HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESJ Grant FY24Organization Page Requested Amount
Arabic Language Institution 3 $25,000.00
UMOJA 8 $15,000.00
Wright House of Fashion 15 $25,000.00
Johnson County Interfaith Coalition 24 $25,000.00
LS Transport, Inc.31 $15,000.00
Old Capital City Roller Derby Roller Derby 36 $25,000.00
Open Heartland 41 $13,738.25
M.O.G.U.L Consulting 50 $25,000.00
Black Professional of Iowa 59 $25,000.00
Black Voices Project 72 $25,000.00
Eastern Iowa Chapter of APAPA 80 $3,000.00
Houses into Homes 85 $15,000.00
Escucha Mi Voz Iowa 91 $25,000.00
Help 99 $25,000.00
Natural Talent Music, LLC.103 $25,000.00
United Action for Youth 109 $20,000.00
FilmScene 115 $25,000.00
Immigrant Welcome Network for Johnson County 122 $23,385.00
Domestic Violence Intervention Program 131 $7,619.99
Optimae LifeServices 140 $25,000.00
CommUnity Crisis Center 146 $20,000.00
Morningside Glendale Neighborhood Association 154 $2,565.00
Better Together Community Development Corporation 161 $8,650.00
Little Creations Academy, Inc.167 $12,845.00
Inside Out Reentry Community 174 $2,300.00
Greater Iowa City, Inc.179 $25,000.00
Sankofa Outreach Connection 186 $23,000.00
Center for Worker Justice 193 $10,074.00
Indigenous Art Alliance 200 $25,000.00
2
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Arabic Language Institution
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52246
Country
Johnson
Street Address
2466 Rushmore Dr
Address Line 2
3195123202
N/A
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Asma Ali
President 3
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
Phone Number*
Email *
3195123202
asmal2610@gmil.com
Teaching the Arabic Language to non-Arabic-speaking people and Arabic speaking starts at age 12.Or according
to the person's ability to comprehend.
13
Project Proposal
Iowa City Arabic Language institution
The project is open to the general public of Iowa City residents.
New
Yes, by studying Arabic culture with the Arabic language simultaneously.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None.12 months
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
Students and workers.
No.
it is measured by continuity of work with the benefit of the people who join the institution to study.
4
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
yes.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
No
25,000.00$
25000
none Applied 23.00$
Budget
chairs, table, smart
board, 30 laptops,
salary for the teacher
one big building 1,000.00$25 25.00$
yes,
$5000 every 5 months.
If the money is received and there is a place.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
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.
5
Signature*
Date*
12/2/2023
6
7
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
UMOJA
City
north liberty
State / Province / Region
iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52317
Country
johnson county
Street Address
P.O Box 804
Address Line 2
3194997392
https://www.umojasc.com/
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
jovany Kaleka
Mr 8
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
Phone Number*
Email *
3195122257
jovanyumoja@gmail.com
Umoja Scholarship was established with the vision of assisting immigrant students who face numerous
challenges in their educational journey. Our organization is driven by a group of board members who have
personally experienced the hardships of obtaining scholarships and funding for their own education. They are
passionate about ensuring that no student is left behind due to financial constraints. Our primary objective is to
provide financial assistance to immigrant students that are about to graduate high school, enabling them to
pursue higher education degrees, or formation. We firmly believe that education is the key to unlocking
opportunities and breaking the cycle of poverty. Additionally, we aim to guide students towards alternative
pathways such as apprenticeships, ensuring they possess valuable skills and can secure employment even
without a traditional degree.
Additionally, our foundation serves as a liaison between students and our network of donor companies and
sponsors. We facilitate opportunities for students interested in pursuing short-term educational programs,
ensuring their placement in positions identified by our sponsors and donors. This collaborative effort aims to
enhance educational opportunities and create a brighter future for the youth community we serve.
2
Project Proposal
scholarship giving
Umoja Group: Empowering Non-English Speaking Youth Through Education
The Umoja Group, established on December 12, 2021, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting non-
English speakers in their academic pursuits by providing scholarship funds. Our primary objective is to
encourage these individuals to pursue higher education beyond the high school level, thus equipping them to
become influential contributors to society. The word "Umoja" signifies unity, emphasizing our commitment to
supporting non-English speaking youth
as they integrate into the United States' educational system while simultaneously acquiring English language
skills.
To be eligible for our scholarship program, interested students must register on our website during the specified
annual enrollment period. They will then be required to complete assigned tasks that showcase their application
of skills acquired through the English Language Learning (ELL) program. Upon meeting the task requirements,
students will be awarded a scholarship check worth one thousand dollars. Each year, a select number of
participating students will receive this financial assistance.
Continuous
9
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
The Umoja Group's project, "Empowering Non-English Speaking Youth Through Education," has the potential to
advance racial equity and social justice in several ways:
Access to Education: By providing scholarship funds, the Umoja Group is addressing financial barriers that may
hinder non-English speaking youth from pursuing higher education. This initiative helps create equal
opportunities for underrepresented individuals, contributing to greater access to education.
Language Inclusivity: The emphasis on English Language Learning (ELL) programs not only facilitates academic
success but also addresses language barriers that non-English speakers may face. This linguistic inclusivity is
essential for promoting equity in education and ensuring that language differences do not become obstacles to
academic achievement.
Cultural Integration: Integrating non-English speaking youth into the United States' educational system is crucial
for fostering a sense of belonging and unity. The Umoja Group's commitment to unity, as reflected in its name,
signifies the importance of embracing diversity and promoting social cohesion.
Community Empowerment: By investing in the education of non-English speaking youth, the Umoja Group is
empowering individuals who may face systemic challenges. This empowerment can have a ripple effect,
positively impacting families and communities, ultimately contributing to broader social justice goals.
Merit-Based Scholarships: The Umoja Group's scholarship program, based on completing assigned tasks,
ensures that financial assistance is awarded on merit. This approach promotes fairness and recognizes the
efforts and skills acquired through the ELL program, contributing to a more just distribution of resources.
Long-Term Impact: Supporting non-English speakers in pursuing higher education goes beyond immediate
benefits. It can break generational cycles of inequality by providing individuals with the tools and opportunities
needed for long-term success, ultimately contributing to a more just and equitable society.
Representation and Influence: Encouraging non-English speaking youth to become influential contributors to
society amplifies their voices and perspectives. This increased representation can challenge stereotypes,
broaden cultural understanding, and contribute to a more inclusive and just society.
It's important for the Umoja Group to continuously assess the impact of its programs, collect data on the
outcomes achieved by scholarship recipients, and adapt its initiatives to address evolving needs. Additionally,
partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders can further enhance the effectiveness of the Umoja
Group's efforts in promoting racial equity and social justice through education.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
UMOJA 1 year
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
This project mainly serve immigrants and people that are interested in short term education 10
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
financial cost only include thing on UMOJA's end, it include rent cost which cost about $4000 for the whole
duration of the project and Merch which are about $2000.
Measuring the success of the Umoja Group's project based on the distribution of work supplies for internship
programs, school supplies, and scholarships is a tangible and practical approach. Here's a suggested framework
for measuring success:
Number of Students Receiving Work Supplies:
Track the number of non-English speaking students who successfully participate in the internship program.
Document the types of work supplies provided (e.g., laptops, software, workbooks) and their relevance to the
internship experience.
Number of People Receiving School Supplies:
Monitor the distribution of school supplies to non-English speaking students at various educational levels (e.g.,
elementary, middle, high school).
Keep records of the types of school supplies distributed (e.g., textbooks, notebooks, backpacks) and their impact
on students' academic engagement.
Number of Scholarship Recipients:
Keep a count of the students who qualify for and receive scholarships through the Umoja Group's program.
Document the amount awarded to each scholarship recipient and the criteria used for selection.
Impact Assessment:
Collect feedback from scholarship recipients regarding the impact of the financial assistance on their ability to
pursue higher education.
Conduct surveys or interviews to gauge the effectiveness of work supplies in enhancing the internship
experience and building relevant skills.
Long-Term Educational and Career Outcomes:
Monitor the educational paths and career trajectories of scholarship recipients over time.
Assess whether internship experiences and the provision of work supplies contribute to improved job readiness
and success in their chosen fields.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
The project's continuity is assured, thanks to established measures designed to ensure its ongoing success. It is
structured to be an annual initiative, with sustainability being reinforced through diversified fundraising channels
and monthly contributions from our esteemed members. This strategic approach ensures the long-term viability
and impact of the project.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
no, the organization has never received any funds from Iowa city as of yet.
15,000.00$
the organization annual budget is 10,000 for the organization to function, and 12,000for the project.
11
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Local 308 and 1260 Received 1,000.00$
UMOJA Received 3,300.00$
donation of community Received 2,000.00$
supplies selling Received 800.00$
Budget
rent this the for the rent of every
facilities that we use wheter it
for a meeting or an events
400.00$12 4,800.00$
website it to help secure our wbsite 400.00$1 400.00$
merch those will be merch for
advertisement
30.00$80 2,400.00$
equipment for
students
those will be equipment we will
help provide to those interested
in internship programs and
trade school
500.00$6 3,000.00$
The services encompassed in the areas of advertisement and merchandise creation will play a pivotal role in
advancing the project. By strategically leveraging these services, we aim to extend our reach to a broader
audience within the community. The effective promotion and branding facilitated by these services will not only
enhance visibility but also contribute significantly to the overall success and impact of the project.
The allocated budget will be strategically disbursed as follows: $400 for facility rent in preparation for the event,
$3,000 earmarked for advertising and merchandise, an additional $3,000 designated for the procurement of
essential work equipment for individuals participating in internship programs and trade jobs. Furthermore, a
deliberate plan has been set to provide $1,000 worth of college school supplies to support the educational
pursuits of 12 immigrant students. This allocation reflects a judicious distribution of resources to ensure the
successful execution and impact of the project.
The project will feature three significant events to facilitate support and recognition for participants. These
include dedicated events for the distribution of grant school supplies for aspiring college students, a ceremony
for the awarding of scholarships, and a distinct ceremony for the provision of work supplies. Each event is
purposefully designed to contribute to the holistic development and advancement of those involve
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
the program may certainly be completed with less funding, but it will only mean that the quality and quantity of
the supplies will be significantly reduced.
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
Signature*
Date*
12/14/2023
13
14
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Wright House Of Fashion
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
910 South Gilbert Street
Address Line 2
319-541-9790
www.wrightfashionhouse.com
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Andre Wright
Founder/ Executive Director 15
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
Phone Number*
Email *
319-541-9790
wrighthouseoffashion@gmail.com
Wright Houses mission is to build an educational community to unlock the talents of diverse creatives.
2
Project Proposal
Night School and Creative Lab
Through the intersection of art, science and graphic and fashion design, young BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth are
discovering and amplifying their voices while expressing themselves through creative outlets. Wright House is
committed to fostering the growth and expansion of both the design industry and the BIPOC community. We
strive to achieve this goal by creating and implementing innovative programs and services that bring about
transformative change. In the calendar year 2024, our initiatives are strategically designed to empower our
members with the vital tools and skills required to thrive in a competitive creative marketplace. The following is
an outline of our upcoming programming:
Night School Program (Starting February 2024)
Night School is a program commencing in February 2024 and will offer a creative environment for members to
relax and engage in various constructive activities. The setting includes books on design, graphic design
software and instruction screen printing materials, music, and a distinctive ambiance with comfortable seating.
Members can enjoy ping pong, gaming, live graphic design program recordings, and more. After completing
three, five-week courses over 15 weeks, individuals are eligible for three credit hours from the University of Iowa
through the Iowa Biz Innovator program. Night school will be held two nights a week totaling six hours a week.
WRIGHT HOUSE Creative Lab (Weekend Program)
The Creative Lab is active on weekends and offers membership-based access to open hours at the Wright
House as well as the opportunity to work on personal projects. Expert guidance from professionals at Wright
House will be available via University of Iowa Interns and the expertise of graphic design professor Bradley
Dicchary. For those with entrepreneurial aspirations, we provide support in the form of incubator space and
specialized weekend workshops aimed at transforming ideas into reality.
Our collaboration extends to educational institutions such as the Iowa City Community School District, where we
conduct workshops and programs designed to empower the next generation of designers. The topics covered in
these initiatives include portfolio development, resume writing, professional communication, internships, college
preparation, and career exploration. We are dedicated to fostering a creative and supportive environment,
ensuring our members are well-equipped for success in their creative pursuits and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Professional Development Workshops
Workshops are conducted both online through Zoom and in-person and focus on career development in fashion,
music, merchandise, design, and branding. Participants gain valuable resources, interactive learning
experiences, and the chance to ask questions directly to presenters. These are run by subject matter experts in
various topics such as music, design, life skills, screen printing, sewing, quilting, natural dyes and fabrics, and
socially responsible training in the fashion industry.
Wright House Collective Talk ( Marketing Hour)
Monthly collective talks take the community behind the scenes of building a business/brand. Designers and
affiliates share their journeys, inspire and educate others. Talks are also accessible on social media platforms
suchYouTube, TikTok, and the Wright House website. 16
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
Community Membership Events
Monthly in-person or online events invite members to engage with guest speakers, fashion shows, live events,
design talks, and exclusive access to our space. These events foster interaction, learning, and inspiration among
members.
Mentorship
Wright House facilitates mentorship for minority designers, connecting them with experienced mentors to
navigate challenges in design, business development, finances, marketing, and resource acquisition.
Retail Shop Development (Incubator Space)
An onsite retail shop at the Incubator allows designers to showcase and sell their collections, serving as a
stepping stone before establishing their own retail spaces. As a part of this experience we provide debriefs for
business owners to share strategies and present samples for constructive critique and ideas for additional sales
opportunities.
Industry Tours and Events
Field trips to trade shows, press conferences, and industry events, including pop-up shops and fashion shows,
offer exposure and sales opportunities for our designers, supported by advertising and sponsors.
The above projects encapsulate what we intend to offer to both the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of
Color) community and the broader community. Wright House believes education is a foundational step toward
achieving social justice while providing individuals with the tools and opportunities necessary to empower
themselves.
Continuous
Wright House has strategically established Night School to nurture the creative potential of young minds seeking
advanced learning while providing opportunities for those historically marginalized. Reflecting on past events, we
recognize our competitive edge and commitment to the community, acknowledging diverse perspectives from
BIPOC and LGBTQIA+, body-positive individuals to non-traditional voices seeking innovation. By creating new
pathways for community engagement, we aim to be at the forefront of racial and social justice. Art, fashion and
creativity are essential to any social justice mission and we are equipping our scholars with the opportunity to
learn and practice. Our goal has always been community integration. Through action, we teach how to advocate
for oneself, speak truth to power, and cultivate a safe, inclusive space where everyone feels a sense of
belonging.
As highlighted by Print Magazine on July 8, 2020, the design industry currently represents only 3% Black men
and women. This underrepresentation highlights the need for initiatives like ours, where diverse designers
across various disciplines can have their ideas and stories heard and documented. Since 2021, Wright House
has had the privilege of inspiring hundreds of youth while starting to build our program.Projects include
collaborations with renowned record labels such as Warner Music, Roadrunner Records, and Atlantic Records.
In 2022, our students achieved a significant milestone by creating the number 1 merchandise item on the tour of
the new age rock artist Grandson. In 2023, our students crafted designs for Atlantic Records' 75-year
celebration, with proceeds from sales at PacSun contributing to feeding thousands of homeless people in Los
Angeles. Through these impactful endeavors, we continue to make a positive difference in the lives of aspiring
creatives and our wider community.
See link: https://www.pacsun.com/uprisers/family-drive-x-atlantic-records-hip-to-the-tip-t-shirt-
0097603260204.html?tileCgid=uprisers
17
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
UAY (United Action for Youth)1 year
Resilient Sustainable Futures Iowa City (RSFIC)3 years
The Englert and Iowa Public Radio (IPR)1 year
Great Plains Action Society (GPAS)6 years
Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD)10 years
The University of Iowa 4 years
The University of Iowa Jacobson Institute 1 year
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
This project is designed to serve the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) creatives and LGBTQIA+
(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual/Ally) youth within our
community.
Participation in the Night School will have a minimal cost but we will provide a scholarship to those students that
would not traditionally be able to afford additional design workshops. We intend to cover the associated
expenses through sponsorships, private donations, and grant support. Ensuring these opportunities are
accessible without any financial burden is fundamental to our mission. We are committed to providing equal
opportunities for participation, irrespective of socioeconomic status.
18
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
Success for the project is a multi-faceted achievement. Each year, our focus is on selecting a diverse group of
committed individuals eager to elevate their visions through creative programming in Wright House.
The impact of success lies in:
Selection of Dedicated Designers:
Identifying and engaging a diverse group of dedicated designers determined to advance their creative visions.
Wright House Designers-in-Residence Program:
Providing a workshop-centered program that offers participants education, resources, connections, and business
strategies essential for the growth of their brands.
Connection with Industry Professionals:
Leveraging our network of production professionals, business experts, marketing specialists, and entrepreneurial
mentors to guide designers towards their goals, step-by-step.
Active Membership Community Engagement:
Establishing an active membership community that stays connected through both virtual and onsite programming
and events.
Tailored Support for Designers:
Adapting our programming and events to be true to fashion, tailoring them to the specific needs and goals of the
selected designers.
Elimination of Financial Barriers:
Ensuring that the program is successful in eliminating financial barriers, allowing designers to focus on their
creative pursuits without financial constraints.
Quantifiable Impact:
Assessing success by the tangible impact on the participating individuals, including growth in their skills,
expanded networks, and progress towards establishing successful brands.
For Wright House, the ultimate success lies within the transformative journey of each individual in our program
from the initial selection to the realization of their creative and entrepreneurial goals; fostering a vibrant and
interconnected community of emerging talents.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, the programing is designed to continue beyond the conclusion of the racial equity and social justice grant
funding. We are committed to establishing a sustainable initiative, ensuring that the positive impact on racial
equity and social justice persists over the long term. Our vision encompasses ongoing efforts and strategies to
maintain the project's momentum, even as grant funding cycles evolve.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Over the past three years, Wright House has been fortunate to receive funding from the City of Iowa City. We
were awarded $100,000 in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, and $25,000 was granted by The Human
Rights Commission as part of the Social Justice Grant in 2023.
25,000.00$
Our annual budget for our organization is $300,000.19
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
Greenstate Credit Union Applied 3,500.00$
Budget
Art Software Adobe illustrator & photoshop
software 1yr licences (monthly
payments) for 30 students at
34.99/month
420.00$30 12,596.40$
Instructor Lead Set up sessions, coordinate
meetings, develop plan and
create curriculum. This person
will work 7 hours/week for 30
weeks at $25.00/hour
175.00$30 5,250.00$
Guest Teacher Four Inspirational Speakers
over the course of each sesson
at $200/each
200.00$4 800.00$
Field Trips for
participants
This will cover travel expenses
for each student to attend an
artist meet and greet event
150.00$30 4,500.00$
Graduation
ceremony
Food & beverage, programs,
speakers, gifts for graduates
1,853.60$1 1,853.60$
This project will include special guest teachers and each teacher will be awarded a stipend to help grow our
ecosystem.
20
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
In 2024, Wright House will allocate our funding to establish a comprehensive design program aimed at
empowering all participants to unlock their creativity, fostering the development of a vibrant and collaborative
ecosystem. Outlined below is our plan, detailing how we intend to deliver 30 weeks of advanced design
curriculum. This involves presenting a 15-week program twice within a calendar year, providing a cumulative
total of 30 weeks of Night School dedicated to nurturing design skills. Below is the tentative outline for the
structuring of our programing.
February 1st, 2024: Night School
Cohort 1
Weeks 1-2: Introduction to Adobe Creative Suite
• Week 1 (2 hours): Overview of Photoshop - basics, tools, and a simple project.
• Week 2 (2 hours): In-depth dive into Illustrator and InDesign -
understanding tools and hands-on projects.
Weeks 3-7: Graphic Design Basics
• Week 3-4 (4 hours): Introduction to design principles, elements, and terminology.
• Week 5-6 (4 hours): Hands-on projects to apply basic design concepts.
• Week 7 (2 hours): Recap and practice using Adobe tools.
Weeks 8-12: Branding Essentials
• Week 8-9 (4 hours): Logo design principles and practical logo creation.
• Week 10-11 (4 hours): Understanding color theory and its application in branding.
• Week 12 (2 hours): Mock branding projects to apply knowledge.
Weeks 13-15: Fashion Design and Clothing Line
• Week 13 (2 hours): Creating graphics for clothing design.
• Week 14 (2 hours): Basics of fabrics and their impact on design.
• Week 15 (2 hours): Introduction to fashion sketching and final project -
design your own clothing line.
Major project activities:
Two Graduation ceremonies are slated for 2024, with one in the spring and another in the fall. These events will
commemorate the successful completion of night school by each cohort at the conclusion of their respective
programming sections.
In June 2024, Wright House is set to embark on its third consecutive year of partnership with Warner Music. This
collaboration will focus on career development, collaboration with art directors, and product creation for
designated artists.
Additionally, bi-weekly guest speakers will be curated by Wright House for each cohort. These sessions are
scheduled for the periods of February to May 2024 and June to August 2024.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes, the project can potentially be completed with a reduced amount of funding. To proceed with a smaller
budget, we would need to condense the duration of the project weeks and adjust the overall scope accordingly.
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.
21
Date*
12/15/2023
22
23
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Johnson County Interfaith Coalition
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52244-0966
Country
United States
Street Address
PO Box 966
Address Line 2
1319594-2469
organizeiowa.com
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Donna Hirst
24
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
Steering Committee member and Chair, Voter Engagement
Committee
3195942469
donna-hirst@uiowa.edu
JCIC’s vision is to build a multicultural faith-based community organization that advocates justice for the
residents of Johnson County, IA.
JCIC’s overall mission is to create a long-term, productive collaboration that creates and affirms justice and
equality, especially for persons of color.
6
Project Proposal
Faith in Action Initiatives
25
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
• The Johnson County Interfaith Coalition (JCIC) is a coalition of 20 or more churches (Protestant, Catholic,
Jewish, Muslim) as well as community non-profits (Center for Worker Justice, Free Medical Clinic, Guidelink, the
Iowa City School Board…). In 2023 JCIC held Listening Sessions in local black churches to allow community
members to anonymously share their experiences with racial injustice and to share their thoughts on possible
initiatives to address the problems that were highlighted.
• In response to these sessions, JCIC has created a Faith in Action Fund and has formed teams of committed
volunteers to provide the resources to community groups who are interested in implementing a project within the
guidelines that have been developed. Projects could address community building, education, health and mental
health, gun violence prevention, and affordable housing. A maximum $5000 stipend may be requested.
• Several teams of JCIC volunteers have been formed to assist community groups who indicate a commitment
and focus to complete a project and to encourage community members to submit proposals.
o The Education Initiative Team is composed of 3 African American ICCSD school administrators, 4 retired
Johnson County educators (including 2 African Americans), 3 pastors of local black churches, 3 members of the
IC School Board and a retired pastor with a PhD in educational leadership. A high priority of this group is the
retention of teachers of color.
o The Healthcare/Mental Health Team is composed of the Directors of the Free Medical Clinic and Guidelink
(mental health clinic in the South District), 2 retired health care professionals, pastors of 3 black churches, and
several JCIC members.
o The Community Initiative Team will be formed from a recent restructuring of the JCIC Board and includes the
pastors of four local black churches and individuals with experience in promoting hate crime legislation. One
focus of this group will be the prevention of gun violence.
o After a recent strategic planning effort, a Team is being formed to address Affordable Housing which is seen as
a critical need in order to address the other efforts identified as priorities.
• Efforts to define a Faith in Action Fund began February, 2023. A purpose statement was created, an application
form was finalized, and a committee of 5 community members (4 of whom are African American) was formed to
review proposals. Since it is anticipated that committee members may frequently need to recuse themselves
from deliberation on particular proposals, 7 JCIC ministers and lay leaders have volunteered to be alternates as
needed. Initial proposals were solicited beginning in January and awards will be made in March, June,
September, and December.
• Several proposals will be considered or solicited. In February at the JCIC Gun Violence Prevention listening
session, members of the New Life Apostolic Church recommended the creation of a scholarship program to help
youth participate in boxing training to build self-discipline and give youth activities after school. Participants in the
Health Care listening session discussed the need to build confidence and communication skills among people of
color interacting with health care professionals, and a proposal offering training and role playing may be
proposed. The Education Team will be working to define efforts to build community among local teachers of
color. At the Gun Violence listening session there was interest in offering community meals to residents living in
low income housing units as a way to build community. CommUnity is interested in submitting a proposal for a
grant.
• JCIC is hoping to award $30,000 in 2024, and will be doing fundraising to replenish the fund each year.
Through fundraising and sponsorships we have raised $15,000 to date. A grant from the City of Iowa City
Human Rights Commission would allow us to meet our $30,000 goal and provide some funding for 2025.
• Each Faith in Action effort will be evaluated at the end of the year or earlier as appropriate. All evaluative
material can be forwarded to the City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission so you will be apprised of the
impact of these funds on the community.
New
JCIC will support initiatives proposed and lead by community groups and members from JCIC Initiative Teams.
Support from JCIC will be financial as well as serving as a resource for planning and implementation of projects.
JCIC has a Faith in Action Proposal Review Team composed primarily of people of color who will evaluate
projects, and determine level of support. All projects will be selected on their ability to advance racial equity and
social justice.
26
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
South District Neighborhood Assn 2020-present
League of Women Voters 2020-present
NAACP 2019-present
Center for Worker Justice 2019-present
Free Medical Clinic 2022-present
Guidelink 2023-present
Iowa City School Board 2021-present
Moms Demand Action for Gun Safety 2020-present
Black administrators from the ICCSD 2023-present
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
Faith in Action initiatives will serve people of color, all ages, and all genders and gender identities. Initiatives will
prioritize efforts that address low-income individuals and marginalized groups, allowing community members to
lead in the design and implementation of projects. JCIC is a multi faith-based organization including Protestants,
Catholics, Jews, and Muslims. The Faith in Action initiatives will receive strong support from the four black
congregations who are members of JCIC.
NO, except that JCIC member institutions pay dues which fund the operation of the organization. Dues are tiered
so that low income organizations pay less and wealthier churches pay more.
Each approved Faith in Action initiative will be evaluated at the end of the calendar year or at a project’s end. An
in-person follow up interview will be held with individuals leading an initiative.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes. JCIC will engage in annual fund raising to insure funds for ongoing community initiatives are available and
will continue to work with community groups to identify appropriate projects.
Funding Amount Request
27
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
If so, for what and for how much?
No
25,000.00$
JOHNSON COUNTY INTERFAITH COALITION
DESCRIPTION 2023 BUDGET
RECEIPTS:
Membership Fees $ 9,000.00
Misc. Donations $ 1,000.00
Ticket Sales, Faith in Action Fundraiser $ 5,000.00
Sponsorships from Fundraiser $ 10,000.00
Direct Donations to the Fund $ 20,000.00
Other:
Subtotal $ 45,000.00
EXPENSES:
Bonding Insurance $ 200.00
Gamaliel of Illinois & Iowa Dues $ 2,000.00
Tax Preparation $ 250.00
Accounting Services 300.00
P O Box and Postage 250.00
Donations and Misc. Support $ 1,000.00
Awards in 2023 $ 30,000.00
Subtotal $ 34,000.00
Receipts Less Expenses to carry into 2024 $ 11,000.00
Sponsorships from churches, individuals, businesses Received 10,000.00$
Direct Donations to the Fund-IC Human Rights Comm Applied 25,000.00$
Additional grants will be requested through 2023 and 2024 Applied 10,000.00$
Budget
Education proposal Hypothetical, March 5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
28
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
Community building
propsal
Hypothetical, April 3,000.00$1 3,000.00$
Gun violence
proposal
Hypothetical, April 4,000.00$1 4,000.00$
Education proposal Hypothetical, Sept 5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
Community building
proposal
Hypothetical, Sept 4,000.00$1 4,000.00$
Gun violence
proposal
Hypothetical, Oct 5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
Health care proposal Hypothetical, Oct 4,000.00$1 4,000.00$
One project proposed includes involving youth in training and fitness programs as a way to curtail gun violence.
