Grinnell Gathers Series Connects Community Members to Opportunities for Involvement
The Grinnell Gathers series was inspired by local resident Rieslynn Goetzinger. As she wrapped up her senior year of high school, Goetzinger wanted to share the impact her involvement in the Rotary Club of Grinnell had on her experience as a student and introduce other students and community members to places where people come together to do good.
After learning about the idea, the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation (GPCF), and the Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research at Grinnell College recognized an opportunity to build on the original proposal. Rather than replace the Service Club Open House, they saw it as a starting point for a series that could provide a deeper look at the many ways communities come together and how people can get involved.
Regarding the series, Monica Chavez-Silva, vice president of community engagement and strategic partnerships, said, “Grinnell welcomes students and new residents who are ready and willing to connect and get involved in the community but don't always know how. We hope that this series can help shine a light on all the different ways people can get involved, get connected, and make a difference.”
This led to further conversations among the three organizations. The Ahrens Foundation, GPCF, and Grinnell College frequently partner to support one another's programs and events, and this collaboration presented an opportunity to work together around a shared goal: creating accessible spaces where people can better understand and engage with their community while discovering ways to make a difference.
Each organization brings a unique perspective, network, and set of resources to the partnership. Together, they create opportunities that reflect community interests while highlighting organizations, initiatives, and individuals working to strengthen Grinnell. The partnership also creates space to elevate ideas and interests emerging from the community itself.
Regarding the collaboration, Nicole Brua-Behrens said, “Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation's vision is to grow community through giving, and one of the ways we live this vision is through partnerships. We are co-hosting Grinnell Gathers with two of our favorite partners, Grinnell College and the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, to celebrate the vibrant community we share and hear from people who are directly responsible for the work.”
Julie Gosselink, president, CEO, and chair of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, said, “Grinnell Gathers is an opportunity to explore how each of us can play a role in building a stronger community. We hope these conversations will inspire new connections, new ideas, and new ways for people to get involved in shaping Grinnell's future.”
The series will continue throughout the 2026-27 academic year, featuring a range of programs.
The first program in the series, presented in partnership with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, was a Philanthropy Panel held on Thursday, June 18, at the Katherine Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion in Renfrow Hall (1033 Broad St.). President Anne F. Harris kicked off the series by speaking about the importance of the space and its mission of civic engagement. The panel highlighted the ways philanthropy has supported the community, explored differences among corporate, nonprofit, and personal philanthropy, and aimed to break down barriers to accessing philanthropic resources.
The second program took place on Aug. 27 in partnership with Drake Community Library (DCL) and Navigating Economic Stability Together (NEST) and complemented the Community Crate exhibit from UpLift Iowa, which was on display at DCL at the time. The Community Crate Panel and Tour highlighted resources and efforts that support local needs while offering ways for people to get involved. The discussion focused on navigating economic instability and identifying more sustainable, systemic solutions.
The Service Club Open House will be the third event in the Grinnell Gathers series, taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. The event grew from Goetzinger's original idea and was scheduled during the academic year to provide an opportunity for both students and community members to participate. Future programs will be announced throughout the academic year.
The Service Club Open House will highlight groups that promote community welfare and goodwill. It will take place in the Katherine Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion in Renfrow Hall (1033 Broad St.) and provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about local service clubs and the many ways individuals and organizations contribute to strengthening the area.
Goetzinger will formally introduce the clubs at 5:15 p.m., and the remainder of the program will be an open house. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided, and no RSVP is required. Additional programs will be announced throughout the remainder of the academic year.
What began as an idea to help students and community members find places to connect has grown into a yearlong partnership among the Ahrens Foundation, Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, and the Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research. Together, the organizations hope Grinnell Gathers will encourage people to make a connection, find a volunteer opportunity, join a group, bring an idea forward, or simply discover a new way to participate.