American Midwest Ballet
Season 11 Outreach and Education | $1,500
American Midwest Ballet utilized 2020 Community Impact Grant funding to provide virtual outreach and programming for Pottawattamie County residents and low-income students, including "The Nutcracker Home Cinema Edition" -- a free film offered via Facebook and YouTube. American Midwest Ballet engaged individuals and organizations throughout Pottawattamie County including the following partners: Heartland Family Service, Impact Hill, and Methodist Jennie Edmundson.
Additionally, American Midwest Ballet partnered with Omaha Performing Arts to offer a digital field trip to "The Nutcracker" to over 10,000 students in Iowa, Nebraska and beyond and reached over 1,000 students through interactive Nutcracker workshops online.
Birthright of Council Bluffs
Formula Vouchers | $1,000
The Community Foundation provided a $1,000 Community Impact Grant to Birthright of Council Bluffs to support formula vouchers. Birthright supports women and men distressed by an unplanned pregnancy, regardless of their circumstances, with resources, tests, parenting and adoption guidance, and clothing. Services are free, safe and confidential.
Through the formula voucher program, parents receive a voucher valid for one large formula for their baby (newborn to one year of age). Parents are also asked to register for the WIC program which also provides formula, and Birthright is available to supplement the formula need. Since 2018, nearly 100 families have benefitted from vouchers.
Carson Community Rodeo
Carson Rodeo VIP Booths, Phase 3 | $2,500
Carson Community Rodeo received a $2,500 Community Impact Grant to build two VIP booths during phase three of their Sky Box project. The Community Foundation helped provide funding for the four existing VIP booths, built to offer a first-class view of the long-standing community rodeo.
The 43rd Carson Community Rodeo was held July 30, 31, and August 1 and featured 447 strong competitors, including four world champions. It is the largest community-area event with an average attendance of 5,000 spectators, 100 vendors and 100 volunteers, and has received national awards such as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Best Small Town Rodeo of the Year, and the Women's Professional Rodeo Association Justin Boots Best Footing Award.
The sold-out VIP hospitality booths accommodated 180 guests each night and offered attendees a more-developed way to experience the sport of rodeo.
"The Carson Community Rodeo is an extremely organized, popular, and well-attended event for Southwest Iowa," said Donna Dostal, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. "The three-day event is appealing to all ages and we truly applaud the effort and dedication that the rodeo committees and athletes put forth to see the CCR come true. It is such a gem in our community and we are delighted to support this fantastic event."
Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus
Back to School Extravaganza | $1,500
Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus received a $1,500 Community Impact Grant to support the purchase of earbuds and water bottles for their Back to School Extravaganza event in August 2020. The Back to School event benefits school-age children in Pottawattamie County and throughout southwest Iowa.
At the drive-through modified event due to Covid-19, 581 Children received free backpacks filled with school supplies and necessities, including: spiral notebooks, pocket folders, pencils, crayons, markers, glue, a water bottle, one set of earbuds, and two face masks.
Additionally, Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus partnered with Children's Square, MICAH House, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands to provide backpacks for children in need, and they also distributed 35 backpacks to elementary schools within the Council Bluffs Community School District: Edison, Carter Lake, Longfellow and Bloomer.
In total, 756 backpacks were distributed throughout our community, an increase of 256 backpacks from the 2019 event.
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs
Basic Health Needs Assistance Program | $1,500
The Basic Health Needs Assistance Program (BHNAP) at CHI Health Mercy was created by the CHI Health Mercy Care Management Team in partnership with their Emergency and Behavioral Health Departments to address the immediate needs of our community's most vulnerable patient population. The Community Impact Grant funding of $1,500 from the Community Foundation was used to purchase necessities for patients, including: essential clothing (jackets, undergarments, gloves, hats, socks,) and medical equipment (crutches, canes, walkers, blood sugar monitors, child car seats). CHI Mercy also used funds to purchase medications and transportation vouchers for patients needing assistance.
