Micah House, an emergency shelter with programs to serve families, is one of five agencies becoming part of the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus in Council Bluffs. A Foundation grant assisted with the development of the new campus site.
Located between Minden and Shelby Iowa The Carstens 1880 Farmstead is a living history museum of how farming practices have evolved from hand labor to horse machinery to tractors in order to reach their mission of preserving and celebrating Iowa’s farm history. The Carstens Farmstead gives visitors a look at the things that have formed our rural heritage. The Carstens Farmstead has been the recipient of numerous grants from the Iowa West Foundation.
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is a free tourist destination in downtown Council Bluffs. The museum provides an opportunity for local residents and visitors to learn about the history of the railroad in the Council Bluffs area, to experience the role of the railroad
in settling the nation, and to see how a modern-day freight railroad operates. More than 100,000 visitors from all fifty states and forty foreign countries have enjoyed the museum since its opening in 2003. The museum has been the recipient of numerous grants from the Iowa West Foundation.
Rising 200 feet above the flat plains along the Missouri River, the Loess Hills form a narrow band running north-south for nearly 200 miles. The steep angles and sharp bluffs on the western side of the Loess Hills are in sharp contrast to the flat croplands. The Loess Hills are a rare geologic feature and home to several endangered plant and animal species. Because they are extremely fragile, perservation efforts are of great importance. The Iowa West Foundation has provided grants to various organizations to assist with the perservation of the Loess Hills.
Recently the Foundation provided support to Mercy Housing to provide computer labs for residents. Many grass roots organizations throughout the area are committed to assisting families to improve their lives. Funding from the Foundation has gone into social programs including child abuse prevention, homeless shelters, after school enrichment, family nutrition, home rehabilitation and quality low to moderate income housing.
The Iowa West Foundation's continued commitment to education is critical to the future growth and prosperity of our region. Among our broad education philanthropy is our support of the Pottawattamie County Preschool Program, an early education intiative that serves 4 year olds throughout the county.
The Iowa West Foundation has made numerous grants to the City of Council Bluffs for the creation of a master plan for the former Playland (Amusement) Park site as well as the adjacent 100 acre nature on the Missouri River side of the levee. The Playland Park site has been the focal point of connectivity between residents of Council Bluffs and Omaha for more than a century. Today the site continues to have numerous assets including magnificent view of the Missouri River and the Omaha skyline; a 100 acre nature area; a new iconic $25 million Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge that links a series of trails in Council Bluffs, Omaha and beyond; potential sites for public art; and a prime location for a new urbanist residential development located only minutes away from Omaha's Old Market.
Support of projects for seniors and life long learning programs continue to be important priorities of our organization. The Foundation has supported senior services during seasonal emergencies, improvements to community centers and training for caregiver's of persons with Alzheimer's.
The Council Bluffs Public Library recently celebrated 10 years at its 400 Willow Avenue location. Numerous grants from the Iowa West Foundation have been awarded over the years to assist this important community asset.
The library is a place for young and old alike to learn, relax, and come together. From providing children's storytimes and study tools for teens to an extensive collection and databases, the Council Bluffs Public Library continues to grow minds and opportunities.
With a grant from the Iowa West Foundation, Artspace Projects is currently working to develop affordable live/work space for artists in the former implement district of Council Bluffs Iowa. Artspace Projects is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create, foster and preserve affordable space for artists and arts organizations. Why artists? Over the last 20 years Artspace's live/work developments have served as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization across the country. The community that evolves within an artist live/work project soon breathes new life, energy and stability into a neighborhood and its surrounding areas. Other neighborhood investment typically follows within three years of the completion of an artists' live/work project, creating an increase in visitors to the area, economic development and new cultural activity.
