HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved grants 2023Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY23
Applications must be submitted by January 6, 2023.
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 proposal 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 proposal should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The proposal 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.
Governments, public schools, and colleges/universities cannot be primary applicants.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
There are no restrictions on whether applicants are for profit or not for profit
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Email *
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Community Crisis Services
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
1121 S. Gilbert Court
Address Line 2
3193596721
amy.miller@builtbycommunity.org
builtbycommunity.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Amy Miller
14
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?*
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
Grants Manager
3193596721
amy.miller@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.
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Project Proposal
Expanding Culturally Appropriate Food Options
Currently, our Food Bank provides a wide variety of meats, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and non-perishable
items to families in Iowa City. We distribute food through the Pantry at Pepperwood Plaza in Iowa City as well as
our Mobile Pantry and free delivery service. In an effort to be culturally responsive, CommUnity prioritizes
allowing families to select the foods which best meet their needs. This means having fewer restrictions on items,
bringing in more culturally appropriate foods, and giving those who utilize Mobile Pantry or Delivery greater
choice in what comes to them. 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. We recognize that we could go
further to support equity in health outcomes and in building communities. Therefore, we propose an initiative that
allows us to consistently offer culturally-responsive foods that are sourced from minority-owned businesses in
Iowa City.
According to Census Data, nearly 80% of the Iowa City population is White. Yet, less than 40% of households
visiting our food bank identify as white. Over 50% identify as Black, Multicultural, or Other, and 18% of
households identify as Hispanic/Latinx. Visitors to our food bank are disproportionately marginalized populations.
Often, immigrants 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 Olmsted
County)
Access to culturally appropriate foods, such as mas, dry rice, dry beans, and fresh fruits and vegetables, can
help sustain health by maintaining a more familiar, traditional diet and also help immigrants and descendants of
immigrants maintain their cultural identities. According to 2020 Census Bureau data, 11.6% of Johnson County’s
population is foreign-born, with the most common origin country of Mexico. Currently, we do not currently ask
about immigration status in order to maintain trust with clients; however, based on input from our staff and DEI
Specialist, we serve a large percentage of individuals who immigrated from Sudan and other African countries.
We will partner with two minority-owned businesses in Iowa City that distribute African and Mexican foods—
Alcapulco Mexican Bakery & Grocery Store and Modina African Market. This grant funding will allow us to source
$1,000 each month from each business for a year (totaling $24,000). If awarded, we will also seek matching
funds to double the amount of food we purchase from each of these vendors. In total, our goal is for this initiative
to result in $48,000 worth of purchases from minority-owned businesses in Iowa City’s South District while also
supporting the health and cultural identity of food-insecure individuals in our area.
New
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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*Project Description *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, how much?*
According to Kent State Online, an important principle of social justice is access to resources—including food.
Through our collaboration with Open Heartland, we have learned that some clients struggle with the options at
our Food Bank because they aren’t familiar with the available foods. Further, some have expressed the need for
more familiar foods, including pinto beans, dry beans (instead of canned beans), dry bags of rice, more varieties
of rice, and seasonal spices. We believe that access to familiar foods that are nutritious is a basic human right.
As aforementioned, immigrants 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). According to Feeding America, food insecurity affects every aspect of health. It can
lead to chronic health conditions, poor health, and complications with the kidneys, eyes, and nervous system.
According to panelists at “An Iowa Perspective on the Refugee Crisis and the United Nations” on December 6,
2022, familiar foods afford comfort to refugees and immigrants, many of whom have faced difficult circumstances
during their journeys to Iowa City.
This project will advance racial equity / 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 for services.
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Alcapulco Mexican Bakery &
Grocery Store
Monthly $2,000 purchase of culturally appropriate
foods.
12 months
Modina African Market (located
in Pepperwood Plaza)
Monthly $2,000 purchase of culturally appropriate
foods.
12 months
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
Almost 100% of households who use the Food Bank are low-income residents. We serve all ages. The vast
majority are food insecure by USDA standards. 63% of primary clients identify as non-white, including 36% who
are Black or African American. Female-headed households make up around 60% of all families. 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.
We do not charge clients for food or services.
16
9. What does success for the project look like? (How many people will it impact? What is the impact?)*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justic 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 last three years, 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.
(Please note applied for v. received, and amount)
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
Lived experiences of racism and social inequity are difficult to measure. For this initiative, success will be
measured by the dollar amount spent at local minority-owned businesses to feed CommUnity’s food-insure
beneficiaries. The impact will be felt among the community members — the Food Bank will be more inclusive,
more approachable, and more in tune with our minority and immigrant populations. It will offer a sense of agency,
home, belonging, and comfort when they look for familiar foods.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
We intend to continue this new initiative by promoting and partnering with minority-owned businesses in our area
with the goal of feeding more individuals with culturally-appropriate options. At this time we do not have other
funding sources for this specific initiative, but this type of collaboration has been a longstanding goal of
CommUnity and CommUnity’s board of directors. This grant would kickstart partnerships in the community while
helping distribute familiar, culturally appropriate foods to food-insecure individuals. With an agency-wide DEI
Specialist on staff dedicated to advancing inclusion, we are firmly committed to continuing to advance racial
equity and social justice into the future. After this grant period, we will continue this initiative by building a budget
and fundraising goals into our planning yearly.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Yes. In the last three years, we have received the following totals per program. This includes federal American
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that were distributed by the City of Iowa City.
--Financial Support: $490,528 for security deposit funding and additional funding for rapid-rehousing security
deposits during COVID-19.
--Food Bank/Second Site Staffing: $50,000
--Mobile Crisis Response (MCR): $459,243.23 from ARPA #1. This allowed for the purchase of vehicles,
renovations, and additional MCR staff.
--Iowa City Aid to Agencies (HCDC): $238,336.75 for agency operating support
24,000.00$
11,678,284.54
We do not currently have other funding sources for this specific
initiative.
Received 0.00$
Budget
17
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 next year.*
Location #1 foods
and/or spices - Grant
Funded
$1,000 per month for 12
months. Grant-funded
purchases from Alcapulco
Mexican Bakery & Grocery
Store. Examples of foods:
Assorted spices, consome de
pollo, pasta alimentica, frijoles
negros, frijol mayo coba,
permano mayocoba. Quantity
may vary based on food
availability and type of food
purchased monthly.
1,000.00$12 12,000.00$
Location #1 foods
and/or spices -
Donor Funded
$1,000 per month for 12
months. Donor-funded
purchases from Alcapulco
Mexican Bakery & Grocery
Store. Examples of foods:
Assorted spices, consome de
pollo, pasta alimentica, frijoles
negros, frijol mayo coba,
permano mayocoba. Quantity
may vary based on food
availability and type of food
purchased monthly.
1,000.00$12 12,000.00$
Location #2 foods
and/or spices - Grant
Funded
$1,000 per month for 12
months. Grant-funded
purchases from Modina African
Market (located in Pepperwood
Plaza). Examples of foods:
Rice, dry beans, other popular
items per Modina. Quantity may
vary based on food availability
and type of food purchased
monthly.
1,000.00$12 12,000.00$
Location #2 foods
and/or spices -
Donor Funded
$1,000 per month for 12
months. Donor-funded
purchases from Modina African
Market (located in Pepperwood
Plaza). Examples of foods:
Rice, dry beans, other popular
items per Modina. Quantity may
vary based on food availability
and type of food purchased
monthly.
1,000.00$12 12,000.00$
N/A
Project activities (purchases) will occur monthly, beginning the month a funding agreement is executed or
funding is received and continuing for 12 months. At this time, our Food Bank program budget is 93% comprised
of individual contributions. This grant would allow a firm budget for culturally appropriate foods in fiscal year
2024.
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4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
Project activities (purchases) will occur monthly, beginning the month a funding agreement is executed or
funding is received and continuing for 12 months. Depending on supply chains, these amounts may vary or
occasionally carry over into the next month. In total, $48,000 will be spent within a year at these locations.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
With less funding, the impact of this initiative will be reduced—fewer individuals will be served and fewer dollars
will be spent at minority-owned businesses in Iowa City.
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.
12/20/2022
19
20
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY23
Applications must be submitted by January 6, 2023.
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 proposal 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 proposal should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The proposal 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.
Governments, public schools, and colleges/universities cannot be primary applicants.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
There are no restrictions on whether applicants are for profit or not for profit
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Email *
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
United States
Street Address
1556 S 1st Avenue #C
Address Line 2
(319) 594-7593
info@cwjiowa.org
https://cwjiowa.org/
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Mazahir Salih
21
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?*
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
Executive Director
(571) 282-5188
mazahir@cwjiowa.org
The Center for Worker Justice unites low-wage workers in Eastern Iowa across race and immigration status to
achieve social and economic justice through education, organization, direct service, and community alliances.
