Institute of Quality Communities (IQC) extends grant application deadline to May 8th
The IQC announces the extension of the deadline for their upcoming community assistance projects. Originally set for April 17, the application deadline has been extended until May 8, 2020.
Since 2008, the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma has been working with Oklahoma communities, through their IQC program to help deliver environments that foster the quality of life that generations before took for granted. In working with communities, IQC students evaluate and provide possible solutions in areas of revitalizing Main Street, public spaces, walkability issues, and many more.
To date, the IQC program has assisted more than 28 Oklahoma counties, with over fifty (50) projects.
The philosophy of the IQC program is that the community provides the students a canvas from which to gather community. They build partnerships with city managers, mayors and civic organizations to identify challenges the communities may have. The community provides the students the opportunity to gather community input, analyze existing conditions, and develop conceptual planning and design solutions.
Not only do these projects help the students enrich their academic process with hands-on experience with real-world situations, the processes also enhance a community’s ability to garner fresh ideas and often, with outside-of-the-box ideas.
In 2016, IQC began its partnership with the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML). Each year, OML has awarded up to $10,000 in grants to the winning communities. OML Executive Director, Mike Fina said that the partnership between OML and IQC is unique and a valuable resource to our communities. “OML is happy to partner with the IQC in a program that assists our communities in projects that have such importance on quality of life issues and economic development for their residents. The students do a great job of assessing the needs of the communities and developing creative solutions,” Fina said.
To participate in the IQC program, Oklahoma communities are given the opportunity to apply for a grant each year. Communities will complete the grant with information about the project, details about community partnerships, and other important data.
The 2020 grant cycle begins with the open date for applications on Monday, March 2, 2020 and originally set for April 17, the application deadline has been extended until May 8, 2020. The grants will be available on www. http://iqc.ou.edu/ and on the OML website, www.oml.org.