Identifying Countywide Needs and Priorities

Dr. Mark A. Edelman, Director

Community Vitality Center ISU Extension Policy Economist

What Do you Want your Countywide Committee To Do?

1. Develop Strategic Projects– Survey County Needs – Develop Projects that Meet Strategic Purposes– As Eligible Entity Fund Own Projects

2. Manage Matching Grant Program – Survey County Needs – Accept Proposals from Other Eligible Entities– Fund Grants Across County

3. Community Philanthropy Enhancement– Leverage Gambling Funds in Philanthropy Initiatives – Organize Mechanisms to Tap Transfer of Wealth – Attract Donors for Hometown Legacies

SURVEY Options 1. Guess about Priorities

• Potential Criticism?

2. Mail Survey • Response Rate?

3. Focus Group Survey• Representative of Desired Population?

4. Phone Survey• Consistency of Interviews?

Application requires Identifying Countywide Needs

www.extension.iastate.edu/cd-dial/

See online Brochure:

CD-DIAL works with communities, organizations, and state and local agencies to assist and build decision-making capacity in these groups, especially as they collect and use information about their local population members or the constituents they serve.

Draft Survey Template at www.cvcia.org

Sample Question From CVC Template:

II. Identification of Priorities 3. As you consider the economic vitality and quality of life available in your county, please

rate the following areas of community life in terms of priority need for additional resources. (Please rank each item on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 = No Priority, 2 = Low Priority, 3 = Average Priority, 4 = High Priority, and 5 = Very High Priority.)

___a. Affordable Housing ___b. Attracting Donors for Community Projects___c. Early Childhood Education & Daycare ___d. Elder Care & Support Services ___e. Entrepreneurship Training & Mentoring___f. Healthcare and Wellness Programs ___g. Public Library Programs ___h. Low Income Assistance Programs___i. Quality Jobs and Economic Development___j. Police, Fire and Emergency Services___k. Natural Resources, Parks & Conservation___l. Senior Activities & Programs___m. Youth & Recreation Activities___n. Other____________________________________