We seek to improve Eastern Iowa communities by coordinating projects to address injustices in areas such as
workplace conditions, civil rights, access to education, and the need for affordable housing.
10
Project Proposal
Community Technology and Education Improvement Initiative
As part of the Community Technology and Education Improvement Initiative, CWJ will purchase a SMART Board
for our newly built computer lab and hire instructors to host free educational workshops for Iowa City community
members. The SMART Board will play an essential role in many of CWJ’s educational initiatives. CWJ will use
the SMART Board in English as a Second Language (ESL) workshops, our tutoring program, and most
workshops including our entrepreneurship and computer literacy workshops. With funding from the RESJ Grant,
CWJ will host 12 computer literacy workshops that will be taught in English, but the instructors we will hire will be
bilingual. The bilingual instructors will allow us to have 4 workshops for Spanish/English speakers, 4 for
Arabic/English speakers, and 4 for French/English speakers. Currently, CWJ only has one TV screen and it has
been difficult to ensure engagement with our beneficiaries and provide high quality teaching that community
members deserve. Further, the TV screen is located in a different meeting room and is almost always in use. The
Community Technology and Education Improvement Initiative will allow CWJ to continue our efforts to provide
community members with the educational resources they need to succeed in an increasingly technologically
advanced society.
Continuous
22
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*Project Description *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, how much?*
The Community Technology and Education Improvement Initiative will primarily serve low-income individuals and
immigrants. The first part of this project involves the purchase and installation of a SMART Board in CWJ’s
computer lab. CWJ will use our computer lab for workshops, presentations, and other opportunities that will
directly benefit low-income workers and immigrants. The majority of CWJ’s workshops, presentations, and other
community gatherings are hosted in multiple languages and are free. By hosting these meetings in multiple
languages and not charging fees for attendance, CWJ allows Iowa City community members to overcome
language, cultural, and income barriers that often prevent them from accessing educational resources. For
example, in the past, CWJ has hosted workshops and presentations that teach community members about
workers’ rights, wage theft, sewing, how to start a business, and more. The SMART Board will enhance these
educational opportunities and make them more collaborative due to the SMART Board’s interactive screen
display. By improving the quality of workshops, low-income workers and immigrants will be able to gain more
skills and knowledge from each workshop which, in turn, will allow attendees to potentially find new or better
employment opportunities and improve their living conditions.
The second part of this project involves hosting computer literacy workshops. These workshops will be similar to
CWJ’s previous workshops because they will be free to attend, have child care services, and be hosted in
multiple languages. There are many low-income and immigrant individuals in Iowa City who do not have access
to computers or the internet which has limited their computer literacy. Consequently, these individuals may find it
difficult to find and apply for jobs, use their emails, search for information online, apply for financial assistance,
access online health services, and other tasks that are becoming an increasingly important part of life. Teaching
community members basic computer skills will improve racial equity and social justice because participants will
be better positioned to perform the aforementioned tasks.
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None None None
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
This project will primarily serve Iowa City, low-income workers 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 individual
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.
No, the classes will be free for all individuals.
23
9. What does success for the project look like? (How many people will it impact? What is the impact?)*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justic 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 last three years, 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.
(Please note applied for v. received, and amount)
Success for the Community Technology and Education Improvement Initiative will be evaluated based on the
number of workshop attendees, the skills learned by workshop attendees, and the overall use of the SMART
Board. CWJ wants as many community members as possible to participate in workshops, gain skills, and utilize
the SMART Board. Specifically, CWJ will consider this project successful if more than 50 individuals attend RESJ
funded workshops, if the majority of workshop attendees feel like they learned valuable skills, and if other
workshops and meetings utilize the SMART Board to positively impact residents of eastern Iowa. Further, we will
consider this project successful if participants sign up for more advanced computer literacy courses which we are
looking to do in the future.
The CWJ computer lab has 13 computers so each computer literacy workshop can host 13 participants. With
funding from the RESJ grant, there will be 12 workshops hosted in 4 languages. Depending on if there are
repeat participants, CWJ expects the workshops associated with this grant to directly impact between 39 and
156 individuals. The workshop attendees will be low-income and/or immigrants with little to no computer skills.
As a result, the workshop attendees will gain valuable computer skills that, in turn, could help them find jobs,
search the internet for information, use their emails, and perform many other tasks that are becoming
increasingly necessary to have.
The SMART Board is expected to positively impact hundreds of eastern Iowa community members. In addition to
workshops funded by this RESJ grant, CWJ will be able to use the SMART Board for other workshops,
presentations, and collaborative meetings. The SMART Board will increase the number of workshops we can
host, expand on the types of workshops we host, and improve the overall quality of workshops. In the past, CWJ
has hosted workshops on a variety of topics such as workers’ rights, sewing, how to start a business, workers’
safety, housing rights, youth tutoring, and more. CWJ looks to continue providing these workshops in the future
so that low-income and immigrant individuals can better overcome educational barriers. Finally, based on
immigrant community members’ requests, CWJ is planning on restarting our mass tutoring program for
elementary, middle and high school students in the near future.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, CWJ expects the SMART Board to be operational and used for many years after it is purchased. CWJ will
ensure that the SMART Board is properly cared for to ensure it is in proper working condition for as long as
possible. Additionally, CWJ’s computer lab has already been fully funded, and it will continue to be used for a
variety of purposes after the RESJ grant funding ends. Further, through community partnerships and other
sources of funding, CWJ will continue hosting educational opportunities and workshops after the RESJ grant
funding ends. As a result, CWJ will be able to continue the Community Technology and Education Improvement
Initiative for many years after RESJ grant funding ends.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
RESJ = $18,000
A2A Emerging = $15,000
Emergency Fund = $23,000
Covid Assistance Fund = $64,000
13,528.80$
$304,245.32
24
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
None Applied 0.00$
Budget
SMART Board MX
Series 65" + OPS i5
Module + shipping
costs
A 65” interactive display. The
OPS Module gives CWJ access
to Microsoft Office files and
applications within the display.
6,148.00$1 6,148.00$
Hourly Wages for
Workshop Instructors
Each workshop instructor will
be paid for their time teaching
the class. There will be 12
workshops total. There will be 3
workshops taught in English, 3
workshops taught in Spanish, 3
workshops taught in Arabic, and
3 workshops taught in French.
150.00$24 3,600.00$
SMART Board
Installation
Precise Management, a local
company, is currently installing
CWJ’s computer lab and they
will be hired to install the
SMART Board within the
computer lab.
350.00$1 350.00$
Child Care Wages 2 babysitters during each
workshop for 2 hours.
18.00$48 864.00$
Snacks and Water Snacks for any kids who are
being looked after during the
workshop and water for
everyone. Pizzas cost $7 each.
A case of water costs $5. We
will get 3 pizzas and 1 water
case per workshop.
26.00$12 312.00$
Indirect Cost Rent, utilities, printing,
translating, administration,
office supplies, insurance,
taxes, etc. 20% of above total.
2,254.80$1 2,254.80$
This budget includes fees for three professional services. CWJ will need to hire a company or individual to install
the SMART Board because installation is not included in the cost of purchase. The installation is necessary for
CWJ to use the SMART Board and is a one-time cost. The budget also includes fees to pay for instructors to
teach the 12 workshops. Hiring instructors will ensure that community members receive quality training at these
workshops. CWJ staff members and volunteers speak multiple languages and have computer literacy skills, but
we do not have the experience or qualifications to teach these workshops. Finally, many of the individuals who
would attend CWJ’s workshops have children and are low-income. Even though these workshops would be free,
many community members cannot afford the expensive costs of child care and would be unable to attend
without the free provided child care services. Therefore, providing child care at these workshops would allow
individuals to overcome income-related barriers and would encourage all individuals to attend regardless of
parental status.25
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the next year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
In August of 2023 or as soon as funding is received, CWJ will purchase the SMART Board. As soon as the
SMART Board arrives, CWJ will install it in the computer lab. Once the SMART Board is installed, CWJ will take
between two to four weeks to plan the workshops, hire instructors, and hire child care services. CWJ will then
begin hosting one workshop per week, depending on the availability of instructors.
August 2023 - Purchase SMART Board
August 2023 - Installation of SMART Board
September 2023 - Begin hosting one workshop per week
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes, this project could be completed with less funding; however, with less funding, CWJ would not be able to
host as many workshops and educational opportunities. The minimum amount of funding needed to purchase
and install the SmartBoard is estimated to be $6,835. Each workshop will cost approximately $398, including the
instructor’s wages and wages for child care. Thus, with each $398 decrease in funding, CWJ would need to
eliminate one of the 12 proposed workshops from our schedule. CWJ already hosts some educational
workshops that are funded by other sources, and future workshops would still greatly benefit from the SMART
Board.
