Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2008

About Jim Grim

Jim Grim earned a bachelor's degree in journalism, social work, and secondary education from Ball State University in 1980 and a master's degree in journalism from IU in 1988. He is currently the Director of Community School Partnerships at IUPUI Family, Schools, and Neighborhood Engagement. He works with area neighborhoods to develop and sustain community schools. A community school is a strategy that organizes community supports for student success, strengthening families and neighborhoods.

Grim was an adjunct faculty member in the IU School of Journalism for 20 years. Additionally, for 14 years, he was employed by nearby Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center as Director of School/Community Engagement for George Washington Community High School. There, he worked with more than 70 collaborating community partners to provide the necessary conditions for learning, and takes great pride in discussing the work with groups across the country. He has worked in the community school movement since 1993 when he joined the Indianapolis Public Schools and United Way of Central Indiana "Bridges to Success" initiative as a Marketing Committee Volunteer and later become one of its five Area School Coordinators for the IPS district. Previously he worked in public relations roles with Butler University, IUPUI, and Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), and taught high school journalism. In 2008, the Westside community honored him with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker of the Year Award.

Even before becoming the Director of Community School Partnerships at IUPUI, Grim facilitated the development of strategic and meaningful partnerships for George Washington Community Schools as its community school coordinator and learning communities initiative director. By 2008, this effort resulted in programs and services valued at more than $2 million annually for students, their families, and neighbors.

In addition to his work, Grim has served on the boards of the Ball State University Alumni Association, Youth As Resources, the Indianapolis Coalition for Community Schools, Indianapolis School Resource Network, and the Indiana Center for Family, School, and Community Partnerships. He has also served as President of his homeowners association, and is a member of the Community Schools Leadership Network with the Coalition for Community Schools/Institute for Educational Leadership. His writing has been widely published including a co-authored article in the Peabody Journal of Education (2013).