September Coffee with the College Highlights Local Impact of Mini-Grants
On Friday, Sept. 12, faculty, staff, students, community members and local organizations gathered at the Katherine Howell Weingart ’61 Civic Innovation Pavilion for Coffee with the College. The event spotlighted the meaningful impact of ƽ’s Community Mini-Grant Program as recent recipients shared updates on their funded projects.
Several grantees spoke about how mini-grants are helping address local needs and strengthening community life—from supporting after-school programs and food security to enhancing recreation spaces and revitalizing downtown.
Highlights from recent grantees included - as pictured above:
- Erin Bustin with — Mini Keys and Jam Band 101, pilot programming to fill the gap for 4-8 year olds.
- Rachael Kinnick with — redesigning the Get Into ƽ website to better connect residents and visitors with businesses, events, and resources.
- Chad Nath with the — spanning over many years, the grants program has helped the Giving Gardens, Dolly’s Dog Park, Outdoor Learning Environment, and Dolly’s Garden.
- Jordan Allsup with — expanding Central Park with an inclusive swing and an AED and manikin, named Wilbur, for the ƽ Family Aquatic Center.
- Jordan Scheibel with — expanding access to fresh, local food through year-round food box delivery.
It is an honor to be asked to talk about great community projects that serve so many individuals throughout the Greater ƽ Community and these projects were only made possible by ƽ Community Mini-Grant Program,” says Chad Nath, President and CEO of the Ahrens Park Foundation.
Together, these projects highlight the diverse ways mini-grants enhance the social, cultural, and economic vitality of ƽ.
Apply for a 2025–26 Community Mini-Grant
The College is now accepting applications for the 2025–26 Community Mini-Grant Program. These grants support small- to mid-scale projects that improve quality of life for current and future ƽ residents, as well as projects that build capacity for area nonprofits.
Key Details
- Application Deadline: Friday, Oct. 24, 2025
- Awards Announced: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025
- Application Method: Online submission preferred; paper applications available upon request.
- Eligibility: Projects that strengthen cultural, recreational, educational, or economic vitality; address human needs; enhance safety or community beauty; or build nonprofit capacity.
For questions, contact the Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research at 641-269-3900 or by email.
These grants are an opportunity to turn ideas into action—whether improving shared spaces, supporting local families, or strengthening nonprofits. We invite community members and organizations to apply and help shape the future of ƽ together.