The Iowa West Foundation, which is headquartered in Council Bluffs, has announced more than $5.8 million in grants for the first quarter of 2008. The grants will be used to assist 32 non-profit organizations and governmental entities with funding for area projects, and are highlighted by a $1.3 million grant for early childhood education.
"Increasing educational attainment is at the top of our community goals list," said Todd Graham, Executive Director and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, "and, in addition to the large preschool award to help achieve that, there are nine other youth education-related grants."
Graham highlighted the education grants.
• $1.3 million for early childhood education at preschools throughout Pottawattamie County school districts. Loess Hills Area Education Agency 13 received the grant, which follows an earlier five-year $7 million grant for these schools previously awarded by the foundation.
• $500,000 for the Iowa West Foundation scholarship program, which assists 25 high school students - from southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska - attend college.
• $87,121 will support Lutheran Family Services' education programs in Council Bluffs for families, especially guidance for parents to provide healthy family environments.
• $51,000 for science and conservation programming at the Hitchcock Nature Center in the Loess Hills near Crescent (IA). The Pottawattamie County Conservation Board received the grant.
• $25,000 to engage local students, youth, and families in an Opera Omaha premier production of "The Blizzard Voices" at the Arts Center, which is located at Iowa Western Community College.
• $20,000 for R.E.S.P.E.C.T.2, which is an outreach program to southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska schools. Through educational theatre, it teaches students to make appropriate choices when challenged with abusive relationships.
• $16,820 for a program called "Aim for the Stars," which includes regional hands-on science and math summer camps for youth. It is coordinated by the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
• $5,000 to the Omaha Symphonic Chorus for a "World Music Celebration" in Council Bluffs involving area students.
• $2,000 to the Center for the Advancement of Self-Sufficiency for programs to assist students with special needs in the Atlantic (IA) area.
• $2,000 for "traveling trunks" to educate children about the Historic Dodge House, which is located in Council Bluffs.
Chuck Smith, Iowa West Foundation President, explained that the education grants "stand out," but "many grants also address needs in our other focus areas of community development, economic development, and human services."
Funding for the Foundation's grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association (IWRA), which receives contracted fees from casino operators - Ameristar and Harrah's.
IWRA distributes funds to the Foundation, which is an independent 501 (c) (3) organization that makes grants in southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska. The Iowa West Foundation is one of the largest community-based private foundations in the Midwest. Its grants have improved the lives of thousands of citizens in more than 100 communities.
Requests for applications for the third quarter of 2008 will be accepted through July 1, 2008. Completed applications will be due July 15. The deadline to request applications for the second quarter has passed. For more information including deadlines, interested organizations may visit the Foundation's website at www.iowawestfoundation.org or contact Deb Debbaut, Grants Manager, at 712-309-3003. Applicants may apply on-line through the web site.
