Students SPARK Change Through Community Innovation Challenge
Grinnell College students partnered with local organizations to pitch innovative, community-focused solutions as part of the annual SPARK Challenge. Two teams were awarded $4,000 each to implement projects supporting early childhood literacy and food access through community gardens.
During the last week of April, four student teams pitched innovative, community-centered projects as part of the annual SPARK Community-Based Social Innovation Challenge. The challenge invites students to work alongside community partners to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges facing the broader Grinnell community.
Led by course instructor Professor Montgomery Roper, students spend the semester researching local issues, collaborating closely with organizations, and designing actionable solutions. The program culminates on pitch day, when students present their projects to a panel of judges. Funding for the SPARK Challenge is provided by the Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership. This year’s judges were, Megan Bernacchi, Technology Specialist and Service Relationship Manager in the department of Information Technology Services, Ashley Grundler, Administrative Assistant II in the Office of Admission and Jessica Stewart, Senior Associate Director of Alumni & Donor Relations.
Two Standout Teams Awarded $4,000 to Bring Their Solutions to Life
The second-place project, developed by solo team member Robin Linse ’28 in partnership with Imagine Grinnell, focused on increasing the impact of the Grinnell community Giving Gardens—an initiative that supports residents experiencing food insecurity. Linse’s proposal aims to strengthen the gardens’ educational programming and reduce barriers to volunteer participation, ultimately expanding community engagement with this essential resource.
Imagine Grinnell, a partner program of the Claude W. & Dolly Ahrens Foundation, turns imagination into action by fostering a more vibrant, sustainable, and healthy community in Grinnell, Iowa. Since 1985, Imagine Grinnell has served both the Grinnell and Brooklyn communities, supporting initiatives like the Marvin Garden—one of the local Giving Gardens. These Giving Gardens provide fresh, local produce that is free and available for anyone to harvest. Maintained by dedicated volunteers and partners, the gardens ensure that excess produce is distributed to local community centers. During the growing season, volunteers play a vital role in tending the gardens and harvesting food.
Jennifer Cogley, Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation Director of Partner Programs, said, “I’m incredibly grateful to accept the SPARK grant on behalf of the Giving Gardens. These gardens have long been an underdog in our community, and this support will help us share not only their story, but also the fresh produce they provide. We’re excited to use these funds to promote, sustain, and grow the impact of the Giving Gardens for the benefit of all.”
Imagine Grinnell has hired two part-time employees for the summer to help implement the SPARK Challenge action items for the Giving Gardens.
Here are a list of the Giving Gardens and the organizations that help sustain them:
Marvin Garden- Imagine Grinnell
Summer Street Garden- Rotary club
St. John’s Lutheran Church- church members
UPH-Grinnell- hospital staff
Davis Elementary- Volunteers
Bailey Park Elementary- LINK
Fairview Elementary- Girl Scout troop from Grinnell
Grinnell Community Early Learning Center- staff
Ahrens Park- Foundation offices at Ahrens Park
Top Project Targets Early Literacy in Grinnell
Taking first place were Akilah Hampton ’25 and Anthony Sherrell ’26, who teamed up with Read 2 Lead (R2L) to tackle early childhood literacy in Grinnell. Their solution introduces “literacy nights” for children ages 4–5, combining story time and free book distribution with parent training in literacy support skills. The program is designed to foster reading skills in young learners while empowering families to be active participants in their children’s education.
R2L is an early literacy focused non profit organization located in Poweshiek County. Their mission is to support the language and literacy development of children aged 0-5 in our community through the provision of books, programs and other supports that foster an inquisitive mind and a love of reading.
Megan Farrell, Chairperson, Read 2 Lead, said, “We are honored to have partnered with Akilah and Anthony on this meaningful project. Their passion and innovation brought fresh energy to our early literacy mission. We believe the Literacy Nights initiative, supported by SPARK Challenge funding, further supports our community’s commitment to nurturing young readers and empowering families to be active participants in their children’s education and lifelong learning.”
Building Sustainable Community Programs
“In both cases, the projects serve as ways to develop programs to the point where the existing organizations can then manage them effectively with their existing resources,” said Professor Roper, reflecting on the impact of the winning initiatives.
Both awarded projects exemplify the power of collaboration between students and local organizations, leveraging SPARK funding to build sustainable programs that can be scaled and maintained by community partners.
Additional Innovative Ideas
Other proposals showcased at pitch day included a concept for an AI-powered food waste management system, developed by Jasline Becerra, Kaho Kuroda, and ET Ourn in partnership with Grinnell Dining; and a mobile app to centralize event listings from the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce, proposed by Adarsh Sharma and Harrison Zhu.
You can learn more about the program and past events on the Spark Challenge website
About Community Connections
The Grinnell College Community Connections monthly newsletter shares stories of connection within the community of Grinnell, Grinnell College and more broadly. Sign up to have this newsletter sent directly to your inbox. Read past newsletters and stay connected.