(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 – are pleased to
announce this year’s grant award recipients. The Community Foundation elected to award 38
Community Impact Grants totaling $67,535.00 to nonprofit and city organizations throughout
Pottawattamie County.
The Community Foundation received 53 grant proposals totaling $214,067.70 in project requests, with
combined total project budgets exceeding $9 million, signifying the incredible work being done in the
communities throughout Pottawattamie County.
Individual grant awards for this year’s funding cycle ranged from $500 to $5,000 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.
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. This hard work is illustrated by the more than $9
million in projects currently underway in our region. 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 2025, investors at the Community Foundation awarded 195 grants totaling nearly $4.6 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).