Community groups will submit proposals throughout the year working with JCIC resource teams as desired.
Projects will be evaluated and approved in March, June, September, and December.
Promotion of the availability of funds for Faith in Action initiatives began in 2023 and will occur throughout 2024.
As desired by community groups, various JCIC Teams (health care, education, community building…) will
support groups in designing efforts and implementing their proposals.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes. .If we have less funding than our 2023 goal of $30,000, we will support fewer community initiatives.
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.
12/18/2023
29
30
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
LS Transport Inc
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52246
Country
United States
Street Address
2532 Cascade Ln
Address Line 2
319 400 4141
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Mahmoud Lutfi
Owner/Driver 31
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
Phone Number*
Email *
319 400 4141
mahmoudlutfi@hotmail.com
To help those in need of transportation to their important medical appointments.
1
Project Proposal
Passenger Transoportation
This is a start up non-emergency transportation company that will start transporting passengers to their doctor's
appointments. The owner is part of a minority group. He is African American. This grant will go a long way to
help secure a vehicle to start up the project. The website is being developed as we speak and the S-5
corporation has been registered with the Secretary of State.
New
The company owner wants to hire more minorities in the community and offer them opportunities to gain
employment.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None 0
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
Everyone, but more likely older patients of all races who need rides to their doctors appointment via Medicaid or
Medicare.
Used transportation vans cost anywhere from $5k-$15k, a website costs $800 plus $200 yearly maintenance
fees.
32
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
The success of the project will be measure by the growing number of passenger and contracts LS Transport Inc.
acquires. With a growing aging population in Eastern Iowa, the need for this type of business is increasing.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, the company will reinvest all profit back into the company to make sure it is feasible for it to continue to
succeed.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
No
15,000.00$
$0 as of now.
None Applied 0.00$
Budget
Used Van Passenger Van 7,000.00$2 14,000.00$
Website Business Website 1,000.00$1 1,000.00$
No
Once the grant is provided, the vehicles for the project will be bought as long as deals are reasonable. Within 1
to 3 months of grant.
Once the vehicles are bought, company will register with transportation vendors at the University of Iowa
Hospitals, City of Iowa City and Johnson County.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
In theory, yes, but the vehicles need to be in decent shape.
33
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.
12/20/2023
34
35
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Old Capitol City Roller Derby Roller Derby
City
Tiffin
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52340
Country
United States
Street Address
710 Redbird Run
Address Line 2
13195303905
https://occrd.com/
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Dessie Maire Myers
Member 36
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
Phone Number*
Email *
319-530-3905
dessiemyers@gmail.com
OCCRD is the Iowa City’s premier all-female flat-track roller derby league. Flat track roller derby is a fast growing
international sport, which is exploding in popularity with skaters and spectators. Our league is currently
comprised of over 50 members including skaters, officials and volunteers. OCCRD also promotes roller skating
as exercise for all. Roller Skating played an import role in black culture during the civil rights movements and
continues to be an active form of expression
15
Project Proposal
Iowa Skate City
Iowa City does not have a skating rink. Skating rink are a space for active expression for all ages. Having a
space for a rink would increase community health and relationships
New
Providing a space for skating to be used by all but would designate certain nights of week towards specific
cultures to include: Black, LGBTQA, Latina, Native, Muslim..?
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
OCCRD 1 year?
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
This rink would be open to all ages, race and genders.
Renting space in Iowa City is very expensive. This grant would get us started and help become self-sufficient.
37
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
opening and continuing to operate a Roller Skating Ring in Iowa City
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
OCCRD would continue to operate the rink. We also continue to need to have a place to skate for our practices
and games as well.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
none
25,000.00$
20,000, is OCCRD annual budget which included team dues and home games and merchandise. We have no
debt and a moderate amount of merchandise on hand right now.
Iowa City Applied 25,000.00$
Budget
Bldg Rent rent 2,000.00$12 24,000.00$
Utilities HVAC, Electricity, Wifi 1,000.00$12 12,000.00$
Insurance required 1,000.00$12 12,000.00$
n/a
Help with startup costs to start skating rink. Possibility of obtaining skates from Parks department.
will depend on space availability, currently viewing prospective space.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
not likely
38
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.
12/22/2023
39
40
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Open Heartland (Our Kids dba Open Heartland)
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
United States
Street Address
P.O. Box 3357
Address Line 2
3193215528
https://openheartland.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Deb Dunkhase
Co-Founder & Board Member 41
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
Phone Number*
Email *
3193215528
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. We are dedicated to serving Latinx immigrant
families who have escaped violence, extreme poverty, and lack of access to educational and health resources
for their families and are now making their homes in Johnson County.
4
Project Proposal
Foundational Education and Skills Training (FEAST)
Open Heartland’s “Foundational Education and Skills Training” project was birthed by our Women’s Leadership
Team, as are all programs/projects/activities undertaken by our nonprofit organization. Our leadership team is
comprised of 1-3 adults from each of the seven mobile home communities and various apartment complexes in
Johnson County served by Open Heartland. The Open Heartland Leadership Team has been meeting bi-monthly
since September 2020. The team’s purpose is to identify challenges faced by their Latinx immigrant community
and brainstorm potential solutions.
The Women’s Leadership Team has identified the following community needs as most imperative to their well-
being:
• Access to English Classes for Adults
• Cultural Classes/Activities to Promote Immersion Into the Johnson County Community
• Computer Education Classes
• Parenting Classes
• Leadership Training Classes
• Training Workshops for Specific Skills (woodworking, gardening, home repairs, smoke alarm installation, etc.)
• English Conversation Groups with Community Members to Practice New Language Skills
• Childcare for all Adult Programs, and
• Mental Health Support for Families
At the Open Heartland Leadership Team’s December 2023 meeting, these emerging community leaders
unanimously agreed that Foundational Education and Skills Training needs are the highest priority for these
women and their growing families. Our local Latinx immigrant families remain invisible in our community, isolated
from the larger community due to their lack of the local language, lack of cultural awareness of life in the U.S.,
lack of skill sets in the areas of mental and physical health, child development, technology, and financial
management, and the lack of financial resources with an average family income of $12-20,000/annually. Not only
do our Open Heartland families deal with monumental stresses in their daily lives, but also they face the constant
fear of deportation that would separate them from their families.
Open Heartland’s Foundational Education and Skills Training (FEAST) project offers accessible solutions to the
above-mentioned challenges with classes designed for Spanish-speaking participants and facilitated by qualified,
experienced local community members.
New
42
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
Why are programs to advance the integration of Latinx immigrants into their new U.S. communities so important
to advancing social justice and racial equity in Iowa City?
According to the Center for American Progress, “The national conversation on immigration tends to be on the
rules and laws regarding admissions (who can enter legally) and enforcement (what to do with those here
illegally), but it rarely mentions the integration of those who are already here and how to move them from
newcomer to new American. In July of 2008 Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) tried to
take up integration by introducing a bill in the 110th Congress that would have provided newcomers with tools to
integrate into America’s social and economic fabric through English language education, civics instruction,
incentives for businesses that invest in the education of their non-English speaking employees, and federal
support for state and local plans to integrate new immigrants”. What an incredible difference this bill would have
made in the lives of our local Latinx immigrants. Historically, our country has never provided any type of tools to
help our immigrants and refugees integrate into our communities and because of this Latinx immigrants continue
to struggle.
Racism is deeply embedded in our society. Many Iowa City residents are unaware of the separateness and
isolation experienced by Latinx immigrants in our community. In addition, the Latinx perspective is largely
missing from ongoing public discussions on civil rights and racial equity. For our Latinx community members to
have a voice and be heard in Iowa City, to become visible, it’s critical that they have access to the education and
skills training that are essential to developing their self-worth and confidence.
Racial equity is achieved when a person is no more or less likely to experience society’s benefits or burdens
based on their race or national origin, the proverbial “level playing field.” The proposed FEAST project empowers
Latinx immigrants with the basic tools of speaking a common language, cultural competency, and specific skill
sets that are required to integrate into society in a way that is socially just and racially equitable.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Antelope Lending Library ongoing
Rotary Clubs of Iowa City ongoing
University of Iowa Nonprofit Certificate Program ongoing
UIHC Mobile Health Clinic ongoing
UI Department of Nursing Education ongoing
UI Department of Public Health ongoing
43
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
Open Heartland’s FEAST project serves the Latinx families who have immigrated to the Iowa City community
from Central America and Mexico. Participants in the adult programs are ages 18 and up. Youth programs are
geared to students ages 5 to 17. All gender identities are welcome. The average income for Open Heartland
families is $12-20,000 per household annually which is dramatically beneath Iowa City’s median household
income of $54,879.
No cost is associated with any aspect of this project for our Open Heartland participants.
44
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
The success of the FEAST project will be measured in the following ways.
1) Adult English Classes
Are provided at Open Heartland 45 weeks in 2024
A minimum of 50 adults participate in English classes monthly
Quarterly participant surveys show increased fluency in English for participants
2) Activities to Promote Immersion into the Johnson County Community
Quarterly classes/activities organized by Open Heartland
Participation by 50 families
Participant surveys demonstrate newly cultivated awareness of the Iowa City community
3) Computer Education Classes
Computer Classes offered 2 times during the year (6 week sessions)
Online Computer Education trainings offered on the Open Heartland website
Computer Stations (2) set up at Open Heartland for use of Open Heartland families
4) Parenting Classes
Parenting Classes offered in Spanish by local experts in March, April, June, July, September, and October
Ten parents participate in each class
Pre & Post Participant Surveys demonstrate increased understanding of Best Practices in Child Rearing and
Development
5) Leadership Training Classes
Three Leadership Classes offered in 2024 for adults
Three Leadership Classes offered in 2024 for youth
Pre & Post Participant Surveys demonstrate increased understanding of Best Practices in Leadership Skills
6) Training Workshops for Specific Skills (woodworking, gardening, home repairs, smoke alarm installation, etc.)
Local experts facilitate skill development classes in five different areas that are selected from a survey in
February 2024 of the Open Heartland families
7) English Conversation Groups with Community Members to Practice New Language Skills
Two English Language Conversation Groups are established to meet weekly at Open Heartland for coffee and
conversation
Conversation topics address common cultural misunderstandings as determined by the Open Heartland
Leadership Team and Board of Directors
12 individuals participate weekly
Conversation groups are 50% Latinx and 50% Caucasian
Conversation groups spend 50% of the time speaking Spanish and 50% of the time speaking English
Participant surveys demonstrate increased language skills as well as cultural literacy
8) Mental Health Support for Families
Mental Health Support is provided in both spring and fall sessions by the University of Iowa Mobile Health
Clinic (6-week sessions)
10-12 Latinx adults participate in each session
Participant surveys demonstrate increased understandings regarding mental health and increased use of
personal tools to improve their personal mental health
9) Childcare for all Adult Programs
Childcare is provided to all participants during all adult programming at Open Heartland
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, Open Heartland’s FEAST project will continue after this grant funding ends.
Open Heartland’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors are committed to securing additional funding in 2025
so that these FEAST programs which are so essential to the successful immersion of Latinx immigrants continue
to impact the lives of our community’s most isolated residents.
45
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Yes, Open Heartland received a total of $37,494 in ARPA funding to support our food insecurity program.
13,738.25$
$145,000
Charles Wilson Family Foundation Received 3,000.00$
Jeanne Bancroft, Individual Donation Received 1,000.00$
Antelope Lending Library, grant funded childcare Received 1,125.00$
Budget
English Language
Learner Class
Weekly Classes facilitated by
Antelope Lending Library
56.25$49 2,756.25$
English Language
Learner Support
Materials
books, videos, general supplies 25.00$50 1,250.00$
Immersion Activities
Into Community
Admission Tickets for events,
activities
5.00$200 1,000.00$
Immersion Activites Bus Rental for Transportation 500.00$1 500.00$
Computer Education Teacher Stipend 50.00$12 600.00$
Computer Education Computer Station at Open
Heartland with printer
1,000.00$1 1,000.00$
Parenting Classes Supplies and Materials 25.00$40 1,000.00$
Parenting Classes Stipend to Class Facilitator 250.00$4 1,000.00$
Leadership Trainiing Stipend to Training Facilitator 250.00$6 1,500.00$
Leadership Training Materials and Supplies 25.00$60 1,500.00$
Leadership Training Dinner for Participants 10.00$60 600.00$
Skills Training
Workshops
Materials and Supplies 25.00$50 1,250.00$
46
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
Conversation Groups Materials and Supplies 25.00$25 625.00$
Conversation Group Coffee and Snacks 8.00$104 832.00$
Childcare Childcare for all FEAST
programs @ $20/hour
25.00$138 3,450.00$
Fees for professional services include:
1) English Class facilitator fees to Antelope Lending Library to support a weekly instructor to teach English.
2) Computer Education facilitator to support an instructor to teach two 6-week sessions of computer literacy.
3) Parenting Class facilitator to support an instructor to teach 6) 4 hours classes during 2024.
4) Leadership Training facilitator to support facilitating 3 adult classes and 3 youth classes during 2024.
January, 2024: English Classes begin with quarterly payments made to Antelope Lending Library for instruction
fees. Childcare paid monthly
February, 2024: Plans are made to schedule the remaining grant activities. Computer Station purchased and set
up at Open Heartland. English Class childcare paid. English Conversation Groups begin to meet weekly with
funds used to support coffee and snacks. Mental Health Support Group begins with no funds needed.
March, 2024: Leadership Training Classes for Youth and Adults with stipends paid to facilitators & supplies
purchased. Computer Education 6 week session begins with stipend paid to facilitator and supplies purchased.
Parenting Class with funds used to pay facilitator stipend and supplies. Childcare paid for English Class,
Leadership Class, Parenting Class and Computer Education classes. Funds also used to support Community
Immersion Activities for families.
April, 2024: Funds used to support English Classes, Parenting Class, Computer Education Classes, Leadership
Classes, English Conversation Groups, and Childcare.
May, 2024: Funds used to support English Classes, Leadership Classes, English Conversation Groups, and
Childcare.
June, 2024: Funds used to support English Classes, Leadership Classes, Parenting Classes, English
Conversation Groups, and Childcare. In addition, Community Immersion Activities will be facilitated with funds
spent for admission fees/transportation/food/etc.
July, 2024: Funds used to support English Classes, Leadership Classes, Parenting Classes, English
Conversation Groups, Computer Education Classes, and Childcare. In addition, Community Immersion Activities
and Skills Training Workshops will be facilitated with funds spent for supplies/admission
fees/transportation/food/etc. The Skills Training Workshops will also spend grant funds on facilitator fees.
August, 2024: Funds used to support English Classes, Leadership Classes, English Conversation Groups,
Computer Education, and Childcare. In addition, Community Immersion Activities and Skills Training Workshops
will be facilitated with funds spent for supplies/admission fees/transportation/food/etc. The Skills Training
Workshops will also spend grant funds on facilitator fees.
September, 2024: Funds used to support English Classes, English Conversation Groups, and Childcare.
Community Immersion Activities will be facilitated with funds spent for supplies/admission
fees/transportation/food/etc.
October, 2024: Funds used to support English Classes, English Conversation Groups, Computer Education, and
Childcare. Community Immersion Activities will be facilitated with funds spent for supplies/admission
fees/transportation/food/etc.
November, 2024: Funds used to support English Classes, English Conversation Groups, Computer Education,
and Childcare. Community Immersion Activities will be facilitated with funds spent for supplies/admission
fees/transportation/food/etc.
December, 2024: Funds used to support English Classes, English Conversation Groups, Computer Education,
and Childcare. Community Immersion Activities will be facilitated with funds spent for supplies/admission
fees/transportation/food/etc.
Open Heartland's FEAST project activities occur year round with the major projects scheduled during spring
break and summer break from school to encourage increased participation. All facilitators will be hired locally
with preference given to LGBTQ+ individuals.
47
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes, the FEAST project could be completed with less funding. With less funding, Open Heartland would
decrease the number of programs offered to our families. It is our great hope that decreased programming will
not be necessary as Open Heartland families are in profound need of the programs submitted in this project.
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.
12/30/2023
48
49
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
M.O.G.U.L Consulting
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52404
Country
United States
Street Address
1067 Highway 6 E
Address Line 2
5159940249
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Tasha Lard
Founder/CEO 50
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
Phone Number*
Email *
319-777-3764
M.o.g.u.lconsulting@gmail.com
M.O.G.U.L. Consulting is a dynamic and innovative company that is dedicated to empowering individuals and
entrepreneurs to reach their fullest potential. With a core mission to Motivate, Obtain, Gain, Utilize, and Learn,
M.O.G.U.L. Consulting provides a range of comprehensive services and resources designed to inspire and
support personal and professional growth. Whether it's through personalized coaching, advanced training
programs, or strategic mentorship, M.O.G.U.L. Consulting is committed to unlocking the key to success for every
client. By encouraging motivation, fostering the acquisition of new skills, leveraging gained knowledge, and
transforming it into tangible outcomes, M.O.G.U.L. Consulting sets a new standard for empowering individuals
and entrepreneurs to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.
1
Project Proposal
Empowering Voices: Advancing Iowa’s Black Professionals
The "Redefining Success: Iowa's Black Community" podcast is a captivating and thought-provoking audio
experience that explores the journeys, struggles, and triumphs of the Black community in Iowa. Through intimate
interviews, personal narratives, and engaging discussions, this podcast aims to elevate and empower the voices
that are often unheard in mainstream media. Weekly the podcast delves into the notion of success and aims to
challenge conventional definitions that often limit individuals to narrow frameworks. By featuring diverse
perspectives, stories of resilience, and achievements, it promotes a more inclusive and holistic understanding of
what it means to succeed. Listeners can expect to be inspired by the stories of individuals who have overcome
obstacles, shattered stereotypes, and achieved greatness in their respective fields. From entrepreneurs and
educators to artists and community activists, each episode highlights the unique contributions and experiences
of Iowa's Black community. Beyond showcasing personal achievements, this podcast serves as a platform for
enlightening conversations that address systemic issues, racial disparities, and the ongoing fight for social
justice. It invites listeners to reflect on their own perceptions of success and encourages them to embrace a
broader, more inclusive definition within their own lives. "Redefining Success: Iowa's Black Community" podcast
is not just a collection of narratives; it is a movement that aims to amplify voices, celebrate diversity, foster
understanding, and promote unity. It provides a space where the Iowa Black community can be heard,
understood, and celebrated, while also inspiring listeners from all walks of life to reflect on their own journeys
towards redefining success.
New
51
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
• Amplifying Underrepresented Voices: By providing a platform for the voices and stories of the Black community
in Iowa, the podcast helps amplify narratives that are often overshadowed or unheard in mainstream media. This
representation and visibility contribute to a more inclusive and diverse media landscape and challenge existing
biases and stereotypes.
• Challenging Perceptions and Sparking Dialogue: The podcast prompts listeners to reflect on their own biases,
assumptions, and preconceived notions about success, race, and community. It encourages critical thinking and
fosters conversations that challenge traditional definitions of success and promote a more equitable
understanding.
• Addressing Systemic Issues and Inequality: Through interviews and discussions, the podcast delves into
systemic issues and racial disparities that affect the Black community. By shedding light on these challenges, it
raises awareness and encourages listeners to engage in conversations and actions that address social justice
issues at both individual and structural levels.
• Inspiring and Empowering the Community: By showcasing the achievements, resilience, and determination of
individuals within the Iowa Black community, the podcast inspires listeners, particularly young people, to pursue
their dreams and overcome obstacles. It promotes self-empowerment, highlights positive role models, and
fosters a sense of pride within the community.
• Building Bridges and Allies: The podcast fosters understanding and empathy among listeners, bridging gaps
between different racial and ethnic communities in Iowa. By featuring diverse perspectives and promoting
dialogue, it encourages the development of alliances and collaborations, leading to more united efforts for racial
equity and social justice.
• Engaging the Community in Activism: The podcast can serve as a catalyst for community engagement and
activism. By featuring community leaders, activists, and change-makers, it informs listeners about local initiatives
and provides resources for taking action. It encourages individuals to get involved, advocate for change, and
contribute to the advancement of racial equity and social justice. Overall, through its stories, discussions, and
engagement with the community, the "Redefining Success: Iowa's Black Community" podcast plays a vital role in
advancing racial equity and social justice by promoting understanding, challenging norms, and inspiring action
towards a more equitable future.
• "I’m with You When You’re Right" is a thought-provoking segment on the podcast "Redefining Success" that
provides a platform for engaging discussions on a wide range of topics, including the advancement of racial
equity and social justice. The segment has featured diverse guests such as the owner of 4K Photography and
Mayor Bruce Teague, among others, who have shared their insights and experiences to foster meaningful
conversations about redefining success within the context of societal progress and inclusion.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Dream City 3 years
52
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
Black Professionals of Iowa 0.5
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
The "Redefining Success: Iowa's Black Community" podcast serves as a platform for the entire Iowa community,
irrespective of age, race, gender, or income. It aims to reach a broad audience of individuals who are interested
in understanding and embracing the diverse experiences and perspectives within the Black community of Iowa.
This podcast is designed to be inclusive and accessible to a variety of ages. Whether you are a young adult
searching for inspiration, a parent looking to educate your children about different cultures, or a senior interested
in lifelong learning, the podcast offers content that resonates across generations. In terms of race, the podcast
specifically focuses on the experiences and narratives of the Black community in Iowa. It provides a space for
individuals within the Black community to share their stories, challenges, and achievements. Additionally,
individuals from outside the Black community who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the
experiences of Iowa's Black population can also benefit from listening to this podcast. Regarding gender, the
podcast is not limited to any specific gender. It includes and welcomes diverse perspectives from both men and
women. By featuring a variety of voices, it aims to capture a comprehensive representation of experiences and
viewpoints within the Black community. In terms of income, the podcast is accessible to people from various
socioeconomic backgrounds. Its purpose is to be an inclusive platform that encourages dialogue and
understanding among people of different income levels. It recognizes that success can be defined and achieved
regardless of financial circumstances. Overall, the "Redefining Success: Iowa's Black Community" podcast aims
to bring together people from all walks of life who are interested in engaging with and learning from the stories
and experiences of Iowa's Black community.
No
Determining the success of a podcast can be measured in various ways. Here are some key indicators that can
help evaluate the success of the "Redefining Success: Iowa's Black Community" podcast:
• Audience Engagement: One crucial factor is the level of engagement from the podcast's audience. This can be
measured by tracking the number of downloads, listens, and subscriptions. Additionally, analyzing listener
feedback, comments, and interaction on social media platforms can provide valuable insights into the podcast's
impact.
• Reach and Growth: Assessing the reach of the podcast is essential in understanding its success. Monitoring
the growth of the podcast's audience over time can indicate increasing interest and popularity. Tracking the
number of new listeners, followers on social media, and website visitors can help gauge the podcast's reach.
• Reviews and Ratings: Reviews and ratings on podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify serve as an
indication of listener satisfaction and engagement. Positive reviews and high ratings suggest that the podcast
resonates with its audience and has a positive impact on them.
• Impact on Community: Evaluating the impact of the podcast within the Iowa Black community is crucial. This
can involve assessing the extent to which the podcast raises awareness, drives meaningful conversations, and
promotes positive change. Monitoring community involvement, participation, and the emergence of initiatives
inspired by the podcast can provide insights into its influence. Afte each episode there is a poll that asks listeners
what they thought about each episode. Seeking feedback from the guests who appear on the podcast can offer
valuable insights into their perception of the show. Their willingness to recommend the podcast and their overall
satisfaction with their experience can be indicators of its success. By considering these factors, podcast creators
and producers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact and success of the "Redefining Success:
Iowa's Black Community" podcast.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: The podcast's ability to forge partnerships and collaborations with relevant
community organizations, activists, and influencers can signify its success. Collaborative efforts can enhance the
podcast's reach, credibility, and ability to effect change within the Iowa Black community and beyond.
53
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
After grant money runs out, the "Redefining Success: Iowa's Black Community" podcast can explore several
avenues to sustain its operations and continue its mission of amplifying the voices and experiences of the Black
community in Iowa. Here are a few potential strategies:
• Seek Sponsorships and Partnerships: The podcast can reach out to local businesses, organizations, and
community stakeholders to secure sponsorships or partnerships. These collaborations can provide financial
support in exchange for advertising or acknowledgment within episodes, enabling the podcast to generate
revenue to cover production costs.
• Crowdfunding and Donations: The podcast can consider launching a crowdfunding campaign or setting up a
donation platform to engage listeners and supporters who resonate with its mission. Offering exclusive perks or
bonus content to donors can incentivize contributions and help sustain the podcast's operations.
• Apply for Additional Grants: While grant money may haven’t initially supported the podcast, it can continue to
pursue other grants or funding opportunities suited to its mission. Researching and applying for grants from
foundations, organizations, or government entities that focus on supporting media or social justice initiatives can
provide ongoing financial support.
• Community Partnerships and Events: Collaborating with local community organizations, hosting live events, or
participating in relevant community initiatives can help the podcast remain connected and engaged with its
audience. Such partnerships and events can generate revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, or
merchandise sales, ensuring the podcast's sustainability.
• Monetize the Podcast: Exploring monetization options such as sponsorships, advertisements, or product
endorsements can provide a steady stream of income. However, it is essential to strike a balance between
generating revenue and maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the podcast's content.
• Diversify Content Offerings: Consider expanding the podcast's content offerings beyond regular episodes. This
could include producing bonus episodes, creating educational resources, offering workshops or masterclasses,
or even branching out into live streaming or video content. Diversifying offerings can open up new revenue
streams and attract a broader audience.
• Engage in Social Media and Online Promotion: Active engagement on social media platforms, building an
online community, and fostering relationships with listeners can help increase visibility and attract potential
sponsors or supporters. Utilizing platforms like Patreon or merchandise sales through an online store can also
provide additional revenue sources. By adopting a combination of these strategies alongside careful financial
management, the "Redefining Success: Iowa's Black Community" podcast can navigate the challenge of
sustaining its operations beyond the initial grant period, ensuring its ongoing impact in advancing racial equity
and social justice within the Iowa community.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
No
25,000.00$
54
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
Hosting cost: $4000 per year, Space rental: $400 per month. Episode editing: $300 per episode, with 4 episodes
per month. Promotional cost: $150 per month. To calculate the annual expenses, we multiply the
monthly expenses by 12 (months in a year): Annual space rental expense: $400 * 12 = $4,800
Annual episode editing expense: $300 * 4 * 12 = $14,400 Annual promotional expense: $150 *
12 = $1,800 Therefore, the total annual budget for Redefining Success, including space
rental, episode editing, and promotional activities, would be: $4,800 (space rental) + $14,400
(episode editing) + $1,800 (promotional) + $4,000 (Hosting Cost) = $25,000.
Dream City Received 2,400.00$
Budget
Space Rental The space is being utilized at
Dream City
400.00$12 4,800.00$
Episode editing Each episode needs to be
edited before it can be added to
any platform to be streamed.
300.00$48 14,400.00$
Promotional Cost Promotional cost will include
social media payments and
marketing cost
150.00$12 1,800.00$
Hosting cost Payment to pay the host 4,000.00$48 4,000.00$
55
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
• Professional video editing services can complement podcasting by adding visual elements to enhance the
overall listener experience and expand the reach of the podcast 1. Visual branding: Professional video editing
can help create visually appealing intros, outros, and overlays that reinforce the podcast's brand identity.
