About Extend the Dream Foundation

Extend The Dream Foundation (EDF) was founded as a non-profit organization in Iowa in 1997. In 1999 it redefined its target to serve persons with disabilities and the aging.

EDF sponsors a series of Uptown Bill’s projects in memory of its namesake, Bill Sackter. Bill, a mentally challenged man, who had been forced to spend nearly a half century as an “inmate” in an institution, ended up as one of the most well loved and respected members of the community in Iowa City, where he spent the last eight years of his life. Two award winning movies were made about his life: “Bill” (1981) and “Bill on His Own” (1983).

EDF Uptown Bill’s projects include:

1. Uptown Bill’s Coffee House & Neighborhood Arts Center

2. Uptown Bill’s Media Project   

3. KICI. 105.3 FM. Local Radio Project  

4. Bookstore. The bookstore at Uptown Bill’s has a wide variety of books available for reading or purchase.

Location

730 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City (A business in the Coffee House)

EDF now with a local film production company has finished the major 90 minute documentary on the life of Bill Sackter, “A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter Story.”

Board of Directors

The current Board of Directors of EDF includes:

• Joe Brisben
• Douglas Bissell
• Jason Grubbe (Interim Manager)
• Holly Hart
• Jeffrey Morgan
• Mitch Rotman
• Keith Ruff
• Rus Schomers
• Connie Sherman
• Mary Vasey