COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA (September 3, 2019) — Google and Governor Kim Reynolds awarded Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center (EMBARC) as the "People’s Choice" winner following a neck-and-neck, week-long poll that asked Iowans to choose one nonprofit that they believe has put forth the most innovative and impactful proposal to create economic opportunity for the state. Gov Reynolds was on hand to congratulate all five Google.org Impact Challenge winners.
“Google’s investment in Iowa is a reflection of our people’s ability to innovate,” said Gov Reynolds. "These opportunities are fueling economic growth, allowing Iowans’ ingenuity and strong work ethic to drive competition on a global scale.”
EMBARC was chosen from five Google.org Impact Challenge Iowa winners who were announced last week when public voting kicked off. The Google team recognized all five organizations during an event this morning at the Iowa West Foundation in Council Bluffs and they received their respective $175,000 in grant funding.
“Google is proud to support the innovative ideas of these five nonprofits as they work to create economic opportunity for Iowans all across the state,” said Dan Harbeke, Head of External Affairs for Google in Iowa. “Congratulations to today’s winners, especially EMBARC, who was chosen by fellow Iowans as the People’s Choice.”
As the "People’s Choice" winner, EMBARC received an additional $125,000 in funding. Overall, the Google.org Impact Challenge Iowa has awarded $1 million to nonprofits across the state.
“This is especially significant because refugee and immigrant community members can connect with employers and educational opportunities,” said Henny Ohr, Executive Director of EMBARC. “Now our program will be able to grow to better meet the needs of new Iowans.”
Google.org Impact Challenge Iowa "People’s Choice" Winner:
- Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center: RefugeeRISE leverages the power of community by training emerging leaders from refugee communities to become work-readiness trainers. RISE leaders connect and support fellow refugees with education, jobs, and services to increase economic opportunities for refugees and economic growth in Iowa.
Google.org Impact Challenge Winners:
- Buena Vista University’s Lamberti Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation: An innovative Match-Learn-Launch succession program for budding entrepreneurs, this program features an app designed to match new entrepreneurs with retiring business owners, offering mentoring and education from time of match to new launch.
- Four Mounds Foundation: Expanding its youth HEART (Housing Education and Rehabilitation Training) program to serve young adults who are disconnected from work. Participants are immersed in authentic restoration projects that build skills, revitalize urban core, and build economic vibrance, while getting paid and receiving college certification.
- Iowa JAG Inc: Helping young people in Iowa who have experienced significant challenges uncover their innate power and resiliency by creating customized and in-depth plans that put students directly on track to a fulfilling and meaningful career by connecting them with employers in high-demand industries.
- The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative: Expanding their current coding boot camp to train incarcerated individuals to become software developers and find gainful employment opportunities upon their release. NewBoCo in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Corrections and this partnership will be piloted in the Iowa Women's Correctional Institution in Mitchellville, Iowa.
The Google.org Impact Challenge Iowa winners were chosen by an all-star panel of judges including Dr Dan Kinney, President of Iowa Western Community College, Georgia Van Gundy from the Iowa Business Council, Monica Chavez-Silva, Board Chair of Iowa Council of Foundations and Assistant Vice President for Community Enhancement at Grinnell College, Sherry Ristau from the Quad Cities Community Foundation, and Tej Dhawan from Principal Financial Group
This year, Google celebrates the 10 year anniversary of its Council Bluffs data center facility. Google has invested more than $2.5 billion in developing the facility, and is committed to continuing to provide opportunity to Iowans across the state. In addition to the Impact Challenge funds, Google has also awarded more than $1.5 million to local schools and nonprofits since 2009. In Google’s 2018 Economic Impact Report, the company announced that 7,100 businesses in Iowa generated $1.04 billion in economic activity by using Google’s search and advertising tools. The full report details Google’s economic impact state-by-state, and features the stories of businesses fueling that growth, creating job opportunities, and transforming their communities.
