Clayton County Librarires are Invidted to Apply for Grants to Support Community Engagement Efforts
CLAYTON COUNTY, Iowa – Libraries are important hubs of activity for small-towns, and new grants will help them enhance their efforts to build connections in their communities and increase participation in civic life.
Libraries serving communities in Clayton County are among those in Eastern Iowa invited to apply for funding of $5,000 to $9,000 for community engagement projects and programs.
The grant program is administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque with support from its eight affiliates, including the Clayton County Foundation for the Future.
“Local libraries are places for books and so much more,” says Emily Sadewasser, executive director of the Clayton County Foundation for the Future. “They are places that bring people together for arts and cultural events, educational discussions, and even wellness programs. We are proud to support their work to build connected, thriving communities.”
To be eligible for a grant, libraries must be doing work that:
Increases civic opportunities, providing people with relevant, meaningful and fun ways to get engaged in their community.
Increases civic participation, providing ways for more people to be involved in community life, with a focus on those who have not traditionally been involved.
Solves problems, offering opportunities for people to collectively work to address a shared challenge, ideally within 12 months.
The strongest applications will show that a library is involving community members as co-designers or leaders, not just participants.
Grant writing support will be available to applicants, and a committee of Foundation staff and partners will use a rubric to score applications.
Applications must be submitted by September 25. Apply online at dbqfoundation.org/librarygrant.
The grant program is made possible by funding from the Trust for Civic Life, a grantmaking collaborative supporting the community-led efforts that help Americans connect, solve problems together, and feel confident in a shared future.
“We are grateful to the Trust for Civic Life for supporting rural communities across the country, including those right here in Eastern Iowa,” Sadewasser says.
If you have questions about eligibility or applying, please contact Angela Ventris, community grant writer at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, at angela@dbqfoundation.org or 563-588-2700.
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The Clayton County Foundation for the Future is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque envisions a vibrant and inclusive Dubuque region where everyone can thrive. Since 2003, we have inspired people to give back to their community, and we turn this generosity into lasting change across our region, increasing access to resources and opportunities that help all people succeed.
Visit dbqfoundation.org to learn about the many ways we are building a strong, thriving Greater Dubuque for all—and how you can donate your time, talents, and dollars to transform our region.
