Welcome to Dream City

Dream | Believe | Achieve

Empowering Communities. Transforming Lives.

Black modern two-story building with large glass windows, sign reading 'DREAM CITY,' two leafless trees in front, and a sidewalk and parking space.

Dream City's mission is to inspire and empower youth, families, and entrepreneurs by building meaningful connections through advocacy, arts, community development, small business growth, and wellness.


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VALUE STATEMENT

A group of people, including a woman with glasses and a young girl, are inside a well-lit room with large windows and balloons in the background. The woman is smiling and sitting while talking to a man showing her something on a device, with a child holding a colorful sippy cup standing nearby. Other individuals are in the background, engaged in conversations.

Dream City is a community-powered nonprofit rooted in equity, collective care, and lived experience. We exist to ensure that people, especially those historically excluded, have access to the relationships, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Too many people navigate systems that were never designed with their lived experiences in mind. Dream City exists to change that by building spaces rooted in care, dignity, and opportunity.

We believe transformation happens through trust, consistency, and compassion paired with excellence.

OUR PROGRAMS

A group of four women engaged in conversation outdoors, smiling, with one woman waving and holding a smartphone.

Strengthening families and caregivers through connection, education, and community support.

Legacy Builders Network

Four young women standing outside a building with large glass windows, making peace signs and posing for the photo, with a parking lot and other people in the background.

Developing youth leaders through mentorship, leadership development, youth conferences, and real-world workforce opportunities.

NexGen Leadership Collective

Explore Our Programs
A diverse group of people sitting around two long black tables arranged in a U-shape in a conference room. Some are taking notes or using laptops. In the front, some attendees are eating meals. At the far end, a panel of speakers, some with microphones, participate in a discussion. The room has large windows, a wooden floor, and two large screens on black stands.

Empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, and community-drive economic development.

Impact Builders Hub

OUR COMMUNITY SPACES

  • A large indoor gathering with people seated at round tables covered with white tablecloths, some pumpkins on the tables, and a buffet line with food on the left side of the room. The room has high ceilings with exposed pipes and modern lighting, large windows along the back wall, and a crowd of diverse individuals including children.

    A. Jordan Event Space

    A flexible venue for events, workshops, celebrations, trainings, and performances, seating up to 150 guests.

    $150/hr weekdays (daily cap $1200)

    $200/hr weekends (daily cap $1500)

  • A large group of people gathered in a dark auditorium watching a stage performance. The stage has performers singing or speaking, with some gesturing. The audience appears engaged, some standing, others seated. The scene is illuminated by blue and white lights, with a large screen in the background displaying faint text.

    Dream City's Auditorium

    Our largest venue for conferences, graduations, performances, keynote events, and community gatherings, seating up to 235 guests.

    $225/hr weekdays (daily cap $1,800)

    $250/hr weekends (daily cap $2,000)

  • Commercial stainless steel kitchen with three ovens and a large vent hood.

    DC's Commercial Kitchen

    Licensed commercial kitchen available for food entrepreneurs, caterers, and culinary professionals.

    $30/hr (weekdays) (daily cap $240)

    $40/hr weekends (daily cap $320)

    Available 24/7 for approved users

  • A classroom or conference room with about 14 people attending a presentation. Most are seated at tables with some using laptops. There is a large screen at the front displaying a presentation titled 'Setting the Foundation for Social Media Growth.' The room has a tiled ceiling with fluorescent lights and beige carpeting.

    Classrooms

    Three fully equipped classrooms ideal for workshops, trainings, meetings, and educational programming.

    $40/hr weekdays (daily caps $320)

    $50/hr weekends (daily caps $360)

  • Empty office conference room with desks, chairs, and telephones, illuminated by ceiling lights and natural light from large windows.

    Coworking Space

    Professional workspace designed for entrepreneurs, creatives, remote workers, and nonprofit leaders.

    Dedicated Desk Membership

    $225/month

  • Micro Retail Space

    A business space designed to support entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking an affordable and professional environment to grow their business.

    Currently Available: Barber Chair Rentals

Request Space at Dream City

Community Access Pricing

Every Dream City rental includes standard room setup, tables and chairs (where applicable), room reset, facility support during your reservation, and post-event cleaning. Additional fees apply only for services outside of standard setup or for damages beyond normal use.

Discounted Rates Available

Dream City is committed to keeping quality community space accessible.

  • Community Partners (formal partnership): 10%

  • Qualified nonprofits, schools, faith communities, neighborhood associations, and government entities: up to 10% based on mission alignment and availability.

Discount eligibility is determined by Dream City.

Pricing effective July 1, 2026.

Dream City exists to serve the community while maintaining a safe, welcoming, and sustainable facility. Rental rates help support ongoing operations, facility maintenance, and community programming throughout the year.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Explore Our Events

Dream City Presents

Save the Date

DreamFest 2026

Celebrating 14 years of Dream City and one year at 611 Southgate

August
29
2026

Saturday

Time 12:00 PM–7:00 PM
Location Dream City

611 Southgate Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52240

Join us for a free community celebration featuring live music, food, local vendors, family activities, a kids zone, building tours, and opportunities to connect with the Dream City community.

Live Music Food Local Vendors Kids Zone Building Tours
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Free and open to the entire community.

Make An Impact.

Support Dream City’s Mission And Vision.

Donate Today

Our Funding Partners

Silhouette of Iowa City skyline with buildings and trees, with the text 'City of Iowa City' below.
Johnson County logo with black skyline and green fields on orange and black background.