Consistent visual branding across video platforms adds professionalism and makes the podcast more
memorable to viewers.
• YouTube and social media presence: Turning podcasts into video content allows podcasters
to tap into platforms like YouTube and social media. Video snippets or highlight reels can be
created to share on these platforms, attracting a wider audience and potentially converting them
into podcast listeners.
• Enhanced storytelling: Video editing allows for the incorporation of relevant visuals, images,
animations, or stock footage into podcast episodes. This can help illustrate concepts,
supplement discussions, or provide additional context, enhancing the storytelling aspect and
making the podcast more engaging for viewers/listeners.
• Multi-channel content distribution: With video editing, podcasters can repurpose their content
in various formats, such as short clips for social media, audiograms, or even full-length video
episodes. This enables the podcast to reach an audience that prefers consuming content
through different mediums, expanding the podcast's overall reach and impact.
• Sponsorship opportunities: Video editing can support the inclusion of visual ad placements or
sponsored content within the podcast video. This opens up additional revenue streams and
offers advertisers a more dynamic medium to engage with the audience. By leveraging
professional video editing services, podcasters can create visually compelling content, extend
their reach through video platforms, enhance storytelling, explore new revenue opportunities,
and ultimately redefine success by broadening their podcast's impact and appeal.
Month 1-2: - Allocate the $4,000 hosting cost for the year upfront to ensure podcast availability. - Secure space
rental for the year, utilizing $4,800 to cover the annual expense.
Month 3-12: - Use the allocated funds for episode editing, with $14,400 spread over the year to cover the cost of
4 episodes per month. - Dedicate $150 per month to cover ongoing promotional costs, equating to $1,800
annually.
By strategically dividing the funds over the course of the year, the Redefining Success podcast can ensure
consistent, high-quality content and sustained promotional efforts to engage and expand its audience within
Iowa’s Black Professional community.
Each project takes place weekly.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
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.
12/30/2023 56
57
58
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Black Professional of Iowa
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
1067 Highway 6 E
Address Line 2
5159940249
www.bpoi.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Jeffery Dancer
Treasurer 59
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
Phone Number*
Email *
319-330-4438
blackprofessionalsofiowa@gmail.com
To empower and uplift black professionals in Iowa by fostering a strong network of support, facilitating
professional development opportunities, advocating for equality and inclusion, and promoting community
engagement leadership.
1
Project Proposal
Building Bridges: Advancing Racial Equity and Social Justice
for Black Professionals in Iowa
The Black Professionals of Iowa (BPI) is a community-based organization dedicated to fostering professional
development, networking opportunities, and advocacy for Black professionals in the state. BPI was founded with
the aim of addressing the unique challenges faced by Black professionals in Iowa and creating a supportive and
empowering network.
Through various initiatives, BPI strives to enhance career prospects and create a sense of belonging for its
members. The organization organizes regular networking events, workshops, and seminars that offer valuable
resources and knowledge-sharing opportunities. These events serve as platforms for members to connect,
exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships, ultimately fostering a strong community of Black
professionals.
BPI also collaborates with local businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to create
employment opportunities, mentorship programs, and professional development initiatives. By partnering with
these entities, BPI works towards increasing diversity and inclusion in Iowa's workforce and ensuring that Black
professionals have a fair and equal chance at success.
In addition to professional development, BPI advocates for the rights and interests of its members within the
broader community. The organization actively engages in discussions and initiatives aimed at combating racial
inequality, promoting diversity, and advancing social justice. BPI seeks to amplify the voices of Black
professionals, advocating for policies and practices that create a more inclusive and equitable professional
landscape in Iowa.
Overall, the Black Professionals of Iowa is a dynamic and proactive organization that seeks to empower Black
professionals, foster their growth and success, and create a thriving and supportive community. Through its
initiatives and advocacy, BPI is making strides towards a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable professional
environment in Iowa.
Continuous
60
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
Our project with the Black Professionals of Iowa will significantly advance racial equity and social justice through
various key strategies.
Firstly, by fostering connections and networking opportunities among black professionals, we aim to create a
strong support system that allows individuals to share their experiences, challenges, and successes. By building
these connections, we can leverage the collective power of the community to drive positive change. This network
will serve as a resource for career advancement, mentorship, and collaboration, ultimately promoting racial
equity within professional settings.
Secondly, our project will collaborate with other organizations, businesses, and community leaders to develop
initiatives that specifically address racial disparities and promote social justice. Our goal is to actively support
black-owned businesses by working towards their certification as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE),
Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), and Women’s Business Enterprises (WBE). Through initiative, we aim to
foster inclusivity and promote economic empowerment within our community. By working together, we can pool
our resources, knowledge, and expertise to design and implement strategies that tackle systemic issues. This
collaboration will ensure that our efforts are comprehensive, holistic, and effective in bringing about significant
change. In addition to fostering connections and collaboration, our project recognizes the importance of
community outreach and education. We will actively engage with the broader community to increase awareness,
understanding, and appreciation of black culture, history, and contributions. By promoting cultural literacy, we aim
to challenge stereotypes, dismantle biases, and foster a more inclusive society. This outreach will contribute to
building bridges of understanding between different racial and ethnic groups, leading to greater empathy and
collective action against racial inequalities. Furthermore, our project will serve as a platform to amplify the voices
and perspectives of black professionals. By providing a space for dialogue, advocacy, and awareness-raising,
we can address systemic issues that disproportionately affect the black community. This platform will empower
black professionals to advocate for policies and changes that create a more equitable and inclusive society,
ensuring that their voices are heard, and their needs are met.
Overall, our project with the Black Professionals of Iowa is committed to advancing racial equity and social
justice by fostering connections, collaborating with stakeholders, engaging in community outreach and
education, amplifying voices, and supporting mentorship programs. We believe that these strategies will
contribute to creating a more equitable and inclusive society for black professionals in Iowa City and beyond.
The Black Professionals of Iowa play a vital role in contributing to the building of communities throughout Iowa
City. They actively foster connections and engagement within the black community by organizing various
community events and initiatives. As we strengthen our community ties, we’re committed to ongoing
collaboration with the University of Iowa’s Tippie Black and Business group. Together, we’ll forge a mentorship
program to empower and guide aspiring professionals, fostering a supportive environment for growth and
success. These events create spaces for networking, sharing resources, and celebrating the achievements and
contributions of black professionals. By collaborating with local organizations and leaders, they address
community development concerns, such as neighborhood revitalization and increased access to resources.
Additionally, by supporting entrepreneurship and small business development within the black community, they
help stimulate economic growth and empower individuals to become self-sufficient. Ultimately, the Black
Professionals of Iowa enrich and strengthen communities by promoting unity, providing resources, and
supporting the success and well-being of its members. “The Strength of Weak Ties” by Mark Granovetter and
“Networks, Social Capital, and Entrepreneurship” by Ronald S. Burt discuss the benefit of representation and
entrepreneurial networks. Research in journals like “Journal of Business Venturing” and Entrepreneurship Theory
and Practice” also delve into how diverse networks and representation can positively impact entrepreneurship by
providing access to resources, information, and opportunities.
The Black Professionals of Iowa addresses the issue of employment by actively hiring professionals within the
black community to provide professional services. By doing so, they create opportunities for individuals who may
otherwise face barriers in accessing certain job prospects. This not only helps to address the
underrepresentation of black professionals in various industries but also promotes diversity and inclusion.
Through their proactive approach, The Black Professionals of Iowa aims to empower black individuals and
contribute to creating a more equitable workforce. The Black Professionals of Iowa are dedicated to becoming a
valuable resource within the community. We aim to serve as a hub for sharing job opportunities and keeping our
members informed about companies seeking bids for projects, this will also connect the DBE, MBE, WBE
certification. By fostering these connections, we contribute to the professional development and economic
advancement of our community.
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5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Dream City 1 year
Think Iowa City 1 year
Greater IC INC 1 year
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
The project of the Black Professionals of Iowa is dedicated to serving a broad demographic within the black
community. This project aims to provide support and resources to individuals of varying age groups, races,
genders, and income levels. Black professionals of all ages, including young professionals starting their careers,
mid-career professionals seeking growth and advancement, and experienced professionals looking to share their
expertise, will benefit from this initiative. It is specifically designed to address the needs and challenges faced by
black professionals identifying as African American. This project is inclusive and serves individuals of all
genders, recognizing and valuing the contributions and experiences of both men and women. Additionally, it
endeavors to support black professionals across a wide range of income levels, acknowledging and addressing
economic disparities within the black community. The goal is to provide resources, networking opportunities, and
support at various stages of their careers, uplifting black professionals and fostering a more equitable and
inclusive landscape for their success and advancement.
While our current membership predominantly consists of African Americans, our vision for the coming year
includes actively engaging with youth entrepreneurs. We aspire to create a more diverse and dynamic
community, fostering growth, innovation, and mentorship opportunities for the next generation of professionals.
For the inaugural year, membership is complimentary and includes access to notifications for all upcoming
events. Certain events, such as the murder mystery dinner, may have associated fees. However, we understand
that there are circumstances when individuals may be unable to afford event fees, and in such cases, the fee
may be waived upon request. Events that created partnerships within the community like the Murder Mystery
dinner partnered with the non-profit organization PS1 (Public Space 1), the event included a tour of the historical
space, the catering was done by a member of the Black Professionals of Iowa. The event was designed to build
camaraderie, opportunities to problem solve together, address critical assumptions and to just have fun while
doing so. The end of season event The Masquerade ball was done at the historical Old Brick which included
community organizations opportunity to come out to celebrate a successful season, it was partnered with
organizations like Think Iowa City & formerly Project Better together.
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9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
The success of the project by the Black Professionals of Iowa will be measured in several ways.
Membership Growth: Monitoring the growth in membership numbers will be an indicator of the project's success.
An increasing number of black professionals joining the organization demonstrates the value and appeal of the
resources and opportunities provided.
Networking and Collaboration: Assessing the number and quality of networking opportunities and collaborations
facilitated by the project can indicate success. We will evaluate the quality of networking events through
feedback from our valued members. We understand the significance of creating impactful networking
opportunities for black professionals, and therefore, we will regularly survey our members to gather insights and
suggestions on how to continually enhance our events. There feedback will be instrumental in shaping the future
of our networking community. This will involve partnerships formed with other organizations, businesses, and
community leaders to address shared objectives and create positive change.
Community Engagement: Evaluating the level of community engagement and participation will indicate success.
This will include attendance and involvement in community events, workshops, and initiatives organized by the
Black Professionals of Iowa.
Member Satisfaction and Feedback: Regularly collecting feedback from members on their experience with the
organization, including satisfaction with events, resources, and support received, will help gauge success, and
identify areas for improvement.
Membership Dues: Leveraging membership fees will serve as a vital resource to ensure the sustainability and
growth of our organization. These contributions enable us to continue offering valuable networking opportunities,
develop impactful programming, and further our mission to support and empower black professionals. The
membership fees can play a crucial role in sustaining the vision and longevity of our collective endeavors.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes,
To ensure that the organization continues to prioritize and work towards racial equity and social justice even after
the grant ends, several measures will be taken:
Strategic Planning: The organization will further develop the strategic plan that outlines its goals, objectives, and
actions related to racial equity and social justice. This plan should include specific strategies to address these
issues and a timeline for implementation.
Sustainability Initiatives: The organization can explore various sustainability initiatives to secure long-term
funding and resources. This can include applying for additional grants, seeking partnerships with other
organizations, conducting fundraising campaigns, and establishing sponsorships or donations from individuals or
businesses that align with the organization's mission.
Capacity Building: Focusing on building the organizational capacity is crucial for continued efforts towards racial
equity and social justice. This includes investing in staff development, recruiting and retaining diverse and skilled
team members, and building strong partnerships with experts and consultants to ensure continued expertise in
addressing these issues.
Collaboration and Networking: The organization will actively seek collaboration opportunities with other
community-based organizations, advocacy groups, educational institutions, and government agencies to create
a broader and more sustained impact. Networking within these networks will facilitate knowledge-sharing,
resource pooling, and collective efforts towards racial equity and social justice.
Evaluation and Accountability: Continual evaluation of the organization's progress towards racial equity and
social justice goals is essential. This will involve setting up internal monitoring systems, collecting data,
conducting regular assessments, and sharing progress reports with stakeholders. Being accountable to the
community and regularly communicating updates and achievements will help maintain transparency.
Community Engagement: The organization will prioritize ongoing community engagement to ensure that the
voices and needs of the community are heard and appropriately addressed. This can involve hosting forums,
gathering feedback through surveys or focus groups, and actively involving community members in decision-
making processes. By implementing these measures, the organization can maintain its commitment to racial
equity and social justice, even after the grant ends, ensuring that efforts to address these issues remain a central
focus of its work.
Funding Amount Request
63
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
If so, for what and for how much?
No, Black Professionals of Iowa hasn't received any funding from the City of Iowa City.
25,000.00$
The annual budget for the Black Professionals of Iowa amounts to $38,000, encompassing various essential
elements such as office space rental, supplies, training and development, legal and compliance, technology,
event organization, venue rental and equipment, as well as promotion and marketing efforts, networking
resources, and refreshments. This budget is instrumental for the organization as it ensures the seamless
operation of its activities, supports the growth and skill development of its members through training and
development initiatives, facilitates the organization's compliance with legal requirements, and allows for the
necessary technological infrastructure. Furthermore, it provides resources for organizing events and networking
activities, ultimately fostering a stronger and more connected community of black professionals in Iowa.
Big Grove Brewery Applied 8,000.00$
Budget
Space Rental Office space is essential for
black professionals in Iowa as it
provides a dedicated
environment for work,
collaboration, and professional
growth. Access to office space
allows individuals to have a
designated area to focus on
their tasks, meet with clients
and colleagues, and foster a
sense of community within the
workplace. Additionally, having
a physical office space can help
facilitate networking
opportunities, mentorship, and
the exchange of ideas, which
are crucial for career
advancement and personal
development. Providing black
professionals with access to
office space is a step towards
creating an inclusive and
supportive work environment
where all individuals have the
resources they need to thrive in
their careers.
600.00$12 7,200.00$
64
Office Supplies Office supplies are essential for
black professionals in Iowa, as
they play a crucial role in
productivity, organization, and
overall efficiency in the
workplace. These supplies
enable professionals to
effectively carry out their daily
tasks, from taking notes in
meetings to staying organized
with documents and reports. By
having access to necessary
office supplies, black
professionals can focus on their
work and contribute
meaningfully to their respective
fields without being hindered by
a lack of resources.
Additionally, having these
supplies readily available can
help create a more inclusive
and equitable work environment
for all professionals, including
those from underrepresented
communities.
4,100.00$12 4,100.00$
Training &
Development
Training and development are
crucial for black professionals in
Iowa as they provide the
opportunity to enhance skills,
knowledge, and competencies
necessary for career
advancement and success in
the workplace. Access to
training programs and
professional development
initiatives can help individuals
acquire new skills, stay updated
with industry trends, and build
confidence in their abilities.
Moreover, these opportunities
can empower black
professionals to take on
leadership roles, pursue career
growth, and make meaningful
contributions to their
organizations. By investing in
training and development for
black professionals, businesses
and communities can foster a
more diverse and inclusive
workforce, ultimately leading to
greater innovation and a more
equitable representation in
various industries.
3,500.00$12 3,500.00$
65
Legal & Compliance Legal and compliance support
is critical for black professionals
in Iowa to maintain their
nonprofit status. Adhering to
legal and compliance standards
ensures that the organization
operates within the rules and
regulations set forth by the
government, maintaining tax-
exempt status. Compliance also
helps in fulfilling reporting
requirements, avoiding potential
legal issues, and upholding
transparency and
accountability. By ensuring legal
and regulatory compliance,
black professional organizations
in Iowa can continue to fulfill
their missions, serve their
communities, and positively
impact society while
maintaining their nonprofit
status.
2,000.00$12 2,000.00$
Technology Technology is essential for
black professionals in Iowa as it
provides tools for
communication, productivity,
and access to information. With
technology, professionals can
connect with colleagues and
clients, access educational
resources, and stay updated on
industry developments.
Additionally, technology offers
opportunities for remote work,
which can provide flexibility and
accessibility for individuals who
may face barriers to traditional
in-person work environments.
Embracing technology also
allows black professionals to
leverage digital platforms for
networking, skill development,
and entrepreneurship,
ultimately contributing to their
professional growth and
success.
2,200.00$12 2,200.00$
66
Event Organizer An event organizer is essential
for black professionals in Iowa
as they play a key role in
bringing the community
together, fostering networking
opportunities, and promoting
collaboration. Organizers help
plan and execute events
tailored to the needs and
interests of black professionals,
creating spaces for professional
development, mentorship, and
the exchange of ideas.
Furthermore, they facilitate the
celebration of achievements,
the recognition of talents, and
the promotion of diversity and
inclusion within professional
circles. By providing a platform
for engagement and interaction,
event organizers contribute to
the growth and cohesion of the
black professional community in
Iowa.
5,000.00$9 5,000.00$
Venue Rental and
Equipment
Venue rental and equipment are
essential for black professionals
in Iowa as they provide the
necessary infrastructure for
hosting professional events,
meetings, and gatherings.
Access to suitable venues and
equipment ensures that
professionals have spaces to
convene, collaborate, and
engage in various activities
such as workshops, networking
events, and professional
development sessions.
Additionally, having access to
the right equipment
(audiovisual, presentation
materials, etc.) is crucial for
creating a conducive
environment for learning,
sharing knowledge, and
building professional
relationships. By providing
these resources, black
professionals in Iowa can
facilitate meaningful
interactions, knowledge
exchange, and community
building, ultimately contributing
to their professional
advancement and collective
empowerment.
6,000.00$9 6,000.00$
67
Event Promotion and
Marketing
Event promotion and marketing
are crucial for black
professionals in Iowa as they
help raise awareness, attract
participation, and create
visibility for professional
gatherings, networking events,
and educational opportunities.
Effective promotion and
marketing strategies enable
professionals to reach a wider
audience, engage with potential
attendees, and communicate
the value of the events being
organized. This not only
increases participation and
engagement but also helps in
establishing a stronger
community presence. By
promoting events, black
professionals can showcase
their expertise, share valuable
insights, and create
opportunities for collaboration
and networking. Ultimately,
effective promotion and
marketing efforts contribute to
the growth and success of the
black professional community in
Iowa.
4,000.00$12 4,000.00$
Networking
Resources and
Materials
Networking resources and
materials are essential for black
professionals in Iowa as they
provide the tools and
opportunities to build
meaningful connections, form
strategic partnerships, and
access valuable career
opportunities. These resources
help professionals in expanding
their professional circles,
sharing knowledge, and gaining
insights from peers and industry
leaders. Additionally, access to
networking materials such as
business cards, online
platforms, and promotional
materials can facilitate ongoing
communication and
relationship-building. By
providing these resources,
black professionals can
enhance their visibility, establish
a support system, and create
pathways for career
advancement and personal
growth within their respective
industries.
3,000.00$12 3,000.00$
68
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Refreshments and
Amenities
Refreshments and amenities
are important for black
professionals in Iowa as they
help create a welcoming and
inclusive environment during
professional gatherings,
meetings, and scheduled
trainings . Access to
refreshments and amenities not
only ensures the comfort of
attendees but also provides
opportunities for networking and
informal interactions. By
offering these provisions, black
professionals can engage in
discussions, build relationships,
and feel valued and supported
within their professional
community. Additionally, these
offerings contribute to the
overall experience of the
events, enhancing participation
and fostering a sense of
belonging for all attendees.
2,000.00$12 2,000.00$
The professional services catering to the needs of black professionals in Iowa would include highly skilled caters,
creative mixologists, and courteous servers. The professionals that will be providing the services are members of
the Black professionals of Iowa, which will contribute to economic development. These professionals would
enhance the overall experience of various activities by providing exceptional food and beverage services. Their
expertise and attention to detail would contribute to the success and advancement of events, meetings,
conferences, and other activities organized for black professionals in Iowa.
Based on the allocation provided, here's a timeline for spending the grant money over the course of a year: -
Month 1-12: Office Space Rental ($600/month * 12 months) = $7,200
Month 1: Legal and Compliance, Technology, Office Supplies = $8,300
Month 3-4: Venue Rental and Equipment = $6,000
Months 5-8: Event Promotion and Marketing = $4,000
Each event will take place monthly
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
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.
69
Signature*
Date*
12/31/2023
70
71
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Black Voices Project
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
Johnson
Street Address
Appanoose Court
Address Line 2
319-321-2779
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Royceann Porter
President 72
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
Phone Number*
Email *
319-321-2779
royceannporter1212@gmail.com
Black Voices Project is a vehicle for Black people's voices to be heard in the Iowa City area; our work creates a
community that supports a thriving black culture.
8
Project Proposal
Voices United for Equity and Justice
Voices United for Equity and Justice serves as a powerful platform within the Black Voices Project amplifying
efforts to encourage, empower, and engage racial equity and social justice initiatives in the Iowa City Area.
New
*This project actively addresses systemic issues through community engagement, education, and targeted
advocacy in key areas.
*By promoting economic opportunities, legal support, and educational initiatives, the project aims to dismantle
inequities and empower the black community.
*The events, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Juneteenth Celebration, foster unity and celebrate
diversity, contributing to a more just and inclusive community.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Iowa City Community School District 1 year
Iowa City Police Department 1 year
Iowa City Parks & Recreation 1 year
City of Coralville 1 year
Johnson County Community Gun Violence Intervention 1 year
73
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
The Black Voices Project aim to serve the entire Iowa City community, with a primary focus on Black residents. It
will address the needs of all ages, genders, and income levels within the Black community, promoting inclusivity
and equity.
The project's initiatives, spanning building communities, criminal justice reform, education, employment, health,
and housing, are designed to address systemic issues and promote racial equity and social justice for the Black
population.
Demographic groups served include:
1. Black Residents: The core focus is on amplifying the voices and addressing the needs of the Black community
in Iowa City.
2. Students: Educational initiatives target students affected by discrimination in schools, including black students.
3. Immigrant Communities: Advocacy efforts extend to support immigrant students and workers who may face
unique challenges.
4. Low-Income Individuals: Initiatives like employment programs and housing advocacy aim to benefit those with
economic challenges.
5. Transgender Individuals: The project actively protests for the rights of transgender students and workers,
serving this demographic.
By addressing the diverse needs and challenges faced by these demographic groups, the Black Voices Project
strives to create a more inclusive and equitable community for everyone in Iowa City.
The Black Voices Project is committed to advancing racial equity and social justice while ensuring accessibility.
However, there is an annual fee associated with Black Voices Project participation: $30.00 per person and
$15.00 for Senior Citizens and Students.
This fee structure is designed to contribute to the sustainability of the project and its initiatives. The funds
collected through these fees may potentially support administrative costs, event logistics, and other operational
expenses. Efforts could be made to provide waivers or scholarships for individual who may face financial
challenges, thereby maintaining an inclusive environment and ensuring that the Black Voices Project remains
accessible to a broad and diverse demographic.
74
9. How will success of the project be measured? *
The success of the Voices United to Equity Project will be measured through a comprehensive evaluation
framework encompassing both quantitative and qualitative indicators. Key performance metrics and
assessment methods include:
1. Community Impact:
* Attendance: Measure the participation rates in community-building events, workshops, and forums.
*Partnerships: Track the number and strength of partnerships with local businesses.
2. Criminal Justice:
*Policy Changes: Assess any achieved reforms or policy changes resulting from advocacy efforts.
*Legal Outcomes: Measure the success of legal aid interventions in addressing injustices.
3. Education:
*Awareness Levels: Evaluate the impact of educational campaigns through surveys and assessments.
*School Environment: Assess improvements in addressing discrimination in schools.
4. Employment:
*Minimum Wage Impact: Evaluate the impact of minimum wage initiatives on employment conditions.
*Job Training Success: Measure the success and placement rates of job training programs.
5. Health:
* Participation Rates: Track the participation in health and wellness programs.
* Health Outcomes: Evaluate improvements in community health indicators.
6. Housing:
*Policy Changes: Assess any policy changes resulting from housing advocacy efforts.
*Legal Interventions: Measure the success of legal support in combating housing discrimination.
Ongoing Monitoring: Regularly monitor and assess ongoing activities and initiatives throughout the year.
Mid-Year Review -(Months 6-7)
*Evaluate progress, make adjustments if necessary, and identify areas for improvement.
* Year-End Assessment (Month 12):
*Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the overall impact and success of the project.
Qualitative Feedback:
- Collect qualitative feedback through surveys, focus groups, and testimonials from participants, partners, and
community members.
- Assess community perceptions, awareness levels, and the project's influence on attitudes and behaviors.
By combining both quantitative metrics and qualitative feedback, the Black Voices Project can gain a holistic
understanding of its impact, ensuring that success is measured not only in numbers but also in the positive
changes experienced by the community.
75
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
The sustainability and continuation of the Voices United to Equity Project after the grant period will depend on
several factors:
1. Diversification of Funding:
- Seek additional sources of funding, grants, and community support to sustain ongoing initiatives.
2. Establishing Partnerships:
- Forge strong and lasting partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and community stakeholders
for continued support.
3. Community Involvement:
- Encourage active community involvement and volunteerism to maintain momentum and engagement.
4. Long-Term Planning:
- Develop a long-term strategic plan outlining objectives, activities, and funding strategies beyond the initial
grant period.
5. Measuring Impact:
- Continuously assess and showcase the positive impact of the project to attract ongoing support.
6. Capacity Building:
- Invest in building organizational capacity, including leadership development, to ensure effective project
management.
7. Adaptability and Flexibility:
- Be adaptable to changing community needs and responsive to emerging issues, ensuring relevance over
time.
8. Advocacy for Policy Changes:
- Continue advocating for policy changes in key areas such as criminal justice, education, employment,
health, and housing to create lasting systemic impact.
By proactively addressing these considerations, the Black Voices Project can increase the likelihood of sustained
success beyond the initial grant period, ensuring its ongoing contribution to racial equity and social justice in the
community.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
$15,000 for Operational cost for Juneteenth.
25,000.00$
$22,000
Green State Credit Union Received 2,500.00$
76
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
Budget
MLK Event Martin Luther King
Event/Parade
1,500.00$1 1,500.00$
Black History
"SoulFood Dinner'
Community Soulfood Dinner
feeding 300+ people in our
communities
3,000.00$1 3,500.00$
Juneteenth
Celebration
Celebrate
Juneteenth/Food/Entertainment
/Allocating funds for event
logistics, ensuring a memorable
and impactful celebration.
Incorporate a concert to
enhance cultural engagement.
15,000.00$1 15,000.00$
Workshops Host Workshops addressing
racial injustices in police/school
& housing
500.00$1 500.00$
Community Forums Discuss disparities in the
community.
500.00$1 500.00$
Educational
Materials
Develop educational materials
addressing discrimination in
schools.
500.00$1 500.00$
Administrative
Support
Allocate a portion of the funds
for administrative expenses,
outreach materials, and
technology for virtual events.
2,500.00$1 2,000.00$
Professional
Services
hiring consultants or experts in
racial equity, event planning,
and community engagement.
These services will ensure
strategic planning, targeted
outreach, and the delivery of
high-quality events that
resonate with our community.
Professional services are
crucial for refining our
approach, maximizing impact,
and sustaining the momentum
of our initiatives.
1,500.00$1 1,500.00$
Hiring consultants or experts in racial equity, event planning, and community engagement. These services will
ensure strategic planning, targeted outreach, and the delivery of high-quality events that resonate with our
community. Professional services are crucial for refining our approach, maximizing impact, and sustaining the
momentum of our initiatives.
77
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
1. Advocacy and Education (Months 1-3):
- Host workshops addressing racial injustices in the police, school system, and housing.
