Bringing Neighbors Together Grants Connect Residents in Black Hawk County

posted on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Investor Highlights

Tuesday evening communities across Black Hawk County were brought together by National Night Out. An evening filling with fun activities bringing neighborhoods together for a fun night out and meeting others. What many may not understand is how many neighborhoods across the county were able to afford to put such activities together. Six of the many neighborhood activities were made possible by The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA). We are grateful for the CFNEIA for their continued support to communities here in the Cedar Valley, something small that makes all the difference. 

Full article written by Jake Byers, Director of Marketing and Communications at The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa

Tuesday neighborhoods across Black Hawk County celebrated during National Night Out, a national community-building campaign that promotes community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Six of the many neighborhood gatherings were partially funded by Bringing Neighbors Together grants issued by the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. The following Waterloo neighborhood events each received a Bringing Neighbors Together grant: Edison, Church Row, Orange, Riverfront/Common Grounds/Franklin Gateway/Chautaqua Park, We Care and West Central. The events featured food, kid activities and games, music, outdoor movies and more.

“The Bringing Neighbors Together grants do just that – provide funds to help create events that bring residents together,” said Tom Wickersham, program director at CFNEIA. “We know that when residents connect with their neighbors, they become more engaged and empowered to solve problems within their own community, which in turn helps strengthen neighborhood associations, reduces crime and produces a better quality of life for all.”

Any neighborhood in Black Hawk County is eligible to apply for a Bringing Neighbors Together grant and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Grants range from $500 to $2,000 and are made possible by the Neighborhood Improvement Fund at CFNEIA. The applicant for a grant must be a nonprofit organization or government entity working with the neighborhood. If the neighborhood does not have a nonprofit to partner with, the neighborhood can contact CFNEIA to explore options.

William Duff, a member of the Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, volunteered at the Church Row Neighborhood event. "Tonight, it shows the community that we're not separated, we're one, and now we come together, and they see there's no difference,” Duff said. “The kids get to playing and that breaks the ice right there. That's the key.”