“We are beyond grateful for the funding from the Community Foundation for Western Iowa that allows us to care for our most vulnerable patients through a new effort called the Basic Health Needs Assistance Program," said Shannon Luther, director of care management at CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs. "This program is a reflection of our 133 year mission and our commitment to treating the whole person - not just the body – by providing comprehensive, compassionate care that goes beyond the walls of the hospital. Through this grant, we can provide our patients in need with a clean pair of clothes, a coat in the winter, crutches for a sprained ankle, and a bus ticket home.”
Avoca Main Street
Holidays on Main 2020 | $1,000
Avoca Main Street received a Community Impact Grant of $1,000 to support the 7th Annual Holidays on Main event, "Christmas Cruise."
Many nonprofit organizations have pivoted their events due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Avoca Main Street was able to successfully execute their annual Holidays on Main event on November 28 with more than 100 families and 60 volunteers participating in festivities.
The "Christmas Cruise" consisted of a drive-through experience with a scavenger hunt with 10 randomly drawn winners, take-out pancake dinners, hot chocolate and cookies, and inflatable holiday characters. Santa also made an appearance with his elves to accept letters.
City of Avoca
Avoca Main Street | $1,000
Avoca Main Street, Inc. received a 2020 Community Impact Grant to support their summer Farmers Market, and their annual Longest Table event.
Avoca Main Street successfully hosted 16 Farmers Market events in a safe environment for community members and vendors last summer. They partnered with Golden Hills RC&D to provide educational offerings for attendees, and provided community engagement with 10 live musical performances and a sidewalk chalk challenge curated by Avoca Public Library.
Like many organizations, Avoca Main Street had to pivot their events during the COVID pandemic and as a result, created the "Most Generous Table" in lieu of their annual Longest Table event. They obtained local produce from their Farmers Market vendors and local food products through a regional food hub to package 50 multi-course meals for two people each. They distributed the meals free of charge in their community and received free-will donations to support their organization in return.
Avoca Main Street successfully maintained their goals of hosting safe economically-boosting activities in downtown Avoca that allowed residents to gather and to obtain fresh healthy produce and baked goods.
City of Council Bluffs
Parks and Recreation, Recreation on the Move | $1,000
The City of Council Bluffs' new Recreation on-the-Move program is designed to increase City youth’s access to recreation activities and equipment. The mobile program travels to varying City neighborhoods each summer. The Community Foundation for Western Iowa granted the City of Council Bluffs a $1,000 Community Impact Grant to purchase much-needed equipment to fully-stock the vehicle.
Phoenix House Family Services
Completely Kids | $1,000
Funding from the Community Foundation will be used for needed materials for child-focused academic and life skills development activities, including project-based learning models and fun, educational field trips. Completely Kids' Phoenix House Family Services supports surivors of domestic violence and their children to overcome the overwhelming stressors and upheaval of violence and homelessness. To provide families with the best shot at long-term recovery, Completely KIDS offers activities in: Family Engagement, Parent Programming, and After-School Programming.
Council Bluffs Schools Foundation
Summer Read and Feed Program | $1,000
Council Bluffs Schools Foundation received a $1,000 Community Impact Grant to support their Summer Read and Feed Program.
The intention of Read and Feed, a program of summer Kids & Company, is to build at-home libraries and encourage reading in order to maintain literacy skills learned the previous school year by providing free books and offering weekend meal packs for children and families experiencing food insecurities.
Last summer, Read and Feed distributed over 2,800 books and more than 1,400 meals to children during the summer months.
"We are incredibly thankful for community partners like the Community Foundation for Western Iowa. The most powerful way to improve reading achievement is to increase access to age appropriate reading materials. Since 2018, more than 6,200 books and over 3,000 meal packs have been distributed to students through the Read and Feed program."
- Greg Smith, Kids & Company Program Director
Council Bluffs Soccer Club
Soccer For All | $500
The Community Foundation granted the Council Bluffs Soccer Club a Community Impact Grant to support the "Soccer For All Scholarship Program" -- a program that provides full or partial registration fee assistance for families needing financial support.
