The Iowa West Foundation seeks to fosters belonging, financial stability, and opportunity by supporting housing for all, education with purpose, and recreation for wellbeing in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, and the southwest Iowa region.
Through thousands of ideas shared in community Imagine Hour listening sessions, four core outcomes emerged to form a picture of vibrant, successful communities.
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If you are a Council Bluffs resident, up to $200 grants are available to support events that build community and strengthen connections.
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The Iowa West Foundation’s strategic visioning is centered by community listening and engagement. View our Imagine Hours Progress Report to learn more.
Imagine Hours Progress Report
Learn more about the major projects we’ve funded over the years, through videos, first-hand success stories, interactive links, and more.
Major Projects
Council Bluffs is home to 12 large -scale outdoor art pieces scattered throughout the city and available to the public 24/7. You can hear from the artists who created each piece by downloading the free Otocast app.
Artists & Artworks
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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The preschool teacher embedded in Franklin Elementary School through the Green Hills AEA calls her students to the colorful rug in the front of the room. She outlines the posted schedule for the day and asks the class a question about today’s weather. Several hands shoot up, begging to be called on. The children aren’t […]
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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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Youth Series Field Trips for Thousands of K-12 Students When the two performers walk out onto the stage at the Arts Center, a hush falls over the crowd of hundreds of excited 3rd and 4th graders, from the bus ride from their elementary school and filing down the steps to the auditorium, they are finally […]
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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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A Vibrant Thoroughfare in Council Bluffs A few years ago, few identifiable amenities existed along a little-known right-of-way called First Avenue. Fast forward to today, where it’s a household name in Council Bluffs (featured on at least one license plate) and a bustling hub of a trail for people walking, children playing, and unique, all-ages […]
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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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