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.
1/4/2023
26
27
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY23
Applications must be submitted by January 6, 2023.
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 proposal 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 proposal should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The proposal 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.
Governments, public schools, and colleges/universities cannot be primary applicants.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
There are no restrictions on whether applicants are for profit or not for profit
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Email *
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Houses into Homes
City
Coralville
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52241
Country
United States
Street Address
401 6th Ave., Suite 1
Address Line 2
3193820960
directors@housesintohomes.org
housesintohomes.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Lucy Barker
41
Organization's Mission Statement *
How many years has the organization been in operation?*
1. The title of the project is *
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
Director of Development
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.
5
Project Proposal
Change Your World Youth Volunteer Academy
42
2. Provide a narrative describing your project.*
3. Is this a new project proposal or a continuing project?*
We are requesting $15,000 in continued support for our Youth Volunteer Academy (YVA), which was funded by
the FY22 SJRE grant. We have accomplished a lot in the first half of the year. Building this program has been
challenging at times, and the continued funding is necessary to ensure the success of the program.
BACKGROUND
While the substance of our volunteer academy has remained the same, it has taken a very different format than
the one we proposed in our FY22 grant application. As planned in last year’s application, we did convene an
advisory committee* over the summer to help us create the Youth Volunteer Academy. This group met twice, in
June and July, and they formed a curriculum subcommittee, which met three times and created a weekly
curriculum that incorporates Houses into Homes’ work turning shelter into a home. The curriculum also visits
important topics connected to social justice, starting with trust-building and an examination of identity. Other
topics are stereotypes/prejudice, ACES; historical systems of oppression; the power of language; cycles of
poverty, eviction, and domestic violence; privilege; equity/inequity; microaggressions, and implicit bias. The
vision of the YVA is to foster social justice-centered leaders, and the academy will end with students writing their
personal mission and vision statements.
The work to get this program off the ground has been more than anticipated, and at the same time Houses into
Homes saw a 37% increase in referrals for our bed and furniture provision services from the fall of 2021 to the
fall of 2022. Recruiting students proved to be more difficult than we had anticipated, especially because our
existing staff were unable to devote the proper attention to the task. To address this need, we contracted with a
project coordinator to manage the logistics of the program, including outreach and recruitment. We postponed
the start of the academy to January 2023, and we expect to have 10-15 students enrolled when the Academy
starts on January 14.
*Advisory committee members: Fred Newell (ICCSD & Dream City), Brad Kelly (ICCSD), Willie Barney
(Davenport Community School District), Yolanda Spears (University of Iowa), Amira Nash (University of Iowa),
Sunday Goshit, Zach Anderson (student, University of Iowa), Monique Cottman (ICCSD), Rodney Anderson
(Caring Hands & More), Walid Afifi (University of California - Santa Barbara), Davonte Foster (Dream City)
PROPOSAL
This grant application requests $15,000 in funding to continue the YVA that was funded for FY22. We will repeat
the Academy twice in the 2023-24 school year (September-December and January-April). Funding will support
paying expert facilitators, incentives and experiences for students, and a project coordinator.
GOALS
Goals for this project are:
-Youth will report an increase in self-awareness.
-Youth will report understanding privilege.
-Youth will report an increased awareness of underlying social justice issues.
-Youth will report seeing that all people have value and how some forms of charity can further marginalize
vulnerable populations.
-Youth will report developing authentic relationships with those who have a different background than their own.
-Youth will volunteer 30 hours with Houses into Homes.
In FY23, we expect to create a guide to the YVA that can be shared with other organizations, especially those
serving youth.
Continuous
43
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*Project Description *Time Span*
Houses into Homes’ YVA will advance social justice and racial equity by combining community service with
deliberate learning. As mentioned above, the topics for the 14 weekly meetings are trust-building; identity;
stereotypes/prejudice; ACES; historical systems of oppression; the power of language; cycles of poverty,
eviction, and domestic violence; privilege; equity/inequity; microaggressions, and implicit bias. Houses into
Homes’ mission to provide the basic comforts of home to those living without will give students a real-life
understanding of the effects of these issues. They will also have the opportunity to make an immediate and
tangible difference to individuals through their volunteer work. Throughout the 14 weeks, students will have the
chance to reflect and unpack what they learn and do.
The Change Your World YVA is based on critical service learning. Traditional service learning, defined as “a
community service action tied to learning goals and ongoing reflection about the experience,” is one way to tie
learning in the classroom to community service. Tania Mitchell, in “Traditional vs. Critical Service-Learning:
Engaging the Literature to Differentiate Two Models,” notes that students who participate in service learning are
“more tolerant, altruistic, and culturally aware; … have stronger leadership and communication skills; and …
(albeit marginally) earn higher grade point averages and have stronger critical thinking skills than their non-
service-learning counterparts.”
We plan to go further than traditional service learning, however, and follow critical service learning. Mitchell
explains that critical service learning (CSL) is “unapologetic in its aim to dismantle structures of injustice.” CSL
has three important features:
A redistribution of power among participants from a give-take relationship to a more equal one,
Authentic relationships within the learning environment and in the community, and
Work done through a “social change perspective” that encourages students to see themselves as “agents of
social change.”
We will also use Social Justice Sensemaking Theory to inform our Academy’s social justice curriculum. In “How
Service-Learning Enacts Social Justice Sensemaking,” Tania Mitchell describes how students use the process to
“consider and conceptualize issues of justice.” The steps in this process are: self-awareness and an examination
of one’s own identity, reflection on one’s service experiences, inclusion of resources (i.e., individuals, readings),
and dialogue within a group. Further steps include reflecting on contradictions between earlier understandings
and new information, and coming to a meaning of justice that one can act on. At the end of the YVA, students will
write personal mission and vision statements.
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None None None
44
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, how much?*
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
HOUSEHOLDS SERVED BY HOUSES INTO HOMES
66% of recipient households are extremely low-income, or 30% AMI, and another 23% are very low-income, or
50% AMI. An estimate of the racial makeup of our recipients is 80% Black or African American, 12% Hispanic,
and 8% 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. 60% 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.
PARTICIPANTS
Participants in the Youth Volunteer Academy will be youth from our local high schools, will include all income
levels, and will be ethnically and racially diverse.
There is no financial cost to participate.
45
9. What does success for the project look like? (How many people will it impact? What is the impact?)*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justic 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 last three years, has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City?*
Success for this project will include:
-Developing and expanding collaborations with youth-serving organizations
-Full enrollment of 10-15 students per semester
-Students will complete 30 volunteer hours and demonstrate increases in awareness of self and issues of racial
equity and social justice
COLLABORATIONS
Members of the advisory committee represented several community organizations and UI departments, and we
have connections to the social service agencies who make referrals for bed and furniture needs. We hope to
collaborate more closely in 2023 with local youth-serving organizations, with a goal to sustain the program and
possibly share the execution with other organizations or groups.
ENROLLMENT
We expect to have 10-15 students per semester enroll in and complete the program. Their volunteer work will
impact dozens of individuals over the course of the semester. We plan to measure growth over the 14 weeks in
our participants through a survey, to be given at the start and end of the academy. Longer-term success will be
fostering social justice-centered leaders.
IMPACTS OF VOLUNTEERING AND LEARNING
In the Fall of 2022, a volunteer survey was developed through a collaboration between Houses into Homes (HiH)
directors and University of California-Santa Barbara researchers. This survey has been modified for the YVA.
The Fall 2022 survey was sent to all Houses into Homes (HiH) volunteers in September, 2022, with the intention
of measuring volunteer satisfaction, motivations to volunteer, and impacts of volunteering. The survey included
70 questions. All volunteers who completed at least a portion of the survey were included in the analyses (n=98).
One set of survey questions asked volunteers whether they had changed in four particular ways as a result of
their volunteerism. Specifically, they were asked whether they were “inspired by people’s capacity to persevere”
(65% reported that they were), “more aware of the ways in which race, class, gender, sexual orientation and
other identities impact privilege, access, and resources” (58%), whether their “life goals and priorities have
evolved” as a result of their volunteerism (38%), and whether they were “better able to remain present when
hearing trauma narratives” (36%).
These are impressive outcomes of volunteerism, but a more fine-grained analysis shows that the impact on
volunteers, as assessed through these questions, is noticeably stronger in younger, as compared to older,
volunteers. For instance, young adults were 87% more likely than older volunteers (92% vs. 47%) to have their
awareness of structural inequalities increased, and 58% more likely to have the volunteer experience impact
their life goals and priorities (54% vs. 34%). We expect to see similar results in our student participants.
