Iowa West Elects New Board Member

Iowa West’s Board of Directors recently elected a new board member to serve a 3-year term. Steve Baumert, CEO of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, brings decades of experience to the role, having served on a number of nonprofit boards throughout southwest Iowa including the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Iowa Foundation.

“Steve’s familiarity with the community, along with his proven leadership capabilities made him an excellent board member candidate,” said Matt Gronstal, Iowa West Foundation Board Chair. “His wealth of knowledge from economic development to entrepreneurship along with his demonstrated commitment to Council Bluffs will be an enormous asset to our organization.”

“My career motto has been to engage and make a positive difference,” Baumert said. “I believe in Council Bluffs, and throughout my career have worked to improve and strengthen our community. This aligns well with Iowa West’s vision, and I hope to continue the significant impact they’ve made on the community.”

In addition to Baumert’s election, members of the Iowa West Foundation and the Iowa West Racing Association board re-elected officers for 2021. Those members include:

“Our Board members have the significant responsibility of being good stewards of the Foundation’s assets and ensuring that our investments have a lasting impact, said Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. “We are confident all of our board members will serve as great contributors to achieving the vision of the Iowa West Foundation: a community where families choose to live and businesses choose to locate because of the quality of life and standard of living.”

Nominations for board members are solicited from multiple outside organizations throughout the community including the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, Council Bluffs City Council, the Council Bluffs Community School District, Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors and Western Iowa Development Association.

“Looking Up” Sculpture Moving Out of Council Bluffs’ River’s Edge

Similar version of popular art piece by Tom Friedman will fill empty space in 2021

Looking Up sculpture

(Council Bluffs, IA)  The popular “Looking Up” sculpture along the Council Bluffs Riverfront, which serves as a unique photo backdrop for residents and visitors alike, will be removed and transported to a private location this week. However, the space won’t sit empty for long, as a similar version is planned to land at the River’s Edge in 2021.

“’Looking Up’ was loaned as a temporary installation, but the popularity of the piece inspired an anonymous donation to create a site-specific, permanent version,” said Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, which matched the anonymous donation. “This permanent artistic addition will add to the Riverfront’s status as a regional destination.”

In 2019, the National Center for Arts Research ranked the Council Bluffs metro at No. 6 on the list of most vibrant art communities in the country for medium-sized cities.  

“Public art not only serves to beautify our green spaces, but it also provides visitors and residents with even more access to cultural opportunities in our parks.” said Mayor Matt Walsh.

No taxpayer dollars were used to fund either “Looking Up” sculpture. Arrangements are currently being made to install the new edition on the dry side of the levee sometime next spring. Pottawattamie Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (PACE), an Iowa West Foundation initiative, helped bring the original version to River’s Edge in May of 2019. Artist Tom Friedman’s sculpture had previously been installed along Chicago’s lakefront and on Park Avenue in New York City.

The polished stainless steel piece is quasi-human figure gazing up to the sky, inviting others to stand at its base and do the same. To learn more about Friedman’s inspiration, the fabrication process and more, download the free Otocast art app.

About the Iowa West Foundation

The Iowa West Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the Midwest. It has distributed more than $500 million to nonprofits and governmental agencies through southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska since the inception of its grant program. Funding for the grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives contractual fees from casino operators, Ameristar and Harrah’s. IWRA is the license sponsor for Ameristar and Harrah’s and the license holder for Horseshoe-Bluffs Run. The Foundation targets resources into programs and projects that focus on economic development, education, placemaking and healthy families.

Iowa West Foundation awards more than $2 Million in final cycle of 2020

Grants primarily focused on healthy families

(Council Bluffs, IA) The Iowa West Foundation Board of Directors recently approved nearly $2.3 million in grants and initiatives funding, with a focus on programs and projects that seek to strengthen families in Pottawattamie County. The healthy families portfolio includes critical community needs such as mental health, housing/homelessness, and diversity.

“The Iowa West Foundation is dedicated to helping communities by assisting nonprofits that serve those who may not have the means or support to get the help they need,” said Jenny Barnett, Chair of the Healthy Families Advisory Committee at the Iowa West Foundation. “Agencies on the receiving end use these grant awards to create dividends and to help our communities thrive.”

