(Council Bluffs, IA) –After a thorough evaluation process, the Community Foundation for Western Iowa and its Impact Grants Committee – a group of county residents and board members – have announced this year’s grant award recipients. The Community Foundation elected to award 42 Community Impact Grants totaling $65,364.00 to nonprofit and city organizations throughout Pottawattamie County. Community Grants Award Announcement – June 2025

The Community Foundation received 72 grant proposals totaling $285,630.33 in project requests, with combined total project budgets exceeding $9 million, signifying the incredible work being done in the communities throughout Pottawattamie County.

Among the grant recipients was:

• The Carson Community Rodeo, $2,000
  

  Aug 02, 2024: Check Presentation with Carson Rodeo

• The City of Avoca ($1,450 for Avoca Main Street entertainment & customer engagement; & Holidays on Main, $1,000).
• Macedonia Historical Preservation Society, $1,000.
• The Oakland Volunteer Fire & rescue Dept., $1,214.
• Southwest Iowa Art Tour,$1,000.
• Walnut Community Center Foundation, Inc., $2,500.

Individual grant awards for this year’s funding cycle ranged from $500 to $4,000 to benefit innovative and meaningful projects that align with the Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of all county residents. Annually, Community Impact Grants funding is eligible to any tax-exempt, nonprofit organization or governmental entity for creative or impactful projects that meet a clear, identifiable need in Pottawattamie County. Grants are allocated to projects in a variety of focus areas, such as: Arts & Culture, Community Betterment, Community Engagement, Education, Environment, Health, Human
Services, and Youth.

Jul 17 2024: Check Presentation with Avoca Farmers Market

Donna Dostal, CEO of the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, states: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, Impact Grants Committee, and staff at the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, we are honored to support the transformative work of our nonprofit and city partners. Pottawattamie County and southwest Iowa are strengthened every day by the work of these mission-driven organizations to build stronger, healthier, and vibrant communities. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each of these outstanding organizations and look forward to the lasting change these grants will help bring to our communities.”

The majority of the Community Foundation’s grant-making is directed by donors who have established funds to purposefully impact charities located within our community and throughout Western Iowa. The Community Impact Grants are given from the discretionary funds of the Community Foundation. Dostal added that individuals and businesses can create their own fund through the Community Foundation to “give back,” and contributions can receive major tax benefits. In 2024, investors at the Community Foundation awarded 320 grants totaling nearly $3.9 million to a variety of nonprofit organizations.

For information on creating a fund, please call 712-256-7007 or visit www.givewesterniowa.org for details.
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa is nationally accredited by the Council on Foundations
(www.cfstandards.org)