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
We hope that the YVA will continue to be held, whether it is at Houses into Homes or through another
organization or group. To ensure the program can continue, we will look for opportunities for collaboration, as
well as diverse sources of funding, including grants, sponsorships, and private donations.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
FY23 Emerging Aid to Agencies: $8,625.00
FY22 Social Justice & Racial Equity: $15,000
FY22 Emerging Aid to Agencies: $5,438
2020 DNR Mattress reuse grant: $10,000
2020 Emergency funding $15,000
46
2. Amount of Funding Requested*
3. What is the organization's annual budget?*
4. Please list all other funding sources, including the City of Iowa City, for this project.
(Please note applied for v. received, and amount)
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the next year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
15,000.00$
$250,000
Mark Wahlberg Foundation Applied 7,500.00$
Sunflower Foundation Applied 3,000.00$
Budget
Facilitators Experts who teach each
meeting
200.00$28 5,600.00$
Project coordinator Manage logistics 2,500.00$2 5,000.00$
Incentives/experienc
es
Enhance learning for students 4,400.00$1 4,400.00$
We will pay the program facilitators, who are knowledgeable and experienced social justice practitioners. Houses
into Homes will provide the volunteer opportunities and the environment for critical service learning, and the
facilitators will carry out the meaningful RESJ curriculum.
Expenses would be divided over two periods, one starting in September and one starting in January.
The YVA will take place two times over the year, one starting in the fall and one starting in the winter.
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
This project can be completed with less funding. Priorities would be to pay the facilitators and the project
coordinator. We would seek other funding for student incentives and experiences.
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just the
same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
47
Date*
1/5/2023
48
49
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY23
Applications must be submitted by January 6, 2023.
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 proposal 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 proposal should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The proposal 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.
Governments, public schools, and colleges/universities cannot be primary applicants.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
There are no restrictions on whether applicants are for profit or not for profit
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Email *
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Natural Talent Music
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
IA
Postal / Zip Code
52240
Country
USA
Street Address
1108 5th Avenue
Address Line 2
515-460-1727
nattalmus@gmail.com
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Creighton Gaynor
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?*
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
Owner Operator
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.
1
Project Proposal
South District Entertainment Incubation and Community
Development
This project strives to uncover and nurture artistic talent and expression within the South District area in Iowa
City especially focusing on people of color and international origins. While Iowa City has a great reputation for
the arts, there is a marked lack of representation from and a disconnect to providing reflective entertainment for
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 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. This will include
Local/Open-Mic style events at established area venues, performances at the South District Diversity Markets
and, following the examples of similar events in other parts of the city such as the Northside Concert Series and
the Longfellow Neighborhood’s Front Porch Music Festival, other pop-up venues in the South District area.
C. Community Celebration Festival. This would be 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. The intent is to hold
this celebration in conjunction with the end of the Diversity Market season and 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 southside.
Research shows that live music especially can be a powerful tool in developing community. Van der Hoeven and
Hitters (2019, p 265) state that “popular music is often used in the growing number of urban events that are
organized to foster inclusivity, social cohesion or to revitalize urban space (Cohen, 2013; Holt and Wergin, 2013
as cited in Van der Hoeven, 2019)
And in a national study of outdoor arts festivals, the National Endowment for the Arts (2010) states that “outdoor
arts festivals distinguish themselves from
other arts venues and events in a variety of ways, all
conducive to building local arts audiences.” (p. 68)
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*Project Description *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, how much?*
This project will advance racial equity/social justice by improving and increasing access and equity in
performance opportunities, nurturing artists from traditionally under-served racial groups and expanding and
diversifying the choices that established venue talent buyers have for booking local talent.
Van der Hoeven and Hitters agree, stating that:
Research on live music policy underscores the different values that
can be attributed to this cultural good. A wide range of positive effects
of live music for its environment have been observed in the literature: It
can boost the local economy through the marketing of urban places
(Oakes and Warnaby, 2011 as cited in Van der Hoeven, 2019), enables the development of talent and skills
(Wynn, 2015 as cited in Van der Hoeven, 2019), attracts tourists (Hudson, 2006 as cited in Van der
Hoeven, 2019), contributes to a sense of identity and belonging (Cohen, 2012 as cited in Van der Hoeven,
2019) and fosters pride in local musical achievements and a shared music heritage (Van der Hoeven and
Brandellero, 2015 as cited in Van der Hoeven, 2019).
Additionally, this project is an expansion of the South District Neighborhood, Diversity Market and South District
Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID)’s efforts to empower, elevate and rewrite a more
accurate narrative of the southside of town.
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
South District Neighborhood
Association
Promotion, Consultation & Feedback on-going
South District Self-Supported
Municipal Improvement District
Promotion, Consultation & Feedback on-going
Dream City Promotion, Classroom Space on-going
Emprendimiento Latino 5M Latino Entertainment Coordination, Promotion &
Feedback
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.
52
9. What does success for the project look like? (How many people will it impact? What is the impact?)*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justic 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 last three years, 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.
(Please note applied for v. received, and amount)
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
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. With a strong showing and success in the inaugural project, we hope to fund future iterations through
sponsorship and smaller grants.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
No.
23,725.00$
$10,000
NA Applied 0.00$
Budget
Incubator instructor
fees
instructing, mentoring, coaching
of participants
1,200.00$1 1,200.00$
Incubator classroom
space
incubator workshop space
rental
200.00$1 200.00$
Incubator equipment
and materials
musical, logistical, educational
materials for incubator sessions
550.00$1 550.00$
Entertainment
Coordinator - Latino
Populations,
Spanish-Speaking
booking and coordination of
Spanish-speaking and Latino
artists, cultural training
2,000.00$1 2,000.00$
Concert series
performance fees
payment for artists 2,500.00$1 2,500.00$
53
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 next year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Concert series
equipment
musical and logistical support
for performances and spaces
250.00$1 250.00$
Concert series
marketing
promotion for performances 50.00$1 50.00$
Festival performance
fees
payment for artists 9,500.00$1 9,500.00$
Festival stage stage rental 2,750.00$1 2,750.00$
Festival sound and
lights
PA, lights, and tech 1,800.00$1 1,800.00$
Festival crew stage crew 100.00$1 100.00$
Festival video video capture of the event 1,500.00$1 1,500.00$
Festival fenceline stage boundary for safety and
security
200.00$1 200.00$
Festival sanitary portable toilets and hand
sanitizing
375.00$1 375.00$
Festival marketing promotion for the event and
performances
250.00$1 250.00$
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
Incubator Workshops: June - July
Concert Series: July-mid August
Festival: mid August
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
No, not in its full form. A very small part, such as very truncated incubation, could potentially be completed, but
the development, public-facing and community building components could not.
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.
54
Date*
1/5/2023
55
56
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY23
Applications must be submitted by January 6, 2023.
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 proposal 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 proposal should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The proposal 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.
Governments, public schools, and colleges/universities cannot be primary applicants.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
There are no restrictions on whether applicants are for profit or not for profit
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Email *
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 S Gilbert Street
Address Line 2
319-541-9790
wrighthouseoffashion@gmail.com
www.wrightfashionhouse.com/whworkshops
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Andre' Wright
57
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?*
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
Founder
319-541-9790
wrighthouseoffashion@gmail.com
Wright House of Fashion is a 501(c)(3) organization and is the first fashion house in Iowa City. Our mission is to
empower underrepresented populations through art, design, and entrepreneurial skills as vehicles for change.
1
Project Proposal
Big Dreams Fashion Festival
Through art and fashion design, art and science, young BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth are finding their voice and
being heard through their works. We are putting together a social justice, racial equity fashion experience called
the Big Dream Fashion Festival.
The Big Dreams Fashion Festival will offer an entertaining, family-friendly, fun, and diverse community
experience. The festival will be an opportunity to foster healthy relationships in the diverse community and
promote overall community solidarity. Our festival will highlight BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth as future leaders in
the community. The festival will be an excellent venue for the people of Iowa City to have fun in a safe and
entertaining way while learning more about racial and social justice, fashion, and the opportunities available for
people who have an interest in pursuing careers in fashion and design. We anticipate there will be 150 - 200
community members who will attend the Big Dream Festival.
Our project includes four weeks of model and designer training before the fashion show. These workshops will
provide the training to be a commercial, walkway, editorial and professional model. Each of the participants from
the workshops will participate in the Big Dream Fashion Festival.
