ABOUT us
The community Foundation for Western Iowa is a tax-exempt public charity, 501(c)(3), that serves thousands of people who share a common interest in improving the quality of life in western Iowa.
Through the Community Foundation, individuals, families, businesses and organizations can create permanent charitable funds that help their communities meet the challenges of changing times. The foundation invests and administers these charitable funds.
The Community Foundation is overseen by a volunteer board of leading citizens and run by professionals with expertise in identifying the needs of their community.
History
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa was established in 2008 with the help of the Iowa West Foundation and four founding board members: Bobbette Behrens, Dean Fischer, Marie Knedler, and Kelly Summy.
Pictured from left to right at the 2017 Governor's Volunteer Awards: Lieutenant Governor of Iowa, Adam Gregg; Kelly Summy; Marie Knedler; Bobbette Behrens; Dean Fischer; and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
benefits
The Community Foundation is currently offering a 10% match* (up to $250,000 per fund) as an additional contribution for the creation of a charitable endowment fund or donation to an existing eligible endowment fund. *Matching funds are offered when available and may be suspended at any time due to changes in the market.
The Endow Iowa Tax Credit program allows donors who give to an Endow Iowa qualified fund to be eligible to receive a 25% tax credit in addition to federal charitable income tax deductions.
diversity policy
The Community Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life for all citizens in western Iowa as our dynamic communities continue to grow and change. Its ability to achieve this mission and to foster a commitment to excellence can best be pursued with a governing body, work force, affiliated funds, donors, and partners that include individuals of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and perspectives. The Community Foundation for Western Iowa believes that diversity encompasses, but is not limited to, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, physical and mental abilities and characteristics and philosophy.
Our communities are made strong by working together and creating a culture that embraces diversity and thrives on inclusivity. We grow and flourish when our citizens feel valued, protected, welcome, and regarded as equals.
At the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, we are committed to helping our Southwest Iowa communities grow and thrive. We support and espouse a culture defined by true philanthropy, which is defined as “love for humanity.” We stand firmly in support of creating a culture that ensures all people feel safe to be their whole selves, and enjoy justice and equality regardless of race, color, sex, ancestry, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity or expression.
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