Grinnell College announces grant recipients

GRINNELL — Twice a year, Grinnell College awards mini-grants to impactful programs that are making a lasting difference in the Grinnell community.

This year’s fall recipients plan to improve the town's education, parks and fire safety.

Ahrens Park Foundation – Dolly’s Dog Park is a project initiated by Grinnell High School students in partnership with Ahrens Park to create a new public dog park.

The dog park will join existing facilities at Ahrens Park and provide a safe and playful space for community members and their pets.

Grant amount: $5,000

Grinnell Community Early Learning Center – The Grinnell Community Early Learning Center plans to conduct a workshop to further educators’ knowledge and understanding of conscious discipline, a research-based educational practice focusing on teaching children important social and emotional skills.

The workshop, featuring outside instructors, would expand on aspects of conscious discipline already adapted into the Community Early Learning Center’s curriculum and implement new education strategies and practices.

Grant amount: $2,500

Grinnell Fire Auxiliary – The Grinnell Fire Auxiliary has requested a Roll-N-Rack hose management system for the Grinnell Volunteer Fire Department. This system mechanically reels in the heavy hoses firefighters need to extinguish fires.

Grant amount: $7,315

LINK Grinnell – Last year, Grinnell College’s mini-grant program enabled LINK Grinnell to expand its after-school and summer programming with a mobile kitchen and videography set-up that brought new learning opportunities for the students enrolled.

This year, LINK Grinnell hopes to add new programming with a focus on music. With this grant, LINK Grinnell can add new curriculum, electronics for education and music recording and equipment for large group rhythm and dance activities.

With this new equipment and a grant from Poweshiek County Alliance for instruments, the program can reach more than the already 170 students.

Grant amount: $4,884

In addition to the four mini-grants, Grinnell College also provided sponsorship for two different community initiatives through the micro-grant program. This program is intended for smaller requests, presented on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation – POWER Kids, or Positive Opportunities for Wellness Exercise and Reading, aims to inspire students to incorporate active lifestyle practices outside the classroom, engaging students through rewards and prizes to encourage them to carry healthy habits into middle school, high school,and beyond.

Grinnell Elementary PTO – The Grinnell Elementary PTO plans to continue the Reading Is Fundamental program at the Grinnell Elementary School, curated by librarian Allison Pease.

Reading is Fundamental provides students with reading opportunities at school events and allows them to take home free books throughout the school year.

Grinnell College is now accepting applications for the spring cycle of community mini-grants. Grant applications are due by Friday, April 5, and the awards will be announced Friday, May 17.

A volunteer committee of faculty, staff, Grinnell College students, and community members will review the applications. Preference is given to proposals that leverage collaborative partnerships within the community.

Grants typically range from $1,000 to $7,500.

For more information or to download an application, visit grinnell.edu/ or contact the Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research at 641-269-3900.

If interested in serving on the review committee, please contact Donnette Ellis at 641-269-3900.