New
58
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*Project Description *Time Span*
We strategically put together events by utilizing existing space in new ways to facilitate change and create
opportunities within our community. After considering unique events in the past, we better understand our
competitive edge and our commitment to the community and are aware of a diverse perspective from BIPOC
and LGBTQIA+, body-positive individuals to non-traditional folks who want something new and unique. We are
creating new pathways for community engagement, the heart of racial and social justice.
Our goal has always been to help build and integrate this community. We demonstrate, through action, how to
stand up for ourselves, speak truth to power, and create a safe and productive place to be – a place to fit in, to
feel like we belong no matter what we feel or think or look like. We help our community engage in important
conversations, and to explore their unique voices and perspectives. With our talented BIPOC and LGBTQIA+
production team, fashion stylists, and models, The Big Dreams Fashion Festival is a doorway to making real
dreams come true.
According to Print Magazine (July 8, 2020), Black men and women make up just 3% of the design industry. We
want to offer opportunities so that Black design becomes more of an influence across the country.
We are on a mission to change what you might think of a fashion designer of the future. The mission is
necessary and urgent as Black designers from all disciplines are hardly represented, meaning that our ideas and
our stories are not being heard or documented. When arts education is underfunded and overlooked, it has a
direct impact on the community. When the community is impacted negatively, everyone loses. This is a matter of
urgency.
There is a discrepancy in test scores and achievement between white and minority students. One factor seems
to be discipline practices. Iowa is one of the worst states in terms of racial disparities in out-of-school
suspensions, which interrupts learning, causes negativity toward school, and can lead to a prison mindset.
Furthermore, at Iowa’s public education institutions, both the students and teachers are disproportionately white.
We are aiming to fill in some of the gaps in education by offering BIPOC youth essential skills that can lead to
sustainable employment. Iowa also has a large discrepancy between white and minority incarceration rates, with
minorities most often jailed for drug offenses (typically marijuana), commonly associated with low economic
status and unemployment. In fact, Blacks in Iowa are only 3 % of the population, yet they are 26% of the prison
population. Unemployment is one factor that leads to drug use, and our program aims to provide careers for
Blacks in Iowa.
Providing youth with a creative outlet through fashion and design is also a known protective factor for mental
health issues. Art therapy is a common practice at many treatment centers, as we now know that expression
through art is healing for many mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, etc. Art is
therapeutic for all of us, regardless of whether we have a mental health condition. As human beings, we have an
innate desire to create and for us re-imagining, our community with space for more social and racial justice
activities is how we plan to combat some of the stats that are negative.
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
Iowa Open Heartland Open Heartland is helping WHF build our fashion and
sewing room. This room is integral to creating
fashionable pieces for the fashion festival. Iowa Open
Heartland is a past recipient of the RESJ and we are
excited to continue partnering with this organization.
6 months
Resilient Sustainable Futures
Iowa City (RSFIC)
RSFIC is our investment partner and helped us
purchase the Varsity Cleaners building.
1yr
59
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, how much?*
9. What does success for the project look like? (How many people will it impact? What is the impact?)*
Great Plains Action Society
(GPAS)
We collaborate with GPAS by providing space to
organize, learn new skills, and participate in
workshops. We also have a collaboration hoodie that
we sell through Humanize my Hoodie and the
proceeds are donated back to their organization to
purchase emergency medical kits. We have shared
space producing the Truthsgiving events together. We
will always stand in solidarity with indigenous
organizations. Great Plains is a past recipient of the
RESJ grant.
4 yrs
Iowa City Community School
District
We continue to partner with the Iowa City Community
School District by providing education, mentorship,
and community activities to youth. In the past, we
have created twelve-week workshops at City High
called Learn More Here. We will have a number of
youth participate and volunteer for the Big Dream
Fashion Festival.
6 yrs
Think Iowa City Think Iowa City was the initial sponsor of this event
as they awarded us a small grant for the original Big
Dream Festival that was originally at Big Grove
Brewery but was canceled due to management
changes. There is $1200 from Think Iowa City to
contribute to the show.
1 yr
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
We serve the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth. The State of Iowa (specifically Black Hawk County) is one of the
worst places for Black men to live. The per capita money income for Blacks in Iowa is $18,070 while the per
capita median income for the state is $30,047; the poverty rate for black people in Iowa is 35.7% but for the
state, the rate is 11.8%. Reducing the threat perception of Black men will help reduce racial profiling,
suspension, and expulsion rates, stop and search statistics, and reduce discrimination in employment. Black
people in Iowa are locked into a cycle of poverty and with that comes a negative connotation: THEY ARE
DANGEROUS! The WHF will offer more opportunities to underserved populations through fashion, art, design,
and entrepreneurship.
There will be no cost for students to participate in the fashion design workshops. We are planning to fund the
expenses with sponsorships, private donations, and grant support. We want the opportunities to be available to
youth at no cost so that there are no financial barriers to participation. Our mission includes offering equal
opportunity regardless of socioeconomic status.
We will ask for a suggested donation at the entrance door for those who attend the fashion show.
The Big Dream Fashion Festival will appeal to a diverse crowd in terms of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and
gender identity. Those who are community driven and want to engage with others are likely to attend. We believe
that since the pandemic has limited social activities in the last couple of years, people are eager to have
entertaining, social events that provide fun for the entire family. We also expect that individuals who are
interested in fashion and want an opportunity to learn about and develop skills in the fashion industry will be
eager to attend. We anticipate 150-200 people attending the Big Dreams Fashion Festival.
Success looks like empowering underserved students through fashion teaching them skills in fashion design and
entrepreneurship when we do this through a series of workshop sessions then we will feel more equitable as far
as the economic disadvantages BIPOC individuals face so if we can showcase these qualities at the Big Dream
Fashion Fest then we have moved the nettle towards a more equitable future.
60
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justic 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 last three years, 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.
(Please note applied for v. received, and amount)
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. The Wright House of Fashion is an established 501(c)(3) in Iowa City. The Big Dreams Fashion Festival will
be the first of many unique, culturally diverse community events f that highlights the skills and talents of our
BIPOC and LGBTIA+ youth. These youth will use these essential skills to build solid careers and become
examples of success for their friends and communities.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
$5,000 Fashion show for the BIPOC community in 2022.
25,000.00$
$30,000
Think Iowa City Received 1,200.00$
Budget
Fashion Show
production Manager
Organizing, production detail,
creative concept, training of
models and designers,
management of event staff.
5,000.00$1 5,000.00$
Fashion Show
training Workshop
Four week workshop to recruit,
train and prepare models and
designers for the fashion show
this will included a steipen to 4
different speakers with topics in
fashion
1,200.00$4 4,800.00$
Production assistant Supports the Production
Manager day of the show
1,300.00$1 1,300.00$
Special guest MC Narrates the fashion show day
of
1,000.00$1 1,000.00$
DJ and sound Play music set mood 300.00$1 300.00$
Chair rental Rental from Aero Rental 1.00$100 100.00$
61
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 next year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
Space rental
improvements
Where the fashion show will be
held. Includes utility costs,
building improvements and
upgrades, building supplies,
driveway management,
insurance, taxes, sound
system, building runway &
building sewing room
4,500.00$1 4,500.00$
Lighting Specialized LED lights from
Aero Rental
450.00$1 450.00$
Hair and makeup Makeup for 10 people 80.00$10 800.00$
Models Performance for the show 200.00$10 2,000.00$
Food and beverage Catering to feed 50 people and
volunteers of the fashion show
1,500.00$1 1,500.00$
Raw materials This includes fabric, screens,
ink, emulsion, fabric, thread
200.00$10 2,000.00$
Marketing and
advertising
Includes social media
advertising, 100 programs,
videos and photography
1,200.00$1 1,200.00$
This project will include professional services and will advance the program by providing opportunities for the
contractors to be paid a fair wage. These special guest speakers will inspire attendees and help make events in
Iowa City more culturally centered. This is noted on the budget document as a special guest MC.
June 1st, 2023: The Fashion Show Production Manager will start upon receiving grant funds. $2,500 will be
allocated to the Fashion Show Production Manager at the start of their contract. The remaining $2,500 will be
paid after the festival is finished on August 6th, 2023.
June 15th, 2023: Preparation for the Big Dream Fashion Festival will start. At that time we will coordinate all the
pieces for our production team, we will hire the Production Assistant, and allocate funds for the fashion show. We
are planning to have our festival on August 5th. Prior to that we will make a deposit for a DJ, produce
promotional material, coordinate food and beverage, and coordinate all our special guest MCs, we will secure all
of these items by July 1st.
July 1st, 2023: The Production Assistant will be hired by July 1st, 2023 to support the workshops and fashion
show. They will be paid $1,300 for their contracted services.