- Facilitate community forums to discuss Black teacher recruitment and retention.
- Develop educational materials addressing discrimination in schools and supporting immigrant students
and workers.
2. Protests and Awareness Campaigns (Months 4-6):
- Organize protests advocating for minimum wage increase and transgender rights.
- Launch awareness campaigns addressing systemic discrimination in schools.
- Collaborate with local media for broader outreach.
3. Community Events and Engagements (Months 7-9):
- Collaborate with City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation for the Martin Luther King Jr. parade.
- Organize a SOULFOOD DINNER during Black History Month, feeding at least 300 people.
- Strengthen partnerships with local organizations for sustained community engagement.
4. Juneteenth Celebration (Months 10-12):
- Plan and execute a vibrant Juneteenth event in downtown Iowa City.
- Allocate funds for event logistics, ensuring a memorable and impactful celebration.
- Incorporate a concert to enhance cultural engagement.
5. Capacity Building and Administrative Support (Throughout the Year):
- Allocate a portion of the funds for administrative expenses, outreach materials, and technology for virtual
events.
- Invest in capacity-building initiatives, including training volunteers and enhancing organizational
infrastructure.
**Community Events and Engagements:
- January-Collaborate with City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation for the Martin Luther King Jr.
Event/Parade.
- February-Organize the "SOULFOOD DINNER" during Black History Month, feeding at least 300 people.
- June-Juneteenth Celebration
- Incorporate a free live concert to enhance cultural engagement.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
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.
1/2/2024
78
79
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Eastern Iowa Chapter of APAPA (Asian and Pacific Islander
American Public Affair)
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
United States
Street Address
331 N. Gilbert Street
Address Line 2
3193317487
www.apapa.org/iowa
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Na (Nina) Li
80
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
President
3193317487
naliiowa@gmail.com
The Asian and Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) is a nonpartisan nonprofit with 50+ chapters
nationwide. A group of East Asian residents in Iowa City gathered to set up the Eastern Iowa Chapter of APAPA
in 2023, dedicated to building a culturally diverse and equal community through increased cultural activities and
civic engagement. We promote mutual understanding, fight hate crimes, and provide opportunities for our
collective voices to be heard.
1
Project Proposal
Lunar New Year Gala
The 2025 Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year. The project
features cultural performances from local professional artists and musicians from different Asian countries. The
preface will be the Vietnam lion dance and the Chinese dragon dance. There are performances of a professional
tenor, a soprano, or a mezzo-soprano singing Asian scenery. Several excellent Iowa City Asian folk dance
groups will do sword, willow, or lotus dances. Ukraine Chia Chia experts will present the different dance styles in
addition to Korean modern K-pop dance. Themes range from the various legends of Asian or Pacific
descendants to the symbol of the Jasmine flower, from the appreciation of beautiful scenery to the cherishing of
current life.
New
Asian Americans and Pacific Americans (AAPI) are one of the fastest-growing populations in eastern Iowa, but
we are underrepresented when vital decisions are made that affect everyone’s lives. We believe that culture
speaks louder than politics. Art is a universal language to communicate. Therefore, we collaborate with other
diverse organizations, public officials, and school and community leaders to celebrate cultural differences by
hosting a Lunar New Year Gala at Englert Theater. The Lunar New Year is the most critical holiday in most Asian
countries: China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Mongolia. Now, it is recognized by the
United Nations. ICCSD (Iowa City School District) has kindly set one day off for the first day of the Lunar New
Year on January 29, 2025, which allows ICCSD students time to celebrate. Local musicians, artists, and
members from the AAPI community will collectively present a fantastic array of performances in celebration.
Students in the Chinese Language Club at Horn Elementary and Wickham Elementary will present a Chinese
song they learned in class.
We plan several events in 2025, including the Lunar New Year Gala in Englert Theater and the World Culture
Festival in September, urging ICCSD to add a Chinese high school class. The Lunar New Year Gala in Englert
Theater is expected to receive an audience of 500 with several media coverage including Press Citizen, Daily
Iowa, KCRG, Iowa's News.
81
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
NONE NONE
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
The project will primarily serve Iowa City AAPI residents and immigrants. Individuals aging 0-60+ and speak
Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Central Thai, Filipino, Lao, Khmer, or Malay continue to make
up the majority of Eastern Iowa Chapter of APAPA's individual membership base and are expected to make up
the majority of this project's participants. APAPA expects the participants to be between the ages of 4 and 65.
The projects will be open to the whole Iowa City community.
It is free to college students, ages 0-18 and 65+. The tickets for adults is $10.
Success for the Lunar New Year Gala will be evaluated based on the number of audience, the media coverage,
and the comments of the audience. APAPA wants as many community members as possible to participate in the
event. Specifically, APAPA will consider this project successful if more than 500 individuals attend the Lunar New
Year Gala, if the majority of the audience enjoy the show, and if the media coverage has a positive report on it.
Further, we will consider this project successful if participants sign up for more APAPA related events.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, APAPA expects the Lunar New Year Gala to be operational and continued for many years through different
donations. APAPA will ensure that Lunar New Year Gala is in good quality to present AAPI culture as long as
possible. Further, through community partnerships and other sources of funding, APAPA will be able to continue
the Lunar New Year Gala for many years after the human rights grant funding ends.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Yes, $250 for the World Culture Festival on 9/9/2023.
3,000.00$
$10,000
82
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
None Applied 0.00$
Budget
Facility Rental Englert Theater Rental 2,600.00$1 2,600.00$
Performers Fee gratitude fee 100.00$10 1,000.00$
Costumes Cost and delivery 200.00$5 1,000.00$
Printing Cost Flyer 100.00$1 100.00$
Flyer Design Design and photography 100.00$1 100.00$
Rehearsal Cost Pizza and drink 150.00$1 150.00$
Tickets Income Tickets sold 7.00$200 1,400.00$
None
This grant will be used for the Lunar New Year Gala event.
ICCSD (Iowa City School District) has one day off for the Lunar New Year on January 29, 2025. So the Lunar
New Year Gala will be on 1/26/2025.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
The total budget cost is $6350. The projected income from tickets sale is $1400. There is a need for a funding of
$4950. We ask Human Rights for $3000 to cover the basic cost.
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.
1/3/2024
83
84
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Houses into Homes
City
Coralville
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52241
Country
USA
Street Address
401 6th Ave., Suite 1
Address Line 2
3194351075
housesintohomes.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Lucy Barker
Director of Development 85
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
Phone Number*
Email *
3193820969
lucy@housesintohomes.org
Houses into Homes provides gently-used beds, furniture, and household items for families and individuals in
Johnson County who are exiting homelessness, domestic violence, and other crisis situations.
Our mission is to help people feel the comfort of home and to do so in a way that honors their experience and
engages them with unconditional positive regard. Houses into Homes is the only organization of its kind in
Johnson County. We also proudly offer volunteers, recipients, donors, and staff a unique opportunity to meet and
impact those with whom they share our community.
6
Project Proposal
Kitchen Starter Sets
Houses into Homes provides beds, furniture, and household items to families and individuals in Johnson County
who are experiencing furniture poverty. Over the nearly six years since our first bed delivery, we have found that
the households we work with frequently do not have the pots, pans, baking sheets, cooking utensils, and other
items that are needed for making healthy meals. For this reason, we provide basic kitchen items and cooking
equipment as needed and as much as our inventory of donated items will support. We frequently run low on
these items, however, as donated kitchen wares are often no longer usable. This grant application requests
$15,000 to provide kitchen starter sets to 120 households.
Our community addresses food insecurity through our food pantries and food rescue organizations. Having the
food items is only part of the solution, however. Individuals and families need kitchen equipment to turn food into
meals. We want to make sure that every home we furnish has the kitchen essentials, and the majority of the
households we serve need at least a few cooking items.
A kitchen starter set would include a 12” skillet and other pots and pans, baking sheets, a toaster, knives, and
utensils such as a spatula, can opener, and pizza cutter. The estimated cost to purchase these items is
$125/household. A grant of $15,000 would provide kitchen sets to 120 households, which will equal about 35%
of the households we expect to serve in 2024.
New
86
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
This project will advance racial equity and social justice by addressing food insecurity through the provision of
kitchen essentials to low-income households. Basic food preparation and storage items are necessary to turn
available food into healthy meals.
Food security can be defined as “all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe
and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”(1) According
to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in addition to basic nutrition, “food security
is linked to economic stability, long-term health, women’s empowerment and the environment.” US Agriculture
Secretary, Tom Vilsack, said, ““Ensuring low-income families have access to a healthy diet helps prevent
disease, supports children in the classroom, reduces health care costs, and more.”(2)
FAO defines four types of food security: food availability, access to food, food utilization, and stability of food
systems. Food pantries and other food rescue organizations in our community address the first two types:
availability of and access to food. This grant seeks to address food utilization, which is the way the body uses
food. FAO notes that, “being able to utilize food well is the result of best practices in food preparation, proper
storage, feeding and diet—anything that might affect having enough consumption and digestion of food.”(2) (The
fourth type of food security depends on the stability of the first three.)
A study by Oakley and Nikolaus examined the link between food insecurity and food preparation equipment, and
found that low-income households owned fewer kitchen items, which “may help to explain dietary intake and
food pattern differences between [food insecure] and food secure households…, notably a lower consumption of
fruits and vegetables, a reliance on convenience and fast foods, and a lower intake of specific nutrients.”3 This
study also found that “the greater the number of cooking appliances owned, the more frequent the number of
family meals and the higher the number of home‐prepared dinners their children consumed.” Evidence suggests
that if a greater number of food preparation items were available to low-income households, they would be used.
(3)
Results from another study suggest that “ownership of household food preparation equipment is a conduit for in‐
home meal preparation, presumably of higher quality because they also found that children in these homes
ingested less sugar.”(4)
Similarly to many of the items we provide, such as lamps or towels, the tools and equipment to cook with are
small items on their own, but the effect of having them can lead to better nutrition, less hunger, and more family
togetherness.
1. https://www.worldvision.ca/stories/food/the-basics-of-food-security
2. https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/08/16/usda-modernizes-thrifty-food-plan-updates-snap-
benefits
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6588011/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24462491/
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None None
87
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
58% of recipient households are extremely low-income, or 30% AMI, and another 27% are very low-income, or
50% AMI. An estimate of the racial makeup of our recipients is 70% Black or African American, 15% Hispanic,
and 15% White. An increasing number of our recipients are immigrants, most often referred through the Iowa
City Community School District and Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County. Over 50% of the individuals we
serve are children.
All of our recipients are, in some way, living without the basic comforts of home. Most individuals we serve are
sleeping on the floor or an air mattress. Most of our recipients are also living without basic furniture, such as a
couch and a table and chairs, a place to do homework, or even decent lighting in living rooms and bedrooms.
Additionally, most homes we furnish are without the dishes and pots and pans needed to provide a meal for their
families.
There is no financial cost to receive kitchen items.
Success for this project will be measured by how many households request and receive basic kitchen items. We
are working with our research team, who survey recipients two months or more after their items have been
delivered, to add a question that asks about the effects of receiving cooking items and equipment.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, we will continue to provide kitchen starters sets as needed. We are applying for grants from other funders
and will request corporate donations to continue to support purchase of items to fill gaps in our donated
inventory.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
RESJ FY23 $10,000
A2A $15,000 (received $7500 as of 1/4/24)
15,000.00$
$442,000
none Applied 0.00$
Budget
88
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
12" skillet with lid 12" skillet with lid 25.00$120 3,000.00$
Pots and pans set Pots and pans set 25.00$120 3,000.00$
Baking set Baking pans/sheet 25.00$120 3,000.00$
Toaster basic toaster 15.00$120 1,800.00$
Utensil set spatula, spoon 2.00$120 240.00$
Pizza cutter Pizza cutter 6.00$120 720.00$
Can opener Can opener 5.00$120 600.00$
Knife set 3 knives + kitchen shears 15.00$120 1,800.00$
No fees for professional services.
We will assess our inventory monthly to determine gaps in the donated inventory of kitchen items. We will also
look at our waiting list and estimate how many households will need items in the coming month, so that we keep
an inventory of the proper size.
Purchase of kitchen items will occur as needed throughout the year. The number of referrals is generally higher
in the fall, so we expect to need to purchase items beginning in August and continuing through the end of 2024.
Spring is another peak time where we will likely need to purchase items to replenish our inventory.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes, this project can be completed with less funding. The number of households served would decrease with the
amount of funding. $10,000 would provide kitchen starter sets to 80 households. $5,000 would provide sets for
40 households.
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.
1/4/2024
89
90
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Escucha Mi Voz Iowa
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
113 S Johnson St
Address Line 2
319-499-8929
escuchamivozia.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Clinton Dimambu
Representative Organizer 91
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
Phone Number*
Email *
319-333-6490
info@escuchamivozia.org
The mission of the community-based housing organization Escucha Mi Voz Iowa is to address the social and
structural determinants of health and promote whole worker health equity by building the power of immigrant and
refugee communities to achieve dignity and justice in society
2
Project Proposal
Refugee Housing and Migrant Health Services Project
92
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
The busing of immigrants and refugees from Texas and Florida to cities like Denver and Chicago has also
dramatically increased migration to Iowa City, exacerbating the affordable housing crisis documented in the city
of Iowa City's 2023 PRO Housing Application request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
Recently arrived immigrant and refugee families struggle to find affordable housing, legal aid, school registration,
employment opportunities, and other services. Newly arrived families who fled war, persecution, and trauma in
their home countries often have to wait as long as 180-365 days before they can receive a valid work
authorization to begin legal employment. Confined to low-wage, essential work in construction, house cleaning,
child care, restaurant, hotel, and agriculture, families have to balance integrating into a new culture, navigating
an unfamiliar environment and language, and supporting their children in the face of significant structural barriers
to access public services many other Iowa City residents take for granted.
According to a Whole Worker Health Survey of nearly 500 African and Hispanic residents of Johnson County,
conducted in October 2023 by Escucha Mi Voz Iowa and Johnson County Public Health:
over half of survey respondents do not have health insurance (including 83 percent of Hispanic workers);
more than 80 percent do not have paid sick leave;
more than 1/3rd are living in double or triple occupancy households (including over half of Hispanic survey
respondents), often in squalid, substandard, or dilapidated conditions;
only ten percent make more than $20/hour, with over half of Hispanic respondents making less than $15/hour;
half pay more than $800 a month in housing costs per person;
fully 1 in 5 do not know where to obtain free food or other essential public services.
Escucha Mi Voz's Refugee Housing and Migrant Health Services Project is an immigrant and refugee-led
program that provides refugee resettlement, permanent supportive housing, wrap-around services, and all
manner of supportive care and holistic supports to help immigrant refugee families rebuild their lives in Iowa.
The project works to guarantee equal rights, access, equity and improved health outcomes for working-class
immigrant and refugee residents of Iowa City and Johnson County.
Project services include sponsorship, guardianship, resettlement, housing transportation, one-on-one assistance
with WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid pre-screening, public school enrollment, asylum and work visa applications,
immigration and workers compensation consultation referrals, hospital bill negotiation, health system navigation,
nutrition education and emergency food services, interpretation at immigration, educational, and medical
appointments, and more. Using a high-touch method based on 1on1 relational organizing, Escucha Mi Voz Iowa
members work with directly impacted people to identify their own needs and take effective action to address
them, fostering agency and self-sufficiency through equitable access to services, personal development, and
community leadership.
Escucha Mi Voz Iowa's members, leaders, and staff are majority low-wage immigrant and refugee workers of
color and provide culturally competent care in native languages such as Spanish, French, Lingala, and others.
New
93
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
1) Housing more than 50 immigrant and refugee workers at a growing network of affordable migrant housing
cooperatives, helping them to pay off debt, rebuild their lives, integrate into the community, and move on to
personal and community independence through permanent supportive housing.
2) Connecting 350 immigrant and refugee workers each year with wrap-around services and care, including
personalized case management plans and connections to other services, programs, and resources.
3) Transporting over 100 immigrant and refugee workers to passport appointments in Chicago, biometric
appointments in Des Moines, and ICE check-ins in Cedar Rapids.
4) Helping more than 100 refugee women, mothers, children, and unaccompanied minors with 200 services and
referrals.
5) offering small-dollar, 0% interest "micro-loans" for immigrant workers to pay off debt, put down a retainer for
immigration attorneys, purchase a car for transportation to and from work, pay deposit and first month's rent at a
new apartment, and more.
6) Addressing the structural determinants of health faced by immigrant and refugee workers of color that act as a
barrier to racial equity and social justice so that all city residents have equal access to government and nonprofit
services and support they need
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Iowa City Catholic Worker House ongoing through grant reporting period
Houses Into Homes ongoing
IC Compassion ongoing
Latinos por Washington ongoing
El Trueque Latinx News ongoing
CommUnity ongoing
Shelter House ongoing
Inside/Out Re-Entry ongoing
The Crowded Closet ongoing
Table to Table ongoing
The Salvation Army of Johnson County ongoing
Proteus, Inc ongoing
Free Lunch Program ongoing
94
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
Escucha Mi Voz's Refugee Housing and Migrant Health Services Project serves hundreds of low-wage,
immigrant and refugee workers (age 16-65, women, children (0-16 years old), and families, primarily from
countries-of-origin including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador,
Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia, Sudan, and Angola. The project serves immigrant and refugee workers of color who
are at or below 80% AMI, 50% AMI, and 30% AMI.
This project primarily serves recently arrived immigrant and refugee families who are legally barred from gainful
employment or work in low-wage essential industries such as roofing and construction, domestic house cleaning
and child care, hotel, restaurant and agriculture. Escucha Mi Voz's clients often live in substandard housing, are
technically homeless, doubling or tripling up occupancy in order to survive.
No
The success of the project will be measured in the following outcomes and indicators:
1) Education: Improve success for children and youth for school, post-secondary and work.
a. Number of students receiving enriching out-of-school programming.
b. Number of students reporting increased engagement at school.
c. Number of youth who report being connected to at least one caring adult in their life.
d. Number of students receiving mentoring services.
e. Number of volunteer hours invested in programming.
2) Income - Households become financially stable.
a. Number of individuals receiving nutritional support services.
b. number of individuals exiting program to permanent or long-term safe, stable housing.
c. Number of individuals receiving quality case managment.
d. Number of individuals receiving services for stable housing.
3) Health. Increase health of children and adults.
a. Number of adults receiving health-care services.
b. Number of adults with oral healthcare needs addressed.
c. Number of children with oral healthcare needs addressed.
d. Number of fruit-vegetable options provided in meal program.
e. Number of meals served to adults in meal program.
f. Percent of total meals provided that included 2 or more servings of fruits and vegetables.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes. Escucha Mi Voz Iowa is building a sustainable and diverse fundraising base from members, individual and
institutional donors, foundation and government grants, and other sources. Iowa City Racial Equity and Social
Justice grant-funding will be critical in the project's early years to build capacity that can be leveraged into long-
term project support after this specific grant funding ends.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
No
25,000.00$
95
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
Escucha Mi Voz's annual budget is $205,000
Iowa City Aid to Agencies Emerging Agencies Applied 15,000.00$
Johnson County and United Way of Johnson and Washington
County Joint Grant
Applied 78,000.00$
Green State Credit Union Received 10,000.00$
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Received 10,000.00$
Hills Bank and Trust Received 7,500.00$
Sisters of St. Francis Received 20,000.00$
Community Foundation of Johnson County Applied 10,000.00$
Budget
Co-Director I .5 FTE professional staff time spent on
project
30,000.00$1 30,000.00$
Co-Director II .5 FTE professional staff time spent on
project
30,000.00$1 30,000.00$
Representative
Organizer I .5 FTE
professional staff time spent on
project
20,000.00$1 20,000.00$
Representative
Organizer II .5 FTE
professional staff time spent on
project
20,000.00$1 20,000.00$
Office rent, utilities 6,000.00$1 6,000.00$
Supplies paper, printing, mailing, other 6,000.00$1 6,000.00$
Program food, clothing, transportation 6,000.00$1 6,000.00$
Indirect accounting, database,12,000.00$1 12,000.00$
Travel and Training professional and membership
development
12,000.00$1 12,000.00$
Project budget includes 10 percent indirect cost allocation to pay for a portion of professional services for
database management and accounting/bookkeeping
Project is daily and ongoing with client intake, case management, resettlement, service delivery, and referrals
occuring on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis
96
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
Major project activities occur on a daily basis. Immigrant and refugee workers in need of sponsorship,
guardianship, resettlement, housing, and supportive health services call or contact organization, arrive at office
for 1on1 appointments, intake, group meetings, transportation, and other follow-up
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes but a reduction in funding would reduce the amount of immigrant and refugee workers we serve and reduce
the quality of services provided
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.
1/4/2024
97
98
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Help
City
Iowa city
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
Usa
Street Address
1514 prairie du chein rd
Address Line 2
3193515843
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Michelle hudson
Mom 99
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
Phone Number*
Email *
3193515843
hudsonkimberlymichelle@gmail.com
Help
5
Project Proposal
Help me please
Helping everyone
Continuous
Keep my cell phone on
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None None
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
34 two biracial female she cans 5cents as quickly as I can
No
Keeping her off the street and inside
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes0 100
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
0
25,000.00$
None
Cans Received 20.00$
Budget
Help Help 2.00$2 2.00$
Help
Help
Help
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Help
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.
1/4/2024
101
102
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Natural Talent Music, LLC
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
U.S.A.
Street Address
1108 5th Ave
Address Line 2
515-460-1727
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Creighton Gaynor
CEO 103
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
Phone Number*
Email *
515-460-1727
nattalmus@gmail.com
To empower and promote a diverse range of artists and curate inclusive events with a focus on multicultural
community-building.
2
Project Proposal
South District Arts & Entertainment Incubation and
Community Development
This project strives to nurture artistic talent and expression within the South District Neighborhood in Iowa City
especially focusing on people of color, international origins, and other marginalized populations. While Iowa City
has a great reputation for the arts, there is a marked lack of representation from and a disconnect to providing
entertainment reflective of these communities. This project strives to expand the diversity of performers, styles of
music, and venues in which entertainment is presented in Iowa City. The launch of the program last year was
received very well and made strong strides toward making positive change. We hope to be able to expand and
offer a more complete program this year. The project has 3 stages:
A. Incubation of up and coming talent. This will include education and coaching artists in a safe space on how to
improve their craft, how to handle the business side of being a performer, becoming an effective entrepreneur
and expression of their art related to social justice movements. Skilled professionals from within Iowa City and
the surrounding area will serve as presenters, coaches, and mentors. There will also be development of
relationships with local businesses to increase accessibility and equity in established venues as well as create
new performance opportunities within new performance spaces.
B. Concert Series. This stage consists of multiple, small format, new artist-friendly performances in which
program participants can hone their craft and apply lessons learned during incubation, as well as share the stage
with established professional artists. This will include Local/Open-Mic style events at established area venues
and pop-up venues in the South District area.
C. Multicultural Community Celebration Festival. This is a one day event held within the South District that
celebrates unity through diversity, promotes representative access to performance opportunities and gives select
Incubator participants performance experience alongside established local and regional professionals. It features
a line-up of multiple musical acts of a multicultural selection. The intent for this celebration is to serve as a
showcase of the South District and its inherent diversity as well as a welcome to the entire Iowa City community
to be involved with and support the neighborhood and business district.
Continuous
This project will advance racial equity/social justice by improving and increasing access and equity in
performance opportunities, nurturing artists from traditionally under-served cultural groups and expanding and
diversifying the choices that established venue talent buyers have for booking local talent. Additionally, this
project is an expansion of the South District Neighborhood Association and South of 6 Business District’s efforts
to empower, elevate and rewrite a more accurate narrative of the southside of town.
104
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
South of 6 Business District on-going
South District Neighborhood Association on-going
Dream City on-going
South District Market on-going
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
African-American, Latino and other Peoples of Color in the South District, residents of the South District in
general, all ages (with a focus on young adults), all genders, gender expressions and identities, low-income
residents and people who do not have access to the same resources as other well-served populations in the city.
No
a. Increased, positive visibility for the South District in general.
b. Increased exposure to more diverse and reflective art and performers.
c. Increased opportunities and connections for local artists.
d. Increased number of artists from the South District performing at venues and events in the mainstream Iowa
City arts scene.
e. A more cohesive community with less homogeneous audiences.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes. We will continue to build awareness and support of the project to help secure more sponsorship and other
grants for future iterations.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
The organization was awarded $14,500 by this commission in the previous cycle. No funds have been awarded
for 2024.
25,000.00$
105
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
$10,000
NA Received 0.00$
Budget
Incubator instructor
Fees
instructing, mentoring, coaching 1,200.00$1 1,200.00$
Incubator equipment
and materials
musical, logistical, educational
materials
550.00$1 550.00$
Concert series
performance fees
payment for artists 2,500.00$1 2,500.00$
Concert series
equipment
musical and logistical support 250.00$1 250.00$
Festival performance
fees
payment for artists 12,500.00$1 12,500.00$
Stage stage, lighting, power 3,750.00$1 3,750.00$
Sound PA, engineer, crew 1,800.00$1 1,800.00$
Stage crew logistics 100.00$1 100.00$
Video video capture 1,500.00$1 1,500.00$
Fenceline stage boundary for safety and
security
200.00$1 200.00$
Sanitary portable toilets and hand
sanitizing
375.00$1 375.00$
Marketing promotion 275.00$1 275.00$
Miscellaneous miscellaneous needs 500.00$1 500.00$
Established artists and arts business professionals will be utilized as educators and mentors for young artists in
the incubation stage. Established artists and service providers will be paid for their services for the festival as
well. These professionals are integral to the project as they will either help develop young artists into self-
sufficient artistic entrepreneurs, be key in attracting audiences to the festival event or provide the support that
helps make this a high-quality event.
June: incubator space, equipment and presenter fees, festival marketing
July: incubator presenter fees, concert series entertainment coordination, equipment rental, marketing and
performance fees, festival performer and services deposits
Aug: festival performance fees, service fees and marketing
106
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
Incubator Workshops: June - July
Concert Series: July-mid August
Festival: late August
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
We sincerely hope to be able to present this program in its full form this year. We were able to get a start last
year but were not able to offer key parts of the original proposal due to a lack of funding. Full funding of this grant
would make an immense difference in reaching our goals and further developing community in a very public and
accessible way.
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.
1/4/2024
107
108
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
United Action for Youth
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
1700 S 1st Ave, suite 14
Address Line 2
3193387518
www.unitedactionforyouth.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Genevieve Anglin
Associate Director 109
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
Phone Number*
Email *
3193387518
genevieve.anglin@unitedactionforyouth.org
To nurture the potential of all youth to create, grow, and succeed.
53
Project Proposal
Street Outreach
UAY was recently awarded a highly competitive federal grant, Street Outreach, in October. Street Outreach
activities are designed to meet the immediate needs of young people experiencing homelessness in unsheltered
locations by connecting them with emergency shelter, housing, or critical services, and providing them with
urgent, non-facility-based care. Services generally consist of engagement, case management, emergency health
and mental health services, and transportation. This program enhances our already existing federally funded
Transitional Living Program, UAY’s long-term housing program for young people experiencing homelessness. It
is also the primary outreach component for our new collaboration with CommUnity on Healing Prairie Farm, a
supportive crisis stabilization residential program, funded in part with a federal Basic Center grant. The federal
grant primarily provides funding for the two Street Outreach Advocates, and the administrative needs for the
program.
UAY is seeking funding for three parts of this program from the Human Rights Commission. The first is
assistance in purchasing the necessary items for basic needs packs that will be given to every young person that
our Street Outreach Advocates will interact with. The exact composition of the packs will vary depending on the
season and the needs expressed by participants, but generally will include hygiene items (deodorant, soap,
toothbrush, etc…), food, winter clothing, sunscreen, first aid supplies, face masks, and emergency blankets.
