CHARLES E. LAKIN FOUNDATION
LAUNCHES $165 MILLION INITIATIVE TO
REVITALIZE SOUTHWEST IOWA

Inspiring a thriving Southwest Iowa: The Charles E. Lakin Foundation is dedicated to revitalizing our communities by directing $165 million towards enhancing local housing, childcare, and educational causes through the Community Foundation for Western Iowa. We envision a future where every child, family, and educator benefits from a nurturing environment. Collaborating with designated local nonprofits ensures these Field of Interest Funds fuel meaningful development and opportunities. We aim to build a vibrant, sustainable region, creating a legacy of prosperity and opportunity. Together, we're shaping a Southwest Iowa where everyone has the foundation to succeed.

Since 1900, Southwest Iowa’s population has declined by 17%, while East Central Nebraska’s has grown by 380%.

The "Revitalizing Southwest Iowa" initiative will allow the Charles E. Lakin Foundation to fulfill its mission of nurturing sustainable, prosperous futures for communities within Southwest Iowa.
Through a philanthropic partnership with the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, this transformative $165 Million donation will benefit 51 small towns across Southwest Iowa in the following six counties: Pottawattamie, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, Page, and Cass.
The Charles E. Lakin Foundation’s investment to revitalize southwest Iowa will primarily focus on housing, childcare, and community resilience and will create a lasting legacy of positive socio-economic transformation across the region.