July 6th - July 27th, 2023: Wright House of Fashion Workshops (four total. One per week). We will evenly
allocate $1200 each week for four weeks totaling $4800. This will cover our instructor costs, and marketing
material costs, and will cover food and beverages for four weeks of instruction.
August 6th, 2023: Big Dream Fashion Festival all people associated with the production/activities for the fashion
show will be paid on the day of the event.
June 1st, 2023: Fashion Show Production Manager starts
July 1st, 2023: Production Assistant starts (Meet and Greet) Week 1 workshop - Thursday, July 6th Time: 4-6 pm
Fashion Show Walk practice Week 2 workshop - Thursday, July 13th Time: 4-6 pm
Fashion Show Empowerment Week 3 workshop - Thursday, July 20th Time: 4-6 pm
Fashion Show Final walk-through Week 4 workshop - Thursday, July 27th Time: 4-6 pm
Wright House Of Fashion Big Dream Fashion Festival - Saturday, August 5th
62
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.
The grant funding would allow us to create an impactful event by providing models with stipends, marketing,
covering entertainment costs, and funding the workshops and educational opportunities associated with the
event. As the budget demonstrates, full funding is necessary to develop all aspects of the proposal.
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.
1/5/2023
63
64
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY23
Applications must be submitted by January 6, 2023.
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 proposal 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 proposal should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The proposal 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.
Governments, public schools, and colleges/universities cannot be primary applicants.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
There are no restrictions on whether applicants are for profit or not for profit
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Email *
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Great Plains Action Society
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52245
Country
USA
Street Address
412 Kimball Road
Address Line 2
3193318034
sikowis@greatplainsaction.org
https://www.greatplainsaction.org/
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Sikowis Nobiss
70
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*Project Description *Time Span*
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
Executive Director
3193318034
sikowis@greatplainsaction.org
Great Plains Action Society addresses the trauma Indigenous Peoples and our Earth have faced and works to
prevent further colonial-capitalist violence through education, direct action, cultural revival, mutual aid, and
political change.
6
Project Proposal
Truthsgiving at the Englert
In 2022, we partnered with The Englert Theater, for the first time to host a large city-wide Truthsgiving event. We
owe the Iowa City Human Rights Commission a debt of gratitude for the $5,000 grant that helped make this a
reality. The event will be a multifaceted evening event with a Native Drum Group, speakers touching on many
subjects surrounding colonial-capitalism and the effects it has on BIPOC and migrant folks, and an Indigenous
band. Last year, we had Audiopharmacy play and they were a huge hit! To learn more about this false narrative
and how Truthsgiving came about, please read the article written by the founder of the concept, Sikowis Nobiss
and check out our website at truthsgiving.org
Continuous
The tagline of Truthsgiving is The Truth Will Not Be Whitewashed as it stands for the antithesis of the
Thanksgiving mythology that tells a lie about Indigenous Peoples and Pilgrims breaking bread. For the past six
years, Truthsgiving has been a night of truth-telling, music, and laughter celebrating Indigenous culture and
history and uplifting the good in Thanksgiving, which is about family, being thankful, and celebrating the harvest
season. It is also a celebration of Indigenous culture & history and a time, to tell the truth about current issues
our community faces. It decreases the erasure and racism that indigenous folks face in Iowa City as well as
provides folks with a true understanding of what Thanksgiving is about but does not cancel the idea.
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
71
7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, how much?*
9. What does success for the project look like? (How many people will it impact? What is the impact?)*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justic 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 last three years, 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.
(Please note applied for v. received, and amount)
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
The Englert Theater same same
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
It was created to serve Indigenous folks as stated above, but it is growing rapidly across the country and folks
from all backgrounds have benefited from it.
No-We ask folks to come for free and donate if they like which only covers the cost of the band and the Englert's
fees to advertise the event.
Success is based on making people think differently about Thanksgiving and Indigenous Peoples. We know that
Truthsgiving works as it has become popular across the state. Even CNN quoted Sikowis’ Bustle article in 2018!
Besides the Englert Theater, in 2022, we had many folks partner with us or carry out their Truthsgiving events,
such as:
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City, IA
The University of Omaha, Omaha, NE
Seven Generations of Service in
IMT Insurance, Des Moines, IA
Johnson County Equity and Inclusion Committee, Iowa City, IA
7 Directions of Service, Graham, NC
U of I Native American Student Association, Iowa City IA
Sarnia’s YMCA Project North, Toronto, ON, Canada
We also had some good press last year such as:
Talk of Iowa with Charity Nebee, IPR Radio, November 4, 2022
Native activists educate Iowans on the truth behind Thanksgiving, IPR News, Nov 23, 2022
Sarnia’s YMCA Project North is presenting “Truthsgiving” 2022, Sarnia News Today, November 25, 2022
Truthsgiving, event rejecting Thanksgiving myths, provides opportunity to learn at Englert Theatre, Iowa City
Press-Citizen, November 10, 2022
Iowa City Human Rights Commission Video, December 2022
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, every year! 2023 will be our 7th year!
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Yes, we received $5,000 in 2022 for the same event.
6,500.00$
Our budget for 2022 was around $240,000. We plan to increase our budget to $380,000 for 2023.
72
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
Seventh Generation Received 20,000.00$
11th Hour Project Received 75,000.00$
Western Rural and Plains States Received 50,000.00$
Movement Voter Project Received 7,000.00$
Ben & Jerry's Received 25,000.00$
LUSH Received 15,000.00$
Future Coalition Received 23,580.00$
Emerald Cities Received 50,000.00$
Iowa Stata Clean Energy Table Received 3,300.00$
Climate Nexus Received 30,000.00$
Small Donors on Act Blue Received 20,000.00$
March on Community Fund Received 2,500.00$
Sweetgrass Foundation Received 5,000.00$
Walton Foundation Received 75,000.00$
Kindle Project Received 10,000.00$
Midwest EJ Network Received 62,000.00$
Budget
Drum Group Tradiitional Native Drummers
from Sioux City
512.50$4 2,050.00$
Guest Speakers To discuss the issues
surrounding Truthsgiving
550.00$3 1,650.00$
Gas for GPAS
Speakers
To rep GPAS on stage 100.00$1 100.00$
Catering For band, speakers, volunteers,
dummers, family friends (30
folks)
1,000.00$1 1,000.00$
Zine Printing Truthsgiving zine to give to
every audience member
2.00$400 700.00$
Band Band Fees, travel, hotel (partial
as Englert will cover most)
1,500.00$1 1,500.00$
We will require a caterer for the event. In 2022, we hired Oasis. It advances the activity as we need to feed a
large group of people while doing sound checks, which start in mid-afternoon. Then the event will start at 7 and
we need to essentially stay there the whole time setting up gear, merch tables, etc.
73
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the next year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
We will get hotels well ahead of time this year in case the event falls on a game day again, which means they
were expensive last year. So we will most likely book those in September. We will not need to spend the rest
until just before the event, the day of, or shortly afterward
The Englert Theater
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Yes, $6,000
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just the
same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/5/2023
74
75
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY23
Applications must be submitted by January 6, 2023.
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 proposal 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 proposal should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The proposal 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.
Governments, public schools, and colleges/universities cannot be primary applicants.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
There are no restrictions on whether applicants are for profit or not for profit
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Email *
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Al-Iman Center Of Iowa INC
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52246
Country
United States
Street Address
1812 W. Benton ST.
Address Line 2
(319)354-6167
imaniowa@gmail.com
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Viana Qadoura
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?*
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
Founder & Director of Mariam Girls' Club/ Extracurricular
Activities Organizer for Al-Iman Center/ The Head of the
Social Events Committee at Al-Iman Center
3196712195
mariamgirlsclub@gmail.com
Mariam Girls' Club's Mission is to connect, empower, and unite our youth through regularly held meetings and
community service projects held within Iowa City and the surrounding areas.
Mariam Girls' Club is a local Muslim girls’ youth club that was established in 2018. MGC is organized to brighten
the future of our youth and be a place for Muslim girls to gather and build strong, healthy relationships that aim to
assist them in preserving and strengthening their identities. MGC helps our youth to combat any negativity they
encounter by fostering feelings of camaraderie and support, giving them a sense of community they can always
rely on. The notion that “we are all in this together” creates strong bonds between the girls which empowers
them to strengthen the values within themselves, while also providing them with a sense of belonging. This leads
the girls to find joy and comfort in giving back to the community by volunteering, leading projects, and hosting
events for the children in our area.
Mariam Girls' Club is solely leading this project for Al-Iman Center.
