pccf announces new name:
community foundation for western iowa
community foundation for western iowa
ribbon cutting + building dedication
MAY 16, 2022
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped us celebrate our building renovation and dedication to Florence and Charles Lakin. Nearly 150 community friends joined us for selfies, coffee, and our official ribbon-cutting with the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce. A special thank you to our dedicated Board of Directors, our committee members, and of course, the Charles E. Lakin Family Foundation for making this day possible.
We were thrilled to officially reveal our new name, new brand, building signage, and the beautiful oil painting by Zack Jones (ZJ Paintings) commemorating today’s event and the Lakin Family’s generosity.
new name, new brand, greater impact
Previous Logo:
frequently asked questions
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CHANGING POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR WESTERN IOWA?
Our region is growing and evolving. This is an exciting time in southwest and western Iowa, and the growth opportunities present the need for increased services and infrastructure, whether it be from government, commerce and retail, housing and economic development, or nonprofits and the services they provide. As PCCF works to better support our donors and nonprofit partners across the communities we service, we have expanded and grown to provide philanthropic support in more innovative and targeted ways throughout our region.
As we work with philanthropic investors across western Iowa, we learn more and more how necessary it is to build funding sources for areas of need, where caring and committed donors can invest their charitable dollars in ways that fill their passion, and also create durable, lasting change. The Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse “Field of Interest” Funds, which support the nine counties in southwest Iowa, are examples of how PCCF is helping to increase access to philanthropic funding in a holistic and regional way. The Make IT Happen fund development program, designed to build fundraising capacity and leadership in our region’s nonprofits, is one of several new programs to help our region develop and grow a deep, rich culture of philanthropy. And, our exciting partnership with Share Good and to bring SHARE Iowa to our entire region, promises to help transform our nonprofits through increased donor engagement and a high level of donor-centered service.
All these elements have led us to a place in our mission that has grown beyond our county, and into our western Iowa region, to be a leader in donor-centric philanthropy and a catalyst for exciting change. We feel this new name better reflects not only the region, but our mission to build community through philanthropy. We are ready and excited to help everyone in our western Iowa region “give where we live” and create a lasting legacy that demonstrates our culture of philanthropy for generations to come.
WHO MADE THE DECISION TO CHANGE PCCF TO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR WESTERN IOWA AND HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
With the input of area stakeholders, our Board of Directors, donors, and our steering committee members, our Board of Directors made the decision. Now is a wonderful time to choose a name that better reflects the work we do in our region to help build a culture of philanthropy.
WHAT DOES "WESTERN IOWA" INCLUDE FOR THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?
As we worked with our community stakeholders and charitable investors, we asked them to envision our region of support and service, through field of interest funds and through the opportunity to support nonprofits with the SHARE Iowa platform as well as the Make IT Happen fund development course. We are ready to support the vibrant communities in southwest Iowa, and want to include the entire western Iowa region in this opportunity to better engage and build our culture of philanthropy in a transformational way.
WHAT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WILL THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PROVIDE IN WESTERN IOWA?
SHARE Iowa, Make IT Happen, and two Field of Interest Funds: the Women's Fund of Southwest Iowa, and the Southwest Iowa Mental Health & Substance Abuse Fund.
what is the community foundation's role in western iowa communities and counties?
To help support the capacity of our nonprofits in western Iowa, and to build a culture of philanthropy.
how will share iowa work for our western iowa nonprofits?
SHARE Iowa’s purpose and mission is to help our nonprofits in Western Iowa fulfill their mission. SHARE Iowa offers the giving public opportunities to connect with metro nonprofits through donations, volunteering and shopping wish lists. We make it easy to find local nonprofits and engage with them how you choose. This open and inclusive platform amplifies the needs of the entire nonprofit community, giving all organizations a chance to be seen and heard regardless of size, cause or budget. We feel these elements are particularly important in our rural communities, where resources can be limited.
We believe this technology will engage new audiences and foster the donors who will sustain and advance western Iowa’s philanthropic future.
how will the community foundation interact/collaborate with surrounding community foundations?
Our communities are connected, both geographically, as well as culturally. To help build our culture of philanthropy through service, we are excited to work closely with the leaders in all our western Iowa communities to provide resources that build capacity and reinforce a culture of philanthropy through engagement, advocacy, and education.
who will be on the board for community foundation for western iowa?
PCCF is overseen by a volunteer board of leading citizens and run by professionals with expertise in identifying the needs of their community. As we increase our support for the region, we continue to engage Board members that represent a voice and insights into the communities we serve.
where will the community impact fund, formerly with pccf, now grant?
The intent of the primary philanthropic investment in the Community Impact Fund is to support Pottawattamie County.
when did the name change become official?
The official announcement was made May 8, 2022, with a ribbon cutting and dedication on May 16, 2022.