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.