The Iowa West Foundation will post new funding guidelines and procedures soon for proposals submitted after September 1, 2010.  Please check this page frequently for changes to our grant policies. 

Grant applicants must be an IRS-approved tax-exempt non-profit under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) as described in 501(c)(3), OR a school (applying via AEA-13) or other government entity.

The Foundation’s geographic focus is southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska, the primary focus being Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County with a secondary focus on contiguous counties.

To heighten the impact of its grant making, the Foundation is especially interested in leveraging its grants by partnering with other organizations, governmental entities, and funders.
 
The Foundation has a special interest in funding innovative programs that address community needs as well as facilities and physical improvements that will have a lasting positive impact on the community’s image and quality of life.

The Foundation will be considering grant applications covering a wide range of community needs with a focus on community development and beautification, economic development, education, and human and social needs. Every effort will be made to maintain a reasonable balance in awarding grants to the various areas of need.

In addition to responding to proposals, the Foundation may assume a proactive initiating role in addressing a community need when an existing mechanism or grantee organization is not available or suitable.

The Foundation will not fund operating deficits or provide long-term operating support; however, the Foundation will consider support for the start-up operating expenses directly associated with a new program or project that is consistent with our focus areas.

The Foundation is interested in leveraging its grant awards; therefore, applicants are encouraged to secure at a minimum a dollar-for-dollar match for their grant requests. In general, qualifying in-kind support shall not amount to more than 15 percent of total project costs.

The Foundation will remain flexible enough to respond to unique challenges, ideas, and projects that lie beyond its established focus areas, yet would fulfill our mission to improve lives and strengthen communities.

As needed, Foundation staff may assist grant applicants in refining their proposals in order to improve the proposal’s likelihood for success.

Grant recipients will be required to execute and return a grant award agreement within thirty days from the date they are notified of their grant award. Recipients also will be required to submit periodic reports during and following the grant period as stipulated by the approved grant.

No grant application will be approved that is inconsistent with the charitable tax status of the Foundation.

THE FOUNDATION DOES NOT FUND IN THESE CATEGORIES:

• Individuals (including scholarships outside of the Iowa West Foundation Scholarship Program)

• For-Profit businesses

• Organizations discriminating on the basis of age, race, sex, political affiliation, or religious belief

• Projects outside of southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska

• Church-affiliated organizations for religious purposes (as opposed to non-religious programs like child care, hunger centers, etc.)

• Propaganda or other efforts to influence legislation, political campaigns, levy
  campaigns, and other elections

• Fundraising, benefit, and social events such as galas and golf tournaments

• Capital requests for hospitals, medical facilities, assisted living projects, nursing homes, independent care, and extended care facilities

• Medical research

• Capital requests for improvements to school property

• Publications, films, books, seminars, symposia, conferences, and fundraising events

• Proposals that were rejected by the Foundation board within the previous 12 months