Grinnell College Mini-Grants Celebration

Faculty, staff members, and students are invited to the celebration of the Mini-grant Program's successful year at noon, February 22, 2017, in Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center, Room 101. Lunch will be provided for attendees.

Last year, Grinnell College Mini-Grant program once again welcomed applications for local projects funding. The recorded results announce a total of $35,000 grant support for a dozen of initiatives.

The program is an initiative from the Community Enhancement and Engagement Office to make Grinnell a more attractive destination to study and live by creating opportunities, in the form of grants, for organizations to innovate and contribute to the community experience here.

Small- to mid-scale off-campus projects are the main targets of the Mini-Grant program. The program committee will then evaluate the projects based on their relevance and long-term impact, as well as sustainability. These grants also focus on arts and culture as well as recreational and educational initiatives that address human needs and enhance the safety, beauty, and economic vitality of the area. Since 2002, the Community Mini-Grant program has directed more than $348,000 towards 164 community initiatives.

"We are pleased to help support so many wonderful projects in Grinnell that make our community even stronger. It is amazing to see all of the initiatives funded and the amount of strength they give to Grinnell, both now and in future years," said Sarah Smith, program manager for Community Enhancement and Engagement.

The College has awarded mini-grant funding to the following 12 initiatives for 2016. Representatives of these initiatives will also attend and give brief presentations on their projects and their values to Grinnell community experience in different ways.

• Grinnell Newburg Educational Excellence, towards the purchase of a grand piano for the Grinnell High School Auditorium to enable all students in the Grinnell Newburg School district to have the opportunity to hear the quality of music produced by a Steinway Grand Piano. ($5,000)
• Grinnell Area Arts Council, toward the purchase of an iPad to incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) concepts and learning into the Arts Academy. ($2,000)
• Grinnell Area Arts Council, for the Grinnell Public Art Initiative and the vitality these pieces of art will bring to the community. ($5,000)
• Grinnell Community Daycare and Preschool, for professional development for the entire staff to increase the quality and programs offered at the daycare and preschool. ($1,335)
• Grinnell Historical Museum, for Our Prairie Town, a third-grade social studies text, which will help students gain understanding and appreciation of the history of their hometown. ($2,500)
• Grinnell Regional Medical Center, towards the purchase of a Patient Care Simulator to enhance GRMC's employee training and practice-care techniques prior to caring for patients. ($2,582)
• Grinnell-Newburg Community School District, for the Grinnell Outdoor Adventure Program to offer students an opportunity to experience the outdoors while also developing leadership skills. ($5,000)
• Grinnell Little League, for new softball equipment, which will contribute to the safety and enjoyment of the children involved in the program. ($2,000)
• Imagine Grinnell, for a bicycle repair station to assist cyclists who use the Grinnell Area Recreational Trail. ($2,500)
• Poweshiek County Fair Foundation, for renovation of the kitchen at the fairgrounds to increase utilization of the fairgrounds through improved facilities. ($2,000)
• Poweshiek County Heritage Park, towards construction of a sidewalk, ramp and porch at Heritage Park, which will enhance safety and accessibility ($2,583)
• St. John's Lutheran Church-Grinnell Giving Gardens, for improving access to fresh, locally grown vegetables and fruit to individuals experiencing low incomes or food scarcity. ($2,500)

​For more information about the mini-grant program, contact Sarah Smith, 641-269-3900. Additional information about the College's community contributions is available at Community Enhancement and Engagement Opportunities.

Grinnell College welcomes the participation of people with disabilities.  If you need accommodations, please contact Conference Operations and Events.

The College welcomes the presence of minors at all age-appropriate public events and for informal visits, with the understanding that a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult assumes full responsibility for their child’s safety and behavior during such visits or events. In these cases the College expects that an adult responsible for the visiting child takes measures to ensure the child’s safety and sees that the child complies with directions of College personnel. Grinnell College is not responsible for supervision of minors on campus.