focus groups will help us reach that goal. The
facilitator is the person who leads each focus group and captures a detailed account of the participant's input.
Data Analyst – It is critical that RIA have someone capable of taking the recorder's notes and recorded content
to conduct a qualitative analysis of the focus group data and provide a full report to RIA to be utilized by the
organization and shared with its partners.
Funding Amount Request
8,000.00$
The $8,000 requested for support will fund the following start-up/one-time expenses of this project:
$6,000 Professional Services: Web designer
$500 Professional Services: Focus Group Facilitator
$500 Professional Services: Data Analyst
$400 Supplies: Refreshments for Focus Group participants ($100) and Gift Cards ($300 6@$50 ea.) that
participants will have the chance to win by attending one of the Focus Groups
$600 Outside Printing: Printing of the surveys to be distributed to refugee and immigrant community members
For 2021, the annual budget for the Refugee & Immigrant Association is $40,000. If awarded, no Social Justice
and Racial Equity grant funds would be used for operational costs such as rent, salaries, or utilities.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 11,945.00$2,667.00$2,661.00$
Other Revenue 1,077.00$1,000.00$1,000.00$
Professional Services 4,800.00$1,820.00$1,820.00$
Supplies 140.00$130.00$130.00$
Outside Printing 10,600.00$0.00$0.00$
Misc. Supplies 910.00$0.00$0.00$
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
The Refugee and Immigrant Association is committed to implementing the Access to Information for Non-
English-Speaking Community Members project and will enter into a planning phase beginning in February
2021.
February 2021 – May 2021:
Develop a detailed plan outlining the components for focus areas which includes:
- Work with the web designer to structure the website to support the digital production of the RIA multilingual
newspaper.
- Work with the web designer to format the electronic structure of an e-newsletter that can accommodate the
need for distribution in multiple languages.
- Design a campaign to collect email addresses of refugees and immigrants through electronic and written
means.
- Determine collaboration opportunities – and meet with community individuals, businesses, and organizations
for a structure to submit information to RIA to be shared with refugee and immigrant community members.
- Work with the University of Iowa to develop a sound and correctly structured survey to collect information
about the Johnson County refugee and immigrant members.
- Determine partnerships with community organizations that can distribute and collect surveys and host focus
groups with refugees and immigrants.
June 2021 – May 2022:
Launch the new RIA website with the digital version of the Refugee & Immigrant Newspaper, email structure and
content, survey and focus group plan, and streamlined printed newspaper
for refugee and immigrant community members.
You will see through your examination of the attached project budget that one-time costs for this project make
up 40 percent. These costs are primarily in the area of web designer costs. This cost is necessary to provide a
highly functional and integrated website.
Details are provided on the program budget form, but it’s important to note that year-one will experience higher
expenses to get the program running due to the web designer costs.
If funded, seventy-five percent of the SJRE grant dollars will be spent in the first four months of the grant cycle
and the remaining twenty-five percent would be spent evenly throughout the remaining grant cycle.
Yes, the Refugee & Immigrant Association received $12,000 in 2019 in support of the Awareness and
Prevention of Social Conflict Initiative to address cultural challenges facing refugees and immigrants living in
Iowa City. The initiative has three programs: Together We Can Groups, Learning & Growing Presentations,
and Community Collaborations.
The following funding equaling $9,273 has been received in support of the Access to Information for Non-
English-Speaking Community Members:
$4,050 from the Community Foundation of Johnson County; ending March 2021
$1,000 from West Liberty Foods; ending April 2021
$1,000 from the United National Association of Johnson County; ending June 2021
$1,000 from Theisen’s; ending October 2021
Although this question only asks if non-City of Iowa City funding has been received for this project, we believe
it’s important to mention the modification proposal we submitted for the FY19 Social Justice and Racial Equity
Grant. Because of COVID-19, we were invited to submit a modification proposal for any dollars remaining from
the Awareness and Prevention of Social Conflict Initiative grant award. We requested, and were approved, to
use the remaining $2,223 for the Access to Information for Non-English-Speaking Community Members project.
Those dollars have been spent and the duration of funding has ended.
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
The association has been very fortunate to receive generous funding from a variety of grant funders for this
project. It is exciting that they support this project and see the value in our efforts to give greater access to
non-English-speaking individuals and also construct ways to open up better two-way communication.
The association is requesting $8,000 through this FY21 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant and has
received $9,273 for the project from the funders listed in the previous answer. That leaves a remaining balance
of $854 for the project.
The association is committed to moving forward with this project and will do so (to the best of its ability) even if
the SJRE funding is less than the requested $8,000. If little to no SJRE funding is awarded, the association will
work hard to raise money in an effort to not greatly impact the scope and reach of the program in a negative
way.
If SJRE funding is awarded in full, RIA will raise the remaining $854 from its board members.
Yes No
Less funding than requested would require RIA to raise those dollars from another source or reduce expenses
by illuminating some project outcomes.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Shelter House
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
429 Southgate Avenue
Address Line 2
319-351-0326
info@shelterhouseiowa.org
www.shelterhouseiowa.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Christine Ralston
Director of Development
319-400-7007
christine.ralston@shelterhouseiowa.org
Our mission is to provide safe shelter and help people improve the quality of their lives as they move beyond
homelessness.
37
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
A recent project with broad reach and impact is Shelter House’s construction and operation of Cross Park
Place, our permanent supportive housing facility that serves individuals with multiple documented disabilities
with a history of chronic homelessness. With the initial understanding that housing is a human right, this facility
builds on that understanding to provide supports and structures that allow tenants to stabilize and access
mental health providers, medical care, case management, and other critical supports as they are ready to
engage with the assistance. While CPP houses 24 individuals, the community impact has been extensive.
Emergency room visits, arrests, and jail stays have decreased dramatically for these tenants, which provides a
tangible and significant impact for neighborhoods, for decreasing demand on emergency services, and for the
community as a whole.
Proposal
After years of research and on-site observation of communities throughout the country with housing first
projects, Shelter House’s Executive Director and Associate Executive Director proposed the state’s first
housing first facility. It was unprecedented, and required extensive work to gain community buy-in. The
research supported the deep need for this project, and our outcomes have shown that this was a necessary
intervention that assists the most vulnerable individuals in the area. Benefits accrue community-wide, so much
so that we are in the planning and fundraising stage of our second similar facility.
The new proposed activity is to provide Shelter House staff with the training and compliance management
product, Relias. Relias offers a broad array of educational opportunities in behavioral health, such as learning
management and training, compliance management tools, and risk mitigation.
Relias is an intensive training and education product that will provide efficient and effective training in areas
that Shelter House staff use every day to interact with guests, clients, and tenants. As we expand into street
outreach this year, this training will benefit people experiencing homelessness throughout the community.
Disproportionately, people experiencing homelessness have mental and physical health conditions, have
previously experienced homelessness or childhood trauma, and occupy membership in historically oppressed
demographic groups. They are BIPOC, veterans, LGBTQIA+, and victims of domestic violence. Equitable
treatment requires a humble approach that recognizes how much we each must learn about the lived
experiences of people in our community. This is compounded in situations where trauma and poverty add
stressors to the already-existing pressures of everyday life. Shelter House staff recognize this as an
opportunity to access a deep well of resources that will allow for improved service provision and outcomes for
our most vulnerable individuals.
Because this program will inform and benefit all Shelter House work, it will naturally address the housing priority
area as we work to provide holistic, sensitive, informed services to individuals experiencing and at risk of
homelessness every day. Because secure housing impacts every other aspect of life, improving the quality of
service provision will provide positive impact to 1) the educational opportunities of children who are shelter
guests or clients in our rapid rehousing and eviction prevention programs, 2) the physical and mental health of
our clients, guests, and tenants, and 3) decreased interactions with the criminal justice system when individuals
are housed.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
As a community, we are having necessary discussions about disparate treatment of individuals that happens
every day because of immutable characteristics and membership in a protected class. There is no area in
which every member of the community does not need to continue to work on expanding our skillsets and
increasing our knowledge and understanding. An organization like Shelter House works with people across
racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and sexual orientation categories. Everyone with whom we work is low- or
extremely-low income. The way we work with our community dictates how and whether they come to us for
necessary services. We work hard to maintain our training and education, and Relias is an opportunity to
further expand the skillset of each and every member of Shelter House staff.
Though the Relias program would train only Shelter House staff, our role as the regional lead for Coordinated
Entry means that the lessons and skills learned here can and will inform our work with every other local agency,
such as CommUnity, DVIP, Inside Out Reentry, HACAP, and CWJ.
Our clients and guests range in age from newborn to elderly and include all genders and races. Every
individual using our services is low-income, with 100% at or below 30 percent of the area median income. In a
typical year, we serve 54 percent Black/African-American individuals, 34% white/Caucasian individuals, 5%
Hispanic/Latinx individuals, and 7% who identify in another category.
Also, we typically serve about 62 percent identifying as male and 38 percent identifying as female. Children
ages 0 – 17 yrs make up, on average, 18% of our clients in a given year. Young adults ages 18 – 24 (15%),
adults ages 25 – 64 (63%), and senior citizens 65+ (4%) comprise the rest of our clients. The insured
breakdown is 50% Medicaid, 9% Medicare, 10% other, and 31% have no insurance coverage.
Shelter House services approximately 2,000 individuals each year across all programs. This training will benefit
every individual we serve this year, and moving forward as we continue to serve vulnerable populations with
the knowledge and skills gained through this program.
No.
As recipients of federal grants, we are required to keep detailed records of client outcomes. We will use our
existing record-keeping structure to assess whether client outcomes across all areas—repeat experiences of
homelessness, job acquisition and maintenance, etc—improve across the targeted population.
Shelter House will measure outcomes by comparing whether client outcomes in the targeted population show
quantitative or qualitative improvements throughout the contract year.
As natural collaborators, Shelter House is in the habit of sharing information and tools with our community
partners. Again, our role as the regional Coordinated Entry lead places us in a position to interact and share
valuable knowledge with our community partners. That structure is in place: we use it each and every day, and
it will enable us to share with partner agencies through this program.
The skills and understandings this program provides to Shelter House staff will inform our work every day.
Beginning from the first day, staff will use the training in our interactions with members of the targeted
community, and will work in each of our collaborations to expand that skill acquisition into the broader service
community.
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
We will assess outcomes mid-way and at the end of the contract year. If the program provides tangible benefits
that improve the work, Shelter House will continue the subscription into future years. We will apply for available
grant support and fundraise to cover unmet costs.
N/A
Funding Amount Request
13,388.44$
The funding will cover the one-time set up fee, as well as an annual training subscription for 70 Shelter House
employees.
Shelter House’s annual operating budget is anticipated in 2021 to be $2,850,000. It should be noted that 92%
of these funds are program service expenses and income, which is directly expended into our community in
rent and mortgage assistance, supportive services, permanent supportive housing, and employment services
and are significantly higher in 2021 due to the CARES Act and CCRSA Act funding assistance programs. The
remaining 8% covers administrative expenses of program, operational, and utility operational costs, which are
funded by private donations and endowment savings and distributions of the organization.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Fees 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Professional Services 13,388.44$0.00$0.00$
One year from receipt of grant funding
The grant money would be spent at the beginning of the grant year and provide a full-year of training for all
Shelter House staff members.
Yes. As a public service, we apply for and receive funding to offer resources to many hundreds of individuals
every year for a variety of purposes, including . . . Over the past five years, Shelter House has received
approximately $535,956, much of which has been through federal CDBG and HOME funding and this year's
new Eviction Prevention program, for which we are a pass-through. Aid to Agencies and CDBG, specifically,
have provided around $300,000 of that amount to run emergency shelter.
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
No.
Yes.
For the first year, Shelter House needs the full amount requested in order to allow all Shelter House staff to
participate in the available trainings. We would certainly be open to a smaller test sample for the first year of
the training.
Yes No
The one time set-up fee of $3000 is the baseline to begin using this service. Beyond that, any amount up to
and including the additional $10,388.44 would allow a portion--or all--of Shelter House staff to be trained using
the Relias program.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
Organizational Information
Willowwind School
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
USA
Street Address
950 Dover Street
Address Line 2
319-338-6061
michelleb@willowwind.org
www.willowwind.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Michelle Beninga
Head of School
319-338-6061
michelleb@willowwind.org
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
Our mission at Willowwind School is to develop in our students:
- Curiosity and a love for learning
- Self-esteem and self-discipline, combined with social consciousness
- Emotional sensitivity and respect for others
- The ability to think flexibly and critically, to problem solve and to express themselves clearly and constructively
- The acquisition of academic skills and creative pursuits
- And an appreciation and respect for other cultures, religious and ethnic backgrounds, and for the natural
world
48
This past year, Willowwind has responded to the impact the COVID pandemic has had on PreK-6 grade
schooling. As families responded to area schools’ online learning plans, they identified what would work and
what would not work for their children. Many needed to find educational options that included consistent onsite
schooling. Willowwind had 34 new families (35% of current enrollees) join its PreK-6 program this current
academic year (2020-21) in direct response to COVID, even if tuition-based schooling is not financially
sustainable. Willowwind is working to support these new families and their desires to stay at Willowwind beyond
the effects of COVID as they believe in the school's mission to support their child.
Proposal
All children should have access to an education system that meets their needs. The COVID pandemic is forcing
large school systems to go online or provide a combination of in-person and online learning. Yet, low-income
households often have caretakers who cannot work from home, making online or hybrid learning a struggle for
low-income families, especially those with very young children. In-person early childhood and elementary
education are essential for many low-income children.
Children need to be safe and feel supported to learn and grow. Willowwind School creates a strong sense of
safety and confidence by providing the necessary resources, accommodations, and modifications to return to
school safely. Willowwind benefits from small class sizes and ample indoor and outdoor space. It has
accommodated full in-person learning while social distancing and has remained open throughout the 2020-
2021 academic year with a robust Return to Learn Plan and significant safety modifications. 35% of
Willowwind's current enrollees are new families to Willowwind School due to their family's need for in-person
learning. Willowwind School hopes that access to scholarship funding through the City of Iowa City's Social
Justice and Racial Equity Grant will support families' ability to stay at Willowwind beyond the 2020-2021
academic year and welcome new families who need consistent in-person learning when so many unknowns
remain in the future ahead due to COVID-19.
