Partner Impact on Social Determinants Of Health
Otto Schoitz Foundation funds local nonprofit organizations providing transformative services across the social determinants of health (SDOH)*.
Social determinants are root causes in an individual’s health and wellbeing and include conditions in which we are born, live, learn, work, play, and age.
By taking a comprehensive view of the Cedar Valley, the Foundation prioritizes efforts that support both the needs of individuals as well as the community as a whole. Our most recent grant awards fuel projects to nuture the needs of children and their families, address food insecurity, support newcomer communities, and create a more inclusive community.
Read on to learn the SDOH impact of a few of our latest grant partners.
*SDOH framework including domains, goals and conditions as defined by US Department of Health and Human Services. More can be found at https://health.gov/healthypeople.
Education
Goal: Increase educational opportunities and the proportion of children who are developmentally on track and ready for school.
This domain includes conditions such as educational attainment in general, high school graduation, enrollment in higher education, language and literacy, early childhood education & development.
Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is committed to building safer, healthier futures for Iowa’s youngest residents. Each year, through its early childhood programs, LSI supports more than 2,200 at-risk children and families in Black Hawk County helping to prevent child abuse, strengthen family resilience, and ensure every child has a safe and nurturing start in life.
In 2023 alone, 342 cases of confirmed or founded child abuse were reported in Black Hawk County—over half involving children under age five. LSI’s prevention-first approach addresses these alarming statistics by investing in families early. Through its HOPES program, LSI provides free, voluntary, in-home support to expectant parents and families with children under age five. Services focus on parenting education, child development, and reducing risk factors for abuse. Families typically remain enrolled for 3–5 years, receiving long-term support that has a proven track record.
As further support to families, LSI leads the county’s Coordinated Intake system, a single point of entry for early childhood services that simplifies access for families and reduces duplication among local providers. LSI also operates the Baby Safety Project, which supplies essential items like car seats and pack-n-plays to families in need. Each item comes with one-on-one education to promote proper use and safe sleep practices.
Otto Schoitz Foundation funding supports LSI’s early childhood initiatives to help children grow up safe, supported, and ready to thrive.
Economic Stability
Goal: Help people access resources essential to one's life and wellbeing.
This domain includes conditions such as poverty, housing stability, food security, and employment.
The Northeast Iowa Food Bank serves as a vital resource for individuals and families across the Cedar Valley, working to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food. Through partnerships with local nonprofits and community programs, the Food Bank not only distributes food but also provides hunger education to empower long-term food security.
Food insecurity is rising sharply in Black Hawk County. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, 15,470 people—including 5,770 children—are food insecure locally, a 33% increase from the previous year. In response, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank has launched a capital campaign to expand and modernize its services in Black Hawk County. Plans include increasing cold storage, enhancing volunteer space, modernizing equipment, and creating a more accessible on-site pantry. The expanded facility will also include educational areas where families can learn about nutrition, cooking, and gardening—skills that support lasting self-sufficiency. With these capital improvements, NEIFB aims to increase meal distribution from 8.4 to 10.5 million meals and increase the number of children served by 10%.
Funding from Otto Schoitz Foundation supports NEIFB’s efforts to sustain and expand services to ensure no child, senior, or family in the Cedar Valley goes without the food they need.
Social and Community Context
Goal: Increase social and community support.
This domain includes conditions such as cohesion within community, workplace conditions, civic participation and other supportive environments.
North Star Community Services empowers individuals with diagnosed disabilities to live meaningful, inclusive, and independent lives through skill-building and personalized support. Serving more than 200 individuals in Black Hawk County, North Star provides essential services that enhance health, functional abilities, and quality of life while enabling people to thrive as active, valued members of the community.
As demand for disability services continues to grow—driven by population increases, longer life expectancy, and the aging of family caregivers—North Star currently has a waiting list of 50 people in Waterloo alone. To respond to the growing need, North Star is expanding its innovative Direct Support Professional (DSP) Apprenticeship Program. This program, the first and only of its kind in the area, prepares skilled professionals to assist with personal care, health needs, transportation, recreation, and daily living support. The apprenticeship program not only helps address this workforce shortage, but also creates accessible career pathways for individuals who may not pursue higher education—offering a “learn as you earn” opportunity with recognized, portable certifications.
Funding from Otto Schoitz Foundation supports North Star as it grows its impact—expanding access to life-changing services and helping create a more inclusive and supportive community for all.
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Goal: Create neighborhoods and environments that promote health & safety and create opportunities for connection & interaction.
This domain includes conditions such as quality of housing, parks & other amenities, availability of healthy foods, access to transportation, and the creation of safe, supportive communities.
The Waterloo Urban Farmers Market (WUFM) is a vital community hub, creating a welcoming space in Waterloo’s downtown and North End that connects residents with fresh, sustainably grown food, while strengthening the local economy and addressing barriers to food access. WUFM supports local farmers, artisans, and small businesses through 26 annual events that attract approximately 1,000 visitors each week during the growing season.
Through community partnerships, The Farmers Market is actively working to confront food insecurity and related health disparities that disproportionately affect Waterloo’s underserved neighborhoods. The Farmer Market's initiatives promote both immediate access and long-term community wellness including acceptance of food vouchers and assistance programs. New projects like Garden 2 Market 2 Table—a partnership with We Arose Co-Op and Boys & Girls Clubs—connect youth with gardening, food preparation, and market participation. The Greens Together initiative delivers fresh produce to North End families, and the Waste Not… program promotes composting, food rescue, and sustainability.
Otto Schoitz Foundation funding supports the efforts of Waterloo Urban Farmers Market to grow access to fresh, affordable food, enhance health & economic opportunity while helping to build a more vibrant Cedar Valley.
Health And Health Care
Goal: Increase access to comprehensive, high-quality health care services.
This domain includes conditions such as availability of health care including primary and mental health services, health insurance coverage, and health literacy.
The River ARC is dedicated to empowering African refugees and immigrants in Waterloo through culturally specific support that enhances health access, education, and community well-being. With African immigrants—particularly from the Democratic Republic of Congo—representing a growing population in Black Hawk County, the need for culturally responsive services has increased. Barriers such as language differences, unfamiliar healthcare systems, and social stigma have created deep disparities in access to care, especially in the areas of mental health, maternal health, and preventive services.
The River ARC works to bridge these gaps through a range of direct and community-based services. These include weekly walk-in clinics that provide advocacy, system navigation, and interpretation services; wellness education programs in partnership with local health institutions; and culturally relevant food security initiatives. The organization’s annual “French Health Fair” and other educational events build health literacy and reduce stigma in culturally resonant ways. In collaboration with UNI’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, and others, The River ARC also supports 30 African diaspora gardeners with land access and nutrition education.
Funding from Otto Schoitz Foundation supports The River ARC’s efforts to create a healthier, more inclusive Cedar Valley for African newcomers and their families.
