The Community Foundation for Western Iowa, formerly Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, announced that the Women’s Fund for Southwest Iowa’s latest grant cycle has awarded $45,000 in project funding to four organizations.
“Since its inaugural year, the fund has awarded 19 grants to 17 organizations whose purpose is to enrich lives throughout our western Iowa communities by supporting programming for women’s safety and well-being, education, dynamic solutions for engaging seniors, and accessible, quality childcare options. Through the generosity of our donors, we have been able to make dreams a reality, and for that we are grateful,” said Lucy Hough, board member and chair of the Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa.
The Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa awards grants to nonprofit organizations that provide services within the geographic area and can demonstrate the need and ability to create change for the benefit, growth, education, and welfare of women and their families. Their four focus areas include education initiatives for women, accessible and affordable childcare, women’s health safety and well-being, and aging in place. They serve an eight-county region; Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Paige, Pottawattamie, and Shelby.
Grants to the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, MICAH House, and the STARS Scholarship Program will support programming and projects that focus on improving the quality of life and well-being of women and children in southwest Iowa.
The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce received a $5,000 grant to support their L.I.F.T. Mentoring Program, a joint endeavor between the Omaha chapter of the Human Resource Association of the Midlands and the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce that is focused on supporting talented professional women looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce.
The Council Bluffs Schools Foundation received a $20,000 grant to support the construction, equipment, furnishings, and other construction-related costs of their new Early Learning Center that will serve nearly 200 at-risk students in full-day preschool and birth-to-3 childcare.
MICAH House received a $10,000 grant to support construction costs of their “Building Beyond Shelter” Child Care Center project. MICAH House intends to build a 12,000-square-foot child development center on the Charles E. Lakin Campus next to their existing homeless shelter. This center will serve up to 70 children in a trauma-sensitive and service-rich environment.
The STARS Scholarship Program received a $10,000 grant to support operational needs and childcare scholarships for STARS Scholars. Funding will assist the STARS Program’s seminar series, training for the program director, and the individual needs of STARS Scholars. Funding will also help with scholarships for students seeking affordable childcare while studying and/or working, which are not applicable for state assistance.
Click here to learn more about the Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa and the Community Foundation for Western Iowa.