4
Project Proposal
The 1,000 Book Nook
The 1,000 Book Nook project aims to offer an alternative narrative for the children in our community. This
children's' mini library at Al-Iman Center will serve our young children (5-14 years of age) throughout the years at
no cost to them. Fiction, non-fiction, and bilingual books will be carefully selected to provide our children with the
opportunity to read and learn about characters and stories similar to themselves - presently, the few rare
instances our children are presented with books where they see connections to their own lives come with many
crippling stereotypes. We are aiming to provide our children with books that have protagonists who resemble
them so that they feel a sense of empowerment as opposed to alienation. We believe that books are powerful
enough to strengthen children's characteristics, to grow their self-esteem, and to create and provide a one-of-a-
kind fun and exciting experience for our children. Al-Iman Center currently has a collection of 250 books that
were donated to them over the course of the past 4 years, but with this grant we are hoping to make a significant
difference by growing the collection to 1,000 books and greatly increasing the accessibility of the children to the
mini-library.
New
104
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*Project Description *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, how much?*
9. What does success for the project look like? (How many people will it impact? What is the impact?)*
fulfilling the nation’s promise of equality and eradicating misconceptions and biases which are aimed to reduce
the worth of Muslims and immigrants to less-than citizens. Offering our Muslim children a window to learn about
the contributions that their ancestors made to the canal of sciences, astronomy, literature, math, philosophy, and
health is one of many ways to eliminate racial hierarchies. The child will grow with strong dual identities that
encompass both the pride of their own heritage and also the privilege to serve humanity regardless of faith or
race. Our children are being bombarded by negativity from within their own small circle of friends, the school
environment, and the centuries-long war against Muslims and minorities. The wellbeing of our youth is being
jeopardized, and their future is being hijacked by the struggles that they face on a daily basis. Why let others
define who they are instead of giving them the right to their own individualized space to learn who they are?
Enjoying a book that has someone who speaks their language, who adheres to the same faith, and who looks
like them will fulfill the need and desire for trustworthy, accessible resources about Muslims/Arabs and the
cultural heritage that is associated with this great civilization.
I work with Muslim children and youth, and I see the burden on their shoulders. Parents are struggling due to
language barriers to advocate for their kids and even provide them with needed information. Western culture is
prevalent in these children's schools, and the issue is that the children are encouraged and influenced to
assimilate and hide their identity in both direct and indirect ways. They are made to feel that it is shameful to be
themselves and that who they are as people does not suit the mainstream agenda. Children are feeling that they
belong nowhere and that they have to act differently based on where they are or who they are with. Society is
actively trying hard to make those children believe that their faith, heritage and race are restrictive to their
advancement rather than being directive and protective as it is really is. Generations are being lost and
communities are becoming burdens on the State systems. Isn’t time to make a change and save this generation
of children?
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
None The 1,000 Book Nook 1 year
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
The project will serve Muslim boys and girls of ages ranging from 5-14 years. Africans (which are the majority
and mostly are Sudanese) and some Middle Easterns will be the most served groups at in Al-Iman Center. It is
not an affluent community and most of them are either students or low income earners who are living and
depending on governmental aid programs.
No financial cost to participate.
Library will be accessible to those who are interested on weekly basis. We will serve a minimum of 40-60
children per week and that is based on the current number of the children we see on a regular basis at Al-Iman
Center.
This nook will provide a safe fun haven for our children. The community will be relieved to finally have a trusted
place which provides reliable resources which are not to be found any where else.105
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justic 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 last three years, 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.
(Please note applied for v. received, and amount)
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 next year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
5. Can this project be completed with less funding?*
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes, it will continue. The Library will be set to serve generations to come. Getting this grant will advance our goal
to grow the Library and hopefully one day it will become the first in the nation of such kind.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
None
15,000.00$
Al-Iman Center estimate budget is $80,000
None Applied 0.00$
Budget
Books Books to be purchased through
small businesses or
international which adds to the
cost of shipping unless found
some locally. Total will include
estimate shipping.
18.00$750 15,000.00$
None
Books will be purchased throughout the year and then will be categorized and ready for our children to enjoy.
Hopefully by January of 2024 we will reach the 1,000 book goal and have all books on display at Al-Iman
Children Library (The 1,000 Book Nook).
If yes, please state the amount of funds that could be allocated to allow the project to proceed.
Less funding will aid the cause, but it will not fulfill the goal.
106
Authorization*
Signature*
Date*
I agree that the following electronic signature is an electronic representation of my signature for all purposes; just the
same as traditional pen-and-paper signature.
1/6/2023
107
108
Racial Equity & Social Justice Grant Application FY23
Applications must be submitted by January 6, 2023.
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 proposal 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 proposal should seek to eliminate inequity in the community (individual, institutional, or structural).
The proposal 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.
Governments, public schools, and colleges/universities cannot be primary applicants.
Applicants can request no more than $25,000.
There are no restrictions on whether applicants are for profit or not for profit
Name of Organization*
Address*
Phone Number*
Email *
Website Address
Background Information
Organizational Information
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52246
Country
Johnson
Street Address
2651 Roberts Rd
Address Line 2
(319) 354-2886
ncjc@ncjc.org
www.ncjc.org
Contact Person for Grant Application
Name*
Rachel Rockwell
137
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.*
Title*
Phone Number*
Email *
Executive Director
319-389-9994
Rachel-rockwell@ncjc.org
The Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County is dedicated to building a better future for people in low-income
neighborhoods through programs that educate, foster self-efficacy, strengthen families, and create a sense of
community.
50
Project Proposal
CommUNITY University
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County (NCJC) has been working with low-income, isolated families since
1973. Our programs and activities reach over 500 children/youth and up to 200 adults each school-day and
include: 1) NAEYC accredited child development programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; 2) in-school
and after school prevention programming for school-age children; and 3) parenting and home visiting programs,
and family literacy programs.
NCJC has provided parenting groups to the Pheasant Ridge and Broadway communities for almost 50 years,
utilizing curricula such as Celebrating Families, Strengthening Families, Strong African American Families,
Positive Behavior Intervention Supports, and Families and Schools Together.
CommUNITY University is neighborhood level approach that embodies all three of the Better Together 2030
guiding principles: “REPRESENTATIVE LEADERSHIP to dismantle systemic inequity and deepen a culture of
inclusion and belonging COLLABORATION among public, private, nonprofit, neighborhood and University
players to develop innovative scaled solutions GROWTH MINDSET with the willingness to try new things —
because growth and skill are improved with effort and persistence Use Circles, Strategic Doing, Collective
Impact, and other participatory models to identify and empower solutions at the most local level.”
https://bt2030.org/
This pilot program will launch at NCJC Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center alongside the establishment of a
Pheasant Ridge/Westwind neighborhood association. NCJC will coordinating and host six (6), 5-week cohort
learning experiences that utilizes elements of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) framework
for participants to “heal from the wounds of the past, to build mutually respectful relationship, across racial and
ethnic lines that honor and value each person’s humanity, and to build trusting intergenerational and diverse
community relationships that better reflect our common humanity.” https://healourcommunities.org/
This framework, expert facilitation, and collaborative nature of CommUNITY University supports the building of
relationships, connecting of people, and expanding circles of engagement needed for overcoming racial division
and isolation, developing emerging neighborhood leadership, and building both personal and political will.
CommUNITY University is a community development approach born from years of strategic visioning between
Rachel Rockwell, NCJC Executive Director and Master Facilitator, Tony Wilson. Since the beginning
collaborative efforts in 2009, Rachel and Tony have partnered to share their vision for thriving communities
(especially communities of color) and have trained hundreds of youths, adults, families and social service
providers internationally. Their most recent collaborative efforts have been around Community Violence
Intervention in Linn County Iowa.
Rachel Rockwell has committed years of creative, therapeutic, and transformative programming and services to
hundreds of youths and families nationally and internationally. She served as the program officer for Creating
Safe, Equitable and Thriving (SET) Communities Fund at the GCRCF from February 2019 - March 2022, leading
the implementation of the community’s violence intervention/prevention project. Most recently Rachel led the
Cedar Rapids Community in forming a multi-sector coalition that works to prevent community gun violence.138
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*Project Description *Time Span*
p y g p y g
Rachel took on the role of Executive Director of NCJC in July of 2023 and is thrilled that CommUNITY University
has finally found its home in an organization whose mission aligns perfectly with the goals of the project.
The topics of CommUNITY University’s Six, 5-week learning cohorts are as follows:
• Realizing your Leadership Potential (Discovering Our Primary Aim)
• Restorative Justice Practices in our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods
• Resilient Community Leaders (Trauma informed care for leaders/community caregivers)
• Community Violence Reduction
• Storytelling for Inclusion & Equity
• Financial Literacy
Each 5-week cohort will meet for 1.5 hours per week and be co-facilitated by Rachel Rockwell and Tony Wilson.