Willowwind School’s Scholarship Fund
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Willowwind students come from urban and rural areas and diverse economic, ethnic, and academic
backgrounds. They are nurtured in well-rounded and loving classrooms, emphasizing core and artistic
education contents and socio-emotional learning and strong foundations in social justice and environmental
stewardship values. Small class sizes and ample facilities also mean that Willowwind can consistently provide
in-person education during the COVID pandemic.
Willowwind uses a two-pronged approach to meet the needs of marginalized students for social, cultural, or
personal reasons (e.g., LGBTQ, disabled or atypical children). First, Willowwind strives to meet each child's
needs one-on-one with Personalized Education Plans, paying special attention to their socio-emotional and
physical needs. Second, Willowwind School also meets the child's needs through its classroom and schoolwide
culture, creating an atmosphere of acceptance, respect, care, love, and appreciation for all personal
differences. The child's unique needs are taken care of by every adult (faculty and staff) and every other child
in the school. It is common to see fifth and sixth graders read and help with the lunches of younger children
with special needs or Kindergarteners present in front of a large group of their older schoolmates the
importance of showing kindness and spreading love and compassion.
All children deserve to be treated with the kindness and compassion Willowwind students and adults show one
another. Yet, tuition costs prevent low-income children from benefiting from independent in-person schooling.
Providing low-income families with access to Willowwind’s resources is particularly important, especially for
families with young children who require in-person learning. Willowwind’s Board of Trustees recently revised
the school’s tuition scale to reduce costs for the lowest income brackets while increasing the highest income
brackets' contributions. The school also offers need-based scholarships; however, cuts in STO funding (see
below for more information) greatly diminish the funding available for those scholarships.
This grant's scholarship funding will enable Willowwind to provide excellent individualized learning for children
regardless of financial resources and support those who thrive in onsite learning environments. Funding from
this grant will support families and work to ensure tuition does not stand between low-income children and a
creative, inspiring, hands-on educational experience, allowing them to break from the cycle of poverty and
reach their highest potential. Support from the City of Iowa City’s Social Justice and Racial Equity grant would
help Willowwind make a loving education environment a reality for any child.
Willowwind's School and its proposed scholarship fund address the grant's "education" priority area. Willowwind
School offers a Montessori preschool and K-6 progressive education (accredited by the Independent Schools
Association of the Central States and by the Iowa Department of Education) to about 100-110 children per
year. The school also offers before and after school, spring break, and summer programs, serving an
additional 150-200 families. Willowwind School's curriculum emphasizes socio-emotional learning, a strong arts
education, and state-of-the-art student-led learning strategies. Willowwind places a strong focus on core
foundations for reading, writing, math, and sciences and instills essential values of respect and care for others
and stewardship of the built and natural environments.
Willowwind is committed to social justice, diversity, and equity. Beyond the sliding scale tuition model and need-
based scholarships (see below for more information), its staff regularly receives training on various topics,
including implicit bias, white privilege, and teaching to the whole child. Teachers have improved their curriculum
and spaces to ensure an inclusive learning space and culture for all children, including African American and
Native American authors in the reading curriculum and de-gendering classroom spaces. Willowwind's 2020-21
Visual Arts curriculum focuses on celebrating BIPOC artists. Enhancing Willowwind's scholarship program will
reduce financial barriers that stand in low-income families' way of experiencing the Willowwind Way, where
children "love every day."
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Willowwind has a long track record of commitment and action towards socio-economic inclusivity. In addition to
its inclusive curriculum, Willowwind applies a sliding scale tuition model for all families and also provides need-
based scholarships. In January 2020, Willowwind revised its sliding scale tuition model to reduce costs for low-
income families further. 2020-21 tuition discounts amount to $80,000, benefitting 55% of families, and 2020-21
need-based scholarships amounted to $15,700, helping 11% of Willowwind families. Need based scholarships
provide additional financial support when the sliding scale tuition model is not enough.
However, given the economic and psychological impacts of the COVID pandemic, and as many schools shift to
a combination of hybrid and online learning, the school community's financial needs are more significant than
ever before. Willowwind is fully committed to opening its doors to more children who need in-person education,
especially preschool-age and early elementary-age children, for whom in-person relationships and interactions
are developmentally essential.
Sliding scale tuition assistance and need-based scholarships are often the deciding factors for families who
would not otherwise be able to give their children the exceptional education Willowwind offers. Increasing the
school's scholarship funding will allow Willowwind to open its door to more students, impacting many more
families and students in our community regardless of their socioeconomic status.
In years past, Willowwind has been able to rely on scholarship funds from a statewide initiative called STO, or
Student Tuition Organization. Through this initiative, independent schools can seek scholarship funds from
donors who allocate tax credits for this program. In recent years, tax laws have shifted drastically, significantly
impacting the funds available to small independent schools like Willowwind. Willowwind's scholarship funds
through its STO organization have decreased from about $60,000 in 2016-17 to under $16,000 in 2020-21.
Willowwind anticipates $0 from its STO funds for the 2021-22 academic year. This will negatively and
significantly impact the school's ability to provide scholarships to low-income students; therefore, Willowwind
seeks additional partnerships to support every child's ability to experience learning at Willowwind School.
In addition to STO funds, Willowwind School, from time to time, will receive scholarship donations from private
donors. Presently, Willowwind anticipates one scholarship gift of $3,000 from a private donor. Finally,
Willowwind School is partnering with the Willowwind Foundation to grow its scholarship program. This
partnership will take time to grow. Finding immediate scholarship programs will help the Willowwind Foundation
establish a program that can support Willowwind School in the years to come.
Willowwind School serves an array of children, ages 3-12, from various socioeconomic and racial backgrounds.
The following table compares Willowwind's diversity, collected in 2019-20, with Johnson County data collected
from the 2017 US Census American Community Survey.
Willowwind Johnson County
Caucasian 62% 80%
Asian/Pacific Islander 14% 6%
Latino 2% 6%
Multiracial 11% 2%
African American 1% 6%
Did Not Report 10% na
Willowwind seeks scholarship funding to support low-income families and BIPOC children further. Willowwind's
goal is for its school community to be representative of its surrounding community. Families with household
income levels under $75,000 will be eligible for the use of tuition assistance and scholarship funds through the
City of Iowa City's Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant. Priority will be given to families whose household
income falls under $50,000 and BIPOC children.
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
Willowwind School anticipates to serve approximately 100 students during the 2021-22 academic school year.
Currently, our Preschool program is not eligible for Willowwind's scholarship funds, but community partnerships
like this one could open up opportunities for additional support at the critical preschool level where the
foundation for solid education is built. Of our K-6 enrollees, 55% of families are eligible for some form of tuition
assistance either from Willowwind's Sliding Scale Tuition Model or financial aid assistance. Growing
Willowwind's Scholarship Program will provide more opportunities to even more students whose families may
not otherwise be able to enroll.
Funding for this specific program within Willowwind School will be used to fund scholarships at varying levels.
$25,000 would fund up to 2.5 full-time Preschool scholarships, four half-time Preschool scholarships, or three
full K-6 scholarships under Willowwind's Tier VI tuition level sliding scale tuition model. Other funding examples
could include six 50% K-6 scholarships, twelve 25% K-6 scholarships, or any number of scholarships based on
varying needs from $500 and up to $10,000. This may include up to 25 $1,000 scholarships, ten $2,500
scholarships, five $5,000 scholarships, or any amount in between. Funds may also support families' need to
pay additional fees such as materials, technology, or services fees or Before and After School Care fees.
Yes. Willowwind School is a tuition based school. Tuition supports approximately 75% of Willowwind's annual
budget. Other revenue sources include extracurricular programming and donations, both of which have
decreased during the 2020-21 academic year due to the COVID pandemic. Along with the cut of our STO
scholarship dollars, these decreases in revenue have a direct and negative impact on Willowwind's ability to
provide scholarships.
K-6's tuition levels are based on income levels as highlighted in the middle column of the table below.
Willowwind School 2021-2022 K-6 Tuition Levels (based on household income - middle column)
Tier I 200,000 + 13,250
Tier II 150,000 - 199,000 12,530
Tier III 100,000 – 149,999 11,818
Tier IV 75,000 – 99,999 10,562
Tier V 50,000 – 74,999 9,512
Tier VI 49,999 and less 8,276
Willowwind School 2021-2022 Preschool Tuition
PreK Full-Time 10,130
PreK Part-Time 6,135
Willowwind's goal from its scholarship program is to increase enrollment, through the use of tuition assistance
and scholarship funds, of students whose household income is under $75,000 (targeting $50,000 and below)
and underrepresented and marginalized communities. Willowwind seeks scholarship funds to grow its student
population's racial diversity to reflect better the broader community which surrounds the school. This is not
possible on Willowwind's sliding scale tuition model alone, and greater funds are needed. Partnerships like the
City of Iowa City's Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant will provide immediate support while Willowwind's
partnership with the Willowwind Foundation has time to build long-term sustainability in its scholarship program.
Ultimately, Willowwind School's performance outcomes are in the lives of Willowwind alumni. Willowwind has
educated thousands of children who know and appreciate their local history and ecology, understand and
value people from diverse personal and cultural backgrounds, are prepared to address social inequalities and
restore the natural environment, and are academically prepared to succeed and turn those priorities into
reality. Willowwind believes this to be its most significant contribution to the local community and the wider
world.
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
Within Willowwind, early childhood education is paramount to preparing children for successful lives. Willowwind
students are well adjusted and ready to enter the world beyond with respect and care for others, comfort with
and appreciation for children from different socio-cultural backgrounds, and a sense of stewardship for the
natural environment.
Willowwind’s long-term impact on the wider community is the education of thousands of children who know and
appreciate their local history (from the role of Native Americans to the place of the underground railroad in
Iowa) and their local ecology (from the Devonian fossil gorges to the native prairie); who understand, value and
are comfortable with people from diverse personal and cultural backgrounds; who are prepared to address the
social inequalities they encounter; who know about the many ways they can make a positive difference in their
communities; and who are academically prepared to succeed and make those hopes and priorities materialize.
Willowwind provides children with a range of socio-emotional, academic, artistic, and performing arts skills.
Most notably, Willowwind children are keenly aware of social justice and environmental issues, learn in depth
about their region's social and ecological history, and engage in community-relevant work. For instance, they
contribute to the local Poetry in Public rogram, read their creative works and perform historical plays and plays
that highlight gender and racial inequities in public spaces, plant trees and gardens, create public service
announcements about social justice and environmental issues, donate to local charitable organizations, and
learn to make a difference in the communities in which they live.
In 2019, Willowwind School's Board of Trustees re-established the Willowwind Foundation. The Foundation's
goal is to provide financial support to the school, its students, employees, and community. Together with
Willowwind School, the Foundation is first and foremost focused on supporting a sustainable scholarship
program and Willowwind's sliding scale tuition model. While the Willowwind Foundation is new, and will need
time to grow its donor base, it has already identified major donors, and an endowed scholarship fund is in the
works.
Community partnerships like this one will jumpstart the Willowwind scholarship fund and provide Willowwind
School and its Foundation the time needed to grow a sustainable scholarship program. This $25,000 award will
be entirely devoted to providing resources to those who need them the most: low-income families in need of in-
person child-centered education for the 2021-22 academic year. It will also give the Willowwind School and the
Foundation additional time to build its own scholarship fund, allowing the scholarship program to grow for many
years to come beyond 2022.
Based on need, scholarship funds awarded by this grant may be used to assist families in need of financial
support in the form of tuition, school fees such as materials, technology, and services fees, and Before and
After School Care fees. Tuition and student fees cover a variety of expenses from educational materials and
curriculums to teacher salaries and facility operating costs.
Funding Amount Request
25,000.00$
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
$25,000 would fund up to 2.5 full-time Preschool scholarships, four half-time Preschool scholarships, or three
full K-6 scholarships under Willowwind's Tier VI Sliding Scale Tuition Model. Other funding examples could
include six 50% K-6 scholarships, twelve 25% K-6 scholarships, or any number of scholarships based on
varying needs from $500 and up to $10,000. This may include up to 25 $1,000 scholarships, ten $2,500
scholarships, five $5,000 scholarships, or any amount in between. Funds may also support families' need to
pay additional fees such as materials, technology, or services fees or Before and After School Care fees.
100% of funding will be used to fund scholarships at varying levels. Willowwind School is not seeking grant
funding to cover administrative costs or other building costs as the school desires for complete scholarship
funding to go to its students and families in need. The tuition and fees the scholarship funds would cover
support the categories found in the grant application's expenses category.
Willowwind's 2020-21 annual operating budget consists of approximately $1.1 million in revenue and $1.07
million in expenses.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 8,334.00$8,333.00$8,333.00$
Educational Materials 8,334.00$8,333.00$8,333.00$
Willowwind School's 2021-22 academic year runs from August 24th, 2021, through the end of May 2022.
Scholarship funds would support eligible students' tuition and/ or fees for these ten months.
One-tenth of the grant would be awarded monthly over ten months to eligible enrolled students.
Yes. In the Spring of 2019, Willowwind received $4,200 in the Climate Action Grant to support environmental
education and rehabbing natural prairie habitats on Willowwind School's campus. This grant was applied to the
2019-20 academic year, and Willowwind School received a one-year extension on grant spending due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
No
Yes
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Presently, Willowwind has not secured additional funding for its sliding scale tuition model tuition assistance.
The approximate $80,000 in tuition assistance comes directly from Willowwind's operating budget. Willowwind's
need-based scholarship funding is provided by STO funds, which are tax credits designated for independent
school scholarship funds. Unfortunately, in recent years, the state STO funds have diminished, reducing
Willowwind's scholarship funding stream dramatically, from about $60,000 in 2016-17 to under $16,000 in
2020-21, to a projected $0 in 2021-22. This has negatively and significantly impacted the school's ability to
provide scholarships to low-income students. Willowwind is seeking a variety of partnerships to offer need-
based scholarships and to secure the revenue lost to cuts in previous scholarship programs and to offset the
internal revenue loss to Willowwind’s operating budget. Additional funds exceeding $25,000 could support the
tuition relief provided by Willowwind's sliding scale tuition initiative and financial aid funds.
