COMMUNIT Y Spring 2021 Newsletter
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Giving and Responding in the Wake of Dual Disasters When COVID-19 began impacting life in Linn County a year ago, it was difficult to imagine the challenges that lay ahead. On August 10, those challenges were exacerbated when winds in excess of 100 mph tore through Eastern Iowa. Support came in from all over the country, but much of the assistance was local. Area businesses and residents, even while recovering themselves, were eager to help. Still, things have not been easy in the months since. Having concurrent disasters created new and unique challenges for the people and organizations that keep our community thriving. Nonprofits have had to reimagine the way they provide services while cancelling or altering fundraisers and other events. Health and human service agencies have seen both reduced revenue and increased demand for services. “Our community has been through a lot recently, and the derecho could have been demoralizing,” said Michelle Beisker, Senior Vice President of Development. “But the people of Linn County are resilient and generous, and they proved that once again.” COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund Despite everyone in our community being impacted by the virus, many jumped at the chance to help. With lead gifts from several area businesses and support from more than 200 donors, the COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund eventually brought in nearly $450,000. To date, $368,534 has been granted to 40 organizations. Grants from this fund have supported access to basic human needs—everything from food and housing to information distribution and transportation for essential workers. Priority has been given to vulnerable populations, which have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The fund will continue to accept applications until all funds have been granted. 2 Community
Disaster Recovery Fund for Derecho Within one week of the storm, the Community Foundation was able to establish the Disaster Recovery Fund. More than 1,800 donors have contributed over $2 million to the fund so far, which has granted nearly $443,000 to local nonprofits. The first phase of grants helped meet some of the most basic needs, including food, water, and shelter. In the six months since the storm, the fund has supported a variety of recovery efforts, including programs that provide legal assistance, mental health services, housing repair, and many other services. The Disaster Recovery Fund continues to accept applications and make grants to programs and projects that aid the long-term recovery of the community. To make a gift to this fund or apply for a grant, visit gcrcf.org.
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is proud to help donors and nonprofit organizations improve the quality of life in Linn County. Here is a preview of 2020 by the numbers:
$194.5 1,045 $9.6 MILLION 32
MILLION Total Assets
Total Number of Funds
Contributions in 2020
$13.9 543 138
MILLION Grants and Scholarships
Number of Nonprofits Funded in 2020
Number of Scholarships Funded in 2020
Number of New Funds in 2020
GRANT REQUESTS TO UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
$3.3 MILLION $1.2 MILLION $2.1 MILLION (Requested)
(Funded)
(Unfunded)
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Spring 2021
Working Toward Racial Equity A Note from Our President & CEO The Community Foundation strives to use its resources to build a vibrant community. Equity is at the center of community vibrancy—a community cannot be vibrant if it is willing to leave some behind. We have been committed to equity and inclusion in our practices for many years. We are now working to be even more intentional about how we incorporate equity into what we do. We are not looking for an easy fix or a short-term response, rather we are seeking ways to better understand how we might serve our entire community.
Dr. Les Garner, Jr. President & CEO
The Community Foundation also remains deeply committed to the work of the Creating Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities (SET) Fund, which was established in 2018. The fund has been actively working to improve safety for our community’s young people. Its broader focus is creating equitable opportunities for youth and families. A large anonymous grant to the SET Fund has brought the Group Violence Intervention model to Cedar Rapids, highlighting the potential of this fund to support meaningful and ambitious undertakings.
We are not looking for an easy fix or a shortterm response, rather we are seeking ways to better understand how we might serve our entire community. In 2018, Community Foundation staff formed a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to consider our culture and practices. The committee identified learning opportunities, and beginning in the fall of 2019, all staff attended a series of implicit bias trainings to better understand our automatic thought processes. Additionally, five Community Foundation staff members have joined the Iowa Council of Foundation’s Racial Equity Cohort, which will last the duration of 2021. Through this group, we will be able to learn from experts and other foundations that are pursuing racial equity in communities across the state. In 2020, the Board of Directors created a Racial Equity Steering Committee to guide its deliberations on issues of equity.
One of our recent initiatives is Thrive, a cohort of five emerging Black and Brown leaders. Thrive is a way for us to support emerging organizations and leaders who are having an impact on our community. We are working with these leaders to connect them to community resources and help their organizations grow. We will also be learning from them about how we may better reach all corners of our community. We are excited about the work we have done in recent years, but recognize that we are at the beginning of this journey. Our staff, board, and committee volunteers are committed to learning about the issues and how we can respond. We look forward to working with new and familiar faces in the pursuit of racial equity in Linn County. I am optimistic about the opportunities ahead, the future of our organization, and the future of our community. Together, we can make ours a community that works for all its residents.