Beneficiaries of the third and final grants cycle for 2020 included the homeless community, rural firefighters, children with mental and behavioral health needs, women of southwest Iowa, and the Latino community through the Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC).

“Our grant funding from the Iowa West Foundation will allow us to increase the number of Latino-owned childcare businesses and improve the access to high quality childcare services in Council Bluffs,” said Juan Montoya, Executive Director for the MLCDC. “Currently, there is a need for culturally and linguistically appropriate in-home daycares in the area, and this grant will provide the tools and training to individuals wanting to start an in-home daycare.”

Montoya said recruitment for the training program will begin later this year, with the goal to graduate the first cohort of participants in the spring and open a daycare in the summer of 2021.

On the initiative side, IWF funding included $1.2 million for Riverfront Revitalization, an installment of the Foundation’s $15 million overall commitment to bringing new life to the Council Bluffs Riverfront.

“This initiative funding supports the continued work to develop more recreational amenities along the Council Bluffs Riverfront, similar to Belle’s Playground,” said Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. “While we are committed to supporting our partners through the pandemic, at the same time we are still investing in a future where we can enjoy the unique assets that make southwest Iowa a great place to live.”

The Iowa West Foundation has contributed $1 million to the Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Fund since March. In partnership with the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, the fund provides relief for local nonprofits and organizations impacted by the pandemic. Applications are currently being accepted. More information can be found at: www.iowawestfoundation.org/covid-19

About the Iowa West Foundation

The Iowa West Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the Midwest. It has distributed more than $500 million to nonprofits and governmental agencies through southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska since the inception of its grant program. Funding for the grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives contractual fees from casino operators, Ameristar and Harrah’s. IWRA is the license sponsor for Ameristar and Harrah’s and the license holder for Horseshoe-Bluffs Run. The Foundation targets resources into programs and projects that focus on economic development, education, placemaking and healthy families.

2020 Cycle 3 Grants and Initiatives

Christian Home Association, Children’s Square
Capacity Building
$25,000

Council Bluffs Community School District
BLink (Carter Lake)
$100,000

Golden Hills RC&D
Planning for Rural Leadership Program
$30,000

Heartland Family Service
Children’s Mental Health Program
$30,000

Iowa West Foundation Initiative
LUCAS Devices for Rural Fire Departments
$120,000

Iowa West Foundation Initiative
Riverfront Revitalization
$1,274,289

Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation
Business Development Program for Latinos in Council Bluffs
$50,000

Minden Volunteer Fire Department
Safety Gear and Equipment
$4,505

New Visions Homeless Services
Homeless Services
$115,000

Pottawattamie County Community Foundation
Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa & Matching Funds
$85,633

Red Oak School District
Security System for Childcare Facility
$14,511

The 712 Initiative
General Operating Support
$250,000

COVID-19 Response Fund Grants

Council Bluffs Community School District
BLink Phase VII
$20,000

Heartland Child Development
Childcare Operations
$7,000

Heartland Family Service
HEAT Program (Housing Emergency Assistance)
$75,833

Jennie Edmundson Hospital
COVID-19 Testing Equipment
$25,000

Charles E Lakin Human Services Campus Foundation
Back-to-School support
$4,000

MICAH House
Equipment to adapt operations to COVID-19 environment
$8,468

YMCA Healthy Living Center
Enhanced services for seniors
$60,000

Foundations award additional $200,000 through SWI COVID-19 Response Fund

A recent anonymous donation helped make more grants possible

(Council Bluffs, IA) – The Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Fund continues to provide relief for Pottawattamie County nonprofits and organizations impacted by the pandemic. The partnership between the Iowa West Foundation and Pottawattamie County Community Foundation has allowed for foundation funds to be combined with outside donations that are collectively channeled to provide everything from internet access to COVID-19 testing equipment.

President and CEO of the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation Donna Dostal said a recent anonymous donation to the fund was instrumental in the ability to provide relief.

“Our southwest Iowa community is truly fortunate to leverage the amazing generosity of our local corporations, private foundations, and generous individual donors,” Dostal said. “The anonymous gift affords us an additional $300,000 in philanthropic investment to ensure our community continues to resolve issues and plan for recovery in the aftermath of this public health crisis.”

The Iowa West Foundation has contributed $1 million to the cause since March.

