County to continue backing foundation's grant-seeking effort

CEDAR RAPIDS - Linn County will continue its share of funding for a cooperative effort seeking grants for area non-profit and government agencies.

Supervisors voted Monday to allocate $40,000 from the county's economic development fund toward the program coordinated by the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

The effort launched in spring 2011 has yet to land a grant, but foundation Executive Director Les Garner said the groundwork has been laid.

“A lot of that was just establishing a platform for success, building relationships with funding agencies and building a relationship with organizations within the community,” he said.

Garner said the consultant hired by the foundation to conduct the program worked with 73 local organizations in the past year, submitting 11 formal grant requests. The emphasis over the next year will be on collaborations between groups to address common problems, he said.

“Funders are looking for innovative ideas,” he said, “and I think there's a sense innovation happens when agencies come together to solve problems.”

Garner said grant-seeking projects included efforts in sustainable development, arts and culture, children's health, mental health, neighborhood development and preservation.

The group is waiting to hear from Cedar Rapids on its request for $40,000, Garner said. The foundation provides a like amount, mostly through in-kind support.

Supervisors voted 4-0 to place the appropriation on Wednesday's consent agenda. Supervisor Ben Rogers, D-Cedar Rapids, abstained because his wife is working as the foundation's interim communications director.