Dubuque Community Fund’s Example of Involving Locals Is Blueprint for Others

A project begun in 2005 by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque continues to benefit both the nonprofit and the city, offering a road map for other city grant makers that want to get their neighbors involved in making philanthropic decisions.

What it did: The foundation, in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce, spent four months marketing “Envision 2010,” a drive to identify the top 10 ideas for improving the Iowa City. The campaign encouraged people in low-income neighborhoods to gather with their friends to brainstorm ideas. The foundation offered a tool kit on its website to help guide and spur creative thinking.

What happened: Thousands of ideas flowed in—from neighborhood associations, church groups, even bowling teams. The foundation hosted a series of public meetings that helped narrow that list to 100. A committee of volunteers ultimately chose the final 10.

New support: Those chipping in included the University of Dubuque, a local casino, and donors like Dick Schmid, a businessman whose family gave $1.3-million to endow a community health center and also provided a six-figure gift for another Envision project. The state of Iowa provided a $1.3-million match for donations.

Results: Seven of the 10 projects have received endowments. In addition to the health center, an expanded library, and biking and hiking trails, a performing-arts center is scheduled to open this month.

The future: The success of “Envision 2010” has prompted the board of the $50-million foundation to make outreach to low-income neighborhoods a key part of the process in setting its agenda, says Nancy Van Milligen, the fund’s president. The foundation has used games, community meetings, and arts and cultural events to get city residents involved in projects focused on environmental sustainability and making Dubuque a more-welcoming place.