Community Foundation Wins Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships

Published: July 16, 2018 | By: Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation | Category:

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Council on Foundations today announced the 2018 winners of the Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. The awards recognize exemplary partnerships between foundations and government that have been critical in transforming communities and improving lives.

“It’s this collaborative approach to service that will lead us to find solutions to help the most vulnerable in our communities,” Secretary Ben Carson said. “I’m pleased to recognize these award winners for the important work they do to serve the housing, health, safety, and educational needs of their fellow Americans.”

“The cross-sector partnerships demonstrated among the winners of this year’s awards highlight the power of collaboration,” said Gene Cochrane, interim president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. “Through innovative, bold ideas and unique partnerships, these foundations are shining examples of philanthropy’s ability to promote the common good.”

This year’s winners were presented by Secretary Carson as part of an event at HUD Headquarters.

Awards are given to place-based funders for completed or ongoing initiatives that are executed in partnership with a local, regional, or federal government agency. The winners are:

  • Anthem Foundation
  • Bon Secours of Maryland Foundation
  • Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
  • The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
  • Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
  • The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and The Leonard & Helen R. Stulman Foundation
  • Michael Reese Health Trust and Polk Bros. Foundation
  • Rasmuson Foundation
  • Spartanburg County Foundation
  • S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation received this award for its role in the collaborative MICRO loan program. The MICRO program offers entrepreneurs and small businesses within Cedar Rapids city limits the opportunity to borrow up to $10,000 for 3 years at 4 percent interest. Assistance is provided to the applicants for market research, development of a business plan, and completion of the loan application. Once the application is approved, resources are in place to continue to support the participant throughout the life of the loan. MICRO is a City of Cedar Rapids program, administered by the East Central Iowa Council of Governments. Other partners include the Cedar Rapids Public Library, SCORE and the SBA Small Business Development Center. Since the program began in 2015, eleven loans have been given that have saved or created over 50 jobs. For more information about MICRO, click here: https://www.gcrcf.org/about/community-leadership/micro-loan-program/.

To learn more about the award, and the 2018 winners and their initiatives, visit: https://www.huduser.gov/secaward/cof.

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