Yes No
Scholarship awards of any size are an incredible asset to Willowwind School and the opportunities the school
can provide low-income families. Willowwind’s sliding scale tuition model works to break financial barriers that
often stand in the way of making independent school a reality for all families regardless of income level. Even
scholarships as low as $100 - $1,000 may support families in a variety of ways, including waiving fees,
offsetting K-6 After School Care costs, or waiving all of Preschool's Before and After School Care costs and all
of K-6's Before School Care costs.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Bike Library Inc.
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
700 S. Dubuque St.
Address Line 2
5154501651
audrey@bikelibrary.org
bikelibrary.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Audrey Wiedemeier
Executive Director
5154501651
audrey@bikelibrary.org
Get more people on bicycles.
16
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
In 2017 the Bike Library launched a pilot program called Bike Club: a free youth bicycle education and safety
training program for youth served by the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County (NCJC). Each young
person who participates in the program receives their own bicycle and safety gear.
The evolution of Bike Club and the recent prominence of the Black Live Matter Movement inspired the Raise It
Up Ride series, which will also help to raise funds for our Black Mechanic Scholarship.
With the help of our partners at NCJC and the South District Neighborhood Association, Bike Club continues to
progress each year to best support the K-12 students we serve in the Pheasant Ridge and Broadway Center
neighborhoods. 95% of Bike Club participants are children of color.
In 2018, we launched a spin-off of Bike Club focused on young female-identified riders: the Women
Empowerment Ride (WERide) and WERide to School. In 2020, we partnered with Tracy Jon Sargent of the
Multicultural Development Center of Iowa to offer a supplemental free STEM class to Bike Club and WERide
participants called: “Build Your Own Bike Light.”
In collaboration with Anthony Branch, Angie Jordan, and Tracey Jon, we have developed these cycling
programs to engage, inspire, and motivate young people of color and female-identified children to embrace the
sport of cycling. It’s about biking, and yet, it’s about so much more.
We collaborate to promote biking as a way to build confidence, care for the earth, and empower youth to
develop technical skills at a young age through the lens of the bicycle.
In 2019, we served over 100 youth. Through WERide to School, we met with an average of eight kids each
Wednesday and Friday to bike to Weber and Alexander Elementary and back home. WERide to School is for
all kids, and the young women who lead the ride.
Due to the pandemic, we modified Bike Club to safely serve one child or a group of siblings throughout the
Summer of 2020. Our motto: Lift each other up!
Proposal
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
The Raise It Up Ride Series was inspired by a growing need for racial equity and awareness within the biking
community, this community, and the country as a whole.
Yes, 2020 asked us all to adapt; in the face of the issues surrounding the pandemic and with the long-standing
mission of honoring Black lives in mind, we looked to the programs we had run in the past for inspiration and
then we adapted.
Each September, we host Farm Cycle: a bicycle tour of local farms and food that attracts around 300
participants. 2020 would have been the ten-year anniversary of the event, but we knew early on we wouldn’t be
able to ride together due to the pandemic. Last year was also the peak of the BLM movement; the Iowa
Freedom Riders were taking to the streets in protest by foot and by bike. We loved that the protests were
traveling all around Iowa City, taking anyone who was willing to go along for the march.
At the Bike Library we knew we wanted to do something to support the movement--and to reach the Farm Cycle
audience, and the biking community as a whole with their message. We noticed that what we were missing in
Iowa City was a focus on the history of the Black community. How could we take our audience on a ride, not of
local farms and food, but one addressing issues of social justice and racial equality?
We’ve embarked on creating self-guided, educational bike rides where people in the cycling community--a
predominantly white community--could gain a deeper understanding of historically significant sites, sites
specific to Black community. And so, the Raise It Up Ride Series was born.
The Bike Library is a woman-led, non-profit bike shop that runs 15 socially conscious programs including Bike
Club, WERide, and WERide to School. These three youth programs are 95% youth of color. We rarely see this
kind of representation in adult biking culture or in the bike shops throughout this country.
We are leading the way in the greater biking industry when it comes to gender equality. It is from there that we
see a valuable opportunity to bring all issues of inequality to the forefront of the greater conversations within
our larger bicycling community. In short, we are committed to empowering people who are underrepresented.
In the Iowa City biking community, there is inadequate representation of people of color, LGBTQ-identified
people, and women. As a leader in the biking and outdoor community, the Bike Library is striving to make our
shop, our volunteer programs, and our outreach programs more inclusive, diverse, and equitable.
The Raise It Up Ride Series is an opportunity for cyclists to take on inequities in our community by utilizing the
resources provided by the ride storymap, audio companions, site apparatuses, and route materials to educate
themselves on the history of systemic racism and injustice. The ride also serves as an opportunity to donate to
our newly formed Black Mechanic Scholarship Fund.
We believe that more people in the Iowa City community need to support social justice initiatives while
contributing money to BIPOC scholarships that can lead to jobs in the biking and outdoor industry while
developing skill sets in STEM-related fields.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
The Bike Library is working to create the Raise It Up Route Series which will honor historically significant
locations, locations significant to the Black community today, and Black-owned businesses in Iowa City. The
goal is to guide riders to each site with an audio-guided tour and to educate riders on the history of systematic
oppression in their own backyards, as well as the current inequities that unfortunately continue to oppress.
There will be four routes in the series, each with three to five sites woven into an approximately 10-mile bike
ride.
The educational audio component for each site or “checkpoint” is narrated by Black community leaders. Riders
will listen to these narrations through headphones or on-site on each site-specific mobile information exhibit
apparatus. The series of four bike routes can be ridden self-guided or on rides offered 1-2 times each month
guided by volunteers or special guest guides. There is an accompanying playlist of Black artists, musicians,
and poets that can be listened to while en-route via a speaker or after the ride while refueling at one of the
Black-owned restaurants highlighted.
We also have created a digital companion storymap, which will highlight each site, provide directions and
house the educational audio tour. Below, we’ve linked the working draft of the storymap. You can explore the
four tabs on the top of the page and also click on the playlist at the bottom of the page. Please do keep in mind
this is a draft. https://www.icbikelibrary.org/raiseitupride.html
This activity will act as an educational force, a reminder of the inequities we face, and the responsibility we
have as community members to lift up voices that have previously been and continue to be silenced. Our
mission is to advocate for change, mobilize riders to support Black-owned businesses, and raise funds and
awareness for our Black Mechanic Scholarship.
The biking community is predominantly white, as is the wider audience of Iowa City. We see a major gap in
knowledge, resources, and a focus on Black history, especially as it relates to biking. Biking is one of the best
ways to connect people to the physical paths, locations, and stories that make up a community. The Raise It Up
Ride hopes to connect people on a deeper level. When stories are shared, when an unknown history is
shared, when people are confronted with experiences that are different from their own, leaning into that
discomfort brings on new perspectives.
In addition to education, we hope to let our Black neighbors know, whether they are cyclists or not, that we care
about them and that we want to lift each other up.
The educational component of this ride series is multifaceted: audio-guided narratives read by Black
community leaders; an online storymap outlining route and checkpoint details; physical checkpoint apparatuses
highlighting the significance of each historical and modern-day site.
This activity builds community through creating a deeper understanding of Black lives by taking bicyclists
through neighborhoods they might not frequent and sharing stories that are often overlooked or silenced; it
invites constructive conversations on how we can be a part of dismantling systems of oppression and becoming
more inclusive.
Our material will also let riders know how they can use this knowledge to go forward whether that means
supporting a business, returning to the modern sites to make use of their space/service, or how they can share
the knowledge of historical sites with others.
Community Building: people will share this information and go on this ride together.
Employment: we are funding the education for Black bike mechanics so they will have the skill set necessary to
secure a position in Iowa City at one of the five bike shops or elsewhere in the bike industry.
Health: one general goal of every ride we host is to get people outside in nature, get them actively riding, and
encourage them to make bike riding a part of their everyday lifestyle.
The Raise It Up Ride series provides experiential learning in an holistic way. We believe that our audience
would want to know more about the historical and modern-day significance of the Black community in Iowa City,
and that information is not often focused on or made readily available. That lack of education on Black history
and immersion Black culture has led to a division in communities here in our city (data below).
The ride series will raise awareness of the inadequate representation of people of color in bicycling and in Iowa
City, and will give community members the opportunity to support future generations of Black citizens who want
to gain education in the bike industry.
The rides are free, family-friendly, and built in collaboration with Black community leaders. Going on them will
give our community the opportunity to continue to have the hard, uncomfortable conversations that are
overlooked or forgotten by the population responsible for and/or complicit in systemic racism. There is a
desperate need to continue conversations around social justice and racial equity and this will give people a
chance to do just this while getting out into the communities where Black citizens live and work.
There is so much healing that needs to happen and two ways of moving towards that are: education and
connection.
For data, we looked to the Iowa African American Studies program at the University of Iowa, the Iowa City
Racial Equity Report Card, and the Daily Iowan:
According to the 2019 Racial Equity Report Card, Black citizens in Iowa City make up only 8.2% of the city’s
population.
“I believe that there is a tendency for the UI administration and other parties to think of African American
Studies as something that should exist on paper to check a box, showing they are committed to diversity...but
they have not understood why this program is part of the lifeblood of the university.”
• Simon Balto, Professor in the Department of African American Studies
According to the department chair and a professor from the Iowa African American Studies program: In 2005,
“the university tried to defund the program altogether, but that after a number of Black students protested, a
compromise was reached, cutting the master’s program and retaining the undergraduate program.”
• “UI African American Studies program to form institute, promote Black culture,” Daily Iowan
https://dailyiowan.com/2020/06/18/ui-african-american-studies-program-to-form-institute-promote-black-culture/
“In our program’s classes, at least 50 percent are minorities, white students who come from rural communities
never have the experience of being a minority in a majority setting. For Black students, this is the first time they
are taught any substantive information on Black history and culture, the Black environment and experience.”
“We need to better understand how systematic racism impacts minority cultures. We can do that through
research. Once you understand it, you can change it...if you begin to think about African American culture as
normal, as acceptable, then that’s what it will become.”
• Venise Berry, Department Chair of Iowa African American Studies program (both quotes above)
In Iowa City, between 2014 and 2018, the number of complaints alleging racial discrimination increased 12%.
Between 2015 and 2019, the number of annual complaints remained unchanged.
Between 2014 and 2018, the number of traffic stops for Black males increased 26%. Between 2015 and 2019,
the number of traffic stops for Black males increased 36%.
• Iowa City Racial Equity Report Card
“The Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans reports that the poverty rate for African Americans in
Iowa is 30.7%, but for white Iowans, it is just 11.2%. The median earnings within the state of Iowa is $34,583.00,
but for Black Iowans, it is $10,000 less. A disproportionate number of Black people sit in Iowa's prisons. While
the African American population is just 4% in Iowa, they represent 25.3% of the prison system's population.
The ACLU reported that despite the equal use of marijuana in Iowa, African Americans are eight times more
likely to be arrested for possession than white Iowans.”
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
What steps can the university take: “Improve the recruitment, support and success for students of color by
changing the racial climate on campus, creating spaces where they feel safe, provide adequate funding
support to meet their needs, challenge racist narratives and change ineffective discriminatory policies.”
What steps can Iowa City and Johnson County take: “Actually address the affordable housing issue in Iowa
City. The City Council has agreed to update its affordable housing plan; the city must build and reimagine
housing for economically challenged communities.”
• “Concrete steps UI, Iowa City and the state can take to make a difference on racial equity,” Editorial Board,
Iowa City Press Citizen (three quotes above)
• https://www.press-citizen.com/story/opinion/editorials/our-view/2020/07/09/iowa-city-ui-racial-inequality-
racism-george-floyd-protests/5399456002/
By immersing our audience in the communities where the relatively small Black population in this city lives and
works, while educating riders on the Black history here and Black culture that exists here, we believe our Raise
It Up Ride series challenges racist narratives, creates spaces where Black community members can feel safe,
and addresses inequities in housing, economic opportunity, and beyond.
Yes. The Multicultural Development Center of Iowa will be our partner in developing the technical equipment for
each checkpoint. There is a Raspberry Pi radio component to this project, which will store and play the audio
narrations at each site exhibit apparatus.
Angie Jordan, Bruce Teauge, Latasha Deloach, and Ebenezer Adeyemi are the narrators that have been
recorded for the audio component of the first ride.
There are almost twenty sites overall, and we are working in collaboration with each of the sites to feature them
as they want to be featured.
Andre Wright, Co-Founder and CEO of Humanize My Hoodie, has been a consultant to us. We are also
working with Hannah Givler, UIowa Lecturer in 3D Design, on the design and creation of the mobile information
exhibit apparatus that will house the Raspberry Pi audio devices.
We would expect the distribution of riders to be equally male and female and non-binary, ages 18-70. It’s going
to serve whoever wants to go on the ride. It will also serve those who view our digital storymap and engage with
the educational materials in that way.
It’s also going to serve all the people who are featured on the ride and business or property owners of those
sites. Recipients of the Black Mechanic Scholarship will be served in the future.
We want to promote the Black-owned businesses, artists, musicians, and poets who are featured in the
accompanying playlist and featured restaurant list. Please see this playlist: https://soundcloud.com/iowa-city-
bike-library
While the focus of this series is on the Black community, this will serve anyone who wants to engage with the
educational material and experiential learning opportunity provided.
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
Our goal is to reach 200 people per ride. We aim to have 4 rides in the series over the course of the next year.
The start of the ride is at the Bike Library and we will use a ledger to document participation.
Aside from the riders, the artists, business owners, narrators, organizational partners, and digital users will also
be served. Our goal is to reach at least 200 people through our digital resources per ride as well.