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Thrive Cohort Engages Emerging Nonprofit Leaders For the past few years, the Community Foundation has been actively discussing new ways to support emerging nonprofit organizations. Long-term success in the nonprofit world can be difficult to achieve, and the rate of failure is high.
partnering with emerging Black and Brown leaders through a new cohort called Thrive.
At the same time, the Community Foundation has also been looking for ways to build racial equity through its work to support nonprofits. Within the challenges of 2020, an opportunity to combine the two efforts emerged. As our community dealt with the pandemic, social unrest, and the derecho, a number of grassroots groups were working to meet needs and provide opportunities. The Community Foundation is
“By supporting these leaders and amplifying their voices, we feel the community will see innovative solutions that include and respect those being served,” said Rachel Rockwell, SET Program Officer. “We’re very excited about the work they are doing.” The five Thrive cohort members, along with Foundation staff, will participate in group learning activities over the next two years to strengthen nonprofit leadership skills and explore organizational best practices. In addition to monthly meetings and individual conversations, each organization will also receive a $2,500 grant quarterly.
Thrive Participants Mugisha Bwenge, immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo and founder of United We March Forward, whose mission is to provide hope through education, encouragement, and empowerment to families and communities.
Jorel Robinson, volunteer and cofounder of Big Bang Foundation, and a Cedar Rapids native. The mission of the organization is to connect with local youth and help motivate and inspire as many as they can to care for themselves, their community, and to aspire to be their best self.
Keeyon Carter, co-founder, President, and Lead Pastor at Wellington Heights Community Church, a multicultural community joining God in the reconciliation of all things through worship, reconciliation, and neighborhood development.
Bridgette Williams-Robinson, founder of Bridge Under the Bridge, who began providing daily hot meals to anyone in need following the derecho. The organization believes that choosing between feeding your family and paying a bill should never be a choice you need to make.
Leslie Neely, volunteer and co-founder of Advocates for Social Justice. The organization’s mission is to create social, political, and environmental change within the Cedar Rapids community, prioritizing the objectives of the #BLM movement. 5
Spring 2021
Brian and Julie Privett
Carrying Forward Family Traditions of Giving Back In 2011, Brian and Julie Privett had to decide where to put down roots. Brian had just finished his ophthalmology residency at the University of Iowa and Julie had been working as a physician assistant in Cedar Rapids. While planning their wedding, they were also busily scouring the country for the best place to settle down and eventually start a family. “We researched options coast to coast,” Julie said. “We knew we wanted to live someplace not too big and not too small, with a reputation for providing great healthcare.” After considering all their options, the Privetts realized the best choice was right in front of them. The Corridor’s strong healthcare community, good schools, and numerous youth organizations made it a top candidate for best place to live. Brian and Julie also have family in Colorado and throughout the Midwest, so the Eastern Iowa Airport even played a role in their decision.
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Investing in your community, whether it be financially if you’re able, or through volunteering, can make things better for everyone.
Ultimately, Brian joined the well-respected ophthalmologists at Iowa Eye Center in Cedar Rapids, just down the road from Julie’s cardiology office. As their family grew, so did their love and appreciation for the area. “When possible, we try to take advantage of the many things Cedar Rapids has to offer youth,” they said. “Everything from art and music classes to trying out different sports, hiking, and going to concerts and shows.” When they could, the Privetts gave back to the nonprofit organizations that provided these arts, culture, entertainment and educational opportunities. Through his role as a volunteer on the board of the Hawkeye Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, Brian eventually heard about the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.
“We like the flexibility, but it’s also a good deal,” they said. “The organizations we were already giving to will receive more support from the same size gift.” Knowing that it will provide gifts to the community as their kids grow up is also important for the Privetts. “My parents and Brian’s showed us by example that investing in your community, whether it be financially if you’re able, or through volunteering, can make things better for everyone,” Julie said. As their children grow older, Brian and Julie look forward to discussing charitable giving and making decisions as a family. “We want our kids to continue the family tradition of helping others and giving back.” Like many, the Privett family felt a renewed sense of generosity during the challenges of 2020.
“We were giving to a few organizations separately,” Brian said. “But through the Community Foundation, we realized we could set up a donor-advised fund that could give support to several organizations while also growing.” Brian and Julie established an endowed donor-advised fund, which will allow them to choose which causes and organizations to support as the fund grows. The decision—much like their decision to settle down in Cedar Rapids—was not taken lightly. The Privett family considered all the ways they might be able to support the organizations they care about before arriving at the donor-advised fund.
“We are thankful for the groups addressing basic needs, like housing and food insecurity,” Julie said. “We’re also hopeful that it won’t be too much longer before we can go out and enjoy arts and culture and youth activities again safely. We know that if we want these valuable organizations to outlast the pandemic, they need our support now more than ever.”