Each bag will contain approximately $50 worth of supplies, plus information about UAY and other area programs
and agencies. UAY intends to hand out at least 250 bags per year.
The second part of the request is for help with the food and other program supplies necessary for the program.
This includes all of the other expenses that the Street Outreach team will need for their outreach. These
expenses include food for youth during outreach, office supplies, program supplies necessary for outreach
services, travel and transportation expenses for outreach, and training for new staff.
The last part of the request is funding to hire a Peer Mentor for the program. A peer mentor would be someone
who is relatively close in age to the program participants, and who has lived experience of homelessness, but
who is no longer experiencing homelessness. Peer mentors would work with Street Outreach staff during
outreach to talk with perspective participants about the benefits of engaging with UAY and other local housing
support programs. UAY has found that young people who engage with our services through a peer are more
likely to trust UAY staff and to engage with our services more fully. The federal Street Outreach program does
not require peer mentors, but encourages their use whenever possible.
New
110
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
The Transitional Living Program at UAY has been in existence for over 20 years, and has always been a majority
minority program, and we believe Street Outreach participants will be similar to current TLP demographics.
Current demographics of our TLP residents are 15% White, 62 % Black, 17% Latinx, 3% Bi-racial, and 3%
American Indian. We expect that about 40% will be female, 35% male, and 15% non-binary and trans. 40% of
our current TLP residents identify as LGBTQ+.
Increasing runaway and homeless youth (RHY) funding will positively impact equity by increasing our ability to
outreach to RHY who, in our community, “hide in plain sight". In our experience, poverty is the number one driver
of youth experiencing homelessness. In our area, poverty and race are closely linked, with poverty rates for non-
Whites much higher than those for the White population. Providing youth experiencing homelessness with the
tools and skills needed to leave the streets is one effective way of helping them achieve independence and
become successful adults.
UAY is also aware of the intersectionality of race, class, and marginalized identities with trauma. These identities
fall under categories such as “minority”, “at-risk”, “Latinx”, “African American”, and “low socio-economic", and are
often accompanied by exposure to factors like trauma, racism, and classism. The combination of these identities
compounds and intensifies youths’ struggles. Intersectionality recognizes that identity markers do not exist
independently of each other, and each informs the other, often creating a complex convergence of oppression.
Repetitive exposure to overlapping negative experiences can impact youth emotionally, psychologically, and
physically.
The second most common reason given for homelessness is family conflict, especially around LGBTQ+
identification. In FY23, 22.5% of TLP referrals identified as LGBTQ+ as well as 40% of current TLP residents.
100% of LGBTQ+ youth identify family conflict related to their identity as the primary reason for experiencing
homelessness.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
CommUnity begin February 2024
Iowa City Public Library ongoing
Iowa City Community School District ongoing
UIHC Adolescent Health Clinic ongoing
Shelter House ongoing
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
The Street Outreach program is designed for young people up to age 21. We anticipate that the demographics of
the Street Outreach Program will be similar, but not identical, to the demographics of our current TLP. In the
current funding period (10/1/2021 to current), 80% of our residential TLP participants identified as female, 10%
male, and 10% non-binary or trans. However, we saw significantly more men and LGBTQ+ individuals in our
referrals. We expect that about 40% will be female, 35% male, and 15% non-binary and trans. 40% of our
current TLP residents identify as LGBTQ+. Racial demographics of our TLP residents is 15% White, 62 % Black,
17% Latinx, 3% Bi-racial, and 3% American Indian.
111
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
No, there is no cost of any kind to participants.
There are a number of outcomes that will be documented as part of the federal Street Outreach program. These
include:
• 100% of young people will receive information on available services from UAY and other service providers
• 250 young people will receive basic needs packs
• 25% of young people will be referred to appropriate culturally appropriate organizations
• 75% of young people will say that peer engagement was helpful to the program
• 75% of young people will say they have a better grasp on their goals after the program
• 100% of young people will complete appropriate screenings and assessments
• 100% of young people will be offered therapy services
UAY is committed to Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). Performance evaluation will rely on the
measurement of activities and outcomes described above and in the Logic Model. Evaluation will include on-
going review of data entered and of numbers achieved for each objective or action step. Data for measuring
short-term outcomes is entered into UAY’s internal database, FileMaker Pro, and HMIS, and reported in
the Semi-Annual Performance Progress Reports. Our Data Manager tracks data entry and output to ensure
information is entered accurately and consistently. As part of CQI, we focus on improving services from the
client’s perspective, and believe meaningful engagement at all levels is required for success. While we recognize
that all processes can be improved, UAY believes continual learning is fundamental. We use both data and team
knowledge to improve decision making within the program and believe that participant knowledge is important in
driving program outcome improvement.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Primary funding for Street Outreach is from federal funds that were authorized for three years, after which we
may continue to apply for funding. The first year of any new program is always the most difficult and expensive,
and we hope to reduce costs after the first year, and we will begin targeted fundraising based on the new
program.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
UAY receives $35,000 from the City of Iowa City from Aid to Agencies funding, and also received a $45,000
grant last year to assist with an expansion of our Transitional Living Program.
20,000.00$
$2.3 million
DHHS - Family Youth Services Bureau Received 150,000.00$
Budget
112
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
Basic needs packs packs for youth experiencing
homelessness
50.00$160 8,000.00$
Program Supplies for outreach services $2,500.00$
General Supplies for Street Outreach staff $1,500.00$
Food for outreach $1,500.00$
Travel/Training for outreach services $1,000.00$
Salary/Benefits for Peer Mentor $5,500.00$
There are no fees for professional services included.
Upon acceptance of funding, we would purchase items for basic needs packs, and begin the hiring process for a
Peer Mentor. All other funds would be used throughout the year.
The grant was awarded in October, and outreach services will begin in January 2024. We currently only have
limited funding for basic need packs, so we have not initiated that part of the program to date, but with additional
funding, they would be given out to all young people on an as needed basis. We would hire a Peer Mentor as
soon as possible upon acceptance of the grant. All other services are ongoing.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Any funding received from the Human Rights Commission would first be used to purchase items for the basic
needs packs. In order to hire a Peer Mentor, full funding for that portion of the request would be needed. Any
funding available to assist with this program would be greatly appreciated.
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.
1/5/2024
113
114
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
FilmScene
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
USA
Street Address
404 E College #100
Address Line 2
3198557740
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Hayley Crabb
Membership & Development Director 115
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
Phone Number*
Email *
3198557740
hayley@icfilmscene.org
FilmScene's mission is to challenge, inspire, educate, and entertain our diverse communities through the shared
discovery of film.
10
Project Proposal
Iowa City Latino Film Festival
The Iowa City Latino Film Festival has been an idea in the waiting for many years. With secured funding from the
City of Iowa City, we would be able to launch the festival in Spring 2025. This festival will celebrate Latino
excellence in cinema by showcasing the most talked-about titles playing top-tier festivals around the world with
new films representing the multiplicity of cultural identities and artistic voices in the Latino cinematic landscape.
This four-day festival will feature nine films, five post-film dialogues, three visiting filmmakers, and an opening
night reception.
We will model much of the programmatic structure of the Iowa City Latino Film Festival off our successful
Refocus Film Festival, first launched in 2022. We will create a Latino Committee to help shape programming and
support outreach to the diverse Latino communities in Iowa City for the film festival and beyond. We will bring in
filmmakers from around the world to be in conversation with their work and the people of this community. Most, if
not all, titles will be presented in Spanish with English subtitles. We will also ensure a diversity in selection to
provide space for Indigenous voices and languages as well. The festival will offer educational opportunities,
filmmaker Q&As, panels, and introductions to make each screening event richer and more engaging, creating an
experience that cannot be replicated at home, with titles that are often unavailable to view elsewhere.
The launch of the Iowa City Latino Film Festival will be spearheaded by FilmScene’s Programming Director, Ben
Delgado. Ben has nearly a decade of experience programming Latin American film from Miami to Washington
DC and has led the team behind some of the largest Latin American Film Festivals in North America,
establishing relationships with filmmakers, sales agents, distributors, and others in the industry while screening
dozens of award-winning films. Through his leadership and expertise, FilmScene will work within the community
to create a robust program. Since joining the FilmScene team in 2021, Ben has spearheaded the creation of the
Out of the Archive series, in partnership with Dr. Hayley O’Malley of the Cinematic Studies Department at the
University of Iowa, highlighting the less-frequented depths of Black cinema as well as revitalizing and bringing
much-needed exposure to rare and recently restored works for underrepresented artistic communities. He was
also key to the creation of the African Diaspora and Reel Representation (celebrating female and non-binary
artists on the big screen) committees, composed of community experts and volunteers who meet regularly to
help curate programming that reflects, addresses, and engages underrepresented communities in cinema.
New
116
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
More than 221,000 Iowans, or 6.9% of the state’s total population, identify as Latino or Hispanic. This is a 46.4%
change in the Latino population since 2010, and by 2060 the Latino population in Iowa is projected to double to
14.8% of our state’s total population (Iowa Data Center). These numbers indicate the incredible expansion of the
Latino population in Iowa, which will only continue to grow in the coming decades. Census data tells us that Iowa
City’s Hispanic and Latino population is growing with over 4,700 people, accounting for 7% of residents, and
over 12% of students in the Iowa City Community School District.
Yet Latino voices are underrepresented in cinema, including on FilmScene’s screens, something that will require
intentionality of programming to change.
According to a 2023 report from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, fewer than 5% of film directors identified
as Latino across 1,600 total films between 2007 and2022. For the same time period, just 4% of leading roles
were played by actors identifying as Latino or Hispanic. Representation behind and in front of the camera
continues to lag significantly behind the substantial growth of the Latino population in Iowa as well as nationally,
yet minority audiences are key to box office revenue. According to UCLA’s biannual Hollywood Diversity Report,
people of color accounted for half of opening weekend (U.S.) ticket sales in 2022.
As Iowa City’s nonprofit cinema, with a vision of a stronger community through sharing the experience of cinema,
we have work to do to make our spaces safe and welcoming for the diverse communities of Iowa City, including
the Latino population. That work includes offering programming that reflects the experiences, needs, and wants
of these diverse communities and engages with them in authentic, meaningful, and customized ways.
The FilmScene team has spent the past two years cultivating relationships in the Latino community of Iowa City.
With a concerted effort to make the Iowa City Latino Film Festival a reality, we will strengthen those ties and
make sure that voices are directly heard by establishing a Latino Committee. Word of mouth is the most powerful
tool for making audiences aware of programming that impacts them. We will work with advocates in the
community through this committee as well as other groups and individuals to make sure the Latino community
has the festival on their radar.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
LatinoFest (unconfirmed)June 2024 - April 2025
Latino Native American Cultural Center (unconfirmed)June 2024 - April 2025
Open Heartland (unconfirmed)June 2024 - April 2025
Center for Worker Justice (unconfirmed)June 2024 - April 2025
LULAC (unconfirmed)June 2024 - April 2025
ALMA (unconfirmed)June 2024 - April 2025
IC Compassion (unconfirmed)June 2024 - April 2025
117
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
The Iowa City Latino Film Festival will focus on serving the diverse Latino communities that make up Iowa City.
While that is broad, part of the planning period of this grant (if awarded) will determine, in collaboration with
community partners, if there is a need to focus more specifically on any countries of origin within the Latino
community. For now, the focus is broadly the Latino community in Iowa City.
The intended partners listed in question # 6 will collaborate with the Iowa City Latino Film Festival through a mix
of the following activities: serving on our planning committee, assisting in outreach, and supporting planning and
programming. All proposed partners have established relationships in the Latino community in Iowa City and
would provide invaluable input on the needs and wants of the Latino communities they serve. These partners will
help determine the overall makeup of the festival, as we strive to create an event and space that speaks directly
to them through the films screened, speakers and dialogues presented, filmmakers in attendance, and events
programmed.
With full funding from the City of Iowa City, FilmScene would be able to address barriers to entry through pay-
what-you-can ticketing, including free tickets for those who request them. With partial funding, we would still offer
discounted ticket pricing, and selective free admission, to make the festival as accessible as possible.
Launching this inaugural Iowa City Latino Film Festival will be the foremost measure of success — beginning
anything new is a statement of values and a tremendous amount of work. We will also measure success based
on attendance, filmmaker guests, and opportunities to engage with the films in the lineup. Beyond those metrics,
we want to ensure the audience reflected on screen is also in the seats. To measure this, we will ask a single
question during the online checkout process: “Do you identify as Latino/a/e/x”?
Quantifiable metrics are as follows:
Films screened — goal: 9
Total attendees — goal: 830
Filmmaker guests — goal: 3
Post-film dialogues — goal: 5
Attendance demographics - goal: 20% identify as Latino/a/e/x, a measure which is three times the local
demographic percentage
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Funding from the City of Iowa City Racial Equity and Social Justice grant program will provide the key resources
needed to launch our inaugural Iowa City Latino Film Festival, which will require significantly more planning in its
first year (compared to subsequent years). Full funding from RESJ would enable us to earmark any revenue
from the inaugural festival (from sponsors or ticket sales) towards continuation into a second year. We anticipate
finding sponsors and additional grant funding to sustain this festival to continue the festival, though consistent
City funding, through RESJ or other sources, would provide greater assurance. Multi-year funding, if available,
will allow us to build out strong name recognition and outreach with the diverse Latino communities in Iowa City,
to guarantee its long-term success (especially with other grant funders and sponsors).
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Yes:
$25,000 for general operating support
$7,000 for Refocus Film Festival
25,000.00$118
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
$1,917,781
City of Iowa City Applied 25,000.00$
Budget
Programming &
engagement
Film screening rights at $350
average per film
350.00$9 3,150.00$
Artist travel &
hospitality
International and domestic
airfare and hotel for visiting
filmmakers
$4,500.00$
Operational
Overhead & Tech
Expenses
Cost of operations for our
largest screen is roughly $2100
per day
$7,350.00$
Administrative
Staffing, Planning &
Prep
Dedicated advance planning
work from programming and
events staff
$4,500.00$
Festival Guide Printed festival guides to
distribute before and during the
festival
$400.00$
Marketing &
Outreach
Advertising, fliers, social
marketing and other
promotional activity
$2,000.00$
Misc Wayfinding,
Printing, Decor
Advertising, fliers, social
marketing and other
promotional activity
$650.00$
Event Hospitality Opening night reception and
smaller closing night reception
$1,200.00$
Live Music and Local
Artists
Hiring of live local musicians
and or visual artists
$1,200.00$
Documentation &
photography
Documenting the festival for
media and future promotion
$600.00$
n/a
119
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
For the April 2025 Iowa City Latino Film Festival, the majority of grant funds would be spent between February
and April 2025 to cover the costs of screening fees, guest travel and accommodations, events, additional
marketing, printing, and honoraria where applicable. Because this is the first year of the festival, we would also
use grant funds for staff planning time, starting from summer 2024 (once the grant is awarded) through the
festival itself.
The Iowa City Latino Film Festival will take place over four days (a Thursday through Sunday) in April 2025
(tentative dates April 3 - 6). That is when the vast majority of the activities will take place, though there will be
planning activities beginning summer 2024 as well as regular staff and committee planning meetings through the
close of the festival.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes, with only $12,000 it would change the scale of programming for the festival, including the number of films
screened and filmmakers present. Community engagement efforts would also be scaled back via a decreased
marketing budget and a limited ability to offer free tickets to select audiences (like attendees who identify as
Latino/a/e/x). We would need to seek additional sources of revenue, including more sponsors and higher ticket
prices, to cover the costs of the festival. Increasing sponsorship is an overall goal but it is very challenging to
bring sponsors in for a new initiative (as well as get the confirmed advanced funding needed to launch an
inaugural film festival like this). For accessibility purposes, we'd like to avoid increasing ticket prices for this
festival to ensure more people can attend.
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.
1/5/2024
120
121
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Immigrant Welcome Network for Johnson County
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
USA
Street Address
1927 Keokuk St
Address Line 2
319-800-1885
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Mazahir Salih
Interim Executive Director 122
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
Phone Number*
Email *
571-282-5188
iwnjc2023@gmail.com
Our mission is to empower and support new immigrant and refugee families in Johnson County, Iowa by
providing temporary housing and comprehensive assistance in navigating the complexities of resettlement. We
aim to promote self-sufficiency and integration through connecting families with resources such as job
opportunities, education, healthcare, and permanent housing.
1
Project Proposal
Connection, Guidance, Support: Welcoming 8 Immigrant
Families (32 Individual) to Iowa City- FY25
Funding from the City of Iowa City Social Justice grant will allow us to purchase a used 7-passenger van that will
enable essential transport to the numerous providers across Iowa City, Coralville, and Cedar Rapids. A key
element of the comprehensive support that IWNJC offers is that a translator and a person knowledgeable about
social services accompany families to a host of appointments. We help families enroll their children in local
schools, ensuring they have access to quality education and a seamless transition into the academic system. We
take them to the Social Security office and the DMV in Coralville to register them for services and apply for
driver's licenses (if eligible). We accompany them to the Department of Human Services to apply for food stamps
and Medicaid. We transport them to employment interviews and house showings. We introduce them to the food
bank and English language classes at Kirkwood College and local churches. When wait times are too long at the
Iowa City Free Medical Clinic, we take sick children to the Eastern Iowa Free Medical Clinic in Cedar Rapids. In
short, IWNJC is the bridge that connects newcomers to essential services with which they can build their new
lives. A van offers us a key means of connection.
Funding from the City of Iowa City Social Justice grant will enable us to offer newcomer families targeted support
that will reduce financial barriers and speed up families’ progress to self-sufficiency. Transitioning to a house of
their own is a critical step in families' resettlement journey. However, newcomers, and particularly immigrant
newcomers, face disproportionate obstacles in making this transition. Once they have secured employment, they
must save for rental application fees, a security deposit and first month's rent, and essential furnishings, a
process which could take months. To accelerate families’ transition to a new home, in FY25 IWNJC will provide 8
families their rental application fees and a subsidy for the first month’s rent. Additionally, we will offer families the
option of purchasing a queen-size mattress or three twin mattresses. Due to the long waiting lists at Houses to
Homes, these mattresses will ensure that families have somewhere to sleep in their new home while they wait
for other furniture. With these crucial supports, newcomer families will be able to transition more quickly to their
new homes and begin building their new lives.
By supporting the “Welcoming 8 Immigrant Families to Iowa City” project through this grant, you have the
opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of immigrant and refugee families in Johnson County, Iowa.
Your funding will enable the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County to provide the Connection,
Guidance, and Support to ensure a welcoming and inclusive community where newcomers can thrive and
contribute to the vibrant fabric of our society.
New
123
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
Amidst a country and a state that is often hostile to immigrants of color, Iowa City has worked hard to be a place
that welcomes and embraces newcomers. Yet without a landing place and a guide to help navigate the available
resources, immigrant newcomers can quickly slip through the cracks and end up destitute rather than supported.
We advance equity and social justice by:
1. Equalizing Access to Resources:
Our project directly addresses the barriers faced by immigrant families, such as economic insecurity, English
language competency, and, frequently, racism and xenophobia. By providing comprehensive support, we strive
to level the playing field for immigrant newcomers to ensure they have equal access to crucial resources such as
housing, education, healthcare, and employment.
2. Linguistic Equity:
Translation Services: An IWNJC board member or volunteer accompanies families to various appointments to
act as a translator and advocate. This serves to not only promote equity in accessing services by reducing
language barriers, but also mitigates cultural misunderstandings that can lead to discriminatory outcomes.
3. Transportation Equity:
Accessible Transportation: Connecting immigrant families with essential services requires numerous
appointments across Iowa City, Coralville, and Cedar Rapids. Doing so via public transportation would place an
undue time burden on immigrant families and IWNJC volunteers. With a grant supported 7-passenger van, our
project ensures equal access to essential services and reduces transportation barriers that disproportionately
affect marginalized communities.
4. Financial Equity:
Economic Support: Immigrants from low-income countries are disproportionately burdened by the financial cost
of relocating. Even for those with savings, the higher cost of living here and often low exchange value of their
home currency swiftly depletes whatever financial cushion they might have had. With grant support for first
month’s rental subsidy, application fees, and a family mattress, our project reduces these inequities and
accelerates immigrant’s transition to economic self-sufficiency.
5. Educational Equity:
School Enrollment Support: Our project ensures immigrant children have equal access to quality education by
assisting families with school enrollment. This proactive measure supports educational equity and paves the way
for their seamless transition into the academic system.
6. Employment Equity:
Job Placement Support: Immigrant newcomers often face racism and xenophobia in their job searches. Our
project leverages our network of employers to connect newcomers to appropriate employment opportunities.
This often involves an IWNJC board member accompanying the newcomer employee for a day of work and
explaining, in their language of choice, the job requirements and responsibilities. This IWNJC advocate helps to
reduce employers’ concerns about taking on an immigrant employee and helps empower the newcomer to
succeed in their new job.
7. Cultural Competency and Inclusion:
Cultural Orientation: Through our comprehensive support, our project offers cultural orientation for newcomer
families, promoting understanding and appreciation for the diverse backgrounds of those in Iowa City. This work
not only helps immigrant families to successfully integrate into the community but also fosters a more inclusive
and culturally competent environment throughout Iowa City.
By addressing the particular challenges faced by immigrant families and providing targeted support, the
"Welcoming 8 Immigrant Families to Iowa City" project actively contributes to advancing racial equity and social
justice. This initiative is a meaningful step towards creating a more inclusive, fair, and supportive community for
all residents of Johnson County. This fosters social connections and a sense of belonging, contributing to a more
equitable and inclusive community fabric.
124
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None None
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
The project serves a diverse range of demographic groups within the immigrant and refugee community in
Johnson County. Here is a detailed breakdown of the demographics served:
Demographic Groups Served:
1. Age:
- The project caters to a wide age range, including families with young children from infancy to high-school age
(0-17 years old).
- Families may also include elder adults (18 and up), ensuring a comprehensive approach to support.
2. Race and National Origin:
- Predominantly serving people of color from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
- The mission emphasizes inclusivity, assisting any immigrant families in need, irrespective of their race or
national origin.
3. Language and Cultural Diversity:
- Many individuals served may not speak English or may consider English as their second language,
encompassing speakers of languages such as Spanish, Arabic, and French.
- The project actively addresses language barriers and cultural adjustments to enhance the integration process
for individuals and families.
4. Income:
- The served demographic consists of immigrant and refugee families arriving in Iowa City with limited financial
means.
- Financial challenges are heightened, with even those with some savings quickly exhausting them due to
upfront transition costs, the high cost of living, and the low exchange value of their home currency.
- Families, in particular, face increased expenses for food and accommodation, amplifying their financial
challenges.
- Refugees who are secondary migrants experience heightened financial insecurity as they choose to relocate to
Iowa City without support from their original placement agency.
5. Gender:
- The project is inclusive, serving people of all genders, with a specific focus on families, acknowledging the
diverse composition of families, including adults and children.
No, participation in this project is entirely free. Our goal is to eliminate barriers and provide comprehensive
support to immigrant families without imposing any financial burden. We are committed to creating an inclusive
and accessible program, ensuring that all eligible families can benefit from the resources and assistance offered,
regardless of their financial situation 125
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
The success of the "Welcoming 8 Immigrant Families to Iowa City" project will be measured through a
combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of its impact. The
key metrics include:
Housing Access:
Track the number of immigrant families provided with 45 days of secure and stable accommodation at our
Welcome House.
Track the number of immigrant families who transition to permanent housing and assess their housing status at 1
month, 6 months, and 12 months after leaving the Welcome House through check-in surveys and interviews.
Resource Access:
Track the number of successful applications for essential supports such as social security, medicaid, food
stamps, WIC, driver’s licenses, immigration proceedings.
Track the number of families accessing and utilizing these resources.
Transportation Access:
Assess the impact of the 7-passenger van on improving transportation access to essential service providers by
maintaining a van log that tracks number of trips, usage time, and appointment stops.
Conduct spot assessments of 10% of trip days in which detailed data on stop-to-stop timelines will be collected
and compared with estimates of appointment timelines using public transport.
Educational Success:
Track the number of immigrant children successfully enrolled in local schools.
Monitor their academic progress during their stay at Welcome House and conduct check-in interviews and
review of report cards at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after leaving the Welcome House.
Employment Stability:
Track the number of individuals who secure employment.
Assess their employment status and career advancement through check-in interviews and surveys at 1 month, 6
months, and 12 months after leaving the Welcome House.
Language Acquisition and Cultural Orientation:
Assess English competency at intake and again at 6 months, and 12 months after leaving the Welcome House
through standardized ESL metrics.
Assess families’ feedback on the success of the cultural orientation initiatives and their impact on the adjustment
process through exit interviews and check-in interviews and surveys at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after
leaving the Welcome House.
Client Satisfaction and Feedback:
Collect qualitative feedback from immigrant families on their satisfaction with the project's services during exit
interviews upon their transition out of the Welcome House and through check-in interviews and surveys at 1
month, 6 months, and 12 months after leaving the Welcome House. Use testimonials and stories to capture the
personal impact and success stories of individuals and families.
Through a comprehensive evaluation of these metrics, the project aims to demonstrate tangible improvements in
the lives of immigrant families, contributing to their long-term success and integration into the Iowa City
community.
126
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, we will continue to assist new immigrants in resettling in Iowa City
These funds are vital for the success of our resettlement program, enabling us to secure transportation, provide
temporary housing, and offer comprehensive support for immigrant families. We recognize the significance of
sustainability and are committed to actively seeking additional grants and community support to extend and
enhance the program beyond the initial grant period. The acquisition of the 7-passenger van, made possible by
this grant, will play a pivotal role in ensuring the continued success of our resettlement efforts. It will facilitate the
safe and efficient transportation of families to vital services and appointments.
By funding this project, the City of Iowa City will not only address the immediate needs of the families but also
serve to the long-term sustainability and expansion of our resettlement program. Your support is instrumental in
fostering a welcoming and inclusive community for more immigrant families in Johnson County. We are
dedicated to the enduring impact of this initiative and will actively pursue avenues for sustained funding to make
a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
We have never recived Fund from the City of Iowa City.
23,385.60$
Projected Budget for FY 2024 is: $225,000.00
None Applied 0.00$
Budget
Vehicle Used 7 passenger van for the
house
9,000.00$1 9,000.00$
Rent application fee Landlord application fee 35.00$8 280.00$
New housing Rent First month’s rent subsidy for
permanent housing
1,000.00$8 8,000.00$
Basic Groceries Gift card to buy basic food
items when they arrive (culture,
food, ex Halal food)
100.00$8 800.00$
Mattress Mattress Queen size mattress
for each family or 3 twins
350.00$8 2,800.00$
127
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Sub-Total Project only Expense $20,880.00$
Operational Cost
12%
12% of the total project
expenses for Payroll, rent,
office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes etc..
$2,505.60$
Project Total Project cos plus 12% Operation $23,385.60$
N/A
The timeline narrative unfolds as follows:
1. First Six Months (July 2024 - December 2024): Allocation $11,692.8
- Purchase a used vehicle for the house.
- Resettle 3-4 families in residence at our Welcome House into their new housing.
- Provide financial support, including application fee and first month’s rent, gift card for food, and mattresses.
- Utilize the house van for transportation to essential appointments.
2. Second Six Months (January 2025 - June 2025): Allocation $11,692.8
- Reset 4-5 families in residence at our Welcome House into their new housing.
- Provide financial support, including application fee and first month’s rent, gift card for food, and mattresses.
- Utilize the house van for transportation to essential appointments.
The major project activities are planned to occur in the first 6 months of the grant cycle.
- July 2024 - December 2024:
- Purchase a used vehicle for the house.
- Resettle 3-4 families into their new housing.
- Provide financial support, including application fee and first month’s rent, gift card for food, and mattresses.