Beyond those simple figures, we believe the number of people served will include anyone who would benefit
from the stories of Black lives being shared within this community. Period. Awareness and understanding
fosters new perspectives that bridge gaps between diverse communities.
The hope is that the number of those served has a parabolic trajectory through the mutual exchange of
knowledge before, during, and long after each ride.
There is no charge. However, we are encouraging participants to donate to the Black Mechanic Scholarship
Fund. We hope this serves as a tool to market the availability of this scholarship. Options would include: $5,
$20, $100, $500, other amount.
We will be asking people to fill out a digital survey about their experience on the ride. We want to know what
they learned on the ride, through the audio guide, and/or through the digital storymap, and whether or not it
made a difference in their lives as residents of Iowa City.
How much money we raise will also be a determinant of the activity. In the next three to five years, we will know
if the scholarship is working to create diversity in the local bike shops.
How many people go on each ride will be a key metric, and how they respond to the survey will be the key
subjective metric. Other metrics include: the number of donations, number of hits on the playlist, interactions on
the digital storymap, reviews from prominent figures in the community, and reviews from our Black partners and
featured sites/businesses.
The web resources will be available for years to come, which will include the routes and the educational
material: digital storymap, audio narrations, research, visuals, and downloadable PDF for offline riding.
In listening to the site narrations and interacting with the storymap, riders/users will engage with accounts
outlining the importance of each location through a different lens. Anytime someone is able to interact with the
stories of others, they are less likely to carry prejudices and preconceived notions about those who are
different from them. If we share stories and lift up voices, everyone who engages with those voices can act from
a place of greater understanding.
Finally, the Black Mechanic Scholarship fund will be used to work against inequalities in the bike industry.
This is a community project. Everything we have mentioned above is for the community. Sharing those metrics
is something we will do via our website and social media. However, those metrics are of less significance to us
than the primary mission of the ride: to educate and build a stronger community.
We also hope to increase volunteership in our organization by connecting with more community members. We
also hope that there will be more diversity in the bike shops, including our own.
Yes. Our goal is to host an annual Raise It Up Ride series where we raise up voices from different communities.
The mobile units can be moved and are weatherproof. Special care will be taken in the design and creation to
keep them from deteriorating.
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Professional services include consultation from “The Brown Bike Girl,” Courtney Williams, a Black community
organizer and cycling who specializes in fostering inclusivity in the biking industry for people of color. Her
insights will be instrumental in propelling us to follow through our mission.
We are also working with a professional storymap designer, a graphic artist, a professional 3D designer for the
exhibit apparatuses, and a tech developer to build the Raspberry Pi components.
Two professors of African American studies were consulted for the research component of this initiative; they
guided our research team on a pro-bono basis. We will also be compensating our narrators; though most of
the voices featured are not “professional” voice actors, we believe each narrator deserves to be compensated
for their efforts.
Our goal is to ensure that everything provided to riders and digital viewers will have a sophisticated look and
feel.
Funding Amount Request
4,000.00$
Professional services include consultation from “The Brown Bike Girl,” Courtney Williams. Artwork for the logo
designed in collaboration with local Black artists. Materials for the creation of the mobile information exhibit
apparatus that will house the Raspberry Pi audio devices. The materials for the Raspberry Pi which include:
solar panel, waterproof case, battery, battery charger, and adaptor.
Currently the Bike Library's budget is $118,000. However, we have put an offer in to purchase our own building
at 1222 South Gilbert Ct. We are slated to close at the end of January 2021 and if that happens our budget will
increase by at least $30,000.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 300.00$3,050.00$650.00$
Professional Services 300.00$1,150.00$450.00$
Equipment/Hardware 0.00$1,500.00$0.00$
Outside Printing 0.00$200.00$0.00$
Misc. Supplies 0.00$200.00$200.00$
April 2021 - September 2021 is when we will be releasing and marketing the Raise It Up Rides. We've been
gathering research since August 2020 and will continue to buildup the ride components throughout the
beginning of 2021 since most of the work will be done by staff and volunteers of the Bike Library.
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Most of the money will be spent at the beginning of 2021 as the sites or checkpoints depend on having the
mobile site apparatus' installed prior to the ride starting in the Spring of 2021.
Yes. We received funding from the Climate Action Grant in partnership with the Neighborhood Centers of
Johnson county for $5,000.00 for youth bike programs development in 2017.
In 2017 the City of Iowa City, World of Bikes, and the Bike Library partnered to provide youth with bicycles and
the project was awarded $3,250.00.
No. We are not planning to apply for additional funding for this activity unless we do not receive funding
through the SJRE grant.
The activity is dependent on receiving the SJRE grant only.
Yes No
The project can be completed with less funding through it might put a financial strain on the organization.
Because our budget has the potential to be $30,000 more in 2021 with the purchase of a new building we will
need to be extremely conservative in spending in 2021 and will need to cut expenses anywhere we can.
Without funding we will likely no be able to design, build, and create the equipment and hardware needed to
give the mobile units a sophisticated look and fee. We will likely not be able to pay for the professional services
need to make this project the best that it can be. Without funding the project will still exist though we believe it
will have far less of an impact than it could. The resources provided by the ride storymap, audio companions,
site apparatuses, and route materials to educate riders on the history of systemic racism and injustice, is an
important component to holistic learning and sharing of information.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
Iowa City Bike Library
Social Justice Racial Equity
Project Budget June 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
Project Budget 1-Nov-21 1-Apr-22 31-Jul-22
Revenue:
Fees
Grants
Other revenue
4000
300
2850
450
Total revenue 4000 300 3050 650
Expense:
Professional Services
Educational Materials
Marketing/Advertising
Equipment/Hardware
Rentals
Supplies
Outside Printing
Miscellaneous Supplies
19001
15002
200
400
300
0
0
1150
1500
200
200
450
0
200
Total expenses 4000
300 3050 650
1. Professional services include: artist fee, narration stipend, guided tour compensation,
consulting fee.
2. Equipment/Hardware includes: Raspberry Pi radio component, design and creation of
the mobile information exhibit apparatus that will house the Raspberry Pi.
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
University of Iowa Labor Center
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52242
Country
USA
Street Address
100 BVC W130
Address Line 2
319-335-4144
labor-center@uiowa.edu
https://laborcenter.uiowa.edu/
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Jennifer Sherer
Director
319-335-4145
jennifer-sherer@uiowa.edu
The mission of The University of Iowa Labor Center is to provide educational programs and research support
to Iowa’s working people and their organizations. Since 1951, the Labor Center has acted as a bridge between
the University and Iowa’s labor community.
70
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
In the past two years, the Labor Center built on decades of community outreach and education projects to
launch the Corridor Apprenticeship Opportunity Network, a new initiative to link unemployed or underemployed
Iowa City residents from underrepresented groups with opportunities to apply and succeed in Iowa Registered
Apprentice programs in skilled trades in advanced manufacturing or construction.
Working in coordination with multiple local nonprofit and labor partners, we provided leadership development
training to dozens of local residents leading up to initial participant recruitment for our pilot apprenticeship
readiness course in 2019, then developed and offered the first full course for corridor residents in January,
2020. With space for up to 30 participants in the first cohort, we received over twice as many applicants as we
could accommodate, illustrating the strong demand for the program and services it offers. Those who
completed the January 2020 course held in Johnson County included five women, 25 people of color (20 Black,
two Asian, two Latinx), and 15 youth age 17-24, and 18 first-generation immigrants. After COVID-19 made in-
person instruction unsafe in 2020, we converted the apprenticeship readiness course to an online format
delivered via Zoom. We offered two summer sessions and two fall sessions of the online course in 2020. Based
on demographic information provided by the 103 total participants who completed our apprenticeship
readiness course in 2020 (either in-person or online), 27 self-identified as women, 51 as Black, 3 as Asian, 1
as American Indian/Alaska Native, 1 as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 7 as having a disability. These
totals met or exceeded each of our 2020 goals to reach members of underrepresented groups, including
enrollment of at least 25% women and 50% people of color in the apprenticeship readiness course.
Our 2020 Course graduates are now in the process of applying to apprenticeship programs, with one graduate
already successfully placed and working in the field via the Laborers apprenticeship program in Cedar Rapids.
Proposal
In addition to steps described above, this program was initiated as an outgrowth of longstanding partnerships
between the Labor Center and trades apprenticeship programs, building trades unions, and community
organizations that serve low-income residents, youth, and people of color. The program has been developed
from a process of bringing these groups together to identify common interests in increasing the recruitment of
women, youth, and people of color to apprenticeship training and eliminating long-standing barriers faced by
women and people of color in accessing training and employment in living-wage jobs in the construction
industry (for example, nationally less than 3% of frontline construction trades jobs are held by women, and less
than 15% are held by people of color). The program is also being modeled on successful initiatives to increase
equity in the construction industry in other parts of the country.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
In 2021, the Corridor Apprenticeship Opportunity Network will offer: 1) outreach and orientation workshops to
connect members of underrepresented groups with high-quality job training opportunities, 2) two sessions of a
new preparatory skills-based apprenticeship readiness course for local residents interested in qualifying for a
registered apprenticeship, 3) direct connection of participants who complete the preapprentice program with
eastern Iowa apprenticeship training coordinators, and 4) access to leadership development and peer support
networks to ensure the success of women and people of color who enter registered apprentice programs as
underrepresented minorities.
The ultimate goal of the network is a sustainable system for bridging significant gaps between high-quality
apprenticeship opportunities and Iowa City residents who are underrepresented in skilled trades, resulting in a
clear pipeline for women and workers of color to high-quality jobs in these occupations. A network system of
this kind is especially important for a community like Iowa City because the majority of registered apprentice
training programs local residents may be eligible for are located in Cedar Rapids or the Quad Cities (even
though many of the job opportunities presented following completion of such apprentice programs are located
in Iowa City due to its growth and booming construction market). Local intermediaries with strong partnership
relationships and a willingness to assist underrepresented participants with overcoming barriers to qualifying
and attending apprentice training in a nearby community are essential to connecting local residents with these
programs, supporting their success once they enroll, and ensuring their placement in local jobs after they
complete training.
This program advances social justice by actively recruiting women and people of color into high-quality job
training programs in occupations where they have traditionally been underrepresented, and by leveling the
playing field for women and people of color in local employment markets. The program advances racial equity
by diminishing the substantial existing gaps between access of white and non-white residents to high-quality
training and job opportunities.
The program addresses employment along with education and building community. The program’s primary
interventions aim to increase employment opportunities for underrepresented groups and diversify high-quality
apprenticeship training programs. The program also addresses the priority area of education by providing
preparatory skills-based education as well as leadership development programming (encompassing verbal and
written communication, knowledge of workplace rights and roles, and problem-solving skills). The program also
addresses the priority area of community building through outreach events in coordination with local nonprofit
and labor partners and the creation of peer networks to support success of women and people of color who
enter registered apprenticeship training programs.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
The program fulfills a need for equitable access to affordable high-quality training and good jobs. Economic
inequality and poverty remain significant local problems. In Johnson County, 18% of residents live in poverty
(above the national average), and women 18-24 are the largest category of residents living below the poverty
line. The latest ALICE report additionally indicates that 49% of Iowa City residents are “living in poverty or
struggling to meet basic needs.”
Both women and the growing percentage of non-white local residents (now over 16%) are disproportionately
likely to experience poverty. Statistics show that Iowa women on average continue to earn 18.6% less than men
(BLS, 2017), though in Johnson County the gender wage gap is even wider with men earning 22.5% more on
average (ACS 5-year estimate). Salaries of black Johnson County residents average only 54% of the average
white residents’ salaries (ACS 5-year estimate).
Registered apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing and construction trades are widely recognized as
important paths to good jobs that pay decent wages, and because apprenticeships allow workers to “earn and
learn,” they enable low-income participants to gain training and start on a living-wage career path without fear
of crippling debt. But barriers to access remain primary obstacles. According to the U.S. Department of Labor,
“women and minorities continue to face substantial barriers to entry into and, for some groups, completion of
registered apprenticeships, despite their availability.” This is especially true for women and black workers:
across the country in 2017, only 7.3 percent of registered apprentices were women (even though women make
up 47% of the labor force), and only 10.7 percent of apprentices were black. Preapprentice programs and
support networks like the one we are proposing have been found to play an important role in improving
underrepresented groups’ access to apprenticeships, and ensuring better completion rates for women and
minority apprentices.
This program also responds directly to an educational need identified in multiple local community forums and
dialogues in recent years, where Iowa City educators and youth have identified a lack of access to trade skills
programs in local high schools as a barrier to opportunity for local high school graduates who do not plan to
attend college.
Our program relies on two important forms of partnership: 1) with local nonprofit, labor, and faith-based
organizations who are committed to expanding job opportunities for their members of underrepresented
groups, and 2) with the IowaWORKS offices of Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa joint labor-management
apprentice program coordinators who are committed to diversifying their training programs. Local nonprofit
partners who are actively connecting members, clients, or students from underrepresented groups to our
program include the Center for Worker Justice, Shelter House, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County,
Inside Out Reentry, Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG), Sudanese American Association, League of
United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and the Iowa City Federation of Labor.
State and regional partnerships are also important for our program. Because ours is the first program of its
kind in Iowa, in order to introduce best practices and develop robust peer support networks the program will
plan events that draw on expertise and mentorship of groups such as Chicago Women in the Trades, Policy
Group on Tradeswomen’s Issues, and the National Building Trades Academy.
Anticipated demographics served by specific components of the program include:
-Outreach events and informational workshops: 250 low-income workers or high school students (30% or below
AMI), at least 50% of whom are women and at least 50% of whom are people of color
-Preapprentice education program: 50 workers, at least 25% of whom are women and at least 50% of whom
are people of color
-Iowa Women in Trades Network: participation of 15 new workers (in addition to current participants), 100% of
whom are women
-Iowans of Color in Trades Network: initial convening of 15 workers, 100% of whom are people of color
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
The program goals over a period of 12 months (July 2021 – June 2022) are to reach at least 250 local workers
and students in outreach and recruitment events, enroll at least 50 local residents in two full sessions of the
apprenticeship readiness course, and include at least 40 course graduates in support network activities
designed to boost success of women and workers of color who go on to apply to registered apprenticeship
programs.
