$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

What are the Weaver Awards?

The Weaver Awards are part of a constellation of activities designed to celebrate and support weavers—everyday neighbors who are building relationships, strengthening belonging, and weaving trust into the social fabric of their communities. The $2,500 awards for neighbors working together are easy to apply for, require only simple reporting.

Why are we launching the Weaver Awards in Eastern Iowa?

These awards will shine a light on the quiet leaders in our community and support the work they’re already doing to build trust, connection, and belonging.

What will you get if you become a Weaver Awardee?

Each Weaver Awardee will receive a financial award of $2,500 to celebrate and recognize their contributions to their community. In addition, each awardee will receive:

Local and National Recognition: Awardees will be recognized both locally and nationally by the Aspen Institute alongside weavers from across the country
Awardee Celebrations: Awardees will be celebrated by their local community foundation for their outstanding contributions to their communities. They will also be honored at a regional luncheon hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. This special gathering will bring together all 20 Eastern Iowa Weavers, providing an opportunity to connect, share stories, and celebrate the impact they are making across the region
Learning Resources and Tools: Awardees will access learning resources and opportunities

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

What makes a good candidate for a Weaver Award?

Weaving 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

We are looking for people with projects or initiatives that reflect these qualities. We are looking for folks that get neighbors together to tackle a shared issue in their community. The project must also welcome anyone who wants to join it and foster relationships between participants.

For examples of past weavers and their projects, click here.

How can you use the funds?

We believe that weavers know best how to use the funds to connect their communities. However, we do have a few restrictions:

Funds may not be used for:

Regranting funds
Large sums for items that are not for community use (i.e. building supplies for private use)
Purchasing items that would be donated to individual people (i.e. wheelchairs)
Tuition or certification fees

You can see a sample budget, as an example, here.

Who selects the Weaver Awardees?

A local advisory group, made up mainly of local community advocates, will choose the Awardees. These are people who know the spirit of the community and its neighborhoods. They care about weaving a strong social fabric and they know what it takes to do so.

Community Advisors

Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Clayton County Foundation for the Future
Foundation for the Future of Delaware County
Jackson County Community Foundation
LincolnWay Community Foundation

FAQ

How do I nominate someone for a Weaver Award?

Nominating someone is very simple. You only need to answer three questions that can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. You can access the nomination form on this page, starting on June 1st. To nominate someone, you must be 18 and older and live, work or learn 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. You may not nominate someone if you are a family member, a paid employee, or an institutional funder. Once you submit the nomination, the person you are recommending will be notified via email and has to fill out some additional information for their application to be completed. Please let them know that you’ve nominated them for a Weaver Award so they are expecting an email from us.

How long does it take to complete the application process?

The application has two parts, the nomination by a neighbor and the application by the aspiring Awardee. Each part can be completed in as little as 30 minutes and you can even submit video recordings instead of a written application.

Do you have to be attached to a nonprofit to get an Award?

No. Anyone can get the Award. You don’t have to have a formal organization. Weaver Awards are meant for those who don’t have the time, experience, or resources to apply for traditional awards.

I’m having trouble completing the application or recommendation form, what should I do?

Send an email to grants@dbqfoundation.org and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

Have additional questions?

About the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

Our Mission: Empower communities and ignite generosity.

Our Values:

Equity and Opportunity: Our region’s future depends on ensuring everyone can thrive
Collaboration: We believe communities that come together in service of a shared vision achieve great things
Stewardship: We believe in meeting the highest ethical and professional standards in all aspects of our work, from our relationships to our operations
Knowledge: We are a learning organization, continuously collecting data and insights from all corners of the community

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.

Contact Us

Amanda Willimack

Assistant Affiliate Advisor,

Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

amandaw@dbqfoundation.org

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Weaver Awards

Eastern Iowa 2026