Aerial photo overlooking downtown Council Bluffs

Iowa West Foundation

Communities where families love to live and businesses thrive

For Grantees

Learn about our eligibility requirements, timeline, application process, and the resources available to support both grant seekers and recipients.

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For Our Communities

The Iowa West Foundation seeks to fosters belonging, financial stability, and opportunity by supporting housing for all, education with purpose, and recreation for wellbeing in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, and the southwest Iowa region.

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Latest News

Iowa West Welcomes New Members

February 5, 2026

Four Council Bluffs Residents Join Iowa West’s Volunteer Board & Advisory Committee  Council Bluffs, IA – Iowa West recently appointed four new members to the board and advisory committee, as well as elected new officers to the Iowa West Foundation and Iowa West Racing Association boards. All are Council Bluffs residents with a history of involvement in the community. Advisory committee members utilize expertise in their field to help review and approve grant applications. Board members also review grants, as well as oversee the Foundation’s […]

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Iowa West Honors 24 Local Sports Legends in Inaugural Professional Athlete and Olympian Recognition Ceremony

January 20, 2026

Council Bluffs, Iowa — Council Bluffs celebrated its rich sports history on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with the inaugural Pro Sports Roster ceremony, honoring 24 individuals with Council Bluffs connections who went on to compete professionally or in the Olympics. The ceremony took place at the Iowa West Field House, where students from area high schools, […]

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Iowa West Foundation Awards $2 Million in Grants & Initiatives

December 1, 2025

Investments in novel approaches will keep people housed and families fed Council Bluffs, IA – The Iowa West Foundation board of directors recently approved $2 million in grant and initiative funding to 24 nonprofits and cities throughout southwest Iowa, with a focus on the most basic needs: food, clothing, and shelter. “Many in our community […]

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Iowa West Foundation Awards More Than $4 Million in Grants & Initiatives

July 29, 2025

From Preschool to Home Repairs, Iowa West Grants Strengthen Families and Futures As southwest Iowa students prepare to head back to school this fall, they can do so knowing a multitude of unique enrichment opportunities await, thanks in part to numerous Iowa West Foundation grants to local nonprofits. The Iowa West Foundation board of directors […]

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Iowa West Foundation, CB Chamber and City of CB Launch Council Bluffs Area Survey

June 19, 2025

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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Iowa West Foundation Awards $3.9 Million In Grants & Initiatives

April 1, 2025

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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Iowa West Foundation Grants $2.5 Million to Westfair’s Massive Modernization and Expansion Efforts in Pottawattamie County

January 9, 2025

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 Welcomes Two New Board Members

December 19, 2024

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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Iowa West Foundation Awards $2.6 Million In Grants & Initiatives

December 5, 2024

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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Iowa West Foundation Awards $3 Million In Grants & Initiatives

July 22, 2024

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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Council Bluffs: Small Town Charm, Big City Amenities

Discover how Council Bluffs is shaping a vibrant future for generations to come. At the Voices & Vision event in collaboration with the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, community leaders shared insights on the city’s unique blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities, its strong sense of pride, and the collaborative efforts driving growth and prosperity. With the majority of residents extremely satisfied with the quality of life, Council Bluffs is on the rise—thanks to strategic programs focused on attracting talent, fostering business opportunities, and promoting community pride.

In Partnership with the Iowa West Racing Association (IWRA)

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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