- Utilize the house van for transportation to essential appointments.
- January 2025 - June 2025:
- Reset 4-5 families in residence at our Welcome House into their new housing.
- Provide financial support, including application fee and first month’s rent, gift card for food, and mattresses.
- Utilize the house van for transportation to essential appointments.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes, while the project could potentially proceed with reduced funding, it would limit the comprehensive support
we can offer to families. This includes crucial aspects such as housing deposits, rental applications, food
support, and essential furniture. The reduction in funds would hinder our ability to address the immediate needs
of these families, potentially leading to increased instability and difficulties in their integration process.
Nevertheless, funding for the purchase and operation of a vehicle is deemed crucial ($9000). This infrastructure
would, at a minimum, enable us to connect immigrant families to vital resources such as food, education, health
services, job opportunities, and housing support available in Iowa City. Another important fund is the first-month
rent for 8 families at ($1000) per family; reducing that would limit our ability to help 8 families, and instead, we
would be able to assist fewer families with the first-month rent. Therefore, any reduction in funding should be
carefully considered to ensure the project's effectiveness in meeting the essential needs of the community.
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.
128
Signature*
Date*
1/5/2024
129
130
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Domestic Violence Intervention Program
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
1105 S Gilbert Court Ste 300
Address Line 2
3193334099
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Shelby Ridenour
Healthcare Liaison 131
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
Phone Number*
Email *
319.333.4446
shelby@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.
DVIP provides services to victim-survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and human trafficking.
In today’s society, intimate partner violence is widely known to be one of the greatest physical dangers to
women. Women, men and children are murdered each year and the risk of child abuse is much greater in
households where domestic violence occurs. Responding to intimate partner violence is critical and requires a
community-wide effort. Support for victims of intimate partner violence and their loved ones is available in
Johnson, Iowa, Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Van Buren and Washington Counties through the Domestic
Violence Intervention Program.
44
Project Proposal
Birth Advocates: A Community Collaboration for Black
Maternal Health
132
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
It is well documented that the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in domestic violence as stay-at-home
orders were established and people were forced into isolation with their abusers. There were also the added
stressors that came with this change, such as economic insecurity as more and more workplaces shut down and
nobody knew what that meant for their careers or their paychecks. Data shows there was a 7% increase in the
total number of domestic violence-related offenses recorded by the police compared to the previous year2. This
also included an increase in domestic violence homicides. In fact, the overall increase in the prevalence of
domestic violence during the pandemic led to the United Nations naming it a shadow pandemic within the
pandemic1.
We propose to host a mini conference aimed at facilitating in-depth discussions among professionals on the
intricate interplay of black maternal health, the nexus between COVID, and the prevalence of Domestic Violence.
This multifaceted event will encompass a film screening, panel discussion, distribution of maternal health kits to
partner organizations, and provision of swag giveaways. Our objective is to equip professionals with
comprehensive insights, enabling them to effectively disseminate information to their clients and individuals in
need. This initiative aligns with our commitment to addressing critical issues at the intersection of public health
and social welfare.
The event will start with the screening of the movie Birthing Justice. Birthing Justice delves into the themes of
birthing, life, and justice. In the United States, there exists a stark reality: Black women are three to four times
more likely to experience maternal mortality during childbirth compared to their white counterparts, and this is
further exacerbated by the presence of domestic violence. Birthing Justice meticulously captures the nuanced
experiences and challenges faced by Black women, their families, caregivers, and advocates. The film critically
analyzes the structures and systems contributing to the disparate rates of mortality. Crucially, it emphasizes the
continuous efforts aimed at reforming America's flawed medical system, transforming the prevailing narrative of
tragedy into one of hope.
Following the film, the event will feature a panel discussion consisting of 6 professionals with expertise in the
field of Black Maternal Health. Though the panel is not finalized at this point, options includeSouth District
Daycare, Midwifery and/or Doula services, a Domestic Violence Intervention Program Representative, a
Maternal Health Social Worker, and several Health Care Providers and Scholars. The discussion will address
questions derived from the toolkit associated with the Birthing Justice movie license purchase. Additionally, there
will be candid conversations about issues and resources specific to the Iowa City Community area. The aim is to
foster open discussions that, ideally, will lead to the development and refinement of solutions for improving black
maternal health.
As the event concludes, our plan involves distributing 100 maternal health tote bags within the community to
offer assistance to those in need. Although the specific contents of these kits are still under consideration, they
may encompass essential items such as notebooks or journals, mental health stickers, printed resource
materials, peri bottles, tucks pads, burp cloths, and pain relief spray. Our research emphasizes that these items
are frequently overlooked, yet they prove to be highly beneficial for individuals in maternal health situations. This
thoughtful distribution initiative is designed to provide tangible support and resources for the community, aligning
with our commitment to addressing identified gaps in maternal health care. Notably, a significant portion of these
bags will be distributed to participants to share with the clients they work with who are in need.
Avalos L.A., Ray G.T., Alexeeff S.E., et al. (2023), Association of the COVID-19 Pandemic With Unstable and/or
Unsafe Living Situations and Intimate Partner Violence Among Pregnant Individuals. JAMA Netw Open.
6(2):e230172. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.0172
Dey, T., & Thakar, R. (2022). Domestic violence: an invisible pandemic. The obstetrician & gynaecologist : the
journal for continuing professional development from the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, 24(2),
90–92. https://doi.org/10.1111/tog.12798
New
This project aims to contribute to the advancement of racial equity and social justice by shedding light on critical
issues such as the black maternal health crisis, domestic violence (DV), and the impact the COVID-19 pandemic
had on these areas.
Maternal health is a crisis in and of itself as the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among 11
133
Maternal health is a crisis in and of itself as the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among 11
developed countries. Women of a reproductive age are at the highest risk of abuse and being pregnant
increases that risk. Pregnancy is often a trigger for domestic violence and it is estimated that nearly 10% of all
women experience abuse during pregnancy or within a short time after giving birth4, though global estimates
indicate this number could actually be anywhere from 2-14% of women8. This is concerning considering the
current state of maternal health in our country and the increased risk of complications that are the result of
domestic violence during pregnancy,4,5,6,7,8.
Multiple studies were done to evaluate the status of domestic violence during pregnancy through the lens of the
pandemic. Though methods varied and some focused on specific countries, the general outcomes were the
same–domestic violence during pregnancy increased during the pandemic. In studies where the quantitative
data did not support this, qualitative data did. During interviews with antenatal care attendees, they reported that
they perceived an increase in violence during pregnancy since the onset of the pandemic8. One reason for this
discrepancy may be due to different understandings of domestic violence as one study found that the most
common type of violence was emotional violence6. Ultimately, though, the consensus is that domestic violence
during pregnancy increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was also seen by DVIP. Several months ago a client came to the DVIP emergency shelter after several
years of experiencing domestic violence. This violence, both physical and emotional, was witnessed by her 3
children and became much more pronounced after the pandemic began and the perpetrator lost his job to
COVID-19. When the client came to the shelter, she was 8 months pregnant. Throughout her pregnancy, she
had been prevented from seeking prenatal care by her perpetrator and was extremely scared for the outcome of
her pregnancy and birth, particularly due to being forced to partake in substances during her pregnancy by her
perpetrator. This caused extreme anxiety for her, which her school-aged children experienced as well, and when
she was able to see a doctor after working with DVIP, she found that she was experiencing symptoms of
preeclampsia. Without health support during her pregnancy due to the domestic violence she experienced, the
health of the mother and baby were put at risk. Thankfully this client, with the support of DVIP advocates and
staff, was able to have a successful birth experience as well as receiving several months of postpartum mental
health care to support the long term health of herself and her new baby. This is just one example of the
interconnected nature of domestic violence and Black maternal health. Furthermore, this experience highlights
how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the effects of domestic violence for many individuals.
Taking it a step further, all cause mortality during pregnancy increased 33%3, with homicide being the leading
cause of death during pregnancy and within 42 days postpartum in the US9. In 2018 and 2019, the pregnancy
associated homicide rate was 3.30 and 3.95 deaths per 100,000 live births respectively. In 2020, the pregnancy
associated homicide rate was 5.23 deaths per 100,000 live births. It is believed that the increase in domestic
violence and its severity that was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to the observed
increase in pregnancy-associated homicide7.
This mini conference provides a platform for professionals to convene, network, and engage in discussions. By
fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the goal is to empower professionals to bring back enhanced
services for their clients and the community, ultimately addressing disparities and working towards a more
equitable society.
Avalos L.A., Ray G.T., Alexeeff S.E., et al. (2023), Association of the COVID-19 Pandemic With Unstable and/or
Unsafe Living Situations and Intimate Partner Violence Among Pregnant Individuals. JAMA Netw Open.
6(2):e230172. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.0172
Dey, T., & Thakar, R. (2022). Domestic violence: an invisible pandemic. The obstetrician & gynaecologist : the
journal for continuing professional development from the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, 24(2),
90–92. https://doi.org/10.1111/tog.12798
Fry, E. T. A., Wood, M. J., & Walsh, M. N. (2022). Maternal Health: The Heart of the Matter. Journal of the
American College of Cardiology (JACC), 80(11), 1107–1109. https://doi-
org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.08.001
Lucas, D. N., & Bamber, J. H. (2021). Pandemics and maternal health: the indirect effects of COVID-19.
Anaesthesia, 76 Suppl 4(Suppl 4), 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15408
Maharlouei, N., Roozmeh, S., Zahed Roozegar, M. H., Shahraki, H. R., Bazrafshan, K., Moradi-Alamdarloo, S.,
Vardanjani, H. M., & Lankarani, K. B. (2023). Intimate partner violence during pregnancy in COVID-19 pandemic:
a cross-sectional study from South-west of Iran. BMC public health, 23(1), 325. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-
023-15258-x
Naghizadeh, S., Mirghafourvand, M. & Mohammadirad, R. (2021). Domestic violence and its relationship with
quality of life in pregnant women during the outbreak of COVID-19 disease. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 21, 88.134
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03579-x
Wallace, M. E. (2022). Trends in Pregnancy-Associated Homicide, United States, 2020. American Journal of
Public Health, 112(9), 1333–1336. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.2105/ajph.2022.306937
Wood S.N., Yirgu R., Wondimagegnehu A., et al. (2022). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intimate partner
violence during pregnancy: evidence from a multimethods study of recently pregnant women in DVIP’s FY2024
operating budget showcases a total income of $2,332,510, reflecting the funds received to sustain its crucial
initiatives. However, the challenges are evident in the expenses, which amounts to $2,753,564.
Within this expenditure, there is a notable inclusion of $74,000 allocated for depreciation. This accounting
consideration reflects the wear and tear of assets over time, contributing to the comprehensive understanding of
the organization's financial health. Despite the financial complexities, DVIP remains dedicated to its mission,
striving to provide essential services and support to those affected by domestic violence. The careful
management of resources and a commitment to transparency underscores DVIP's resilience in addressing the
pressing issues within the operational scope.
Ethiopia BMJ Open; 12:e055790. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055790
2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (US); 2022 Oct. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587182/
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
University of Iowa Midwifery 5+ years
South District Neighborhood Association 1+ year
Doulas of Iowa City 5+ years
University of Iowa School of Public Health 5+ years
Carver College of Medicine 5+ years
HACAP 5+ years
Film Scene 1+ year
Congolese Maternal Health and Doula Program 5+ years
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
This project aims to serve a diverse range of demographic groups within the community through a professional
conference focusing on issues related to black maternal health. The target audience for this mini conference
includes all professionals who have the potential to interact with women of reproductive age, particularly those
from minority and underserved populations. This encompasses a broad spectrum of professions, such as
healthcare professionals, school employees, daycare providers, social service workers, and others. The term
"reproductive age" in this context is typically defined as individuals aged 15 to 45. By casting a wide net, the
project aims to engage and benefit a comprehensive array of professionals involved in supporting the well-being
of women in this crucial stage of life.
135
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Our proposal entails establishing a recommended contribution of $20, wherein all generated funds will be
dedicated to the advancement of maternal healthcare for survivors of domestic violence.
The project's success will be gauged using diverse indicators. Firstly, attendance will be tracked, measuring the
number of participants present at the conference. Actively engaging in the panel discussion sessions will be
another crucial measure of success. Post-conference satisfaction surveys will be employed to gather feedback
on the overall experience and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, the effectiveness of speakers and
presenters will be evaluated based on reviews provided by participants. These metrics collectively offer a
comprehensive assessment of the project's impact and effectiveness in achieving its objectives.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, the project will continue beyond the conclusion of the racial equity and social justice grant funding. To
ensure its continuity, we have implemented measures to extend the impact of the mini-conference. While the
conference itself is scheduled as a one-day event, the distribution of swag totes will persist continuously until
supplies run out. Additionally, the networking established during the event is designed to foster lasting
connections and collaborations among participants, further contributing to the enduring benefits of the project.
These strategic actions are put in place to sustain the positive outcomes and impact of the initiative well after the
grant funding concludes.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Within FY 24, DVIP is anticipated to receive $60,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding
from the City of Iowa City. This funding is allocated to cover shelter staff salaries.
7,619.99$
DVIP’s FY2024 operating budget showcases a total income of $2,332,510, reflecting the funds received to
sustain its crucial initiatives. However, the challenges are evident in the expenses, which amounts to $2,753,564.
Within this expenditure, there is a notable inclusion of $74,000 allocated for depreciation. This accounting
consideration reflects the wear and tear of assets over time, contributing to the comprehensive understanding of
the organization's financial health. Despite the financial complexities, DVIP remains dedicated to its mission,
striving to provide essential services and support to those affected by domestic violence. The careful
management of resources and a commitment to transparency underscores DVIP's resilience in addressing the
pressing issues within the operational scope.
Hyvee Applied 1,000.00$
Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant Applied 7,619.99$
Budget
136
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
Birthing Justice Film Documentary for event 999.00$1 999.00$
Plates Paper products for luncheon 25.00$1 25.00$
Napkins Paper products for luncheon 10.00$1 10.00$
Tote Bags Swag material 8.86$50 443.00$
Diaper Bags Materials for event and to go in
Health Kits
19.50$100 1,950.00$
Print Materials Materials for event and to go in
Health Kits
250.00$1 250.00$
Advertising/marketin
g
Promotions 500.00$1 500.00$
Notebook Materials for event and to go in
Health Kits
1.17$108 125.99$
Mental Health
Stickers
Materials for event and to go in
Health Kits
15.00$1 15.00$
Peri Bottle Materials for event and to go in
Health Kits
9.00$100 900.00$
Tuck Pads Materials for event and to go in
Health Kits
6.00$100 600.00$
Pain Relief Spray Materials for event and to go in
Health Kits
7.00$100 700.00$
Burp Clothes Materials for event and to go in
Health Kits
9.99$100 999.99$
Event Space Rental Rental Space for Event 10.00$10 100.00$
The budget does not include fees for professional services as the panel for this program is composed entirely of
volunteers.
The grant money will be strategically allocated to support various stages of our program. The majority of the
funds will be disbursed in the weeks surrounding the event. Four weeks before the program, we will kick off the
spending by ordering all necessary printing materials and purchasing items for the swag totes, ensuring a timely
and organized preparation.
As the event draws closer, funds will be directed towards acquiring the license for the documentary film, Birthing
Justice. This is a crucial step in securing the rights to screen the film during the program.
In the final two weeks leading up to the event, any outstanding balances related to the venue or other remaining
items will be settled using the grant funds. This meticulous financial management is essential for ensuring all
aspects of the program are well-resourced, contributing to a seamless execution.
By adhering to this timeline, we intend to responsibly utilize the grant money, strategically covering essential
expenses at different stages. This approach aims to facilitate effective planning and the successful
implementation of the program throughout the year.
137
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
The mini-conference is planned as a one-day event. However, the distribution of swag totes will extend beyond
the event day, reaching into the community until the supplies are depleted. This flexible approach allows for a
more extended and impactful reach, ensuring that the resources and information provided through the totes
continue to benefit the community beyond the duration of the conference.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
This project has potential for cost reduction. By opting for an alternative movie, "Aftershock," which comes
without any fees, we can immediately save on expenses related to the screening. Additionally, relocating the
event to a free venue, such as the library, offers another avenue for cost-cutting. However, it is crucial to note
that one area where funding cannot be compromised is the provision of maternal health tote bags. We firmly
believe that this aspect is indispensable to the event as it ensures the distribution of essential supplies and
resources directly to those in the community who are most vulnerable. Therefore, while adjustments can be
made to reduce costs in certain aspects, maintaining funding for maternal health tote bags remains imperative
for the project's effectiveness and impact.
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.
1/5/2024
138
139
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Optimae LifeServices
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
United States
Street Address
485 HWY 1 W
Address Line 2
3198008421
http://www.optimaelifeservices.com/
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Holly Stevenson
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging 140
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
Phone Number*
Email *
3198008421
hastevenson@optimaelifeservices.com
Optimae offers comprehensive customer driven services that encourage choice, empowerment and community
integration.
14
Project Proposal
Courageous Conversations
In order to empower our colleagues and enhance the communities we live and work in, the project would be a
speaker series (with a minimum of six events across the year.) Each session would feature an expert/community
leader on a given topic (criminal justice and reintegration, racial equity, ableism, ageism, human trafficking, etc)
and include time for questions and networking. Through education, which is one of our four core values at
Optimae, this project would increase understanding and compassion, bolster equity and inclusion in our
company and communities and enhance diversity across Iowa City and beyond.
New
By providing a platform to underrepresented voices, and allowing colleagues to see themselves represented and
topics that are important to them discussed and at the forefront, this project will increase social justice. The aim
would be to have at least one of the sessions focus exclusively on racial equity. All of the events will expose
Optimae colleagues to important social justice topics, many of which are often not viewed as accessible or
directly relevant to many. This project would, in a non-threatening manner, help folks realize that social justice
and racial equity are important and need to matter to us all, regardless of our given identities. By having these
important conversations, my hope is that all members of Optimae will feel a larger sense of belonging, wish to
stay at the company, and also look to be more inclusive in hiring practices and mindset. Similarly, by connecting
individuals to those like them in important aspects (race, criminal background, mental illness, etc.) people will
feel a sense of inclusion and representation, increasing equity as people feel that they can and should be able to
occupy space.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
141
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
None N/A
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
This project will serve a diverse range of demographic groups and be very intentional in doing so.
These groups will include, but are not limited to:
Younger individuals
Older individuals
Disabled (visible and invisible) individuals
Veterans
Women
People of colour (women of colour)
LGBTQ+ folks
Indigenous peoples
Asian and Pacific Islanders
Religious Minorities
Single Parents
Low Income Households
Criminal backgrounds
No
A survey will be provided to all attendees at the conclusion of each session and a final report will be created
focusing on all of the sessions.
We would also be looking for marked improvement in the annual diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging survey
and annual employee satisfaction survey and will ask specifically about the project in those surveys.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
As we know, social justice involves us all, is constantly involving, and is never "done." Therefore, the aim is to
have this project continue, with a specific budget drafted up in ongoing years and money for the diversity, equity
and inclusion department set aside in this budget to allow the project to continue.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
No
25,000.00$
For this specific project, the organization's annual budget is $5,000.
If this question is instead asking for the organization's annual budget as a company, please email Holly
Stevenson for further clarification.
Optimae LifeServices Received 5,000.00$
142
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
the City of Iowa City Applied 25,000.00$
Budget
Session 1 Courageous Conversations 1 5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
Session 2 Courageous Conversations 2 5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
Session 3 Courageous Conversations 3 5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
Session 4 Courageous Conversations 4 5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
Session 5 Courageous Conversations 5 5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
Session 6 Courageous Conversations 6 5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
The majority of the budget will be to enable us to invite expert speakers to be keynotes of each session. Not only
does this ensure that the information is up-to-date but it also gives credibility to the project. Additionally, paying
speakers a fair and competitive wage (specifically marginalized speakers who are often not paid on par with their
peers) is important to enhancing social justice and equity.
The aim would be to have six speaker events (at a minimum, funding dependent) taking place every two months.
To ensure that the location is a safe, neutral space for employees, an externa location within Iowa City would be
sought. In addition to this, light refreshments and drinks, as well as potential lodging and expenses for the
speaker would also be included in this budget. A specific workgroup would be formed.
Ongoing (every 2 months)
May 2024
July 2024
September 2024
November 2024
January 2025
March 2025
(Potential for other sessions if budget allows)
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
No this funding is required for the project to be equitable and credible and to be optimally impactful.
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.
1/5/2024 143
144
145
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
CommUnity Crisis Services
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
1121 S Gilbert Ct
Address Line 2
3193512726
https://builtbycommunity.org/
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Kelsey Steines
Development Manager 146
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
Phone Number*
Email *
319-351-2726 x996
kelsey.steines@builtbycommunity.org
CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank is a volunteer-driven organization that provides immediate and non-
judgmental support for individuals facing emotional, food or financial crisis.
53
Project Proposal
Expanding Culturally Appropriate Food Options
147
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
CommUnity is seeking continued support for our effort to expand culturally-appropriate food availability in the
Food Bank.
CommUnity’s Food Bank provides a wide variety of meats, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and non-perishable
items to families in Johnson County, distributed through the Pantry at Pepperwood Plaza in Iowa City, a Mobile
Pantry that visits 11 area neighborhoods at least monthly, and free delivery service. In an effort to be culturally
responsive, CommUnity is a choice-driven pantry, meaning that families are able to select the foods which best
meet their needs, as opposed to pre-packaged boxes of food for pick up that may or may not fit with a client’s
tastes and dietary requirements. CommUnity ensures that all items remain free to clients by partnering with
nonprofit food distributors, such as HACAP, Table to Table, and Field to Families wherever possible, with
additional food purchased from for-profit vendors.
Visitors to the food bank represent all demographics, but the 2022 Johnson County Community Status
Assessment Report shows that Black and Hispanic populations are among our area’s most food-insecure
residents. And while clients are not asked about immigration status or country of origin to reduce clients’
paperwork burden and concern for divulging personal info in order to access critical services, input from Food
Bank staff indicates a significant number of Food Bank clients from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan,
Mexico, and Central America.
While items like rice are occasionally available through our non-profit distributors, culturally- appropriate foods for
these populations such as masa, dry beans, spices, or cassava flour, much less spices and herbs, are difficult to
come by, yet are diet staples for many refugee, immigrant, and multicultural clients. Offering these items can help
sustain health by allowing clients to maintain a more familiar, traditional diet that reflects their cultural identities.
CommUnity is well positioned to distribute these foods to the most food-insecure individuals in our Community
given a large central Food Bank, a Mobile Pantry that brings foods to the neighborhoods that need it most, and
delivery to the homes that otherwise would have no access. However, the rising cost of food poses a significant
barrier to truly addressing food insecurity in our community. Not only is CommUnity facing higher costs of the
food we purchase for the Food Bank, but so are everyday citizens. This means that not only are more people
accessing the food bank than ever before – the number of unique individuals utilizing the Food Bank rose 46%
last year– but the community members who donate are giving fewer food items due to increased costs. And
while CommUnity has continued to pursue further funding for this project from grants from Amerigroup and ALDI,
the unfortunate reality is that grant funders that are willing to support consumable products like food are few and
far between.
Thanks to funding from the Racial Equity and Social Justice grant last year, CommUnity has developed a
partnership with two minority-owned businesses in Iowa City’s South District that distribute African and Mexican
foods—Acapulco Mexican Bakery & Grocery Store and Modina African Market. This grant funding will allow us to
continue these relationships and source up to $10,000 worth of food from each business over the course of the
year, and to ensure clients have consistent access to staple foods like rice, beans, and flours throughout the
year, regardless of the influx of food donations.
Continuous
148
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
According to 2020 Census Bureau data, 11.6% of Johnson County’s population is foreign-born, with the most
common country of origin being Mexico. Looking at Food Bank usage, 33% of clients are Black and 19% are
Hispanic/Latinx. Research from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities shows that, “In 2022, food insecurity
for households that were American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, or multiracial was more than double
the rate for white households.” Furthermore, a Boston University report showed that immigrant mothers were 63
percent more likely to experience household food insecurity.
The 2022 Johnson County Community Status Assessment Report tells a similar story, and shows that Black and
Hispanic residents showed the highest rates of Food Insecurity across multiple measures, including responses to
statements like “I couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals”, “The food that I bought just didn't last, and I didn't have
money to get more,” and the frequency of whole days without food.
Food insecurity has countless impacts on a person’s health and well-being. According to Feeding America, food
insecurity can lead to chronic health conditions, poor health, and complications with the kidneys, eyes, and
nervous system. Immigrants in particular can face health challenges and cardiovascular risks after relocating to
America, because they are forced to adjust to new foods that have higher carbohydrates and more
preservatives. (United Way of Olmstead County).
Based on this data, ensuring the Food Bank is a valuable resource for these communities is an important step in
addressing food insecurity and a need that was identified through a collaboration with Open Heartland prior to
the first year of this request, along with client requests. We believe that access not just to food, but to nutritious,
familiar food is a basic human right.
This project will advance racial equity and social justice by helping to maintain the cultural identity of individuals
facing food insecurity while also directly supporting minority-owned business enterprises within Iowa City. We
intend to offer a sense of home, inclusion, cultural identity, and health with this initiative. Our hope is that
refugees and the diverse people we serve will feel an increased sense of belonging and become more
comfortable connecting with us to meet their needs. By making the Food Bank, which is often an entry point to
other services at CommUnity, more approachable and responsive, we can improve our ability to disrupt the cycle
of crisis, whether a person is facing food, financial, or emotional distress.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Modina African Market - food purchases 12 months
Acapulco Mexican Bakery and Grocery Store - food purchases 12 months
Volunteer organizations - repacking bulk food for distribution Monthly
Nonprofit food partners - HACAP, Table to Table, Field to Family
- general pantry donations
Ongoing
149
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
Almost 100% of households who use the Food Bank are low-income residents. The Food Bank is open to people
and families of all ages, including families with young children, college students, and the elderly. The vast
majority of clients are food insecure by USDA standards. At least 56% of primary clients identify as non-white
(with a small portion of clients not disclosing or identifying as multi-racial), including 36% who are Black or
African American. Nearly 63% of families who accessed the food bank are female-headed households. A
significant number of clients speak Spanish, French, Arabic, or Swahili. Based on input from our staff and DEI
Specialist, we will reach African American descendants of Slaves, Sudanese, Somalian, Kenyan, Congolese,
Mexican, Honduran, and other Latinx and refugee populations.
No. Food pantry services are free to all clients. Free participation is an important part of addressing food
insecurity.
The ultimate goals of this project are to improve food security among African and Hispanic community members
and to increase access to culturally appropriate foods, thereby making the Food Bank more inclusive and in-tune
with the needs of immigrant populations in particular. Our intent is to offer a sense of agency and belonging
when clients look for familiar foods.
Across all services, CommUnity works to limit the amount of information asked of clients to remove as much
concern about sharing personal information that might prevent someone from accessing services as possible,
and to limit the time and effort a client must commit to filling out paperwork to access essential services like food.
Therefore, we ask only the most essential information of clients and rely on a core set of indicators and
demographic information to evaluate success of our programs and projects.
The most relevant indicators of success of this project are:
- Increase in food bank usage among African and Hispanic clients from FY23 to FY24.
- Increase in the number of African and Hispanic clients who visit the food bank multiple times in a year from
FY23 to FY24
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
While CommUnity will ensure that certain food items that are part of this project like rice and beans, which are
able to be purchased through our usual vendors, are ordered regularly, CommUnity relies on grant funding for
culturally-appropriate food purchases such as spices, guajillo, masa, and more which we rely on local ethnic
grocery stores to access, as our general operating dollars are prioritized for the most nutrient-dense, filling foods.
