Small Dollar Big Impact 2020 Year-End Review

Looking Back on a Year of Impact

Small Dollar, Big Impact grants are exactly what the name describes – simple, short-term, low-cost solutions that could have remarkable impacts on the shaping of neighborhoods and cities. Take a look back at the recipients of the SDBI grant from 2020.

To learn more about this program, visit www.aarp.org/wisdbi.

The Osceola Area Chamber and Main Street Program's Picnic-to-Go
This program transformed the entire town into a food court with newly designated eating areas spread out throughout town and in the parks. The program has three components:
1. Expanded and identified picnic areas and tables.
2. Picnic-to-Go Kits.
3. Promotions over the summer.
During the event period, participating restaurants offered a special Pick-to-Go meal package along with other choices.
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The East Side BID #20 of Milwaukee
The Small Dollar, Big Impact grant helped fund an effort to convert an underutilized public space into a usable community gathering space that includes nearly a dozen new picnic tables painted by local artists.
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The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums/City of Platteville Museum Department of Platteville
This project will expand, beautify and make the Gail E. & Wes E. Kopp Memorial Pollinator Garden available in all seasons for the community to enjoy.
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Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce's Movies Under the Stars
After winning the Small Dollar, Big Impact Grant this summer, Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce invested the $1,000 prize into their community in a way that will keep on giving for years to come. When organizers discovered that renting equipment was roughly the same cost as owning it, they decided to use the grant money to help purchase a high lumen projector and contribute to the movie licensing fees. Using a local Slumberland parking lot to serve as the gathering space, Beaver Dam’s Movie Under the Stars gave people the chance to see family-friendly movies like Goonies and Avengers: Infinity War for free this summer.
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On Broadway, Inc. of Green Bay
"In our world today, there are a lot of people struggling and a lot of voices that want to be heard. To bring people together and share the good word, On Broadway would like to create a community insta-mural with a sign that has the capability for the messaging to be switched out monthly,” said Brian H. Johnson, Executive Director of On Broadway, Inc.
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Vliet Street Oasis
Vliet Street in Milwaukee’s Near West Side has been transformed by local businesses and residents of the Martin Drive, Cold Spring Park, and Washington Park neighborhoods. The Vliet Street Oasis will bring life to a vacant city-owned lot and serve as a vital fresh-food access point and community gathering space, supporting a neighborhood farmers market and area restaurants.
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Havenwoods Economic Development Corporation's Villard Distract Mural Project
The Villard District Mural Project calls for installing five murals in the neighborhood in an effort to celebrate and uplift the community, while showcasing local Milwaukee artists.
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Village of Rochester - Seven Waters Bike Trail
The park committee will use the grant to purchase and install a trailhead kiosk for the Seven Waters Bike Trail near a parking and rest area in Case Eagle Park. The kiosk will be used to post a map of the bike trail with a mileage log showing distances between key destinations and features; to post information on other nearby outdoor recreational opportunities; and to post information on community events.
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Serving Older Adults Newsletter
Cathy Wood, President/CEO of Serving Older Adults, said, "This grant will help us make a connection to the seniors we serve through a newsletter designed to help them get resources they need and let them know we are thinking of them and connect them to services in the community.

“A mailing to the 5,000 seniors we serve is the only way for us to reach each and every one of the participants who have passed through our doors and provide them with a lifeline to resources and activities that we are currently offering during this time of sheltering at home and ways for them to get involved from the comfort of their homes."
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Fountain City's Little Free Library
With the grant money, the city plans to turn an old unused office space just off the lobby area of the historic auditorium into “The Nook – a Little Free Community Library”. With the efforts of several enthusiastic volunteers, they plan to clean out the office space, add shelving, and stock The Nook with an assortment of books, games, videos, magazines, and newspapers for residents of all ages.
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Aeroponic Vertical Gardens for the Waupaca Senior Center
“This is a simple, low-cost investment in the physical, social, and mental health of senior citizens in our community,” said Sara Reybrock, Senior Center Coordinator, who added that the garden will do more than just supply senior citizens with year-round access to organic greens and herbs. “It will also foster social participation for senior center members who create communal meals and snacks from the harvest.”
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