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 face significant financial challenges, which leads to struggles with rent and basic needs, including putting food on the table,” said Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. “These grants allow our partners to help community members move toward financial stability.”
Significant investments include $300,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs for homeownership and home repair programs as well as $50,000 awarded to the Corporation for Supportive Housing for the Southwest Iowa Supportive Housing Incubator. Both are aimed at addressing the availability of affordable housing, an ongoing need in Council Bluffs and throughout the country.
“The Iowa West Foundation’s support will allow for our organization to equip housing and service providers across southwest Iowa with the knowledge, skills, and connections to create and preserve affordable housing,” said Elly Schofield with Corporation for Supportive Housing. “Specifically, this funding will directly impact up to 50 individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our area and will help close critical gaps in available affordable housing. Together, we are building stronger, healthier communities where every neighbor has the chance to thrive.”
Several grants were awarded to organizations that are working to ensure community members are thriving — not just surviving. These include nonprofits such as Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue, which received $20,000 to expand food recovery efforts in Pottawattamie County. Food recovery is the process of rescuing a surplus of food that would otherwise go to waste in a landfill and redistributing it to individuals and families facing food insecurity. The addition of a specialized food recovery organization in Council Bluffs will also allow other community partners to focus more on the services they do best, while ensuring that fresh food continues to reach individuals and families in need.
“We’re working every day to rescue high quality excess food and deliver it to organizations serving neighbors in need,” said Lenli Corbett Kountze, President and CEO of Saving Grace. “When our neighbors are fed, we all benefit.”
Timothy Swaddling Clothes Diaper Pantry expressed gratitude for the support to be able to clothe the youngest residents in the community.
“By providing free diapers and wipes on a monthly basis, we are able to lift up families and ease their financial stress,” said Director Nancy Ruffcorn. “This grant will allow us to continue our outreach.”
This is the third and final grants cycle for the Iowa West Foundation in 2025. Letters of Inquiry are due by Jan. 2nd to be considered for the first funding cycle in 2026. A free virtual grants workshop is scheduled for Wednesday Dec. 3rd.
Advance Southwest Iowa
Economic Development Support
$225,000
Anawim Housing
Supportive housing for families at risk of homelessness
$360,000
City of Corning
Davis Avenue streetscape
$100,000
City of Council Bluffs
Community events
$40,000
City of Emerson
Evans Park project
$18,267
City of Lenox
Toddler Pool renovations
$26,420
Corporation for Supportive Housing
Southwest Iowa Supportive Housing Incubator
$50,000
Corning Public Library
Electrical re-wiring and LED upgrade
$22,500
Dreamweaver Foundation
Merrymakers program for southwest Iowa senior citizens
$7,500
Food Bank for the Heartland
Mobile pantry program
$17,500
Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs
Homeownership and home repair program
$300,000
Macedonia Firemen’s Association
Equipment
$7,932
Neola Volunteer Fire Department
Equipment
$10,000
New Vision Homeless Services
Operating funding
$125,000
Omaha Performing Arts Society
Southwest Iowa music & arts education programs
$16,000
Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue
Nourishing People, Nourishing the Planet
$20,000
Southwest Iowa Technical Career Hub
Collaborative furniture project
$30,000
The CommUnity Project
Leadership Development Program for Women of Color in Southwest Iowa
$25,000
Timothy Lutheran
Timothy Swaddling Clothes
$5,000
Union Pacific Museum Association
Railroad Days – Celebrating America’s 250th
$25,000
United Way of the Midlands
United Housing Network
$50,000
University of Nebraska Foundation
Samuel Bak Museum Field Trips
$16,431
Unleash Council Bluffs
Sporting event attraction & retention
$50,000
Walnut Volunteer Fire Department
Equipment
$8,100
Nicole Lindquist
Director of Communications
w: 712-309-3004
c: 402-981-2289
nlindquist@iowawestfoundation.org
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