Aerial photo overlooking southwest Iowa
The Iowa West Foundation, Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, and City of Council Bluffs—together with the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Center for Public Affairs Research—are conducting the Council Bluffs Area Survey to better understand what attracts people to live and work in our community and what supports long-term satisfaction and success. Why this matters: […]
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Funding supports events for residents + tourists alike; housing continues to be a focus The Iowa West Foundation (IWF) continues to inject funds into non-profit organizations that retain residents and attract visitors to Council Bluffs, while also adding to the housing stock to allow more people to call Pottawattamie County home. The Board of Directors […]
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Council Bluffs, IA — In a fairground game-changer, Iowa West Foundation announced a $2.5 million lead gift to Council Bluffs’ Westfair as part of a multi-phased $34 million campaign to revitalize the beloved fairgrounds and amphitheater and enhance the visitor experience for years to come. For 50 years, Westfair has been a cornerstone of the […]
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Iowa West recently welcomed two Pottawattamie County residents as new board members to the organization. Laura Heisterkamp and Sarah Yrkoski will begin their four-year terms in January 2025. Both women bring a wealth of experience, Heisterkamp as the assistant vice president of bulk marketing and sales and Yrkoski as the general director for workforce resources, […]
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Funding supports economic development and amenities in rural southwest Iowa communities (Council Bluffs, IA) – Rual communities in southwest Iowa continue to build and thrive, thanks in part to an Iowa West Foundation economic development program that supports infrastructure in Pottawattamie County. Nearly $1 million in grant funding was awarded to five southwest Iowa towns with […]
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Funding supports ASPIRE workforce education initiative and the fight against hunger in SWI (Council Bluffs, IA) – The future of career-based education in Pottawattamie County is strong, with the Iowa West Foundation committing nearly $1 million to local school districts and education partners as part of its ASPIRE investments for the second year. The initiative allows […]
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A total of $114,000 is being awarded to 12 volunteer fire departments in southwest Iowa (Council Bluffs, IA) – Volunteers for local southwest Iowa fire departments went above and beyond in the aftermath of recent tornadoes that damaged homes and businesses in Pottawattamie County. According to Jacob Nelson with the Minden Volunteer Fire Department, his colleagues […]
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Professional development and mentoring opportunities support leadership growth for women who live or work in Pottawattamie County (COUNCIL BLUFFS) –The Iowa West Foundation recently celebrated the graduation of nine participants from its leadership program. The program was designed to provide access to professional development and coaching opportunities, resulting in community leadership growth for women of […]
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Funding supports access to preschool, playgrounds, and financial freedom (Council Bluffs, IA) – A recent report from the Iowa Department of Education found that Pottawattamie County ranked No. 1 in Iowa for kindergarteners’ early literacy skills, a significant increase over the past five years. Since 2008, Iowa West Foundation has invested more than $18 million in […]
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Local law enforcement will receive a discounted rate to utilize the space for training The community is invited to attend an open house and ribbon cutting for The Best Jiu Jitsu, an addition to The Best Wrestler at the Iowa West Wrestling Center that adjoins the Iowa West Field House on Saturday, Feb. 10th at […]
View PostFrom murals to main streets, fire stations to childcare centers—rural communities across Pottawattamie County are thriving thanks to local partnerships and the support of the Iowa West Foundation. This video celebrates the people, places, and projects shaping the future of small-town Iowa. Hear directly from residents, business owners, and local leaders as they share what makes their towns strong—and how strategic investments are helping them grow even stronger.
The Iowa West Racing Association (IWRA) was created when the state of Iowa passed laws requiring gaming licenses to be either held or sponsored by nonprofit organizations. The IWRA is the nonprofit license holder for Horseshoe Casino (formerly Bluffs Run) and the license sponsor Ameristar and Harrah’s casinos. The latter two operators pay license fees to the IWRA. In addition, two transactions in 1999 and 2004 involving Bluffs Run allowed the IWRA to make significant contributions to the Iowa West Foundation for charitable grantmaking. The sole recipient of funds from the Iowa West Racing Association (IWRA) is the Iowa West Foundation, which is an independent private foundation that further distributes the funds in the form of grants and initiatives.
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