CommUniversity: UNI/ LYHS Collaboration with the Community Foundation of NE Iowa

CommUniversity is an experiential learning opportunity benefiting both students and the nonprofit organizations in the Cedar Valley. It is a partnership between the University of Northern Iowa/ Division of Leisure, Youth and Human Services and the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, through an application process, selects four nonprofits to be a part of this part of this unique collaboration. Selected nonprofits receive a microgrant of $500 to assist them in this endeavor. Once selected, nonprofits work with a group of 7-10 students who each write a mock grant proposal on behalf of the nonprofit. Each nonprofit selects one of the mock applications to move to the final review where a committee selects one final proposal to receive a $1,000 grant. Both the $500 microgrant and the $1,000 grant can be used at the discretion of the nonprofit and are not restricted to the program concept outlined in the mock grant proposal. The collaboration between nonprofit organizations and students for this assignment is mutually beneficial and provides: An authentic, real-life setting for students, coupled with the guidance and support of the partner nonprofit professionals and their academic instructor. An end product for each organization that includes multiple proposals with content and information the organization’s professionals can draw from in their continued grant seeking and fundraising endeavors.