That said, CommUnity will continue seeking grant funding for these specialized purchases, which can be a more
meaningful proposal to funders who might not normally consider funding consumable products like food.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Yes. CommUnity has received the following support from the City of Iowa City:
2023 Racial Equity and Social Justice grant for culturally-appropriate food purchases- $14,000
ARPA for Mobile Crisis Response staffing, vehicles, and renovations - $459,243.23
ARPA SLFRF for Food Bank and Financial Assistance - $30,843
Iowa City Aid to Agencies (HCDC) for agency operating support: $74,037
Security Deposit Assistance Program: $70,000
2023 Climate Action Grant for energy-efficient refrigerator purchase for eggs: $3,047
2023 Public Art Matching Grant: $1,128.90
150
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
20,000.00$
CommUnity’s overall budget for FY24 $12,632,232. Please note that nearly 60% of this is for the Crisis Helplines
Program, funded through federal and state contracts for work that serves a statewide and nationwide audience.
The FY24 budget for Food Bank programs is $1,088,633 and relies primarily on private and individual
contributions.
Amerigroup Applied 8,000.00$
ALDI Cares Fund Applied 5,000.00$
Unrestricted food bank contributions Received 7,000.00$
Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant - City of Iowa City Applied 20,000.00$
Budget
Acapulco Mexican
Bakery & Grocery
Store Food
Purchases - RESJ
Grant Funded
Examples of foods: Assorted
spices, masa (corn flour),
guajillo (peppers), consome de
pollo, pasta alimentica, frijoles
negros, frijol mayo coba,
permano mayocoba Quantity
will vary month-to-month based
on food availability from all
sources and may be shifted to
months when food donations
are down.
10,000.00$1 10,000.00$
Modina African
Market food and
spice purchases -
RESJ Grant Funded
Examples of foods: Rice, dry
beans, other popular items per
Modina Quantity will vary
month-to-month based on food
availability from all sources and
may be shifted to months when
food donations are down.
10,000.00$1 10,000.00$
Bulk food purchases
of rice beans, flours -
other funding
sources
Quantity will vary month-to-
month based on food
availability from all sources and
may be shifted to months when
food donations are down.
20,000.00$1 20,000.00$
No professional services are needed for this project.
151
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
While CommUnity committed to even monthly food purchases through Modina African Market and Acapulco
Mexican Bakery with last year’s award, this year’s grant funding, if awarded, will be used to ensure more even
availability of culturally-appropriate foods throughout the year. To illustrate, large quantities of rice are available
for a steep discount on occasion through HACAP, and yet in other months there may not be culturally-
appropriate food options available through our most affordable vendors. Additionally, we have seen over the past
three years that food donations tend to decrease in the first four months of the calendar year, and Racial Equity
and Social Justice grant funds would supplement the food stock in the months that donations are down.
Flexibility in the timing of spending grant funds will allow us to better weather the months when availability of
culturally-appropriate foods from other sources has decreased and ensure more consistent access to these
foods year-round. Though we can’t yet predict exactly when the supply from other sources will decrease, funds
will be spent within the grant period identified in the grant agreement.
The key activity of this project is food distribution. Food is distributed at the food bank six days per week,
Monday through Saturday. Food for the food bank is purchased at least monthly, with orders placed through
some providers such as Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) weekly or bi-weekly, depending on
food availability. Our ultimate goal for this grant is to ensure consistent amounts of culturally-appropriate foods
are available each month.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
The project can still continue with less funding, but the scope will be significantly narrowed. CommUnity can
commit up to $7,000 of unrestricted Food Bank dollars to specifically purchasing culturally-appropriate food
items, but will prioritize those dollars for the most essential items such as bulk dry rice and dry beans at the most
affordable rates available. Grant dollars allow for more variety in culturally-appropriate food purchases such as
additional types of flour and spices. CommUnity will continue pursuing additional grant funding for this project
regardless of the decision on this grant award, but every dollar from the Racial Equity and Social Justice grant
significantly expands our ability to fight food insecurity among diverse populations in our community.
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.
1/5/2024
152
153
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Morningside Glendale Neighborhood Association
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
50112
Country
USA
Street Address
1623 Wilson Street
Address Line 2
319-331-3404
https://sites.google.com/view/morningsideglendale/home
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Ashley Laux
154
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
lead organizer, Morningside Glendale Neighborhood
Association
3193313404
morningsideglendale@gmail.com
The Morningside Glendale Neighborhood Association brings together residents to build community and
strengthen our neighborhood with a specific emphasis on equity and access.
10
Project Proposal
The Morningside Glendale Neighborhood Association Book
Club: Fall 2024 Reading into Cultural Understanding
A social justice-themed neighborhood fall/ winter book club program including three meetings and discussion
group programming plans, refreshments, plus a final author event featuring the editor/ publisher, Andrea Wilson,
and Syrian-American author Eyad Said.
"We the Interwoven" is Iowa’s first book series written by emerging writers who are immigrants, first-, and
second-generation Iowans. The series is a testimonial to the story of today’s Iowa—a uniquely beautiful tapestry
woven from people of many backgrounds, many of whom are experiencing America for the first time through the
lens of our state. The series also offers a one-of-a-kind anthropological resource and learning tool, featuring in-
language translations for each of the authors, a personal artist statement describing their backgrounds and
reasons why they chose to tell their story now, and a cultural glossary with important personal definitions that
brings a richness to the reading experience and helps bridge gaps across cultural diversity. All together, these
features wrapped in a single book make We the Interwoven a rich and enlightening book and also a key platform
for community learning, discussion, and collaborative engagement. To-date, the We-the Interwoven series has
been part of library offerings, regional programming, and book clubs in over 100 Iowa communities. The book
series was funded over three separate grant applications and awards by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the
NEA.
New
Neighborhoods are a microcosm of our broader community and society and, now more than ever, neighborhoods
can serve as important sites of social justice and community activism. Cultivating intentional relationships
between neighbors and hosting structured dialogues about social justice themes in our community (such as
immigration) is one important step to advancing racial equity both in our neighborhood and broader community.
Through the book club meetings, a set of diverse neighbors will have an opportunity to reflect on our
neighborhood values and what it means to be an Iowa resident today. The book club meetings will start to help
us come together to explore future actions we want to pursue to create an inclusive and welcoming
neighborhood.
155
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None 0
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
The project will serve residents who live within the boundaries of Morningside-Glendale's neighborhood including
homeowners and renters across a wide range of income brackets. Morningside-Glendale’s elderly population
(19%) is higher than the county average, as is our population of white residents (82%) and mixed-race residents
(9%). The grant-funded book club will target individuals who are age 15 and above based on the book and
conversation content.
No, participation will be free for all registered participants.
This project will be a success if participants develop new knowledge about immigration in Iowa and develop their
own ideas about ways that the Morningside Glendale Neighborhood will continue to create a welcoming and
inclusive environment for all neighbors to thrive. At the conclusion of the third book club meeting we will
disseminate a survey asking participants to share at least one thing they learned in the book club, and at least
one way that Morningside Glendale Neighborhood can work together to create a welcoming and inclusive
environment. The results of the survey will be shared at a subsequent neighborhood association meeting and we
will discuss ways to continue to advance the themes from the book club and next steps in promoting racial equity
and social justice in our neighborhood.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
A core priority of the neighborhood association is racial equity and social justice. We want to utilize this book club
model as a pilot project and one venue for advancing racial justice dialogues in our neighborhood community.
After the conclusion of this first book club, we will work together as a neighborhood to determine the path forward
in our racial equity work together. That may take the form of a follow up book club, or we may develop a new
initiative that comes out of the ideas generated during the book club meetings.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Yes, the FY24 City of Iowa City Program for Improving Neighborhoods (PIN) grant.
2,565.00$156
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
$2565. The only funding the Morningside Glendale Neighborhood Association has received is this PIN grant.
FY24 PIN grant Received 2,565.00$
Budget
Book copies We the Interwoven: An
Anthology of Bicultural Iowa
Volume 3. Each neighbor who
participates in the program will
receive one book to read and
keep
20.00$25 500.00$
Editor/publisher fee Andrea Wilson 650.00$1 650.00$
Author fee One author of a volume
chapter. Eyad Said is the
identified author or a different
author if he becomes
unavailable
500.00$1 500.00$
Refreshments At each of the book club
meetings we plan to serve light
refreshments (cookies, cheese,
crackers, fruit, tea, coffee, juice)
75.00$3 225.00$
157
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
Series creator and editor/publisher of the book Andrea Wilson will visit to talk about the depths and lengths gone
to offer safe therapeutic space for the authors to search within themselves for these stories and find both the
courage and the intuitive self-guidance to write their own. Andrea is a narrative therapy practitioner and having
her as a facilitator for the event will support participants in a high quality learning conversation about supporting
vulnerable community members and creating equitable spaces. As the founder of the Iowa Writers’ House and
the creator of the Bicultural Iowa Writers’ Fellowship which supported the creation of the books, she has
presented to groups across Iowa and been an active community member and presence in Iowa City literary and
cultural events. The editor/publisher identified this fee amount, in addition to her facilitation of the book club
meeting, she will support Morningside Glendale in developing the dialogue prompts and meeting curriculum as
well as ensuring the book club dialogue prepares our neighborhood for future racial equity thematic work.
Author Eyad Said was born in Damascus, Syria and lives with his family in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He earned a
master’s degree in banking and finance from the University of Damascus, Syria, before getting a PhD in
mathematics from Louisiana State University and coming to Iowa, first working at as an assistant professor of
mathematics at Mount Mercy University and currently as a software engineer at Collins Aerospace. A husband
and father of two, his writing and speaking explores the wounds caused by the terrible tragedies that have taken
place in his country and has a unique and singular viewpoint to share. If Eyad becomes unavailable, another
chapter author will be able to participate in his place.
Volume 1 and Volume 2 had Iowa City live launch events including community discussion at MERGE for Volume
2. However because of COVID, Volume 3 wasn’t able to have that opportunity so this is also a chance for the
book topics to find an additional audience and for the topics within it to offer local voices and context of Middle
Eastern cultures.
When we receive notification of the grant in June 2024, we will use the summer to confirm plans for the program
including book club space reservation (likely City High School or another space in the neighborhood), confirm
dates/times of meetings and develop the book club meeting curriculum/dialogue prompts. We will launch
advertising and registration for the book club in August 2024, and one book club meeting will take place each
month in October, November, December 2024. We will purchase the books using grant funds in September 2024
and mail them to participants. We will purchase the refreshments in advance of each book club meeting. We will
pay the editor/publisher and author after their participation in the book club meeting. In January 2025 will work
the post-book club survey and plan for next steps after the grant-funded book club is over in addition to
submitting out any required grant reporting.
The three book club meetings will take place monthly in October, November, and December 2024.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
We could potentially host this event without purchasing the books for participants and asking them to purchase
their own books. In that case, we would only need $1,225 for this project. However, I feel that purchasing the
books for all participants will make the event more inclusive for low-income residents who may otherwise choose
not to participate if they need to purchase their own book.
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.
1/5/2024
158
159
160
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Better Together Community Development Corporation
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240-4009
Country
United States
Street Address
136 S Dubuque St
Address Line 2
3193255631
www.bt2030.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Cady Gerlach
Executive Director 161
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
Phone Number*
Email *
3193379637
cady@bt2030.org
Better Together Community Development Corporation is organized to promote the overall well-bring and
common good of the communities in Johnson County, supporting and leading community development projects
and improving the well-bring for all, including poverty alleviation activities and projects designed to improve and
strengthen the social determinants of health for all community members.
2
Project Proposal
Welcoming Week 2024
The project is difficult to select one alignment as it truly is "all of the above." Welcoming Week is a community-
wide collaboration that is designed to bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections
and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity. Welcoming Week
is a national initiative being implemented across the country through the Welcoming America initiative. Our
Johnson County Welcoming Week committee is collectively convened by Better Together 2030, but made up of
representatives from Greater Iowa City, Inc., BT2030, the University of Iowa, Think Iowa City, ICDD, Systems
Unlimited, Open Heartland, International Rescue Committee, the City of Iowa City, Johnson County, the Englert
Theater, HACAP, Johnson County Transit & Social Services, Coralville Library, North Liberty, the Iowa City
Chinese Association, and the Iowa City Area Asian Pacific Association. Welcoming Week is a scheduled week of
events that will reach the entire county but is highly focused on Iowa City area, especially for the Welcome
Festival, the key event and launch party for the week held in Iowa City.
Continuous
Welcoming Week is an annual campaign that has recently been reinvigorated in Johnson County and provides
organizations, communities, cities, and the entire county the opportunity to showcase their values through
banners, events, and initiatives that foster connections and collaborations between immigrants and non-
immigrants, refugees, and fosters a culture of inclusive and belonging for all. Welcoming Week brings together
the entire community to "build a nation of neighbors," leading a movement of inclusive communities becoming
more prosperous by ensuring EVERYONE belongs, including refugees and immigrants. The week connects
nonprofits, businesses, & local governments to support our community in becoming a truly welcoming place for
all.
The week of events is tentatively set by our partners, and the next step is gathering funding that will support
these activities. We are seeking funding from the Human Rights Commission and other municipalities that
support these events.
162
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Greater Iowa City, Inc.2
Iowa City Downtown District 2
South of 6 Business District 2
Think Iowa City 2
Community Foundation of Johnson County 2
United Way 2
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
This is open to all demographic groups but is targeted at immigrant and refugees as newcomers to our
community and Welcoming Week national initiatives are designed to help create inclusive and welcoming
communities for all. The Welcome Festival is the key event and primary event in Iowa City for Welcoming Week.
None. All events are free and open to the public.
Attendees and engagement are the primary drivers of success in these types of collaborative events and
qualitative opportunities. Surveys of attendees and feedback will be collected.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, the collaboration and collective work will continue and will grow with appropriate financial support to ensure
capacity. This is the second year and we were able to accomplish a lot in the first year but ran into cost-
prohibitive opportunities and reduced staff capacity without appropriate funding to keep the collaboration alive.
This will also allow us to produce a high quality Welcome Week and Welcome Festival in Iowa City
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
None.
8,650.00$
163
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
$175,000
CFJC Inclusive Johnson County Grant Program Applied 5,000.00$
Iowa City Human Rights Grant Applied 8,650.00$
Budget
Translation Translation for Events 250.00$4 1,000.00$
A/V Services AV for Welcome Festival in
Iowa City
1,500.00$1 1,500.00$
Tables and Tents Table Rental and Tents for
Festival
750.00$1 1,500.00$
Performer Stipends Stipends for Cultural
Performers
100.00$10 1,000.00$
WW24 Program
Admin
Staff Time for Welcome Week
Planning and Coordnation of
Coalition and Welcome Week
Festival Planning - 2-3 Hours
for 12 Weeks
200.00$12 2,400.00$
Fees Licenses and Permit Fees for
Immigrant and Refugee
Vendors/Food Trucks
50.00$10 500.00$
Marketing and Print Design Costs and Materials for
advertising, Social Media Ads
and Print
750.00$1 750.00$
Meetings and Events
- Non Iowa City
Johnson County Wide Event
Costs
5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
Professional Services would be for A/V and translation and are necessary for appropriate accessibility and
hearing/visuals at the larger events. We attempted to do this with donated equipment last year and it was a large
challenge and created challenges for those with accessibility barriers.
Grant money would be spent in August and September for events and payment for any outstanding invoices in
October 2024.
Major project activities will occur between July-September 2024.
Planning Timeline: July-August
Welcoming Week 2024: September 13-22, 2024 164
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes, though with reduced events and collective collaboration amongst community organizations and residents.
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.
1/5/2024
165
166
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Little Creations Academy, Inc.
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
United States
Street Address
2929 E Court St
Address Line 2
3194991764
https://www.littlecreationsacademy.net/
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Anthony Smith
Executive Director 167
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
Phone Number*
Email *
319-654-4624
littlecacademy@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.
6
Project Proposal
Closing the Gap in Quality Child Care
168
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
Quality child care should be available to every working parent regardless of income, but for those parents
qualifying for financial assistance, child care options are few and far between. According to Iowa Child Care
Resource and Referral (www.iowaccrr.org, December 2023), Little Creations Academy (LCA) is one of only eight
centers in Iowa City to offer programming to children ages infant-prek, and to accept DHS Child Care
Assistance. There are several reasons why more centers do not participate in the child care assistance program,
but perhaps the major deterrent is that the financial assistance program does not reimburse the center the total
cost of caring for that specific child. Child care centers everywhere are struggling to pay teachers and other staff
members decent wages, but when centers are spending more to care for a child than they receive in
reimbursement, it is easy to see why Little Creations is not able to attract and maintain a highly talented teaching
staff, nor able to keep up with the various needs of a functioning child care center.
Recently, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services through the Child Care Development Fund
implemented a new child care rating system known as IQ4K (Iowa Quality for Kids). Not only does this rating
system promote and ensure the quality of child care centers, but there are financial incentives for those centers
that are able to enter into this system. Of particular importance to LCA is that an IQ4K rating will allow the center
to collect up to $100 per enrolled child to cover the gap between what the center receives from financial
assistance and private paying families. The IQ4K system also reimburses child care programs when staff
members participate in approved training sessions. As wonderful as these incentives are, with a steady turnover
of staff due to low wages, LCA has not been able to maintain the consistency of employees that is required to
fulfill the requirements to attain Level I of the IQ4K rating system. This presents an ironic situation for LCA as the
center cannot maintain consistency in staffing, due to low wages, to enter into the IQ4K system, but cannot
afford higher wages because it can’t get into the IQ4K system. LCA currently enrolls 27 children, with over 96%
identifying as Black or Latino. All but one child has their expenses covered through the child care assistance
program, creating a large funding gap between the income and expenses of the center. Various contributions by
local organizations help LCA to stay open, but it is merely staying afloat. It is imperative that LCA remain open to
provide quality child care to all children, including those families participating in the child care assistance
program. Grant funding will enable the center to hire a knowledgeable center director, who can lead the center
towards attaining a Level I status in the IQ4K rating system, thus providing much needed finances to attract and
maintain quality staff. Additional grant funds will allow the center to provide a more appealing environment that
will enhance the learning, play, and social development of children.
To address the center’s need to attain a Level I designation in the IQ4K child care rating system, and to improve
the center’s learning environment with more appealing facilities, LCA proposes to use funds received from the
Racial Equity and Social Justice grant to achieve the following two goals:
1. To increase the hourly wage for the center director by $3 an hour until the center has achieved a Level I rating
in the IQ4K system. This will bring the director's hourly wage to roughly $18 an hour.
2. To enhance the current learning environment in order to reflect the center’s emphasis on the nurturing,
learning, and social development of all children.
To receive the requested funds from the racial equity and social justice grant would be of great help in attaining a
Level 1 status in the IQ4K rating system and providing the quality child care environment that all children
deserve.
New
This project will advance racial equity/social justice by supporting the endeavors of Little Creations Academy to
provide the quality child care environment with social, emotional, and cognitive programming that every child
deserves to prepare them to enter kindergarten ready to learn and be successful. Children of all races play and
learn together, creating friendships with the knowledge that they are all valued and loved.
This project will also advance racial equity and social justice by providing a living wage to the six staff members
at LCA, all of whom are women of color. This will happen once the center has achieved at least a Level I ranking
in the IQ4K child care rating system.
And, finally, parents of the children at LCA will be able to seek or maintain employment knowing that their child is
being cared for in a nurturing and loving environment.
169
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
First Presbyterian Church, Iowa City January-December 2024
United Church of Christ, Iowa City January 2022-December 2026
GJG Consultants, Iowa City March 2021-present
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
The following demographic groups from this community will be served by this project:
1. Children, ages infants to age 5- Black, Latino, Sudanese, Congolese, White, male/female, from families
qualifying for child care assistance
2. Sudanese staff members, ages 25-50, female, currently earning $12.50 an hour
3. Parents of children enrolled at LCA, 18-50, Black, Latino,Sudanese, Congolese, White, male/female, income
earned qualifies for child care assistance
There is no financial cost to participate in the project.
The success of our project will be measured by examining the results of our two goals:
Upon completion of the seven-month grant period (June-December 2024), Little Creations Academy will have
earned at least a Level 1 rating in the IQ4K child care rating system.
Upon completion of the seven-month grant period (June-December 2024), Little Creations Academy will have
renovated the two child care restroom facilities, and purchased a classroom storage cabinet.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, the project will continue after the racial equity and social justice grand funding has ended. Funding from this
grant will provide the monetary boost that LCA requires to enter into Level I of the IQ4K child care rating system.
Once this level is attained, LCA will qualify for the financial reimbursements provided by Iowa Child Care
Resource and Referral to address the financial gap between child care assistance and private pay tuition.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
No, LCA has not received any funding from the City of Iowa City within the last year.
12,845.00$170
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
$221,900
First Presbyterian Church, Iowa City Received 250.00$
United Church of Christ Received 7,475.00$
GJG Consultants- volunteer early-childhood education advisors Received 0.00$
Budget
storage cabinet tall, 4 compartment 950.00$1 950.00$
restroom remodeling 5 stalls 8,150.00$8,150.00$
pay increase for new
director
$3 per hour raise until Level 1
of IQ4K achieved
3,745.00$1 3,745.00$
An increase in available funds to pay the center director will allow LCA to attract an individual with the knowledge
and skills to lead the staff towards attaining the Level I ranking in the IQ4K rating system.
Once funds are received, an order will be placed for the classroom storage cabinet. Contact will also be made
with the company to begin renovating the restrooms. Beginning in July, the center director will see a $3 an hour
raise in their wages knowing that it is their responsibility to ensure the center earns at least a Level I ranking in
the IQ4K system. This increase in wages will continue until the IQ4K system provides funds that can cover this
expense.
Our desire is to have the restroom facilities renovated over the summer. We will also order the storage cabinet
immediately upon receiving funding. The hourly wage increase for the director will begin June 1 until a Level I
status in IQ4K has been achieved.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
We do not believe this project can be completed with less funding. However, if an item must be eliminated, we
would suggest that it be the storage cabinet. The restrooms are greatly in need of renovation, and it is important
to provide a decent hourly wage to the center director if we hope to attract someone who can provide the needed
leadership to earn the IQ4k Level 1 status.
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.
171
Signature*
Date*
1/5/2024
172
173
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Inside Out Reentry Community
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
United States
Street Address
500 N Clinton St
Address Line 2
319-338-7996
insideoutreentry.com
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Michelle Heinz
Executive Director 174
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
Phone Number*
Email *
319-338-7996
Michelle@insideoutreentry.com
to support people involved in the criminal legal system in changing from the inside out, and to educate the public,
in order to promote healing, restore relationships and achieve success in the community.
8
Project Proposal
Inside Out Reentry Art Supplies and Workshops
Inside Out Reentry Community (IO) is seeking funding to expand our opportunities to provide art programming.
In late 2023, in response to requests from our members IO made a change to our bi-weekly writing group to
incorporate art once a month. The response has been very positive and members are requesting increased
access to art beyond the current offering. IO would like to expand upon the existing art opportunities to provide
more regular art programming as well as have art materials on hand for IO members to access outside of the art
workshops. IO is requesting funding so we can provide at least monthly art workshops, purchase materials for
these workshops, and to create a supply of art materials that our members can use when they visit the office
outside of the art workshops.
New
The U.S. incarcerates over 2 million people, the highest rate in the world. According to the IA Dept. of
Corrections, the IA prison population averaged 8,239 in 9 facilities, and 40,956 in community based corrections
as of 8/22/23. It is estimated that 95% of incarcerated individuals will be released and return to their communities
after completing their sentence. Once released, returning citizens face significant barriers to successful reentry,
such as employment, housing, and accessing basic services. They also face social stigma and often have low
self-esteem.
Reentry services are integral to reduce recidivism in our community. According to the IA Dept of Corrections, in
FY22 there was a 37% return rate to prison. This impacts not only the person who is re-incarcerated, but also
their family, employer, and community. Reentry research studies suggest returning citizens are best served by
reentry programs during the first year after release, the time when they are most likely to recidivate (James,
2014, Offender Reentry).
Research has shown that art programming is beneficial for those returning from incarceration. Art programming
encourages a state of “readiness,” increases self-esteem, and helps develop basic communication and other
essential skills which are ultimately beneficial for reentry (Brewster L., 2014, The Impact of Prison Arts Programs
on Inmate Attitudes and Behavior: A Quantitative Evaluation). Additionally, engaging with art can act as a
protective and rehabilitative behavior for mental health (Rodriguez A., 2023, Arts Engagement as a Health
Behavior: An Opportunity to Address Mental Health Inequities).
Art programming benefits those impacted by the criminal legal system as it provides a safe space for individuals
to express themselves, learn new skills, and also provides a positive environment to be a part of. Many of our
members have shared that other than the workshops they have attended at Inside Out, they do not have access
to art supplies. Having art supplies on hand in our office can provide those who wish to stop in to the office
outside of the art workshops the opportunity to interact with a creative and beneficial outlet for mental health and
stress reduction.
175
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None None
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
IO serves adults returning to Johnson County after incarceration, or who have significant involvement with the
criminal legal system. We also work with people who are incarcerated around the state to form reentry plans
before their release, with a focus on those returning to Johnson County. More than half of our members are
people of color (58%), with 46% African American, 5% Latinx, 4% multiple races, 2% Native American and 1%
Asian. 91% are men, with an age range of 18-72 with the average age of 40 years old. A majority are low
income, with 88% at or below 30% area median income at intake.
A majority of IO members report mental health and substance use issues. 62% report having at least one mental
health diagnosis and at intake 73% with a diagnosis were not receiving mental health services. 58% report
having current or past substance use issues, and 88% report at intake they are not receiving treatment. A major
need is connecting individuals to support services and programming that can provide positive benefits towards
behavioral health needs.
There is no financial cost to participate in IO’s art programming. We want to increase access and reduce barriers
for our members.
IO will track attendance (including repeat attendance) and participation during the art workshops. There are
limited opportunities for individuals impacted by the justice system to find both healing and creative spaces, so
attendance is a form of program success. After individuals attend the groups they are learning new outlets they
can use in the future to help with their mental health and wellbeing. IO will also give out a survey to the
attendees so they can provide feedback on the workshops and art supplies closet, what the benefits are, and
how they can be improved. We will also track how often individuals utilize the art supplies closet.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Funding for this project will help build capacity. Once the project is running, we will be able to advertise it more
broadly which will increase opportunities for future donations and funding. IO will also seek additional funding
sources as well as community partnerships to keep this project growing. Some of the art supplies that will be
purchased are screen printing supplies that can be used moving forward after this granting period.
Funding Amount Request
176
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
If so, for what and for how much?
In the calendar year 2023, IO received $36,867 in Aid to Agencies funding ($41,839.00 was awarded in FY23
and $31,000.00 awarded for FY24) which was used towards general operating expenses. IO also received
$20,000 in ARPA funding which was used towards housing related case management.
2,300.00$
IO's FY24 annual budget: $243,574.87
None Received 0.00$
Budget
Art Supplies Storage Sturdy cabinet with shelving,
storage bins
$150.00$
Drawing supplies Various supplies including:
pencil sets, conte crayons,
charcoal, prismacolor colored
pencils, crayons colorpack,
pastel set, archival drawing pen
set
$625.00$
Painting Supplies Various painting supplies
including watercolor, acrylic
sets, paintbrushes
$250.00$
Screen printing
Supplies
Various including: Screen
printing kit, block printing ink,
brayers, barrens, blocks
$500.00$
Mixed-Media Paper Multiple types of paper $200.00$
Operational Costs:
Staffing
Staffing costs vary depending
on position: $16-18.50 an hour
$575.00$
IO is requesting 25% of the funds to be used towards staffing involved with the art workshops. IO staff share
information about our programming with our members, advertise it, help provide and/or coordinate
transportation, and also help lead our workshops. These staffing costs will not cover the entirety of the staffing
costs associated with the project.
