Investments strengthen housing stability in Council Bluffs & workforce pipeline in Pottawattamie County
Council Bluffs, IA – The Iowa West Foundation recently awarded a series of grants and initiatives that address housing and financial stability in the Council Bluffs community, as well as funding poverty alleviation programming and student workforce training. The Iowa West Foundation board of directors approved more than $2.7 million in funding to more than 30 nonprofits, schools, and cities.
Funding for Together, Inc. for $250,000, Heartland Family Service for $200,000, and Iowa Legal Aid for $75,000 will provide increased housing stability services for the area.
“Research has consistently shown that the best way to address homelessness is to stop it from happening in the first place,” said Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. “These grants support a variety of prevention strategies, such as eviction diversion, emergency housing, and access to financial assistance, all of which are proven to improve long-term outcomes.”
Other significant investments include $90,000 to Bridges Out of Poverty for classes in Council Bluffs and $30,000 to Family Housing Advisory Services for increased counseling and case management for area residents.
“Family Housing Advisory Services partners with community organizations to elevate housing services and this grant will provide Council Bluffs residents with housing stability counseling, intensive case management services, and financial capabilities training to maintain stable housing,” said Teresa Coleman Hunter, Executive Director/CEO of FHAS. “We are excited about the investment in our work to make a positive impact in the community.”
Rounding out Cycle 1 of 2026 were eight initiatives totaling approximately $850,000 as part of the ASPIRE program and partnership with Pottawattamie County high schools. The success of the initiative thus far led to the renewal for the third straight year. Data shows an increase in work-based learning opportunities, more college credits taken by high school students, and an uptick in degrees, credentials, and certificates earned in tandem with high school diplomas.
“This funding plays a vital role in expanding access to high-quality education, career exploration, and workforce training opportunities for the young people we serve,” said Cara Cool Trede, Executive Director for Career EdVantage. “Through this support, students gain the knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences needed to pursue meaningful, sustainable careers and build stable, independent futures.”
Grant applications begin with Letters of Inquiry, which are accepted year-round; however, to be considered for the next funding cycle, submissions must be received by May 1. To help applicants prepare strong proposals, a grants workshop will be held on April 1, with a deadline to register by March 30th.
2026 Cycle 1 Grants & Initiatives
ASPIRE
AHSTW Community School District
Work-based learning
$25,000
Career EdVantage
Rural Pottawattamie County Program Support
$200,500
Council Bluffs Community School District
Plus One Pathways Program
$325,000
Iowa Western Community College
College and Career Transition Counselors
$126,000
Lewis Central Community School District
College and Career Readiness Coordinator
$100,000
Riverside Community School District
iJAG Program (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates)
$25,000
Treynor Community School District
Career Coach
$25,000
Tri-Center Community School District
iJAG Program (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates)
$25,000
Other
Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands
Council Bluffs club operations
$95,000
Bridges Out of Poverty
Southwest Iowa poverty alleviation initiative
$90,000
Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines
Domestic violence & sexual assault support program
$60,000
Center Against Abuse & Sexual Assault
Emergency Housing Assistance
$5,000
City of Northboro
Nuisance Property Remediation
$6,300
Family Housing Advisory Services
Housing stability counseling and case management
$30,000
Four County Fair Association
Cooler expansion
$27,500
Golden Hills Resource Conservation & Development
Capacity Building
$10,000
Heartland Family Service
Permanent supportive housing
$200,000
Horses Help Southwest Iowa
Summer Programming for Area Youth
$1,725
Iowa Legal Aid
Eviction prevention
$75,000
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Addition to Vincent Bluffs State Preserve
$378,000
Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital Foundation
First Responder Community Health Coach support
$9,437
La Fuente
Financial stability for Latinos in southwest Iowa
$30,000
Micah House
Emergency shelter for women and families
$85,000
Minden Volunteer Fire & Rescue
Equipment and gear
$9,977
National Inventors Hall of Fame
Camp Invention for Western Iowa youth
$11,400
Omaha Children’s Museum
Field trips, family nights, school visits and discounted memberships for southwest Iowans
$35,000
Pottawattamie Arts, Culture, & Entertainment
General operating funding for building maintenance
$200,000
Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource Conservation & Development
Scenic Byway Kiosk in Logan
$3,000
Project Harmony
Safe & Together Southwest Iowa training
$24,586
Scholarships to the Iowa Rural Summit
Support for rural communities and organizations
$8,750
Shenandoah Public Library Foundation
Digital community sign
$10,000
Southwest Iowa Leadership Academy
Leadership Camp 2026
$7,500
Spark Capital
Developer Academy – Council Bluffs
$25,000
Stanton Volunteer Fire & Rescue
Bunker Gear & Dual Certified Gear
$4,000
Together Inc.
Housing Stability Fund
$250,000
United Way of the Midlands
Community campaign for Southwest Iowa nonprofits
$200,000
Posted by
Nicole Lindquist
Director of Communications
