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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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Iowa West Awards $10,000 to each Volunteer Fire Department that Responded to Tornadoes in Southwest Iowa

May 16, 2024

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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