Stories

Anawim Housing: A Housing First Approach

May 8, 2023

What is a Housing First approach?  If a person is hungry, you don’t ask them to purchase pots and pans and then learn how to cook. You feed them first, and then begin to address the root causes that led to hunger. Similarly, “Housing First” is a strategy rooted in the belief that all people […]

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Best Wrestler blueprint

“The Best Wrestler” to Join Iowa West Field House  

April 19, 2023

Known for developing world champion wrestlers, the club also will offer community-use hours (COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA) – An Olympic-caliber wrestling club will join Fast Break Sports Iowa (Omaha Sports Academy) and the Council Bluffs Pickleball Club at the Iowa West Field House later this summer. The addition of The Best Wrestler will fill the remaining […]

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Iowa West Foundation awards $3.5 million in grants & initiatives

March 29, 2023

Funding targets programs geared toward youth; education (Council Bluffs, IA) – The Iowa West Foundation Board of Directors recently approved $3.5 million in grants and initiatives for more than 30 nonprofits and government entities in the southwest Iowa region. Youth in Pottawattamie County are the primary beneficiaries of the funding, with a series of investments to […]

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Dulce Sherman

Women of Color Leadership Program

March 9, 2023

Women of Color Leadership Program  The second year of Women of Color kicks off this month. WOC is a leadership program to enhance professional development through mentoring opportunities for women of color who live or work in Pottawattamie County. Building off a pilot program that launched in 2022, the initiative is designed to provide access […]

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Iowa West Foundation Welcomes New Faces

January 26, 2023

Goodman hired as program officer; James elected to Iowa West Board The Iowa West Foundation recently added several new faces to the organization. Council Bluffs native Stacey Goodman began her role as program officer on Jan. 2nd, Rod James was elected to the board on Jan. 17th, and four southwest Iowans have joined the advisory […]

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Grants Announcement

Iowa West Foundation funds $3.9 million to improve lives for southwest Iowans

November 22, 2022

Grants & initiatives will support nonprofit partners addressing financial stability, housing, and services for vulnerable populations (Council Bluffs, IA) The Iowa West Foundation Board of Directors recently approved $3.9 million in grant and initiative funding for more than 20 nonprofits in the southwest Iowa region. The funding will address several of the needs voiced by local […]

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Iowa West Foundation awards $3.5 million in funding to benefit southwest Iowans 

July 28, 2022

Programs and projects support quality of life, infrastructure, and housing  in Council Bluffs and surrounding communities (Council Bluffs, IA) The Iowa West Foundation Board of Directors recently approved approximately $3.5 million in grant and initiative funding for more than 20 nonprofits in the southwest Iowa region. The funding will improve and enhance the lives of residents […]

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Iowa West Hires New Program Officer

April 20, 2022

Former Nonprofit Director Joins the IWF Grants Team Iowa West Foundation leadership is pleased to announce the hiring of Michelle Wodtke Franks as a new program officer. Franks brings to the team more than 30 years of nonprofit and fund administration experience, most recently as the Executive Director of Golden Hills Resource Conservation & Development. […]

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