We are requesting funding in order to offer all outreach and information workshops and the apprenticeship
readiness course free of charge. Access to first aid/CPR certifications, OSHA-10 certifications, and the
nationally recognized Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) used in our apprenticeship readiness course carry
fees of $100-$150 per person, so we are requesting funding via this grant to enable local low-income
participants to access the curriculum and receive recognized all the certifications upon completion of the
course free of charge.
What are the outcomes and performance measures for the program, service or activity? *
-At least 250 low-income residents will participate in outreach events and informational workshops to learn
about apprenticeship opportunities
-At least 50 local residents will enroll in the apprenticeship readiness course and over 50% of them will enroll in
a registered apprentice program with a year following the course
-At least 30 local residents will become new participants in peer support networks designed to support women
and people of color entering skilled trades apprenticeship training programs
Program benchmarks are based on existing demographics of eastern Iowa apprenticeship programs, with
outcomes measured against this baseline. For example, some apprenticeship training programs currently have
zero women enrolled; some larger programs have 3-5 women enrolled out of 100-200 active apprentices.
Apprenticeship training programs in some trades have begun active recruitment of people of color and have
multiple apprentices of color enrolled; others have few to none. By the end of 2021, our goal is to show at least
a 5% increase in enrollment of women and people of color in the apprenticeship programs where we place
graduates of our course, and to support successful enrollment into apprenticeship of at least 50% of graduates
within one year of having completed our course.
The Corridor Apprentice Opportunity Network aims to provide model pathways for diversifying skilled trades
and other occupations in which women and people of color are underrepresented. Developing a clear step-
wise process for recruiting, preparing, and connecting underrepresented residents with high-quality job training
opportunities and supporting their success by offering leadership development and peer networking has the
potential to benefit a wide range of organizations and individuals in our community who may want to tap into the
network or replicate this process within their own organizations to improve access to family-sustaining jobs. In
2021 as the next step in this development, we plan to develop checklists for best practices to offer to training
programs, community organizations, unions, and contractors who are partners in this project and committed to
helping achieve its goals.
Outcomes will continue to be shared via public events, press releases, Labor Center annual reports presented
to organizational partners, and newsletters published on our web site and social media. We have recorded
orientation sessions now available on our web site and will offer at least two additional online live orientation
sessions in 2021. We also have scheduled time on the agendas of state and regional building trades council
2021 meetings and conferences to deliver presentations on the project.
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
We intend to continue coordinating the network with a strong cohort of local residents who can in turn become
peer mentors for future participants. While the number of outreach events we can sponsor and levels of
support we can provide to individual participants (e.g. in the form of scholarships, translation/interpretation,
transportation, or other services) may vary in future years depending on available funding, we intend to
maintain partnerships established via the network as part of our general operations, and the apprenticeship
readiness course curriculum will remain available indefinitely (though ability to offer the course for free will
depend on available funding). If the network shows successful outcomes, it will increase the likelihood that
organizational sponsors or other foundation funders will support it with additional funding in future years.
Funding to pay professional translators, interpreters and/or ESL tutors is requested. This funding will enable
full inclusion of English language learners and/or deaf participants in events, workshops, or leadership
development programs.
Funding Amount Request
20,000.00$
In addition to the funding for professional services detailed above, funding is requested for:
-marketing/advertising ($500 for fliers and newspaper advertisements to publicize the kickoff event and initial
outreach workshops)
-outside printing ($500 for copies of materials to distribute in workshops)
-funds to offset per-person fees associated with national MC3 curriculum certification, OSHA-10 certification,
and first aid/CPR certification ($1,000 to offset any fees not covered by other funding sources)
-language interpretation/translation or ESL tutoring support ($3,000 to pay providers of these services)
-lost wage stipends ($10,000 to provide partial wage-replacement incentives for low-income participants who
enroll in apprenticeship readiness course
-operational costs ($5,000 to support staff instruction and administration time)
2021-22 projected organizational budget is estimated at 500,000. The Labor Center is a unit of the University
of Iowa College of Law which (beginning in 2019) receives no general fund support from the University. All
Labor Center programming must be sustained by programming fees, grant funding, or other external sources.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 10,000.00$10,000.00$$
Marketing/Advertising 250.00$250.00$$
Outside Printing 250.00$250.00$$
Educational Materials 500.00$500.00$$
Professional Services 1,500.00$1,500.00$$
Participant Stipends 5,000.00$5,000.00$$
Operational Expenses 2,500.00$2,500.00$$
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
-July-August: Outreach and orientation events to recruit for fall apprenticeship readiness course
-September: Fall session of apprenticeship readiness course
-October-November: Placement of course graduates in registered apprenticeship training programs and follow-
up support activities to ensure success of graduates in apprenticeship training; start monthly meetings of Iowa
Women in Trades and Iowans of Color in Trades network meetings
-December-January: Outreach and orientation events to recruit for winter apprenticeship readiness course
-February: Winter session of apprenticeship readiness course
-March-April: Placement of course graduates in registered apprenticeship training programs and follow-up
support activities to ensure success of graduates in apprenticeship training; include new graduates in monthly
meetings of Iowa Women in Trades and Iowans of Color in Trades network meetings
Expenses will be incurred in conjunction with course cohorts and events scheduled in accordance with the
timeline of activities provided above.
Yes:
2019: $15,200
2020: $15,500
In 2019, the Labor Center secured funding from Iowa Workforce Development to create a new quality
preapprentice education program and to deliver it to to at least 200 Iowa workers ($125,000 running from
January 2019 – October 2020), and this funding was enhanced with additional temporary funds from the IWD
Employer Innovation Fund at the end of 2020. This temporary funding supported the significant Labor Center
staff time required to build new partnerships, develop curriculum, offer instruction, and coordinate support
services. 2019-2020 Iowa City Social Justice Racial Equity funding additionally supported local outreach
events, leadership development programming, and translation/interpretation services to enable access for
English Language Learners. A grant of $10,000 from the Iowa Women’s Foundation for 2021 will support
activities related to increasing women’s opportunities in the skilled trades. For 2021, we have one additional
grant of $50,000 to support staffing, instruction, and administration of the program so far, which is less than
half as much funding secured in prior years (we are continuing to pursue additional sources to support staffing
and administration of the program in 2021).
We are requesting 2021 SJRE grant funding to support attendance of two full cohorts of local residents in the
new apprenticeship readiness course, and to expand and sustain peer support networks for all local graduates
of the program. Funding requested will cover the cost of curriculum registration fees and support the proposed
outreach events, leadership development programming, peer networking and support services that existing
research suggests are necessary to make such programs highly accessible to local women and people of color
and to maximize the success of underrepresented residents who enroll.
Yes, we are actively seeking sources of additional funding to make this program sustainable beyond 2021.
See above; funding for creating necessary partnerships and developing the apprenticeship readiness course
made it possible to lay groundwork for launching this program in 2019; the program is now fully operational and
supporting multiple cohorts of participants in 2020 and 2021. SJRE funding will allow local residents to
participate free of charge and to receive critical wrap-around and support services.
Yes No
If additional funds to support instruction time and administration of the program are not secured for 2021-22,
we would continue the program but at a reduced scale.
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Organizational Information
Physicians for Social Responsibility-Iowa
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
US
Street Address
20 E Market St #200
Address Line 2
319-828-4789
info@psriowa.org
https://www.psriowa.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Maureen McCue
Board President
319-530-7488
mickiq@earthlink.net
Prevent What We Cannot Cure. In specific: "Guided by the values and science of medicine and public health,
PSR Iowa works to protect life and health from the gravest threats to survival: Climate change, environmental
degradation, nuclear weapons, and social injustice."
35
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
Earth Day events where we worked hard with City agents to engage the broader Iowa City population.
Proposal
The billboard project evolved from the awareness of a large US military budget, the injustices implied and
contained within that excessive spending and the search for new and better ways to communicate this message
to the broader public. An existing campaign currently being organized by WorldBeyondWar.org provided the
model for our project.
PSR-Iowa's project is a billboard/bus-board campaign designed to raise public and voter awareness about the
extensive US military budget and ways that those monies could be spent more justly and equitably.
For example, a current message being utilized by World Beyond War: "3% of US military spending could end
starvation on Earth." The project proposes to enlighten voters and the public on ways that money spent on the
military budget could be used to instead address homelessness, food insecurity, clean water issues, etc.
The project intersects with the areas of building community, housing, and health.
Community need: housing, food security, a more just and equitable society. The project will not directly address
these needs. Instead it will raise awareness and work to change the current narrative/norm.
The project may include collaboration with other local organization with whom we have partnered in the past
such as 100 Grannies, Sierra Club and Veterans for Peace. Collaboration would be in the form of announced
support for the program, but not financial support.
From one perspective, the project aims to reach all community members by promoting the need for a more
equitable and just community. Our project intends to focus, at least initially, on housing and food security, so
folks struggling with those issues would potentially be "served" by the project. The messages placed on the bus
routes will directly impact bus riders. Billboards will reach others.
Difficult to estimate numbers reached; intended to reach much of community over the initial 2 month period of
messaging.
No charge directly. Bus riders would see messages on the bus as a result of paying the rider fee.
Raised awareness is somewhat difficult to measure. Public calls for decreased military spending would be one
outcome/performance measure. A decrease in military budget and an increased focus on nuclear disarmament
are other outcomes/performance measures. Increased support for social safety net programs is also a
potential outcome.
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Increased traffic on organization website and social media pages are one indicator. Lobbying of legislators,
letters to the editor and other types of public outcry are other indicators. Increased support for social safety net
programs also an indicator.
The project intends to specifically identify the amount of Johnson Co. tax payer money that is allocated to the
US military budget and then identify the level of housing and/or food security in Johnson Co. that amount of
funds could provide instead. That information would be the content of the messages for the billboards and bus-
boards.
The information will be shared via the billboards and bus-boards, also via the PSR-Iowa website and social
media pages.
There is a tentative plan to continue the project, using organization general funds. That is dependent upon
outcomes of the initial efforts.
No fees for professional services--services for message designs are being donated.
Funding Amount Request
8,000.00$
The funding would go directly to Lamar Advertising Co. to purchase billboard ads, and to local printer for
printing costs for bus board ads.
35,017.00
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grants 0.00$0.00$8,000.00$
Marketing/Advertising 0.00$0.00$8,000.00$
The billboard and bus board ads would be run for a 2 month time period.
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
The funds would be spent soon after receipt, to purchase billboard space, and to print ads to place on bus
lines.
No.
No.
Not at this time.
Not seeking additional funding at this time.
Yes No
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
Organizational Information
University of Iowa Liberal Arts Beyond Bars
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52242
Country
USA
Street Address
301 Calvin Hall
Address Line 2
University of Iowa
319-621-5738
heather-erwin@uiowa.edu
https://liberalartsbeyondbars.uc.uiowa.edu/
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Heather Erwin
Director
3196215738
heather-erwin@uiowa.edu
The Purpose of the UI LABB college in prison program is to offer high quality postsecondary degree granting
coursework to people incarcerated in Iowa and specific reentry support to LABB alumni and other free world
students impacted by the criminal legal system. Our Core Values are: collaborations at the State and National
levels; deliberate incorporation of student voices; meaningful contributions to research; advocacy for policy
change; and disruption of mass incarceration
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
3
UI LABB has worked in partnership with Inside Out Reentry Community on several projects over the course of
the last three years, as well as in conjunction with other community members and academic partners. In
February 2020, just before COVID-19 caused mass shutdowns and closures, UI LABB partnered with Kirkwood
Community College, U of Iowa’s College of Social Work faculty, and community mental health workers to
organize a community forum on Mental Health Care in Prison, held at the Iowa Medical and Classification
Center correctional facility. Incarcerated students from Kirkwood Professor Heidi Pierce’s UI LABB class bearing
the same name (Mental Health Care in Prison) presented papers and led discussions at the forum.
Proposal
The University of Iowa Liberal Arts Beyond Bars (UI LABB) program has previously engaged with the Tippie
College of Business to offer limited access for students incarcerated at the Iowa Medical and Classification
Center (IMCC) to complete Tippie’s Entrepreneurial Management Certificate, which consists of five upper-level
courses related to entrepreneurship. The certificate has only been available to a limited number of LABB
students who have reached their junior year of academic eligibility, or who have already graduated with a
Bachelor’s degree.
There is much to recommend entrepreneurial training for people who have been impacted by the criminal legal
system. It is continuingly difficult to secure employment due to the existence of background checks on
employment applications as well as stigma existing as collateral consequences of incarceration.
Entrepreneurship skills serve to help a person start their own business, but build the important skills of self
promotion through story-telling (otherwise known as a “pitch”), public and social networking, and professional
presentation. Upon recognizing the need for a program that more directly addresses the needs of a broader
group of students, both those who are incarcerated and those formerly incarcerated, we developed a two-
session certificate program that introduces students to the idea of the “entrepreneurial mindset” as an ideal
position from which to approach reentry.
The courses incorporate necessary digital literacy skill building for people returning to Johnson County after
serving their term of incarceration, and includes the provision of a refurbished Dell laptop computer that the
enrolled entrepreneurship student can use during the courses, and then keep after they’ve completed the
certificate program.
The program UI LABB seeks to develop and deliver is an Entrepreneurship certificate of courses designed
specifically for students who have served sentences of incarceration, paying special attention to the barriers
and stigma resulting from that legal system impact.
The entrepreneurship certificate helps students who have been incarcerated to build skills that will both help
them get a job, or to create their own business. The certificate also provides opportunities to network with
business leaders in the community and within the university. This helps to destigmatize people who have been
impacted by the criminal legal system and expands opportunities for their continuing engagement within the
community.
People of color are over-represented in the criminal legal system and are more likely to have difficulty securing
employment because of discriminatory hiring practices. This program provides expanded access to educational
opportunities for people who have criminal legal system involvement, and also serves the social justice goals of
increasing employability and empowering students through skill and confidence building.