*Brian and Julie Privett met with Community Foundation staff in January of 2020 to discuss their philanthropic passions and goals. Despite the challenges of the last year, they remain optimistic about the community’s future.
Welcome New Board Members
Kari Cooling
Jim Haddad
Stacey Halyard
Michelle Niermann
Holmes Murphy
Startup Business Mentor and Consultant
Morgan Stanley
UnityPoint Cedar Rapids
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Spring 2021
Matching Grants Will Help Three Nonprofit Organizations Create Endowment Funds
Although 2020 was a difficult year for nonprofit organizations, they have not stopped thinking about the long-term health and wellbeing of our communities. While dealing with cancelled fundraisers, altered programming, and often increased demand for services, many local nonprofits are also using the challenges as opportunities to consider their long-term stability. For those with endowment funds, the volatility of funding during the crises was slightly reduced. “Endowments can provide general operating support and funding for areas of high importance,” said Laura Booth, Development Officer. “This can help an organization not only fulfill their mission today, but also think about their future in our community.” Because establishing an endowment can be difficult, the Community Foundation offers Endowment Challenge Grants as an investment in the mission
and future of the organization. A grant from this fund matches gifts to the organization at a rate of $1 for every $3 raised, up to $25,000, with five years to meet the match. The result is an endowment of $100,000, held at the Community Foundation and managed with a longterm time horizon. The goal of the endowment is to preserve value the while allowing for an annual distribution. “Giving to an organization’s endowment is a powerful act,” Laura said. “It’s a gift that will grow and do exponential good. It is truly an investment in the future of the organization and our community.” In 2020, three organizations received Endowment Challenge grants: African American Museum of Iowa, Area Substance Abuse Council, and Red Cedar Chamber Music.
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African American Museum of Iowa As the only statewide museum devoted to preserving African American history and culture, the African American Museum of Iowa is a great asset to our community. The museum reaches more than 30,000 people from across the state each year. “Deciding to pursue endowment support now makes sense because adapting to the realities brought by the pandemic, derecho and national protests for equality in 2020 reinforced the fact that things happen out of our control,” said LaNisha Cassell, Executive Director. “Taking the necessary steps will ensure the Museum’s sustainability.” Having an endowment can alleviate some short-term funding needs, allowing the Museum to think about the big picture. “Receiving the Endowment Challenge Grant gives us the opportunity to plan for our future,” LaNisha said. “Our long-term goal to provide invaluable educational resources across the entire state while making a continued impact today is more attainable because of this grant.” Area Substance Abuse Council Since 1962, Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) has been empowering communities through prevention, education, and treatment services. As the agency neared its 60th anniversary, it became clear that an endowment could play a key role in supporting its mission. “An endowment fund for ASAC is especially important as we work to assure that there are substance use prevention, treatment and recovery services for our community,” said Jeannette Archer-Simmons, Executive Director. “ASAC’s vision begins with a stable financial organization that has resources designed to ride economic shifts and changes in funding streams.” For those accessing ASAC services, knowing the organization will be there for them in the future makes a big difference. “The endowment fund provides for the possibilities of hope for those just getting started on their treatment and recovery journey,” Jeannette said. Red Cedar Chamber Music Red Cedar Chamber Music was founded in 1997 to bring musical performances to the area through a variety of channels. Founders Jan Boland and John Dowdall always intended for the organization to live beyond their tenure, and in 2016 the organization transitioned to new directors Miera Kim and Carey Bostian, who happen to be a married couple. “We found ourselves uniquely positioned to make lemonade from lemons,” they said. “We have been able to continue rehearsing and performing from home, and we’ve produced four concerts since April 2020, using our teenage sons as guest musicians.” In 2020, the organization managed to produce more hours of programming than in a typical year, while still looking toward the future. “With the Endowment Challenge Grant, we will be building toward a more stable future, ensuring that Red Cedar will continue to reach underserved populations through the next succession and beyond,” the directors said.
To give to these endowment funds to help these organizations meet their match, visit www.gcrcf.org.
