The transformational gift from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation is based on many factors based on community population, county population, and project submissions and impact. 

ANCHOR CITY AND ELIGIBLE NEIGHBORING CITIES

CASS COUNTY
Anita (Massena)
Atlantic (Marne)
Griswold (Cumberland, Lewis, Massena)

FREMONT COUNTY
Hamburg
Sidney (Farragut, Riverton, Thurman)
Tabor (Imogene, Randolph)

MILLS COUNTY
Emerson (Henderson)
Glenwood (Pacific Junction, Silver City)
Malvern (Hastings)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Red Oak (Coburg, Elliott)
Stanton
Villisca (Grant)

PAGE COUNTY
Clarinda (Braddyville, College Springs, Hepburn, Shambaugh, Yorktown)
Essex
Shenandoah (Blanchard, Coin, Northboro)

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Avoca
Carson (Macedonia)
Minden
Neola
Oakland (Hancock)
Treynor
Underwood (McClelland)
Walnut

The tremendous generosity of the Lakin Foundation will be granted out from a series of funds held at the Community Foundation for Western Iowa. You can access a list of the counties and cities impacted by this gift here. 

Due to the transformational depth and scope of the gift from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and the Revitalize Southwest Iowa initiative, the processes of prioritization and due diligence are necessary. Those processes are currently underway, and your community will be contacted based on: prior inquiries, ongoing conversations, project urgency, and community discussions. In addition, the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and the Community Foundation for Western Iowa are working to create community informational meetings throughout the six counties. To find out more or schedule an informational meeting in your community, please contact the Charles E. Lakin Foundation at RSWI@LakinFdn.org. 

The generosity of the Lakin Foundation’s Revitalize Southwest Iowa initiative is being implemented in a phased approach throughout the six counties. Prioritization Is based on: prior inquiries, ongoing conversations, project urgency, and community discussions. If you would like to discuss your community projects, please use the inquiry form here. Or contact the Charles E. Lakin Foundation directly at RSWI@LakinFdn.org. 

The Revitalize Southwest Iowa initiative focuses on 6 counties in SWI which encompass the 23 most populated communities (anchor cities) and 28 member cities that are neighbors of the anchor cities. If your community is not listed, feel free to fill out an inquiry form or reach out to the Charles E. Lakin Foundation at RSWI@LakinFdn.org.

The list of anchor cities were determined based on the counties that are the focus of philanthropy by the Charles E. Lakin Foundation. From there, the selection of cities is based primarily on population and prioritization of projects. You can access the list of cities here.

The Charles E. Lakin Foundation has a strong focus on strengthening Southwest Iowa communities, families, and individuals through their philanthropy. The four initial cities were selected based on community engagement, strong community planning, and clear goals and project timelines that are designed to create positive impact in their communities. To learn more about the selection process, please contact the Lakin Foundation at RSWI@LakinFdn.org.

With the Revitalize Southwest Iowa initiative, there is a due diligence process that the Lakin Foundation and the Community Foundation for Western Iowa facilitate to determine project viability and community readiness within any given anchor city or member community. As the due diligence process moves forward, an advisory nonprofit is identified that will assist in managing and coordinating granting efforts and projects. The selection process is based on community engagement and strong civic leadership, as well as the nonprofit’s ability to facilitate community consensus.  To learn more about the due diligence process and if your nonprofit is eligible or being considered as a Revitalize Southwest Iowa nonprofit advisor, and start a conversation regarding your community, reach out to Jen Green at the Charles E. Lakin Foundation at jgreen@lakinfdn.org

The Nonprofit Advisor will advise and assist the Community Foundation for Western Iowa in the process of selecting organizations, programs, and projects to receive donations, loans, grants and payments from the Fund to be used for the betterment of the community. They maintain strong relationships within the anchor and member communities to ensure Fund Advisor remains appraised and informed of community needs relaying such information to the Community Foundation on a regular basis to ensure Community Foundation is properly informed. 

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. 

Yes, it is permissible for a community/nonprofit advisory to borrow money from the fund for projects that will ultimately generate revenue and meet the parameters of granting from the Charles E Lakin foundation. Please reach out to the Charles E. Lakin Foundation to learn more at RSWI@LakinFdn.org. 

At this time, all funds are managed and all initiatives at the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and the Community Foundation for Western Iowa work primarily with nonprofit, registered 501c3 organizations. 

With the Revitalize Southwest Iowa Initiative, having strong community consensus and a focus on a strategic vision for the growth of your community is paramount. With the Revitalize Southwest Iowa funds, they must also align with the essential granting priorities of the Charles E. Lakin Foundation. These will primarily focus on housing, childcare, and community resilience and will create a lasting legacy of positive socio-economic transformation across the region. To learn more about how your community’s plans align with this initiative, contact RSWI@LakinFdn.org. 

We are excited to work with you and your community! You can always refer to this website, as it is updated regularly with the most up to date information. Please contact the Charles E. Lakin Foundation at RSWI@LakinFdn.org. Or, you can also reach out to Donna Dostal at the Community Foundation for Western Iowa at ddostal@givewesterniowa.org