Aerial photo overlooking 16th and Broadway Gateway viaduct
Funding supports economic development and amenities in rural southwest Iowa communities (Council Bluffs, IA) – Rual communities in southwest Iowa continue to build and thrive, thanks in part to an Iowa West Foundation economic development program that supports infrastructure in Pottawattamie County. Nearly $1 million in grant funding was awarded to five southwest Iowa towns with […]
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Funding supports ASPIRE workforce education initiative and the fight against hunger in SWI (Council Bluffs, IA) – The future of career-based education in Pottawattamie County is strong, with the Iowa West Foundation committing nearly $1 million to local school districts and education partners as part of its ASPIRE investments for the second year. The initiative allows […]
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A total of $114,000 is being awarded to 12 volunteer fire departments in southwest Iowa (Council Bluffs, IA) – Volunteers for local southwest Iowa fire departments went above and beyond in the aftermath of recent tornadoes that damaged homes and businesses in Pottawattamie County. According to Jacob Nelson with the Minden Volunteer Fire Department, his colleagues […]
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Professional development and mentoring opportunities support leadership growth for women of color who live or work in Pottawattamie County (COUNCIL BLUFFS) –The Iowa West Foundation recently celebrated the graduation of nine participants from its Women of Color leadership program. The program was designed to provide access to professional development and coaching opportunities, resulting in community […]
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Funding supports access to preschool, playgrounds, and financial freedom (Council Bluffs, IA) – A recent report from the Iowa Department of Education found that Pottawattamie County ranked No. 1 in Iowa for kindergarteners’ early literacy skills, a significant increase over the past five years. Since 2008, Iowa West Foundation has invested more than $18 million in […]
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Local law enforcement will receive a discounted rate to utilize the space for training The community is invited to attend an open house and ribbon cutting for The Best Jiu Jitsu, an addition to The Best Wrestler at the Iowa West Wrestling Center that adjoins the Iowa West Field House on Saturday, Feb. 10th at […]
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Solomon hired as Office Coordinator, Alford Elected to Board, and Forristall and German Join Advisory Committee The Iowa West Foundation recently welcomed several new members to the organization. Council Bluffs native Emily Solomon began her role on staff as the office coordinator and former advisory committee member Mike Alford was elected to the Iowa West […]
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Funding supports thriving rural communities in southwest Iowa The Iowa West Foundation Board of Directors recently approved $4.3 million in grant and initiative funding toward creating vibrant southwest Iowa communities where residents love to live, employees can learn as they earn, and places to play are plentiful. The cities of Avoca, Carson, Carroll, Denison, Dunlap, […]
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$1.1 million to fund job training opportunities and support for high school students (COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA) – Headlines across the country warn of a workforce pipeline problem in healthcare, childcare, and construction trades among other fields, but that is not the story in Pottawattamie County, where the Iowa West Foundation today launched ASPIRE. The new […]
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Funding supports students in and out of the classroom; Housing remains a focus of IWF’s work (Council Bluffs, IA) – When southwest Iowa students head back to school next month, they will have unique opportunities in the classroom and beyond thanks to Iowa West Foundation grants. A long-time supporter of arts & culture in southwest Iowa, […]
View PostTwo local men share their very different journeys from homelessness to stability. These brave men put faces to the housing crisis, and what can lead people to become unhoused. They also share their resiliency, and who and what helped them get where they are today. A powerful message worth five minutes of your time.
The Iowa West Racing Association (IWRA) was created when the state of Iowa passed laws requiring gaming licenses to be either held or sponsored by nonprofit organizations. The IWRA is the nonprofit license holder for Horseshoe Casino (formerly Bluffs Run) and the license sponsor Ameristar and Harrah’s casinos. The latter two operators pay license fees to the IWRA. In addition, two transactions in 1999 and 2004 involving Bluffs Run allowed the IWRA to make significant contributions to the Iowa West Foundation for charitable grantmaking. The sole recipient of funds from the Iowa West Racing Association (IWRA) is the Iowa West Foundation, which is an independent private foundation that further distributes the funds in the form of grants and initiatives.
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