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Spring 2021
New Board Chair Reflects on Community Foundation’s Past and Future Charlie Schimberg, 2021 Board Chair Tell us about how you came to the Community Foundation. The Community Foundation plays such an impactful role in our community, I felt very fortunate when asked to serve on the board. Very few organizations have the capacity to reach so many worthy causes, meet the needs during economic and natural disasters, and serve as trusted connector for local organizations. You’ve been on the Board of Directors for five years now; what has that experience been like for you? It’s been wonderful to work with so many people who care about our community. From Directors and donors to the nonprofits we work with, there is no shortage of people who are willing to work to improve the quality of life in Linn County. My family has deep roots in this community, and I know that by contributing to the Community Foundation’s work I am helping to ensure this remains a great community for future generations.
help donors pursue their charitable goals, maintain our competitive grant programs, and look for ways to support issues that are important to our broad community. We’re looking for ways to reach new people and support the many efforts to build racial equity in Linn County. The community is also still recovering from the derecho and enduring the pandemic. As the long-term recovery process begins, we continue to look for ways to have real impact. These are complex problems, but there are so many people out there working on solutions, and we’re looking forward to living up to our name as a trusted community partner.
Last year was a difficult one for our community—what was it like from the Board’s perspective? 2020 was a tough year. Working with the Community Foundation gave me a behind the scenes look at the incredible generosity of our community. Linn County has seen a wide range of hardships and disasters. When COVID-19 started impacting lives and businesses, many sought ways to contribute. When the derecho hit, people dug deep and found even more ways to help their neighbors. Throughout all of this, our nation began the difficult conversation of racial inequities. As our community tried to find the way forward, our Board recognized the importance of our role. For many of us, the whole year was a learning process. We found new solutions to new problems, but we also realized that there are very old problems that need our attention. What can people expect from the Community Foundation going forward? The core of our work will remain largely the same. It’s not an exciting answer, but we exist to support the long-term health and wellbeing of the community, and we’re excited to keep doing that. We will continue to
Charlie Schimberg, Schimberg Co.
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Freebie February Collaboration Offers Support for Arts and Culture Organizations When COVID-19 began impacting life in Iowa a year ago, there were few options for arts and culture organizations. Most had to cancel programming, fundraisers, and other events. Some transitioned to virtual programming, but not without first investing in new technologies. To support local attractions, last month the Community Foundation teamed up with the Cedar Rapids Tourism Office to create Freebie February. Through this collaboration, residents and visitors could receive free admission or memberships to ten area organizations. People who signed up received vouchers, which can be used throughout the year as they feel comfortable. The vouchers were claimed within one day.
The summer months allowed for some outdoor programming, but the pandemic still took its toll, and the difficult situation was made worse by the derecho. The History Center now has two temporary exhibits open for limited attendance. Another participating organization, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, saw the celebration of its 125th anniversary derailed. “We embraced the digital formats and tackled the learning curve to ensure that our patrons still had access to the Museum and its programs,” said Sean Ulmer, Executive Director. “People expressed to us time and time again the need for art in their lives to help them get through the pandemic.” After reopening, the Museum had to reorganize the exhibition schedule. Exhibits scheduled for 2020 will now take place in 2021.
People expressed to us time and time again the need for art in their lives to help them get through the pandemic.
Freebie February aims to help during this incremental return to normalcy. “We saw it as a way to offer financial support during a slow time for visitors, while also bringing visitors into their doors throughout the year,” Jennifer said. “We will continue to communicate with those receiving vouchers to encourage use and extra spending at museum stores, concessions, and local shops and restaurants while out and about.”
Sean Ulmer, Executive Director Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
“Freebie February was designed to offer support to local museums and entertainment venues that have seen a dramatic impact on revenue during the pandemic and following the derecho,” said Jennifer Pickar, Director of Communications and Marketing at the Cedar Rapids Tourism Office. One of the participating organizations was The History Center. When their doors closed in March 2020, the staff immediately began searching for ways to deliver programming virtually. “We have a very gifted staff, and they wasted no time,” said Executive Director Jason Wright. “In the first six months, we had created more than 80 different programs and were tabulating more than 23,000 views per month.”
During the Virtual PJ Storytime, Miss Erin from the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art uses children’s books to teach kids about art and local history.
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324 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401-1841 319.366.2862 / gcrcf.org
Where charitable gifts multiply for community good.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nonprofit Know-How: Advocacy and Lobbying 101
Community Learning Series: Working Together to Reduce Youth Violence
Thursday, April 22, 8:30-10:00 a.m. via Zoom
Tuesday, May 4, 4:00-5:15 p.m. via Zoom
This learning opportunity for nonprofit professionals will be presented by the Alliance for Justice, a leader in advocating for a fair and independent justice system, preserving access to the courts, and empowering people to advocate on behalf of the issues they believe in.
Join us to learn about youth violence in our communities and how our community is working together to implement intervention strategies.
To RSVP, visit gcrcf.org/events.
Panelists include: Isaac Hunt Jr., Group Violence Supervisor with Goodwill Industries of Michiana Tony Wilson, Founder & Director of Central City Development Corporation Keeyon Carter, Co-founder, President, and Lead Pastor of Wellington Heights Community Church. To RSVP, visit gcrcf.org/events.
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