Near the start of the granting period, IO will purchase the materials for the art supplies closet so it can be on
hand in the office. As workshops are held, IO will spend the associated payroll costs.
177
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
IO will purchase and begin offering the art supplies closet close to when the granting period begins. In early Fall,
IO will begin hosting regular art workshops which will run throughout the granting period.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
If IO received less funding for this project we would scale back the activities, such as reducing the number of art
workshops held.
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.
1/5/2024
178
179
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Greater Iowa City, Inc.
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240-4009
Country
United States
Street Address
136 S Dubuque St
Address Line 2
319337-9637
greateriowacity.com
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Liz Hubing
Sr. Director of Business Support and Workforce 180
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
Phone Number*
Email *
319-337-9637
cady@greateriowacity.com
Greater Iowa City, Inc. (Greater IC) is a network of business and public sector leaders who collaborate to support
local companies, guide investment, and grow a resilient economy. With over 1,000 members, we serve all
businesses and business interests in Johnson County, Iowa.
102
Project Proposal
Pebble Grants for Underestimated Businesses
We are pleased to submit a proposal for an inclusive business grant program for underrepresented and
underestimated businesses. Our program will support small businesses owned by BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+
and other marginalized groups that have been historically excluded from traditional funding sources,
communities that the Inclusive Economic Development Plan identifies and defines appropriately as
“underestimated.” Specifically, we are interested in leading a sustainable grant program that supports small
businesses and entrepreneurs. We recognize that these groups often lack and historically were denied access to
the resources and support they need to thrive, prominently so in the COVID-19 pandemic benefit and resource
programs offered by the federal and state governments, and we are committed to filling this gap. We also
acknowledge and recognize that any of this programming offered must be both by and for underestimated
community members.
New
We believe that these IC Human Rights Commission funds can play a critical role in helping us achieve this
vision of meeting the Inclusive Economic Development Plan and advance racial equity and social justice.
We are confident that our partnership is well-equipped to manage this program, given our extensive experience
in economic development and community engagement. Our collective network of business leaders, community
members, organizers, entrepreneurs, and civic and government leaders ensures that we have the knowledge
and relationships necessary to create an effective and impactful program.
Importantly, also, we have all recognized the nature of using this opportunity to develop the capacity of
underrepresented persons and organizations to both operate and make decisions with these funds. We believe
our role can be administrative and distributive in nature, while also capacity building for others with our existing
experience and systems. We will offer grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to qualifying businesses with the
goal of targeting at least 8 businesses. These grants will be used to help cover operating costs, supportive
professional services, purchase necessary equipment or inventory, and provide support for marketing and
advertising efforts.
The IEDP identified professional services as a primary gap in access for the affected communities and this
project, through a coordinated approach, will also develop a system of shared professional services providers
made up of previously underrepresented groups where possible and available. This will be critical to future
capacity and accessibility and vetting
these contractors and creating this network of providers will prove invaluable to the future needs of these
businesses.
181
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None 1 year
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
Those identified as underrepresented and underestimated businesses in the Inclusive Economic Development
Plan. responsible for reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and selecting
grantees based on their eligibility and alignment with the program's goals.
The success of this program will be measured not only by the number of businesses
supported, but also by the long-term impact that our grantees are able to achieve.
We will track outcomes such as job creation, revenue growth, and community
impact to ensure that our program is making a meaningful difference in the lives
of those we serve. Additionally, there is an opportunity here to make sure we are
sharing the anecdotal stories and efforts that are coming through this grant
program that may not be quantifiable but will be important to track and share.
We know that these types of programs work as we have seen their success in the
Builders and Backers program operated by ICAD with the support of Heartland
Forward. Through these programs, ICAD has been able to serve 23 participants so
far with more in each cohort: 4 Immigrants have been served, and participants are
69% Female, 31% Male, 52% Caucasian, 31% Black/African American, 4%
Hispanic/Latino, 4% Asian, 9% Non-White / other. These statistics are identified
from previous cohorts, upcoming cohorts are expected to be increasingly diverse
due to recruitment efforts and referrals from past Builders and awareness of the
program, especially women, and increases in racial diversity as well.
None. Access is critical and barriers must be reduced.
The success of this program will be measured not only by the number of businesses
supported, but also by the long-term impact that our grantees are able to achieve.
We will track outcomes such as job creation, revenue growth, and community
impact to ensure that our program is making a meaningful difference in the lives
of those we serve. Additionally, there is an opportunity here to make sure we are
sharing the anecdotal stories and efforts that are coming through this grant
program that may not be quantifiable but will be important to track and share.
182
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
To ensure sustainability, we intend to both fundraise through private investment
and seeking matching funding with local banks2 to help continue this program
(much as how the Wage Enhancement Program will work and the Project Better
Together BIPOC Business Grant programs3 worked in years past), as well as
establish a “give back” program where grantees commit to providing a return on the investment to the program in
future years with their time, talents, and treasure.
While the scope of the return may change with each grantee, we believe that this
program will create mentoring opportunities, meaningful relationships, and such
change that grantees will be able to pay it forward to future grantees accordingly.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Investment in Greater Iowa City. Inc. for traditional economic and community development activities through IC
Budget and investment. Investment for FY25 is not confirmed at this time.
25,000.00$
$1.5M
City of Iowa City HR Commission Funding Applied 25,000.00$
Budget
Grants Grants to Underestimated
Businesses and Entrepreneurs
2,000.00$11 22,000.00$
Program
Administration
Payroll and Staff Costs for
Administrative Operations of
Grant Program
3,000.00$1 25,000.00$
None.
Funds will be spent beginning in July 2024 and available until expended - the hope is that funds available will
increase with the success of this program.
183
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
July 24 Program Launch
August 24 First Grants Awarded
Progress Tracked
April 25 - June 25 Monitoring and Reporting on Grant Funded Success/Lessons Learned
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes, but less grants and opportunities for the businesses.
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.
1/5/2024
184
185
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Sankofa Outreach Connection
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
PO Box 2664
Address Line 2
3195410669
www.sankofaoutreach.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Tyesha Perry
Operations Assistant 186
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
Phone Number*
Email *
3195410669
sankofaoutreach@gmail.com
Our mission is to promote building connections and providing resources to support wealth, and health, and
strengthen connections to cultural and social events and activities for women of color.
8
Project Proposal
EmpowerHER: Connecting and Sustaining Women of Color
in Iowa City
187
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
EmpowerHer is a comprehensive project to promote connection, foster economic partnerships, and address the
unique needs of women of color in the Iowa City community. By focusing on retaining professional women of
color and creating new economic opportunities, this project aims to enhance overall wellness, decrease social
isolation, and centralize resources for women of color and their families. Additionally, the project includes
collaboration with University of Iowa Health Care providers to address Black maternal health disparities through
the development of support groups. Objectives:
Promote Economic Partnerships: Facilitate networking events and workshops that connect women of color with
local businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs. Create opportunities for economic empowerment through
mentorship programs, business development resources, and access to funding options.
Retain Professional Women of Color: Implement initiatives to improve the retention rates of professional women
of color in Iowa City. This includes providing support networks, workshops on career advancement, and fostering
a welcoming and inclusive work environment within the community.
Address Black Maternal Health Disparities: Collaborate with University of Iowa Health Care providers to establish
support groups and educational programs that specifically address the challenges faced by Black women during
pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods. These groups will provide a safe space for sharing experiences,
receiving medical guidance, and promoting overall maternal health.
Centralize Resources: Develop an online platform that serves as a centralized hub for resources, information,
and referrals specifically tailored to the needs of women of color and their families. This platform will include
directories of local services, educational materials, and community forums.
Implementation Plan:
Economic Partnership Events: Organize networking events, business showcases, and panel discussions that
connect women of color with local businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs. Facilitate workshops on
entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and access to funding options.
Mentorship and Professional Development: Connect women to current/local mentorship programs so that we can
assist in pairing professional women of color with experienced mentors in similar fields. Provide workshops and
seminars on leadership development, negotiation skills, and career advancement strategies.
Retention Programs: Collaborate with local employers and organizations to create an inclusive work environment
that supports the retention of professional women of color. Offer workshops on cultural competency, bias
awareness, and diversity training.
Support Groups for Black Maternal Health: Work closely with University of Iowa Health Care providers to
establish support groups for Black women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods. These groups
will provide emotional support, education, and access to healthcare resources.
Online Resource Platform: Develop a user-friendly online platform that centralizes resources, information, and
referrals for women of color and their families. Ensure the platform is accessible, culturally relevant, and regularly
updated with accurate information.
New
188
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
The EmpowerHer project will advance racial equity and social justice for the City of Iowa City, IA in several ways:
Economic Empowerment: By promoting economic partnerships and providing resources for women of color, the
project addresses the economic disparities faced by marginalized communities. It actively works towards
reducing the wealth gap by creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, mentorship, and access to funding
options. This helps to level the playing field and advance racial equity in terms of economic opportunities for
women of color.
Professional Development and Retention: The retention programs and professional development initiatives
implemented by the project aim to create an inclusive work environment for professional women of color. By
addressing bias and providing education on cultural competency, these efforts contribute to a more equitable
workplace. Retaining and supporting professional women of color in their careers fosters social justice by
ensuring equal opportunities for growth and advancement.
Addressing Black Maternal Health Disparities: Through collaboration with University of Iowa Health Care
providers, the project facilitates support groups and educational programs specifically targeting Black women's
maternal health disparities. By focusing on this critical issue, the project aims to reduce racial disparities in
maternal health outcomes. This not only improves the health and well-being of Black women but also addresses
the systemic inequities that contribute to differing health outcomes based on race.
Centralizing Resources and Information: The development of an online resource platform specifically tailored to
the needs of women of color and their families centralizes resources, information, and referrals. This ensures
that marginalized communities have access to vital information related to healthcare, education, employment,
and community services. By providing equitable access to resources, the project promotes social justice and
reduces disparities in access to information and services.
Overall, the EmpowerHer project takes a comprehensive approach to advancing racial equity and social justice
by addressing economic disparities, improving workplace inclusivity, tackling Black maternal health disparities,
and centralizing resources for women of color in the City of Iowa City, IA. By empowering and supporting
marginalized communities, the project takes significant steps towards creating a more equitable and just society.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
University of Iowa Health Care midwifery and nursing 6 to 9 months
Molina Healthcare 12 months
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
Women 18+ mostly women of color including Black, Latino, Asian, Native, or Indigenous Peoples and those self-
identified as such
189
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
This project will mostly provide free programming and if there is a fee, fees can be waived by those in need or
the fees would be nominal
We plan to measure success through surveys, our growing members, and personal testimonies. We will also
measure success on the ability to duplicate programs with growing participation.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, many would continue but there would be costs associated with some of the programming unless we find
other grants that will allow us to continue with our project.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
no
23,000.00$
$10,000
Donations and In-Kind Donations Received 500.00$
Budget
Administration This will cover the fee for staff
time
6,200.00$1 6,200.00$
Business Series Meals, Materials, etc 700.00$4 2,800.00$
Maternal Health
Groups
training, prizes, supplies, meals,
etc
8,000.00$1 8,000.00$
Website Revamp Website development and
maintenance
5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
190
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
We plan to pay stipends for women who will be trained as facilitators for ongoing Birthing and Maternal Support
Groups. We will also pay a trainer to conduct the training to get us started with groups in the area. This is
necessary to assist with the ongoing of these support groups and establishing safer communities for Black
women to give birth with the support that can prevent maternal and child death as research supports as a
resiliency factor for Black women. We will also work with a web page designer to revamp our website to stay
current and be more user-friendly for members.
We will have Brunch and Business Series running throughout the year, 4 per year. (mentoring and retention) The
series will start in August 2024
Black Maternal Groups will begin in the bring due to setting up trainings and practice for new facilitators. We will
have an annual Parenting Health Fair in April/May 2025
Other programs and activities will be held throughout the year.
We will start searching for a website designer and management team in July of 2024 and that work will be
ongoing with input sessions from women who will use the website as a resource.
We will have Brunch and Business Series running throughout the year, 4 per year. (mentoring and retention) The
series will start in August 2024
We will have an annual Parenting Health Fair and Black Maternal Awareness Events in April/May 2025
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
This budget is very limiting but we will make work what we can to serve women in our community. Many times
we volunteer or cover the cost out of pocket to support one another when we lack funding.
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.
1/5/2024
191
192
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Center for Worker Justice of Iowa
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52246
Country
Johnson County
Street Address
1556 1st Ave #C, Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Address Line 2
3195947593
www.cwjiowa.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Ayman Sharif
Executive Director 193
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
Phone Number*
Email *
3193335403
ayman@cwjiowa.org
Name*
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
Majid Taha
Grant Writer
3195940697
majid@cwjiowa.org
The Center for Worker Justice of Eastern lowa (CWJ) unites low-wage workers across race, ethnicity, and
immigration status to promote and defend workers' rights on the job, human rights ot housing, just immigration
policies, and more equitable communities. Since our founding in 2012, CWJ has led campaigns to raise
minimum wages, combat wage theft, prevent unjust deportations, improve local law enforcement policies, and
preserve affordable housing.
12
Project Proposal
Empowering Culinary Entrepreneurs
The "Empowering Culinary Entrepreneurs" initiative is a project committed to promoting social justice and racial
equity through accessible culinary education and entrepreneurship opportunities. The primary goal is to establish
economic independence for individuals possessing culinary skills, particularly those from marginalized
communities. The project involves conducting 10 business workshops across three different areas: food health
and safety, business planning, and development training classes. Participants in these workshops gain essential
skills necessary to navigate the culinary industry successfully.
The initiative operates on the fundamental principle that culinary education should be inclusive, aiming to
dismantle systemic barriers that hinder individuals from marginalized backgrounds from entering the food
industry. Upon completing the program, each participant will receive a Point of Sale (POS) system. This tool is
instrumental, enabling them to process credit card purchases. Many members of our social enterprise have
expressed that having this system would significantly expand their ability to accept various forms of payment,
contributing to the success of their culinary ventures.
New
194
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
This project will advance racial equity and social justice by addressing systemic barriers that hinder individuals
from marginalized communities from entering the culinary industry. Through accessible culinary education and
entrepreneurship opportunities, it aims to empower individuals with culinary skills, particularly those facing
economic challenges.
By providing essential business workshops, the initiative equips participants with the skills needed to establish
economic independence.
The project operates on the fundamental principle of inclusive culinary education. By doing so, it actively works
to dismantle systemic barriers that traditionally limit opportunities for individuals from marginalized backgrounds.
This approach promotes fairness and equal access to resources.
Participants in the workshops gain crucial skills in food health and safety, business planning, and development
training. This skill development is a key factor in promoting equity, as it provides individuals with the tools
necessary for success in the culinary industry.
The distribution of Point of Sale (POS) systems upon program completion is a tangible step toward addressing
financial inequities. Enabling participants to process multiple payment methods and multiple payment methods
and expanding their opportunities of success. ability to accept various forms of payment, contributing to the
overall success of their culinary ventures.
In summary, this project advances racial equity and social justice by providing inclusive education, fostering
economic independence, and addressing systemic barriers, ultimately empowering individuals from marginalized
communities to succeed in the culinary industry.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
N/A N/A
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
This project will primarily serve Iowa City, low-income and immigrants. Individuals who are 18 years or older and
speak French, English, Arabic, or Spanish continue to make up the majority of CWJ’s membership base and are
expected to make up the majority of this project’s participants. CWJ expects the workshop participants to be
between the ages of 18 and 65. CWJ’s workshops will be taught in 4 languages so that a variety of races and
ethnicities can be served by this project. This project will be open equally to both men and women. By expanding
and diversifying our local food system, the impact of the project extends to benefit the entire Iowa City
population.
No, there is no financial cost for individuals to participate in the project.
195
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
The success of the project will be measured through the following key indicators:
Participation Rates: Tracking the number of individuals enrolling in and completing the 10 workshops.
Pre and Post-Workshop Knowledge Check: Use an entering and exiting surveys to measure the level of
knowledge gained.
Feedback and Surveys: Collecting feedback from participants, community members, and collaborators to
evaluate the effectiveness of the classes and the overall impact of the initiative.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, the project aims to continue beyond the racial equity and social justice grant funding. Efforts will be made to
explore opportunities for sustainability by seeking partnerships with local businesses and organizations. The goal
is to establish a framework that allows the project to thrive independently, ensuring its ongoing impact even after
the grant funding concludes.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
IC ARPA FY24 Q1 & Q2 - $25,322 - Payroll for Wage Theft Community Organizer
IC LEGACY Grant FY24 Q1 & Q2 - $7500 - General Operational
10,074.00$
474,366.34
N/A Applied 0.00$
Budget
Instructor Stipend $70 per hour * 2 hours * 10
workshops
140.00$10 1,400.00$
Childcare Provider
Wages
$18 per hour * 2 providers * 2
hours * 10 workshops
72.00$10 720.00$
Lunch/Dinner/Water
(Snacks)
(1 $6 40pk dinner/lunch per
workshop * 10) + ($100 snacks
per workshop * 10)
106.00$10 1,060.00$
196
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
Interpreter Wages $40 per hour * 3 interpreters * 2
hours * 10 workshops
240.00$10 2,400.00$
POS Systems POS system purchases strictly
for attendees that went to
classes and need help starting
out.
318.00$10 3,180.00$
Sub-Total Activities' cost $8,760.00$
Operational Costs at
15%
payroll, rent, utilities, insurance,
taxes, etc.
$1 1,314.00$
Total Cost Total Cost of the project $10,074.00$
This budget allocates funds for three professional services. Hiring instructors is crucial to ensure that community
members receive high-quality business training during these workshops. Additionally, the hiring of translators is
necessary as the classes will be conducted in three different languages (ARABIC, Spanish, and French),
catering to a diverse audience.
Furthermore, considering that many individuals attending CWJ’s workshops have children and belong to low-
income groups, the inclusion of childcare services is imperative. Despite the workshops being free, the high
costs of child care can pose a financial barrier for some community members. Offering free childcare services
removes this obstacle, enabling individuals to participate irrespective of their parental status and financial
constraints. This inclusive approach promotes equal access and encourages broader community engagement.
July-Dec 2024
Planning and Coordination:
- Finalize agreements with instructors, childcare providers, and interpreters.
- Develop marketing materials in Spanish, English, Arabic, and French for program promotion.
- Open registration for the workshops.
Marketing Launch:
- Begin advertising workshops across targeted languages.
- Implement the registration process.
- Coordinate translation and interpretation services for potential participants.
Workshop Series 1:
- Conduct the first series of 5 workshops, offering translation and interpretation support.
- Provide childcare services during workshops.
January-June 2025:
Workshop Series 2:
- Launch the next series of 5 workshops.
- Provide translation, interpretation, and childcare support.
Certification and Next Steps
- Assist participants in obtaining necessary certifications.
- Introduce resources for business development.
POS Distribution:
- Conduct the final 2 workshops of the program.
- Distribute Point of Sale (POS) systems to the 10 participants who completed all workshops.
- Evaluate the overall impact of the project.
- Compile a comprehensive report showcasing success and lessons learned.
The major project activities will take place in the second half of the grant year January-June 2025, due to a
higher concentration of activities during that period.
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5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
While a reduced budget may impact the scale of workshops and outreach, full funding is beneficial for achieving
the project's envisioned impact. Scaling down on certain elements may limit the depth of community engagement
and the scope of culinary education provided. However, the initiative will always be scaled around the given
funding.
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.
1/5/2024
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Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY25
Applications must be submitted by January 5, 2024.
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.
In 2017, the City Council created the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant to assist community-based
organizations in building capacity to address racial equity and social justice needs.
Grant Requirements
The project should address one or more of these priority areas: Building Communities, Criminal Justice, Education,
Employment, Health, and Housing.
The organization must be physically located in Iowa City.
The project must take place in Iowa City.
The project should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The project must be a new project. Exception, organizations previously funded in the last grant cycle may reapply for the
same project to be funded for one additional grant cycle.
Applicants cannot be governments, public schools, and colleges/universities.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
Projects cannot be for fundraising purposes.
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Indigenous Art Alliance
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
USA
Street Address
10 S. GILBERT St.
Address Line 2
641-387-9110
www.indigenousartalliance.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Title*
Dawson Davenport
Founder 200
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
4. This project will advance racial equity / social justice by ...*
5. The project addresses one or more of the following priority areas:*
6. Does this project include any collaborations with community organizations?
If so, please list them below. If no collaborations will occur, type “None.”
Phone Number*
Email *
+16413879110
indigenousartalliance@gmail.com
Educating and exploring Indigenous Culture, heritage, and history through contemporary arts. Emphasis is
placed on the historical tribal nations of Iowa, while also giving the broader scope of Indigenous perspective.
4
Project Proposal
Indigenous Peoples Art Gallery and Cafe
The Indigenous Peoples Art Gallery and Cafe was initially started in 2019, downtown Iowa City. It was created
with the idea of showcasing Indigenous art and artists because there was an absence of it with all the events that
happen in town. Since there was no representation or if there was, it wasn't promoted well. Therefore, the
Indigenous Peoples Art Gallery and Cafe was created to fulfill that need. When we moved from downtown, the
pandemic occurred. So, I continued to host events of Spoken word poetry and music from home featuring
Indigenous poets and musicians from Iowa and all across the country. We even had an artist from New Zealand.
Furthermore, once we were able to come out from the pandemic, I began to look for a new space. I acquired the
old church at 10 S. Gilbert, Iowa City, Iowa. I created a partnership with Public Space 1, and other Iowa City
orgs. Along with them, I recently partnered with Artforce Iowa, Des Moines. We are working on several projects
at this time.
The Indigenous Peoples Art Gallery and Cafe will be a space for long term sustainability that will bring
Indigenous artists and community together. The Gallery and Cafe will host art exhibitions, poetry nights, music,
film screenings, fashion shows, author visits and lectures. The Gallery and Cafe will also educate people about
the historically tribal nations that once inhabited Iowa. Resources will be needed to adequately provide these
mediums to the general public. Portable moving art gallery walls, microphones, sound equipment, cameras,
stipends for artists and guest speakers, will be needed to host these events. A projector and screen for film
screenings and cameras for livestreaming our productions. These will be a way to broaden our audience,
generate resources and guage our success
Continuous
Promoting and Educating people about Indigenous Culture, history and heritage with an emphasis on tribally
historic tribes of Iowa.
Check all that apply
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
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Organization*Time Span*
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, why and how much?*
9. How will success of the project be measured?*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?*
No more than 25% of the total funding requested can be for operational costs. i.e., payroll, rent, office supplies, utilities,
insurance, and taxes.
1. Within the year, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
PS1, ArtForce Iowa 12 months
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
It is our vision to serve Iowa City, students of all grade levels and college students, and all Iowans and the
region. By offering various art mediums mixed with history, we intend to educate people of all demographics
through our programming. Grade school students can visit on school field trips, college students can come intern
and do research; or have an art exhibition or read poetry. Elder communities can come and have coffee and
learn about the history of Iowa's tribal nations. We can be a part other events happening in Iowa City like Misson
Creek Featival.
No
Art exhibitions, Spoken Word poetry nights, Film screenings, indigenous author presentations and book
readings. We plan to livestream and record our events to build a larger audience. Livestreaming and recording
will also display the success of our events. We also plan on creating a newsletter to promote events and to
create a feedback system to get a look at who, what and where our audience comes from and thinks of our
programming.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justice grant funding ends?
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes. Our Mission is Educating and exploring Indigenous Culture, heritage, and history through contemporary
arts. Emphasis is placed on the historical tribal nations of Iowa, while also giving the broader scope of
Indigenous perspective. We believe it is important to know the past in order to move forward into the future. With
all the changes happening in society, we believe it is vital to offer this service to the Iowa community. Policies
and motions change and are designed to continually erase the past. The Indigenous Peoples Art Gallery and
Cafe is a space that will rebuke that idea with our mission and goal to be a center of art and education for the
long term. We will measure our success of this project in a variety of ways. Guest sign in sheets, community
feedback, as well as recording our events, or live streaming for our website and YouTube Channel. Our website
will also give recognition to our sponsors, partnerships, volunteers and other organizations involved with making
our project a success
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
No
25,000.00$
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3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
Rent: $86,061.00
Insurance:
Building expenses: incl. in rent
Staff salary: Director $135,894; Manager $66,086; Barista $15.29/ hr.
Equipment: Security system; Interactive TV $5000; Intuit $684.00
Cafe expenses: Stove Refrigerator $2700 Expresso Machine $800; Coffee Maker$500; Book shelf $160;
Tables/Chairs: $540
Programs: $10000
Workshops: $10000
Events: $20000
Residences: $10000
Art exhibitions: $10000
Artist fees: $10000
Materials: $5000
Misc: $10000
Cafe income, merchandise, donations, ticket sales, in-kind
donations (volunteer time, donated materials etc.) Other grants,
tiered memberships
Applied 25,000.00$
Budget
Movie Projector and
Screen
120" screen 6,500.00$1 6,500.00$
Mic and Mic Stand and Brief Description: Mic stand
and Shure Mic
80.00$1 80.00$
Focal Dome Flak
Pack 5.1
Surround sound equipment 4,000.00$1 4,000.00$
Sony A7 III camera Livestreaming camera 1,700.00$1 1,700.00$
Portable Gallery Wall
Display System
4x8 movable wall system 850.00$4 3,400.00$
Stipend Guest Artist Stipend for 4 yearly
events
2,330.00$4 9,320.00$
t has always been our intent to provide adequate compensation for our guest artists. Indigenous Art work is
invaluable, as there is more then what is presented. A lot of our work comes from tribal stories or our experience
living as an Indigenous person of this country. Sometimes our artis a way for us to deal with historical trauma
created by colonialism. Adapting to an ever changing world while attempting to maintain our history and tribal
way of life can be extremely difficult. Our art work doesn't always get fairly compensated when we present and
we are often tokenized. Hence, the reason we intend to compensate our guests. The portable art walls will be
our art exhibitions. These will be great for larger spaces. Stipends will be given to special guest artists that we
will be showcasing throughout the year. These things will be needed to build our vision of having a bigger
audience using technology to.connect with our audience.203
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the course of a year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
The Indigenous Peoples Art Gallery and Cafe will host special events for each season, resulting in four exhibits.
There are over 570 recognized tribal nations across the United States, we could tell a different story each day of
the calendar year. While we will host events every month, we will honor a special guest artist once a season to
commemorate that change. We plan on keeping receipts for the stipends, and using Intuit software to keep track
of expenses. The movie projector and screen will be to show a Indigenous film, followed by discussion. The Mic
and stand, sound equipment will be for our artists and speakers to use for their performance. The camera will be
used for the livestream, as well as to document the events for our YouTube Channel.
activities will occur.
We will have an event in April (Spring) during the Univeristy of Iowas Native American Students Association's
Pow-Wow weekend. July (Summer) to honor Meskwai Nation Day. October (Fall) to honor Indigenous Peoples
Day. And in November (Winter) for Native History Month. We will host a poetry night every month featuring
Indigenous poets, a monthly local art exhibition and there will be an interactive TV that a visitor can use to learn
about tribal people. The early part of these plans will lead up to two big events during the summer of 2024, with a
special guest visit from U.S Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, in July. Also we will be having a author releasing a new
book.Micheala Sage, a graduate of the UI Writers Workshop, will be our special guest in August of 2024.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
No, we are focused on sharing our project with people from all across the country. It is vital for us to have
livestream capabilities to ensure quality production. With the advances in technology we will need to have the
tools to provide our audience with the best offering to share these unique stories and art. During covid we
learned that there was a way to connect with our audience via live streaming. We plan to have the capabilities in
place if there is ever a shut down like the one we had with covid. We will still be able to operate with safety
measures in place.
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.
1/6/2024
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