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
This program empowers formerly incarcerated people to start businesses, contribute to and participate in the
local economy, and employ others. These activities are crucial, especially as the Iowa City community seeks to
recover from the social and economic damage created by the coronavirus pandemic.
There are no partnerships or collaborations at this time.
LABB students range in age from 18-66 and are all male. Sixty three percent of LABB college in prison
program participants are white, while Black, Hispanic, and Native American students make up the remaining 37
percent. We anticipate that entrepreneurial certificate program participants will meet the same demographical
parameters.
We estimate that approximately 30 community members would be able to engage in the Entrepreneurial
Certificate Program, completing all elements of the program and qualifying for a tablet or laptop computer over
the course of the 2021 calendar year.
There is no charge associated with the program, just a commitment to learn.
Students participating in the Entrepreneurial Certificate Program will successfully complete required
assignments for each course in the series, will engage in class discussions, and will work collaboratively with
other students to create a business plan.
Academic metrics and indicators, as presented in the course syllabi, will be used to measure outcomes and
performance.
Students, faculty teaching in the certificate program, and LABB staff will engage in community outreach in order
to engage with established community and university organizations and specific stakeholders to bring attention
to the obstacles faced by people who have served terms on incarceration to starting their own businesses, and
even simply telling their own stories. We anticipate, post-COVID, the ability to convene a focus group of these
community stakeholders to examine how the program has influenced their teaching and community
engagement.
UI LABB has a website and facebook group page, as well as a newsletter, that will be used to disseminate
information about the results of this project.
Yes, UI LABB has connections within Tippie College of Business and the Public Policy Center and is working to
create a sustained program plan incorporated into University College, which houses the LABB program, and
Tippie’s JPEC Center.
N/A
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Funding Amount Request
6,575.00$
Requested funding for the entrepreneurial certificate program will be used to purchase laptop computers to
distribute to certificate participants upon program completion, for instructor compensation, and for a
percentage of operational expenses related to marketing and recruitment for the program.
The LABB program budget consists of staff salaries equaling $95,000 and instructor fees that vary, but usually
average $60,000, for a total annual budget of $155,000.
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Fees 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Grants 6,250.00$225.00$100.00$
Other Revenue 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Professional Services 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Educational Materials 150.00$150.00$50.00$
Marketing/Advertising 50.00$25.00$0.00$
Equipment/Hardware 6,000.00$0.00$0.00$
Rentals 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Supplies 50.00$50.00$0.00$
Outside Printing 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Misc. Supplies 50.00$0.00$0.00$
Beginning at grant receipt we will begin recruiting course participants through marketing, social media outreach
and word of mouth (April 1 through June 30). We will purchase laptop computers to be distributed for use in the
first course. The first eight week session will run concurrent with the Fall 2021 academic year, beginning
August and completing the end of October. The second eight week session will run for the second half of the
academic semester, beginning the final week of October and completing before the Winter Break. We expect to
have 15 students enrolled in the first cohort of students. The second cohort of students will be recruited during
the Fall academic semester and will begin their coursework in concurrence with the Spring 2022 Academic
Semester, following the same timeline as cohort one and completing at the end of May 2022. The Fall semester
of 2022 will be used to compile evaluations and information regarding program performance and completion.
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Social Justice Racial Equity
Project Budget June 1, 2021 – June 1, 2022
Project Budget 1-Nov20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Revenue:
Fees 0 0 0 0
Grants $6,575 $6,250 $225 $100
Other Revenue 0 0 0 0
Total Revenue:
Expenses:
Professional Services 0 0 0 0
Educational Materials $350 $150 $150 $50
Marketing/Advertising $75 $50 $25
Equipment/Hardware $6,000 $6,000 0 0
Rentals 0 0 0 0
Supplies $100 $50 $50
Outside Printing 0 0 0 0
Miscellaneous Supplies $50 0 0 $50
Total Expenses: $6,575 $6,250 $225 $100
No funding from the City of Iowa City has been received to date.
No prior funding has been received for this project.
The funds received from the City of Iowa City would provide the total expenses associated with this project.
N/A
Yes No
Possibly. We could reduce the number of laptop computers we intend to distribute, or do away with the
distribution of technology devices all together.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
Organizational Information
Successful Living
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
2406 Towncrest Drive
Address Line 2
3194711809
cphelps@icsuccess.org
https://www.icsuccess.org/
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Carla Phelps
Director, Grants & Development
3194711809
cphelps@icsuccess.org
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
Our Mission
Successful Living builds an integrated and compassionate community working with adults who have chronic
mental illness through effective and innovative housing, outreach, group programs and supports in the greater
Iowa City area.
Our Vision
To be a leader in the mental health community in a continuously changing environment by:
• Providing excellent client-centered services.
• Creating rewarding opportunities for staff.
• Being financially sound allowing for fair and equitable compensation and growth.
23
Successful Living is a local nonprofit agency who works only with the Chronically Mentally Ill in Iowa City. In
2019 we asked the East Central Region of Iowa's DHS to sponsor training for Intensive Psychiatric
Rehabilitation (IPR). At our request they arranged for an IPR expert to travel here, and our agency and others
sent staff to take the 6 weeks of training to become certified practitioners, as required by the state of Iowa to
practice. It took another year for Iowa to approve our new IPR programming, which entails a two year program
for each client accepted into the program, and consists of both one:one work and group work, with the object
being for clients to drive their own expedited recovery from their mental illness symptoms and to succeed at life
goals they themselves set. One goal might be, eg, to become employed part-time; another to get a driver's
license; another to live independently. Some goals are quite ambitious while others are more humble. Todd
Foss, one of our agency's newly trained IPR staff, who is charismatic, high energy and upbeat, set up our new
program and ran it himself, as Director, networking and attracting a groundswell of client referrals. It wasn't long
before he had to hire two more practitioners to handle the workload. Then he took on 2 interns and a part-time
clerk. At present he is advertising for 2 more fulltime practitioners and the program has moved into larger
offices to accommodate the demands of this most successful program. 19 clients are each in their own arcs of
their two year IPR programming, developing strategies to accomplish their life goals, and another ~15 clients
are on the waiting list. News of this new program travelled fast and it is popular in our community.
Proposal
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Our agency takes care of the Chronically Mentally Ill exclusively. Only two requirements are necessary for an
individual to enter our programming: 1) a psychiatric diagnosis and 2) being poor (which makes them eligible
for Medicaid, which reimburses us for the psychiatrically-based supportive services our agency offers). Often
these clients move into our high-needs houses which have greater staffing in order to provide the stronger
support needed by these clients. Clients can stay with us indefinitely as far as we are concerned. However,
what we are learning is that as the general population ages, including those in our agency houses, they
become ineligible to receive our type of supportive services when they turn 65. That is, as they go on to a
combination of Medicare and Medicaid, their doctor bills, for example, continue to be paid, but no longer will
psychiatrically-based supportive services like ours be reimbursed. In other words, they can no longer receive
our help. Since our houses are for people who require this type of help from our agency, it becomes necessary
to help them find another place to live. What we have found is that no one will take them, basically. Our agency
wants to find a solution for these elderly clients, and indeed must find one because it is untenable as it is, and
since this entire generation of baby boomers will continue to age, the problem will get worse instead of better.
We have found through our agency experience that nursing homes will not accept the elderly who have chronic
or severe mental illnesses because they do not offer those types of services and do not have such expertise in
their facilities. Our Housing program has identified a number of people who will soon age out and our Outreach
program (who help people who do not live on agency-owned homes) recently had two such clients. After
searching for months and many staff hours later, one client was able to relocate to a nursing home on the
other side of Iowa, far from family and friends. The other never did find a placement and was evicted from his
apartment because of his dementia symptoms (not because of his mental health symptoms) and on his last day
was admitted to UIHC. He still has no housing in place. Our own agency stats from 2019:
Age
18-29: 18%
30-49: 36%
50-64: 42%
65-70: 6%
The program: We want to fund an expert in psychiatric social work, familiar and experienced with Iowa's
governmental inner workings, and Iowa statutes on mental health care and aging, to research how this policy
(described above) came about, and more importantly what is required to change the policy. Ideally what
Successful Living would prefer is to keep these clients and to continue to bill their Medicaid accounts for the
services we provide - overseeing medications; drs appointments; counselling re mood regulation; grocery
shopping, and other duties to ensure life satisfaction for our clients.
The primary injustice that is blatantly clear is ageism. Our CMI clients cross all borders in terms of ethnicity,
race, skin color, gender identity and nonbinary identity. We make no differentiation in our admits because
mental illness does not differentiate - but mental illness causes biases and injustices to be harsher on
individuals. And the worst comes when clients are no longer about to receive our agency's care due to their
AGE! And must move, but other facilities won't accept due to their diagnoses, caused by their AGES. This is
simply wrong on a moral level and impractical on other levels. When clients reach 65, they are moved on to a
"Elderly Waiver" program for certain services, visiting nurses and so forth, but this Waiver does NOT cover our
agency's supportive services. Successful Living has been unable to discover how this policy was created or
why. Why would the elderly be shifted to a less helpful system of care? Except for bias?
Health and Housing are the two obvious priority areas, and Community Building too. The study and fact-finding
we wish to engage in will form the basis of solving this problem faced by the elderly who are coping with
psychiatric illness.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
This study will provide the foundation for our agency, possibly along with other agencies, to affect change
relative to our senior population who, for example, may have schizophrenia and hear voices. Some of these
seniors live in agency houses like ours until turning 65, while others may not be receiving our types of services
at all and suffer in inappropriate living situations. Our agency's hands on experience already demonstrates the
need as we have tried and failed to help people transition to new living situations. The upshot is that we have
learned of clients moving into nursing homes without disclosing their psychiatric diagnoses, or moving in with
little known relatives who have no experience in this area. Ultmately these seniors are at risk of becoming
homelessness, which may be they have experienced earlier in life - it may be they came to Successful Living
after being homeless. Without the help and support of agencies like ours, these vulnerable people will be using
public services like hospitals or law enforcement interactions, shelters, at great community cost.The need is for
them to be allowed to remain or to move to where they can get the best care that is most efficient, which are
homes like those owned and run by Successful Living.
At present Successful Living is pursuing this funding as a single agency merely because it is expedient, more
than working with a multi-agency committee to get this done. However, our Executive Director works with three
groups of providers in collaborating on various issues of common concern and this matter has been discussed
in those groups. They will be in the loop as this study commences and produces regular reports so that all may
share the knowledge. Another thing we have deduced is that while this matter is viewed as concerning at other
agencies, Successful Living is one of the few who takes care of the mentally ill exclusively, plus provides them
housing. Therefore this challenge of the elderly with mental illness has likely appeared to us before becoming
as readily apparent to others who work with a mix of populations (neuro problems; intellectual disabiities - these
are two, and others work with multiple ages while we work only with adults) in addition to those with mental
illnesses. Other providers have vested interests in our agency's observations and concerns, and will later on
use this new knowledge base we bring to them. Further, we have on staff at our agency a member of the
Livable Community Policy Board, which is primarily concerned with the aging folks of Johnson County's
population, and how to make their lives better and safer. They freely admit they have no solution yet to the
problem we are addressing in this grant application, and do want to support an approach to helping resolve
these complex issues our senior clients are having to confront. We have not yet discussed this grant
application with them specifically, but if we are awarded funding, we will ask their help in selecting an expert
consultant and ask for their advice in how we further proceed. We believe Systems Unlimited, Reach for Your
Potential, Unlimited Abilities, Shelter House and others will be very interested in the results of this study. Most
sit on the provider committees attended by our Exec Director and partially help with this same population. And,
it may very well be that resources we uncover will be helpful with issues they have with their other client
populations we are not aware of.
Age
18-29: 18%
30-49: 36%
50-64: 42%
65-70: 6%
Above are the age stats at our agency for 2019. This illustrates the upward aging trend. We don't have
statistics for other elderly folks who require psychiatrically-based supportive services. We hope the consultant
we hire will shed light on this. At present our belief in an aging population is mainly anecdotal centered around
the baby boomer generation what most of our senior staff at Successful Living grew up in. We do have income
statistics for our clients that are reliable: ALL of our clients, including aged ones, come to us with nothing and
remain in the lowest 30% AMI, relying on SSI, which we help them manage, at less than $800/month.
Again, we don't have statistics for other elderly folks who require psychiatrically-based supportive services.
These are the community members this study program will ultimately help. These are folks who already reside
in a supportive environment similar to Successful Living's, and perhaps other people who would benefit from
such an environment. Going into the future we believe, as the total population ages, more and more ill people
necessarily be identified one way or another and hundreds of people every year will become elderly, including
those with psychiatric illnesses, who need our agency's type of supportive services to help them live their lives.
Supportive and housing help will benefit this population for decades.
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
No.
Performance of the expert consultant will be measured in terms of contacts made, relationships established
with government policy-makers and MCO mediators (who Successful Living has previously identified and
contacted during write-in and telephone campaigns when critical billing issues have arisen in the past).
Successful Living will form an internal committee to liaise with the consultant via Zoom on a regular basis to
discuss the consultants activities since the last meeting. An activity report will be expected bi-weekly. Activities
to be measured will include an examination of statutes defining billing rates for health, psychiatric services,
provider services and elder services. The consultant will also enter into discussions with relevant decision-
makers at the MCOs and at Elder Services to learn about the nature of change initiated at the state level and
passed on to the MCOs, and from the MCOs to providers/agencies. The consultant is also expected to make
contact with UIHC psychiatric and sub-specialty experts, including psychiatric social workers to discover new
perspectives in administering helpful supportive services and housing for the elderly with psychiatric illnesses,
points of view that may be new to Successful Living, which might also reveal a pathway to new elderly clients
needing our help. A comprehensive report at the end of the consultancy study containing a history of state
policies that led us to the problem we have defined, and a road map leading to a solution of change will be a
strong indication of the success of the program.
See the paragraph above.
