{"id":129563,"date":"2026-01-30T13:36:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T18:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=129563"},"modified":"2026-04-12T18:31:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T22:31:29","slug":"129563","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2026\/01\/30\/129563\/","title":{"rendered":"City of Fort Wayne awarded DollarWise Innovation Grant"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

The United States Conference of Mayors\u2019 DollarWise Economic Mobility Campaign awarded its 2026 DollarWise Innovation Grants during USCM\u2019s 94th Winter Meeting.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

United States Conference of Mayors’ news release:<\/p>\n

Six Cities Awarded DollarWise Innovation Grants to Support Local Economic Mobility Efforts<\/strong>
\nAkron, OH; El Paso, TX; Fort Wayne, IN: Kent, WA; Las Vegas, NV; and Lincoln, NE Awarded Grants from the United States Conference of Mayors\u2019 DollarWise Campaign<\/em><\/p>\n

Washington, D.C. (January 30, 2026) \u2014 The United States Conference of Mayors\u2019 (USCM) DollarWise Economic Mobility Campaign awarded its 2026 DollarWise Innovation Grants during USCM\u2019s 94th Winter Meeting to mayors representing six cities: Akron (OH) Mayor Shammas Malik; El Paso (TX) Mayor Renard Johnson; Fort Wayne (IN) Mayor Sharon Tucker; Kent (WA) Mayor Dana Ralph; Las Vegas (NV) Mayor Shelley Berkley; and Lincoln (NE) Mayor Leirion Gaylor-Baird.<\/p>\n

Each city was awarded a $10,000 grant to launch or expand economic mobility efforts in their communities.<\/p>\n

Over the last 22 years, DollarWise has awarded grants to more than 100 cities nationwide to help communities improve their economic health and success. The DollarWise Innovation Grant Program identifies and supports substantive and impactful economic mobility initiatives that can be scaled and implemented in additional cities nationwide.<\/p>\n

\u201cEconomic mobility is about creating pathways for people to build stable, secure futures. For more than two decades, DollarWise has helped mayors turn innovative ideas into real, measurable progress for families and workers in their cities,\u201d said Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. \u201cThis year\u2019s Innovation Grant recipients reflect the creativity, leadership and dedication mayors bring to expanding economic opportunity in communities across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

The DollarWise Innovation Grants are made possible through the generous support of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, DollarWise\u2019s founding sponsor.<\/p>\n

The following descriptions highlight each program and how the DollarWise grants will be used:<\/p>\n

2026 Innovation Grant Award Recipients<\/strong><\/p>\n