$2,500 awards for folks connecting Eastern Iowa

Some people weave us together. They are the folks most people know and trust, those we count on to get neighbors together when we need to tackle a shared problem or get something done. They show up for others and connect us. They are weavers.

You probably are one of them or know a weaver. Let’s recognize and help them get $2,500 and other resources to continue doing their important work.

What is weaving?

Weaving is the practice of building meaningful relationships that set the conditions for social trust to grow in communities.

It begins with a simple commitment: to see one another as equal in dignity, even when experiences and viewpoints differ.

Weaving invites people to:

Discover what they have in common
Learn how their differences can make the community stronger
Work side by side toward common good.

Weaving can be formal or informal, and it is characterized by four qualities:

Local: It brings together people who share the same neighborhood, town, or region
Mutual: It celebrates everyone’s contributions and creates opportunities for everyone to both give and receive
Welcoming: It invites people to join as they are
Continuous: It builds relationships that deepen over time through ongoing engagement

Who is eligible?

For someone to be considered for an Award they need to:

Be 18 or older
Live and work in the Eastern Iowa counties served by Clayton County Foundation for the Future, Community Foundation of Jackson County, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Foundation for the Future of Delaware County, and LincolnWay Community Foundation.
Have a project that helps connect neighbors and fosters relationships between them
The project is open to anyone in the community
The project addresses a shared need in the community
If the project is part of an organization, the organization must have an annual budget below $250,000
Have a community recommendation from a community member who lives in the area you serve.

About Weave: The Social Fabric Project

Weave: The Social Fabric Project is an initiative of the Aspen Institute dedicated to strengthening trust, connection, and belonging in communities across the United States. Weave supports everyday weavers—neighbors who show up for others, bridge divides, and build community. Through storytelling, online learning, community-building programs, and the Weaver Awards, Weave works to repair America’s social fabric from the ground up and lift up the people who are already leading this work in their neighborhoods. Learn more at weavers.org.