This is a narrowly defined study to lead to a change of policy, to allow the elderly who live in Supportive
Housing and who receive psychiatrically-related supportive services from Successful Living and other similar
providers, to remain eligible to live and continue to receive those services without interruption after turning 65.
The results of the study will be shared and may reveal a methodology helpful to others who also need to
pursue solutions relative to their own billing populations, in addition to the elderly mentally ill. All of the nonprofit
providers help vulnerable populations, and such populations are nearly always subject to bias and societal
inequities. Our program we hope to fund with this application may illustrate a path forward as a tool in
correcting health deliveries and billing problems.
Our Executive Director who meets often and regularly with other Iowa City providers will publicize our results.
Livable Community will likely publicize the outcome in their Johnson County newsletter. The Senior Center will
be notified. All Successful Living staff will communicate with clients and with care managers and other agencies
as will clients. It may be appropriate to post to social media. We hope SJRE would issue a press release.
Successful Living will accept partial funding. Regardless of funding, our agency has no choice but to move
forward in discovering a solution to the problem of helping the elderly transition when they are no longer
eligible to receive our services. This is hard on our transitioning clients and hard on staff, and it is hard on the
agency's budget and will only become more of a challenge as time goes on. While we hope to receive full
funding, we will do what we must. If we can, we will "borrow" from one internal department's budget, maybe our
Housing program's, to fund this project. Or it may be possible to take out a second mortgage on one of our
houses. We would prefer to use grant money or fundraising money, but that won't be counted on if we haven't
yet received it.
The professional services are in the form of consultancy fees, $50/hour for 500 hours to extend around 18
months. This IS the total cost of the proposed program.
Funding Amount Request
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
25,000.00$
All funding will be monitored by Successful Living and meted out to the expert consultant on a regular basis,
the timing to be determined by prior negotiation.
$2.2M
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Grant SJRE $25,000.00$$
Expert Professional Consultant fees $25,000.00$$
(Note: the above schedule of dates doesn't fit our timeline. The money entered is only to show the total funding
in and the total funding out. The dates are incorrect for our purposes.) $25,000 total cost. We expect the
project to last 18 months, with 2 months leeway either direction due to flexibility of scheduling on the part of the
consultant and/or Successful Living management. 500 hours at $50/hour over 18 months = approximately (just
under) $1,400/month. We would hope to engage the expert by March 1, 2021. The expert consultant will work
on our study approximately 28 hours/month for the following 17 months (18 months in total). The Successful
Living committee guiding and monitoring the consultant's activities will meet at least twice/month and the
consultant will join in these Zoom meetings. This will continue until the conclusion of the study.
Over the next year the money would be spent March 1 - Dec 1, 2021, depending on the hours worked by the
expert. $50/hour. The total funding would be spend over 18 months as an hourly rate paid to an expert who will
delve into Iowa practices and local practices relative to health, billing, mental illness and taking care of the
elderly.
Yes, we were awarded approximately $794k in HOME/CDBG funds for down payments on house purchases
and rehab work. We also received $18k for FY20 in SJRE funds. We received a $5k award for operating costs
from Aid to Agencies FY19.
No.
No.
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Ple ase Explain:
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Successful Living allows for the possibility that additional funding may be required as the study moves forward.
At present time we do not believe more funding will be required, but if unforeseen circumstances arise, we
would hope to be able to fund it ourselves. There is urgency about this project and we do not want to
encounter any interruption or delay in completing it. We do sometimes receive donations and it is possible we
might have that to put toward any spending overage. It is more likely the amount would not be extraordinary in
our judgment and we would hope to fund this ourselves
Yes No
If necessary the agency probaby could take out a second mortgage on one of our houses with Hills Bank. We
can ill afford repayments, but if appended to an existing mortgage, we might be able to keep the payments
affordable. Our total revenues have suffered due to Covid 19, but our Finance Director might be able to find
money for us, but this would likely be on a time delayed basis. It could work, but not optimal. We do receive
some donations, and we can always solicit more, but that is uncertain. A bank loan is more reliable. We do
have good credit.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
Organizational Information
Sankofa Outreach Connection
City
Iowa City,
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
USA
Street Address
PO BOX 2664,
Address Line 2
319-541-0669
sankofaoutreach@gmail.com
www.sankofaoutreach.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Lisa Covington
Director
858-356-4038
profcov1@gmail.com
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
The Sankofa Outreach Connection (S.O.C.) promotes awareness of and appreciation for women of color
experiences through activities and events that enhance and strengthen cultural competence. The S.O.C.
engenders the need for intergenerational women of color to build connections and provide awareness and
information in regards to wealth, health and support through education, cultural and social events and
activities.
The S.O.C. was founded by women of color who also serve on the Board of Directors. The S.O.C. has been an
official group for four years, and an incorporated nonprofit for two years as of May 2018.
Within our mission, our design is to address racial and gender disparities in community access to health
information and wellness programming. Moving forward in 2019, our three primary goals still are: 1) to increase
the overall wellness of women of color in our community, 2) to decrease social isolation of women of color, and
3) to connect women of color of all ages to existing spaces and business that increase wellness in our
community. These goals work in conjunction with our mission to promote intergenerational health and wellness,
and address barriers to the elimination of health disparities.
5
In 2018 Sankofa Outreach Connection hosted a summit entitled Brighter Future Focused that addressed the
needs and potential of women and girls of color. We had a connected mission to bring together university and
community partners to facilitate collaborations across sectors to center the needs of women and girls of color in
Johnson County. We wanted to promote action that would inform policy and programs that address the barriers
that exist for women and girls of color in the areas of education, criminal justice, health, and employment. We
also provided a connection event, Relax and Relate, for women of color only, that included yoga, chair
massages,natural hair information and candid table conversations. The summit was open to the general public
and was attended by a diverse group.
Proposal
Students in the Iowa City Community School District advocated for the implementation of Ethnic Studies in
2016. This is a community-based response to students demands.
The goal of the Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy is to empower young women of color in the Iowa City area
through culturally responsive curriculum and exposure to higher educational opportunities. The Ethnic Studies
Leadership Academy will work to strengthen, empower, and equip young women of color to understand the
individual, institutional and structural impact of racism and sexism. Programming will include community service
projects, after-school programming, college preparation and the summer enrichment institute will expose them
to the value of Historically Black Colleges & Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions. The young women
will be exposed to ethnic studies and social justice curriculum which includes a combination of African American
studies, Latino/a studies, Native American Studies and Women and Gender studies. The program will expand
students current knowledge of people of color on a high school level while also equipping students with tools to
create social change.
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
The program which we are requesting funding is for the Ethnic Studies Academy. The goal of the Ethnic
Studies Leadership Academy is to empower young women of color in the Iowa City area through culturally
responsive curriculum and exposure to higher educational opportunities. The Ethnic Studies Leadership
Academy will work to strengthen, empower, and equip young women of color to understand the individual,
institutional and structural impact of racism and sexism. Programming will include community service projects,
after-school programming, college preparation and the summer enrichment institute will expose them to the
value of Historically Black Colleges & Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions. The young women will be
exposed to ethnic studies and social justice curriculum which includes a combination of African American
studies, Latino/a studies, Native American Studies and Women and Gender studies. The program will expand
students current knowledge of people of color on a high school level while also equipping students with tools to
create social change across digital platforms.
The Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy will advance racial justice and equity in Iowa City through
incorporating culturally responsive curriculum designed to educate students of color about the histories of
African Americans, Latino/as and Native Americans over the course of 10-14 weeks. Topics that will be covered
in this timeframe include: Defining racism and white supremacy, Black Wall Street, African Continent Before
Colonization, Media Literacy, American history from the perspective of underrepresented groups, Creating
Social Change, Digital Literacy, Intersectionality, LGBTQ people of color Histories, Introduction to Ethnic
Studies and Introduction to Black Studies. Social justice is centered in this curriculum that is designed to
address racial and gender inequity. The National Education Association Report and studies by the National
Association of Multicultural Educators state that students benefit from curricula that directly teaches about the
impact of racism as well as the content specific to the racial/ethnic background of underrepresented students.
This Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy will explore how marginalized groups observed, challenged and
sought to alter social injustice through identity development, community organizing and relationships within and
outside of institutions. Institutions include the following: education, media, government, family and community.
The Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy will advance social justice and racial equity in the Iowa City area
through addressing education and building community. The National Education Association reports the
dominance of curriculum centered on Euro-American perspective marginalizes and limits students exposure to
African Americans, Latino/as, and Native Americans. The Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy provides
educational programming that is specific to addressing the impact and histories of people of color. The needs
include an understanding of history that centers on people of color and an environment of support that is led
and organized by people of color. The community building is illustrated through the collaboration of two
organizations, the development of an advisory board led by a non-traditional collaborative including youth,
youth development professionals and representatives from the organizations collaborating to create the Ethnic
Studies Academy. The combination of a culturally specific curriculum and culturally responsive environment
creates a space for students of color to be immersed in a space that (1)expands their knowledge and exposure
of people of color, (2) develops critical thinking skills (3) and recognizes individual, institutional and structural
levels of injustice based on race and gender. In order to create a culturally responsive learning community
opportunities of community building will be ongoing for both youth and facilitators.
This curriculum responds directly to the needs as stated by students of color in the Iowa City area. In 2016,
Iowa City area students created an organization Students Together Against Hate. The organization was in
response to the hate crimes taking place within their school communities. The organization reported that
students of color were physically harassed (including the removal of religious clothing removed from students
bodies without consent by white peers), the consistent appearance of racial slurs and swastikas written
throughout campus. The student group issued demands to the school district which included the
implementation of ethnic studies and social justice education taught by qualified educators trained in Ethnic
Studies, Black Studies and Women's and Gender Studies. The Iowa City Community School District has not
responded to this specific demand to date. However, Iowa is similar to school districts across the country that
center the curriculum on Euro-Americans. This approach neglects the inclusion of people of color and further
marginalized students of color implying contributions to society were absent. The afterschool programs of the
1960s and 1970s inform the Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy approach in creating a community learning
environment where students of color (and their parents) are heard, the connection to culturally responsive
histories and encouragement to create social change based on the examples of African Americans, Latino/as
and Native Americans.
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
This program is in collaboration partnership between Sankofa Outreach Connection and the Black Lives Matter
at School-Iowa. In 2020, Black Lives Matter-Iowa began Saturday programming for youth to learn about Black
History. The Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy will be an extension of this by providing a more in depth
approach about the histories of people of color. Black Lives Matter at School-Iowa is supported by the National
Steering Committee of Black Lives Matter at School, founded in 2016 to support educators and students of
color across the country.
This joint venture will bridge the gap between the traditional curriculum students receive and culturally
responsive curriculum that centers people of color, addressing the racial injustice inherent in the majority of
public school curricula in the United States. Collectively, the organizations maintain partnerships with over 50
local and national organizations.
Young women of color, regardless of income level, who are high school aged in the Iowa City area will be the
primary group for the Ethnic Studies Academy.
Over the course of one year, the Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy will serve 10-15 young women in the
2021-22 program pilot.
There is no charge for youth who participate in the Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy courses.
Youth will take a pre and post test to measure the exposure to culturally responsive curriculum. This will allow
for us to measure the knowledge students will obtain as well as what their experience was from participating.
Attendance records will be kept to track the participants attendance. We will conduct evaluations in order to
measure the direct student impact. Pre and post tests will provide an assessment of students knowledge prior
to and after the Ethnic Studies Academy.
The director will be guiding students through curriculum that can be shared with others through workshops and
programming with the City of Iowa City. Further, students will be equipped to lead the community in a
symposium designed to share their knowledge and provide solutions on ways to eliminate racial and social
inequities at the conclusion of the program. The symposium will be virtual.
We will share and collect information about the participants perception of the course offering as well as how
they determine their needs to increase the opportunities of having culturally specific learning opportunities. We
will also use dialogue groups, community organizing, and advocacy work to share our findings.
We are committed to continuing to impact the demographics we are currently serving, and will continue to serve
after the grant funding. The Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy will work to strengthen, empower, and equip
young women of color to understand the individual, institutional and structural impact of racism and sexism. We
have created an approach that is culturally responsive, competent, and aligned with the community needs. We
hope to shift community norms, systems, increase capacity and efficiency, and produce increased impact
through community efforts.
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
We understand the complexity of teaching specific content requires the expertise of professionals in the field of
ethnic studies. This program requires the experience and expertise from professionals. Professional services
include the guest teachers and the project director. The project director is responsible for curriculum
development, monthly coordination of workshops, instruction and facilitation. The guest teachers will share
their expertise on a particular topic related to ethnic studies. Stipends will be provided in order to acknowledge
the value of the expertise and time of the guest teachers and director.
Funding Amount Request
15,000.00$
The coordination of the program, student development and small stipends for guest teachers and the director.
The director is responsible for curriculum development, monthly coordination of workshops, instruction and
facilitation. Since the organization does not have full time staff, stipends serve as the professional services.
20,000.00
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Other Revenue 0.00$0.00$0.00$
Professional Services 5,000.00$5,000.00$$
Educational Materials 1,000.00$500.00$$
Equipment/Hardware 800.00$400.00$$
Supplies 1,200.00$200.00$$
Marketing/Advertising 200.00$$$
Misc. Supplies 500.00$200.00$$
1st Quarter: Marketing youth application to through networks of all partner organizations
Process all applications & Advisory board will select participants
Orientation & Begin workshops
2nd Quarter: Monthly workshops and Guest Teacher Workshop
3rd Quarter: Monthly Workshop and Guest Teacher Workshop
4th Quarter: Monthly Workshops, Guest Teacher Workshop, College tour (depending on global pandemic)
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
Tentative Timeline
1st Quarter
Development of marketing materials
Printing applications for advisory board selection
Printing orientation materials and catered refreshments
Stipend for project director
2nd Quarter
Lunches during monthly workshops
Materials for youth participants
Stipend for guest teacher
Local field trip transportation costs
3rd Quarter
Lunches during monthly workshops
Materials for youth participants
Stipend for guest teacher
4th Quarter
Lunches during monthly workshops
Materials for youth participants
Stipend for guest teacher
College tour transportation and accommodations
Sankofa Outreach received $13,000 for program purposes. Sankofa Outreach provided intergenerational
programming for girls and women of color in the Iowa City area that focused on health, wellness and social
networking. The programs were centered around meeting the needs of women of color to combat social
isolation and feeling invisible as residents, students and professions in the Iowa City area. The variety of
program offerings provided information on topics and issues that were culturally responsive with a trauma
informed lens.
