The City of Iowa City's Neighborhood Outreach Program has announced the recipients of the latest round of Program for Improving Neighborhoods (PIN) Grants.
For over 30 years, the Neighborhood Outreach Program has helped strengthen Iowa City’s neighborhoods. The PIN Grant funds a wide range of events, programs, and initiatives that help create spaces where neighbors can connect, collaborate, and feel a sense of belonging.
By creating consistent, community-led gatherings, neighborhood associations aim to foster a stronger sense of belonging, increase neighbor-to-neighbor support, and build a more engaged community where people feel connected and invested in one another.
Grant recipients
City Council allocated $20,000 to the PIN Grant program for FY2026, with a maximum grant amount of $3,000 per neighborhood association. The following neighborhood associations have been awarded funding to implement projects that align with the grant program’s mission.
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The Creekside Neighborhood Association is bringing neighbors together through a series of engaging socials. Each first Sunday of the month, neighbors will gather at McPherson Park, which will provide a welcoming space to socialize, share ideas, and strengthen community connections.
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Deweyville will host its annual block party, bringing together longtime residents, newcomers, and even former neighbors for a celebration featuring food, music, and conversation. The event promotes connection, identifies shared concerns among households, and strengthens the collective voice of the neighborhood.
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The Eastside Neighborhood Association will host a series of inclusive monthly events designed to build connection, reduce social isolation, and strengthen community ties. Activities include an outdoor movie screening, boardgame extravaganza, cookie swap, and a Fall gathering.
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Galway Hills will grow its annual summer potluck into a larger, more dynamic neighborhood celebration. The event will bring neighbors together, foster a stronger sense of community, and create meaningful connections across the neighborhood.
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Goosetown, a first time PIN Grant recipient, will host its annual Bratluck, a neighborhood cookout event that brings folks together to relax, welcome new faces, and enjoy the great outdoors.
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The Longfellow Neighborhood Association will continue a variety of community-building efforts, including a printed annual newsletter, Front Porch Music Festival, and monthly social gatherings, all aimed at improving the sense of connection among residents.
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The Manville Heights Neighborhood Association will host a Chautauqua event. Chautauquas are educational and social assemblies that were popular in the 1920s. About 100 years ago, traveling Chautauquas would set up in Manville Heights because of its proximity to railroad lines and host community gatherings of singing, music, art, and literature. Residents hope to build on the rich history by creating a modern, welcoming experience for today’s neighbors.
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The Morningside-Glendale Neighborhood Association will bring neighbors together through seasonal events designed to strengthen relationships, share awareness of local resources, and build a more connected, resilient neighborhood.
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The Northside Neighborhood Association will host its annual neighborhood gathering to bring together residents from different parts of the neighborhood. The event will feature food, live music, and opportunities for neighbors to meet, socialize, and strengthen community connections.
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The South District Neighborhood Association is expanding its efforts to engage residents. They will organize more intimate gatherings like game nights, shared meals, and front porch concerts. Funds will also go towards constructing a permanent, concrete game board table to encourage intergenerational connection and social interaction.
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The Wylde-Weeber neighborhood will host an ice cream social to encourage connection and build community spirit. The event offers a lighthearted way for neighbors to meet, mingle, and enjoy time together.
