Tenisha Vawser was 23-years-old when she got passed over for a management job at a toy store. She had experience, took pride in her work and always went above and beyond for customers, her supervisors said. But corporate informed them there was one thing missing on her resume: a college degree. “I didn’t get the […]
At the end of each due diligence meeting, I like to save an opportunity for applicants to ask any questions they may have about the process. At a recent meeting, the applicant’s question was “So, how did we do?” This gave me a chance to spend some time with them talking about what our advisory […]
Immersive laser installation on display for 10 weeks at Harvester Artspace Lofts Council Bluffs, IA – From the artist who designed “Rays” at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, Dan Corson is back in Council Bluffs this week to launch his “Coherence” exhibit at the Harvester Artspace Lofts. The immersive laser installation is the culmination of a series of laser-focused […]
For years, the Iowa West Foundation has been known as a “Grantmaking” organization. Since 1994, we have awarded approximately $320 million in grants to hundreds of nonprofits in communities throughout southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska. In the past few years, in addition to awarding grants, we’ve begun to invest in what we call “initiatives.” These […]
Pottawattamie County-Based Nonprofits will be eligible for “Extra Bonus Dollars” Council Bluffs, IA – The Iowa West Foundation is adding to the pot of incentives available to nonprofits participating in Omaha Gives!, scheduled for May 20th. For the first time in the 24-hour charitable giving event’s three-year history, the Foundation is contributing $20,000 in “extra bonus […]
An Iowa West Foundation education initiative announced today will address barriers to college access and success in higher education with a three-year pilot program that offers full-ride scholarships to Iowa Western Community College and wraparound support services. Beginning this fall, the first cohort of 45 students made up of current seniors from the Council Bluffs […]
In preparation for creating a new strategic plan in 2013, the Iowa West Foundation engaged in a series of listening sessions in the community. Housing emerged as a major theme of these discussions. The final report from these sessions states: Housing was a huge issue, manifesting as a need for quality housing across all price […]
“Art in the Park” is an Iowa West Foundation initiative to replace weathered park identification signs at six community parks. The project is being coordinated by the Council Bluffs Parks, Recreation, and Public Property Department with assistance from the City Public Art Commission. These signs, all created by area artists, were developed with public input […]
The American Planning Association recently named Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs one of its 10 national “Great Places in America” for 2014. It’s a high honor, but it begs the question, what makes a place a “great place?” Is it the location and the physical attributes? Or is it the feeling you get when you’re […]
“A town can get older and die or it can get better and thrive.” – Pete Sorensen, City Councilman, Neola Perhaps truer words have never been spoken. Residents of small-town southwest Iowa know all too well the story of rural decline. They watch as high school graduates stamp one-way tickets out of town. They see business […]