No. There was tentative programming but that ultimately did not come to fruition.
Yes
Yes. It is important to note SJRE is the primary funding source for this project to date. The Ethnic Studies
Leadership Academy will consult with the advisory board regarding the future amount needed. We will update
SJRE when that is determined.
Yes No
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021
FY20 Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Application
Applications must be submitted by noon on January 8, 2021.
Questions about the application form or review process should be directed to Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5022.
Name of Organization *
Addre ss *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
We bsite Addre ss
Contact Person
Organization's M ission State me nt *
Organizational Information
PromptPress
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
USA
Street Address
511 Iowa Ave.
Address Line 2
(415) 407-9874
colvillejen@hotmail.com
promptpress.org
Name *
Title *
Phone Numbe r *
Email *
Jennifer Colville
Founder
(415) 407-9874
colvillejen@hotmail.com
PromptPress produces collaborative projects between writers, visual artists, and book artists. We believe
cross-media collaboration strengthens existing art communities and is vital to the creation of innovative work.
PromptPress provides a space for Iowa artists from different disciplines to connect, study each other’s work,
publish and exhibit art within both local and national scenes. PromptPress is committed to promoting the work
of established artists as well as creating space to nurture new voices. We do this in Iowa City by co-hosting the
Free Generative Writing Workshops, a forum for connecting community members with Iowa City's rich literary
resources; and through Teen Prompt, a publishing platform teen visual artists and writers.
How many ye ars has the organization be e n in ope ration?*
Prov ide an e xample of a proje ct initiate d by the organization in the last thre e ye ars that had a wide
community re ach and impact. If a ne wly e stablishe d organization, prov ide an e xpe rie nce with a prior proje ct
that inspire d this proposal.*
Prov ide a narrativ e on how the program, se rv ice or activ ity came to be . The narrativ e can be de scriptiv e or
base d on city or state wide statistics.*
What is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity?*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity adv ance social justice and racial e quity? Be spe cific.*
How doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity addre ss one or more of the six priority are as?*
8
In 2019/2020 we collaborated with the Center for Afrofuturist Studies to produce an artist book centering
around the drawings of Brandon Drew Holmes. The project commissioned creative writing responses to
Brandon's images from six artists of color in Iowa City. The result is an artist book that allows readers to explore
issues of race, class, and sexuality from the intimate perspectives of artists who are personally engaged with
these subjects. Even though our scheduled reading, book release and exhibition for the project were cancelled
due to the Covid pandemic, the project has had wide reach and impact. Because the cost of artist books can
be prohibitive, Prompt publishes an online edition of our projects. Our online journal saw increased traffic with
this project. New postings saw on average one hundred engagements within the first week they were posted.
Contributors performed readings from the book on Motez Radio Press, a Brooklynn based interdisciplinary arts
show. Three contributors lead and promoted their work through the Free Generative Writing Workshops, a
program that PromptPress co-sponsors and which draws on average fifty participants in the IC community each
month. With the help of the Iowa Arts Council we were able to create an expanded run of this issue. And we
designed the book to be more affordable than a traditional artist book. As a result we have sold fifty percent of
the book's run in just four months. Additional funding from the Iowa Arts Council allowed us to donate copies of
the book to organizations around the Midwest devoted to increasing awareness of the history of black lives and
racism.
Proposal
In the last two years Prompt has pivoted slightly in its mission. We typically publish two collaborative artist
books a year. Now our goal is that one of these books be a collaboration with an arts group formed to address
issues of representation, equality and social justice in the arts. Our first installation in this project was our
collaboration with the Center for Afrofuturist Studies described above. The project has been a success and we
are eager to move on to our next book in the series.
PromptPress has been given the opportunity to publish and promote a project centering around the painting of
Malcom Corley, a young autistic African American artist. Malcom’s art has inspired pieces of writing from four
poets. As ekphrastic writing, the poems use Malcom’s paintings as points of departure. While the poems in the
collection are unique to each writer, as a whole they touch on issues of ableism, and racism; or the experience
of making art as an artist of color, or in a differently abled body. Two of the responding poets, DJ Savarese,
and Lateef McCleod are prominent activists in the disabled rights community. Claretta Holsey, and Jorell
Watkins are MFA candidates at the Writer’s Workshop at the University of Iowa. Included in the book will be the
contributor’s process statements, reflections on the different ways Malcom’s work influenced and inspired their
pieces.
An important aspect of this project is that it will be published in the form of a limited edition artist book. As a
tradition, PromptPress, invites book artists to design and hand bind each edition in accordance with its
contents. In other words, the book artist will create a structure that responds to Malcom’s paintings, and the
poems within. The end result will be an edition of 75 artists books, unique art objects in themselves.
The purpose of this series is to promote voices that might normally struggle to find purchase in the Midwest. All
the artists in this collaboration create from identities, and points of view that are traditionally uder-represented
in the arts. PromptPress's Social Justice Series seeks to ameliorate the alienation these artists might feel in
Iowa City, and to help create a more inclusive and welcoming arts community, where artists of color and
differently abled artists have avenues to publish, exhibit, and thrive.
What community ne e d doe s this program, se rv ice or activ ity fulfill? Re sponse should include information or
data that de monstrate s the ne e d.*
Doe s the program, se rv ice or activ ity include partne rships or collaborations with othe r organization(s)? If
so, what organization(s)? Prov ide a de taile d de scription of the partne rship/collaboration.*
Prov ide the proje cte d de mographics of community me mbe rs that will be se rv e d by the program, se rv ice or
activ ity (re sponse should include age , race , ge nde r and income ).*
How many community me mbe rs are e stimate d to be se rv e d by this program, se rv ice or activ ity and ov e r
what pe riod of time ?*
Is the re a charge to participate in the program, se rv ice or activ ity? If so, what is the cost pe r pe rson? Why is
the charge ne e de d?*
What are the outcome s and pe rformance me asure s for the program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
What indicators or me trics hav e be e n ide ntifie d to me asure outcome s and pe rformance ? **
Our project addresses the educational priority. One of PromptPress's goals is to get artist books, which are
traditionally housed in special collection or museums, out into the community where they can spark
conversation and inspire creative response. This is especially important for the Social Justice Series. We do
this by trying to make our books affordable, and by having a small showroom located on Iowa Avenue open to
the public. In addition, for this issue we will hold a public reading, and a Q and A along side an exhibit of
Malcom's art. Lateef McCleod and DJ Savarese are non-speaking artists. To accommodate them we will hold a
virtual reading and Q and A, as well. In addition, we will build the book project into our TeenPrompt platform by
offering three free workshops for teens titled "Writing for Social Justice." The book will serve as a pivot point,
and inspiration for creative writing exercises. Creative writing responses by local teens will be published on our
TeenPrompt platform. Finally, we plan to donate ten of our issues to organizations working to educate the
public on topics of race and disability.
The Iowa City Arts community needs more venues in which artists of color and differently abled artists can
participate, publish, and exhibit. The creation of the Center for Afrofuturist Studies by Anais Duplan is
testament to this. In an article in the Iowa Press Citizen, Duplan, writes that she might have chosen to locate the
center in New York, but chose Iowa City because of her sometimes alienating experiences as a person of color
while she was a student in the Iowa Writers Workshop. Furthermore, our project would address the educational
goal of helping students of color feel more included and empowered in the language arts. We will offer our
workshops to Tate High, South East Junior High, The Dream Center, and United Action for Youth. By directing
our focus on diverse—yet underfunded— schools and organization, we’ll be serving students who may not
otherwise have the opportunity to have their work published on line and featured in a book.
Data from the Iowa City School District shows that Black and Hispanic students historically have lower rates of
proficiency at reading in grades 3-11. We hope, through our programming, to show these students the joys
and possibilities of creative writing, thereby encouraging them to continue to excel in the language arts.
No
Our workshops will target schools and organizations that serve the most low-income populations in Iowa City.
These schools and organizations include Tate High, South East Jr. High, The Dream Center and United Action
for Youth. The audience for PromptPress's online platform tends to be low to mid income artist and writers with
a growing diversity in terms of race thanks to our recent collaboration with the Center for Afrofuturist studies.
Our audience is equally spread among genders and reaches an age range between 15 an 50 years old.
The project will employ eight community artists. It will produce 100 books, a public reading and exhibit that will
draw an audience of at least fifty community members. Much larger will be the number of people who will read
the issue online. According to data from our last Social Justice issue we can expect around 1000 engagements.
with the issue over a period of four months. In addition, we plan to reach about 90 students with three in class
workshops. As we publish student responses and they are shared among friends our reach will grow. We
expect to engage around 1,248 people in total.
No.
We hope to reach a wide
Some indicator or metrics to measure outcomes and performance are book sales, keeping track of website
visits, email evaluations for our workshops, a note box in the gallery space for people to write their impression,
and experience of the work.
What proce sse s or tools will be cre ate d as a part of the program, se rv ice or activ ity that can be share d with
othe rs in the community to e liminate racial and social ine quitie s?*
How will the good or se rv ice produce d as a re sult of a proje ct be share d and/or communicate d with the
targe te d community and the large r community?
Will the program, se rv ice or activ ity be continue d or e xpande d afte r the SJRE Grant funding e nds? If so,
how? The sustainability plan should be spe cific on future funding and not simply state the age ncy will
continue to look for support.*
If the proposal include s fe e s for profe ssional se rv ice s, ple ase e xplain how this adv ance s the program,
se rv ice or activ ity and its goals.*
Amount of Funding Re que ste d *
How will the funding be utilize d *
What is the organizations annual budge t?*
Revenue
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
We consider the proposed book to be a tool for fighting racial injustice and social inequalities. In addition, we
will publish our lesson plan for the use of educators interested in teaching writing with social justice themes.
This will be published as part of a resource for language and visual arts teachers on TeenPrompt.
Our book will be launched and available for purchase at our public reading and on our website. Ten books will
be donated to organizations devoted to educating the public about racial injustice or social inequalities. Our
books will be placed at the Iowa City Public Library, the PromptPress public reading room and PS1's Center for
Afrofurturist Studies. In addition, the issue will slowly be rolled out and then archived on promptpress.org. As
each piece is published it will be promoted across our social media platforms.
Our goal in our workshop for teens is to reach around ninety students. We hope this can be done in person in
September or October 2021.
Our Social Justice series will continue after SJRE Grant funding ends. Under normal conditions we are able to
produce two issues each year with funding from the Iowa Arts Council, donations and book sales. Although our
sales for the CAS edition were remarkable, sales of our other books have been down this year. We make half
of our sales through book fairs and festivals, all of which were cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. We are
confident that our book sales and additional grant support will support us once we are again able to hit the
festival circuit.
The proposal includes a 700$ design fee for a book artist. This advances our goal to support local artists, as
each year a different local book artist is chosen. For this issue we hope to commission a writer of color.
Funding Amount Request
3,400.00$
Here is an outline of the funding we are requesting for this project:
• 400$ to Malcom Corley for the use of his images
• 200$ a piece to our four responding poets
• 700$ as a design and production fee for the book artist
• 1000$ for book materials and printing costs
• 300$ to hold a public exhibit, reading and book launch for the project
• 100 – space rental
• 100 - to ship art
• 100 – to promote the event
200$ - to design publish and implement curriculum for our teen workshop
Total = 3,400
8,300$
2021 and 2022 Proposed Budget
Other Revenue 800.00$800.00$800.00$
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Expenses
Type *1-Nov -20 1-Apr-21 31-Jul-21
Prov ide a time line for the program,se rv ice , or activ ity.*
Prov ide a time line for how grant mone y would be spe nt ov e r the ne xt ye ar.*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d any funding from the City of Iowa City? If so, for
what purpose and how much?*
Within the last fiv e ye ars, has the organization re ce iv e d funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity from a
non-City of Iowa City source ? If so, how much was re ce iv e d and what is the duration of the funding?*
Doe s the organization plan to apply for additional funding for this program, se rv ice or activ ity?*
If so, how much is ne e de d? Is the program, se rv ice , or activ ity de pe nde nt on re ce iv ing both the SJRE and
additional funding?*
Grants 2,500.00$3,400.00$$
Professional Services 700.00$1,700.00$1,700.00$
Rentals 400.00$400.00$400.00$
Supplies 500.00$500.00$500.00$
Outside Printing 500.00$500.00$500.00$
February 2021:
February 1st, Publish Malcom Corley's painting on promptpress.org (our online literary journal).
February 7th, Publish first poetry response to the paintings and continue to publish one response each week
until all responses have been published by the end of April.
May 2021:
Hand over the responses and images to our chosen book artist. Work with book artist throughout May, June
and July on finalizing design plans, copy, ordering materials, printing and binding the book.
August 2021:
August 1st, Our edition of 75 artist books will be complete.
August 15th, Public book launch, reading, exhibit and Q &A.
September 2021:
September 1st, Reach out to educators at Tate, United Action for Youth, South East to schedule classroom
visits for creative writing workshops through Teen Prompt, using our new book as inspiration.
October 2021:
October 1st, Publish teen responses to Malcom's art online on our Teen Prompt venue.
April 2021:
Pay contributors their honorariums
May 2021:
Pay book designer their design fee
June and July 2021:
Pay for printing, and materials of artist book
August 2021:
Pay for promotion of our book launch, exhibit and reading
Pay for shipping and framing of Malcom's paintings
September - October 2021:
Pay educator to design and teach three workshops
No
We received funding for our collaboration with the Center for Afrofuturist Studies from the Iowa Arts Council.
That funding ran from July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2020.
No
Can the proje ct be comple te d with le ss funding?*
Authorization *
Signature *
Date *
0
Yes No
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just
the same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/8/2021