“The needs of our community in the wake of COVID-19 are ongoing and the Iowa West Foundation will continue to respond to those needs,” said Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO.

Individuals, families, corporations, and others who would like to donate to the Southwest Iowa COVID-19 relief efforts are encouraged to visit www.ourpccf.org or call 712-256-7007. The Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Fund also continues to accept applications on a rolling basis.

COVID-19 Response Fund Grants

Council Bluffs Community School District
BLink Phase VII
$20,000

Heartland Child Development
Childcare Operations
$7,000

Heartland Family Service
HEAT Program (Housing Emergency Assistance)
$75,833

Jennie Edmundson Hospital
COVID-19 Testing Equipment
$25,000

Charles E Lakin Human Services Campus Foundation
Back-to-School support
$4,000

MICAH House
Equipment to adapt operations to COVID-19 environment
$8,468

YMCA Health Living Center
Enhanced services for older adults
$60,000

About the Iowa West Foundation

The Iowa West Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the Midwest. It has distributed more than $500 million to nonprofits and governmental agencies throughout southwest Iowa since the inception of its grant program. Funding for the grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives contractual fees from casino operators, Ameristar and Harrah’s. IWRA is the license sponsor for Ameristar and Harrah’s and the license holder for Horseshoe-Bluffs Run. The Foundation targets resources into programs and projects that focus on economic development, education, placemaking, and healthy families.

About Pottawattamie County Community Foundation

The Pottawattamie County Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity, 501(c)(3), that serves thousands of people who share a common interest in improving the quality of life in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Through PCCF, individuals, families, businesses and organizations can create permanent charitable funds that help their communities meet the challenges of changing times. The foundation invests and administers these charitable funds.

Iowa West Foundation Hires Next President & CEO

Council Bluffs native Brenda Mainwaring is the first female to lead the organization

Following a nationwide search, the Iowa West Foundation (IWF) Board of Directors recently named the organization’s new leader. Council Bluffs native Brenda Mainwaring was selected to serve as the next President and CEO beginning in September. With the announcement, Mainwaring becomes the first woman to be named to the role since IWF was formed nearly 25 years ago.

Mainwaring brings decades of experience to the position from her years as an executive at Union Pacific. She is credited with developing funding partnerships with communities and not-for-profit organizations across Iowa, Nebraska and eight southern states as they implemented transformative projects. In addition, she helped communities create jobs as well as develop community spaces.

“Brenda is a problem-solver,” said Iowa West Foundation Board President Matt Gronstal. “Her extensive experience creating and implementing strategic initiatives at every level will be of great value to the Foundation and to the communities of southwest Iowa.”

Rick Killion, past president of the Iowa West Racing Association and chair of the search committee, echoed those sentiments.

“In Brenda, we found a candidate who is both familiar with the community and has a reputation for getting things done,” Killion said. “Her passion for collaboration, coupled with her many accomplishments in both the public and private sector, made her the perfect fit to be our next leader. We are confident she will continue the forward momentum of the Foundation.”

Mainwaring will replace current President and CEO, Pete Tulipana, who will retire after serving in the lead role since 2012.

“Pete and the entire Iowa West Foundation team have built an organization that provides a model for the greater philanthropic community,” Mainwaring said. “The work completed under his leadership has touched the lives of every resident of the region, whether you are an athlete, an arts aficionado, a parent of a school-age child, or all of the above. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to continue the work of the staff, board and community members as we all focus on improving lives and strengthening our communities.

“My husband Brian and I are absolutely thrilled to be coming back home to Council Bluffs.”

Mainwaring is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Iowa. Her background includes private foundation grantmaking, public-private partnerships, and relationship-building across a broad spectrum of geography and interests. Council Bluffs residents may be familiar with her work to develop the Union Pacific Railroad Museum and Kenefick Park at Lauritzen Gardens. She also served as a volunteer, fundraiser, or board member for the following local organizations:
-Council Bluffs Planning Commission
-Pottawattamie Conservation Board and Foundation
-Bluffs Art Council (now Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment)
-West Pottawattamie Master Gardeners
-Midlands Humane Society
-Union Pacific Railroad Museum.
-Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

Mainwaring’s official start date is Sept. 8th with more details on community engagement opportunities to come.