VISION FOR THE REVITALIZE SOUTHWEST IOWA INITIATIVE

Inspiring a thriving Southwest Iowa: The 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.

The transformative gift will benefit 51 small towns across Southwest Iowa in the
following six counties: Cass, Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page, and Pottawattamie.

faq's

What Cities in Southwest Iowa are eligible for the Revitalize Southwest Iowa Initiative?

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

How much funding is my city eligible for?

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. 

What is the timeline for my community being funded?

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 Jen Green from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation at  jgreen@lakinfdn.org. 

How are the communities being prioritized for funding?

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 Jennifer Green from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation directly at jgreen@lakinfdn.org 

How do we apply for funding if my city is not listed?

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 Jen Green at the Charles E. Lakin Foundation at jgreen@lakinfdn.org 

How was the list of anchor cities determined?

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.

How were the first four communities that received funding selected?

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 reach out to Jennifer Green with the Charles E. Lakin Foundation at jgreen@lakinfdn.org 

What is the process to become the "Advisory Nonprofit" for my city?

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

What is the definition of an "Advisory Nonprofit" for the Revitalize Southwest Iowa initiative?

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. 

What sort of projects are funded through the Revitalize Southwest Iowa initiative?

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. 

Can my community borrow money from the Revitalize Southwest Iowa initiative?

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 Jen Green at the Charles E. Lakin Foundation to learn more at jgreen@lakinfdn.org


Can individuals or for-profit businesses borrow money from the Revitalize Southwest Iowa initiative?

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. 

How does my community determine what projects are priorities or whether they are eligible for funding?

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 Jen Green at jgreen@lakinfdn.org 

How do I get reliable information about "Revitalize Southwest Iowa?"

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. You can work with Jen Green - jgreen@lakinfdn.org  or Sabrina Lakin - slakin@lakinfdn.org at the Charles E. Lakin Foundation. 

You can also reach out to Donna Dostal at the Community Foundation for Western Iowa at ddostal@givewesterniowa.org 

LAKIN FOUNDATION LAUNCHES $165 MILLION INITIATIVE
TO REVITALIZE SOUTHWEST IOWA

Photographs courtesy of Western Iowa Development Association.

About the charles e. lakin foundation

Charles E. Lakin was a self-made man. Beginning with horse drawn farming, Charles grew his 139-acre rented farm to where he required an airplane to manage his operations. Despite his success, Charles always cherished his Southwest Iowa roots and the many people who helped him along the way. While he became one of the largest single-person farmers in the country, Charles' proudest achievement was to have the ability to form the Charles E. Lakin Foundation to give back to the community that supported him.  Charles and his wife, Florence, were married for nearly 78 years and had four children: Diane, Charles III, Deborah, and Nancy.

The mission of the Foundation is based on Charles’ wishes to focus funding on Children and Families, Education and Training, and Economic Resilience. Because of the strong support Charles received in his early years, he chose to restrict funding to only the counties he called home: Pottawattamie, Cass, Montgomery, Mills, Fremont, and Page counties in Iowa.