NCJC will invite staff who have participated in internal leadership cohorts (launching March 2023) to join the
cohorts to develop facilitation skills that might be used in the future as part of its organizational development
strategy.
Each cohort will invite community partners and subject matter efforts from government, non-profit, social services
and/or private institutions to participate and/or present. Community partners are to include law enforcement
partners, restorative justice practitioners, academic partners, students, and local artists.
Cohort participation will require a simple registration that will be available in multiple languages and a 5-week
commitment to participation. Each cohort will have up to 20 registration slots to fill. Ideally, individuals will register
for and participate in multiple cohorts and many individuals from the Pheasant Ridge and Westwind
neighborhoods will participate in all six cohorts, emerging and being recognized as true community leaders.
Each cohort group will be asked to help plan and support a culminating event of their choice that will invite the
broader Iowa City community in to:
• Celebrate racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity
• Elevate local voices through storytelling and artistic expression
• Support peacemaking and peacekeeping efforts
• Witness public articulation of the strengths, qualities and vibrancy of the neighborhood and its people
New
-Offering training and capacity-building for existing and emerging neighborhood leaders, educators, and
service providers
- Building mutually respectful relationships across racial and ethnic lines that honor and value each person’s
humanity
- Building trusting intergenerational and diverse community relationships that better reflect our common humanity
- Building relationships, connecting people, and expanding the circles of engagement needed for overcoming
racial hierarchy and building political will
- Utilizing dialogue models, storytelling, and restorative justice practices aimed at repairing relationships
- Creating safe, substantive, and positive spaces for people to bridge differences, break down stereotypes, and
connect with people from different backgrounds
- Helping people find common ground and identify shared values
Building Communities
Criminal Justice
Education
Employment
Health
Housing
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7. What demographic groups in this community will this project serve?*
8. Is there a financial cost to participate in the project? If yes, how much?*
University of Iowa, Iowa
Initiative for Sustainable
Communities
Travis Kraus and Loyce Arthur have proposed and
received $5,000 in funding to collaborate with
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County (NCJC) to
help us to further engage historically
underrepresented groups, such as low-income
families, young people, renters, communities of color,
recent immigrants, and speakers of English as a
second language through processes that center
around creative, artist-led activities and compensation
to residents to research the following questions:
1.How does compensation intended to overcome
financial and other barriers impact civic participation
among individuals from historically low participation
groups (e.g., low-income people, communities of
color, recent immigrants, speakers of English as a
second language)? 2. How can artist-led outreach
and engagement increase civic participation among
historically low participation groups?
Starts Spring 2023
for 1 year but there is
an ongoing (yet
currently unfunded)
commitment beyond
the first year.
Pheasant Ridge/Westwind
Neighborhood Association
In Iowa City, Iowa a collaborative has formed around
establishing an atypical neighborhood
association intent on increasing community
engagement, developing local leadership, and
breaking longtime cycles of poverty, racial injustice,
and degraded quality of life. We will
share the collaborative’s collective vision, visioning
process and multi-cultural and restorative approach to
neighborhood revitalization for this underserved, low-
income, and high potential neighborhood.
12.13.2022 and
ongoing
(The response should include age, race, gender and income).
CommUNITY University will serve individuals ages 14 to 104 living and working in the Pheasant Ridge and
Westwind neighborhoods of Iowa City. The vast majority of of participants (well over 50%) will be people of color
including African Americans and immigrant, refugee and asylum seeking individual from Africa (primarily Sudan).
NCJC's Pheasant Ridge location sits in the center of low-income housing and the majority of the youth and
families we serve are among the most diverse and highest poverty neighborhoods of Johnson County.
There is no financial cost to participation.
140
9. What does success for the project look like? (How many people will it impact? What is the impact?)*
10. Will the project continue after the racial equity and social justic 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 last three years, 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.
(Please note applied for v. received, and amount)
Funding Source*Status *Amount*
20 individuals register for each 5- week Course
70% of registrants live in the Westwind/Pheasant Ridge neighborhoods
75% of cohort registrants participate in all 5 weeks of the cohort
50% of cohort registrants will participate in one or more Pheasant Ridge/Westwind Neighborhood Association
meeting is the grant period
25% of participant demonstrate an increased willingness to engage local government (including law
enforcement) as partners in neighborhood problem solving and celebrations
50% of all registrants participate in 2 or more 5-week cohorts
50% of all registrants report they had a chance to tell their story/ listen to another’s story
75% of all cohort participants report strengthened community connections
75% of all cohort participants report increased confidence as a community leader
50% of all cohort participants report stepping into the lead of a team or in a team or small group
75% of all cohort participants report having opportunity to share and celebrate diversity
25% of all cohort members report using restorative circle keeping or other practices in their homes or community
50% of participants report a new or renewed sense belonging and unity with people with different racial, ethnic,
religious, or cultural background.
25% of all participants report an increase in civic engagement
5 or more community partners/subject matter experts will attend cohort sessions
Cohort participation will be multigenerational and include youth, adults and community elders
If yes, what measures will the organization take to ensure that it does?
Yes. We will continue to seek funding for consecutive years of CommUNITY University by expanding our
partnerships, particularly with the University of Iowa and local banking partners who have expressed interest in
supporting the project (Hills and Greenstate) and seeking national funding to be able to expand the development
opportunities for neighborhood leaders. We will also work diligently to engage nonprofit leaders and local subject
matter experts to help further their missions through volunteer facilitation of cohort gatherings and or as guest
presenters.
Funding Amount Request
If so, for what and for how much?
Yes.
NCJC has most recently been award AARPA funds for nonprofit assistance in the amount of $29,475.
CDBG Aid to Agencies Funds in the amount of $58,759
CDBG FY 22 Block Grant -Operating Costs/Childcare & Facilities Improvements in the amount of $37,242
CDBG FY20 Block Grant - Childcare adaptations during COVID in the amount of $15,852
CDBG- Childcare services in the amount of $55,000
15,500.00$
$3,300,000
City of Iowa City Applied 15,400.00$
University of Iowa Office of the Vice President Received 5,000.00$141
1. Complete the table below to itemize your budget:
Item*Brief Description*Unit Cost Quantity Total*
2. If the budget includes fees for professional services, please explain how this advances the program, service, or
activity.*
3. Provide a timeline narrative for how the grant money would be spent over the next year.*
4. Please indicate when the major project activities will occur.*
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County Received 5,000.00$
Budget
Marketing Printing and Postage 1.00$2,000 2,000.00$
Professional Service Group Facilitation 350.00$30 10,500.00$
NCJC Staff Salaries Co-facilitation,Coordination,
After hours staffing,Childcare
30.00$150 4,500.00$
Participant
Incentives/Honorariu
mss
Cohort Participants,
Storytellers, Artists
50.00$100 5,000.00$
Transportation Van usage for U of I
students/vans and NCJC Vans
0.50$500 1,000.00$
Community
Events/Culminating
Events
Food & Beverages 200.00$12 2,400.00$
Tony Wilson has 48 years' experience in educational and human service delivery systems, providing consulting,
facilitation, and instruction in the areas of personal and organizational development. In addition to published
works in the areas of youth healing, domestic violence curricula, and personal empowerment, Tony provides
training opportunities specific to: cultural competency, trauma-informed care, community violence intervention,
community healing, and restorative justice practices. Tony has a unique gift at engaging diverse audience,
creating safe spaces for open dialog, utilizing dialectical cognitive behavioral approaches and has already made
several community connections in the Iowa City area and with NCJC employees. His ability to masterfully
engage everyone in the room no matter how diverse is unparalleled.
Grant expenditures will happen evenly throughout the year except for initial upfront marketing costs to launch the
project in early June. Community event expenses will be incurred at six-week intervals except for late November
and December when there will be a break in project activity. Participant incentive expenditures will most likely
occur alongside culminating event dates or shortly after. Professional Service expenses will be incurred just after
completion of each 5-week cohort. All funds will be expended/ reimbursements requested by May 31st, 2024.
Marketing, Outreach & Registration: June 2023 (and ongoing throughout 2023 and early 2024)
Cohort 1: July 2023
Culminating Event 1: August 2023
Cohort 2: August 2023
Culminating Event 2: September 2023
Cohort 3: October 2023
Culminating Event 3: November 2023
Cohort 4: January 2024
Culminating Event 4: February 2024
Cohort 5: March 2024
Culminating Event 5: April 2024
Cohort 6: April 2024
Culminating Event 6: May 2024
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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.
No, if we receive less than the requested amount from this funding request we will still launch Community
University Cohorts as planned and continue to seek funding sources to fill the gap.
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.
1/6/2023
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