"The funds from the Community Foundation for Western Iowa have made a huge impact by providing access to sports for all kids," said Arian Haddix, executive director of Council Bluffs Soccer Club. "By supporting our mission and providing fee assistance to players of all ages and abilities, any player can be part of a team and experience all that youth sports can offer and create lifelong memories."
Crossroads of Western Iowa
Council Bluffs LINKS Program | $1,000
In 2020, Crossroads of Western Iowa received a $1,000 Community Impact Grant to support the purchase of a Hoyer Deluxe Power Lift for their Council Bluffs LINKS Program.
The patient lift is used to safely transfer clients with limited mobility between standing, sitting, and laying. It also promotes client independence while easing the physical demand on Crossroads Direct Support Professionals and Caregivers.
First Responders Foundation
First Responders Support Team Programming
Pottawattamie County | $2,000
First Responders Support Team (FRST) programming is a well-being program which aims to build mental, emotional, and physical resiliency and coping skills in first responders and their families. FRST programs include mental, behavioral and physical wellbeing services, workshops, support groups and clinically lead private sessions. Grant funding from the Community Foundation will support peer support training in department peer groups.
Gibraltar Neighborhood Association
Fairmount Park Trailhead Project | $1,000
Funding from the Community Foundation will support the purchase/installation of additional trail and landscaping materials to develop a path from the trailhead into the trailhead system.
Golden Hills RC&D
2020 Southwest Iowa Art Tour | $1,500
The 2020 Southwest Iowa Art Tour -- September 18-20 -- will be the seventh annual event connecting rural communities through art. The tour connects nearly 100 local artists with thousands of visits, which turn into sales and lasting relationships. A dozen communities unite to promote this great regional event, which supports the inclusion of art in everyday life and provides an economic boost to our area.
Community Foundation funds will help support the promotion of the annual art tour, and will be used for the printing of event brochures.
Golden Hills RC&D
Pottawattamie County's Great Outdoors | $2,000
Golden Hills RC&D received a $2,000 Community Impact grant to support the creation of videos highlighting Pottawattamie County's great outdoors.
Videos feature parks and wildlife areas in Pottawattamie County outside of Council Bluffs and the Loess Hills as part of WanderLoess, the marketing program for the Loess Hills Missouri River Region.
Areas featured in the videos include Arrowhead County Park near Neola, Botna Bend Park in Hancock, Edgington City Park in Avoca, the West Nishnabotna River Water Trail, and Farm Creek and Wheeler Grove wildlife areas near Carson and Macedonia.
This featured video highlights places to hike, bike, fish and paddle in eastern Pottawattamie County.
Historic General Dodge House
Virtual Tour and Education Project | $2,500
Funds will be used for the filming and production of two high-quality video virtual tours. (Please see the attached proposal.) These tours will be free and disseminated as widely as possible. We also believe that these videos, when presented with opportunities to give, will inspire individuals to make on-line donations or become members of the Dodge House. Area schools can utilize the video tours to enhance educational outcomes.
Impact Hill
2020 Programming | $2,000
Grant funding will be used for supplies and facility use in order to maintain low fees for attendees. Programs and classes are taught by a certified or experienced professional in their fields of expertise.
Inter-Faith Response
Emergency Assistance Fund | $1,500
Grant funds will help support the most vulnerable families in Pottawattamie County who need assistance with rent or utilities.
Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital Foundation
Caring for Our Community | $2,500
Jennie Edmundson Foundation received a $2,500 Community Impact Grant from the Community Foundation to support the Caring for Our Communities Pharmacy Voucher Program for low-income older adults, and individuals who require multiple medications for chronic conditions.
When costs are a concern, patients are likely to take less of their medication than what was prescribed in attempt to reduce drug costs. The decision to skip doses or take lower doses of prescribed medicines can quickly lead to serious health complications and increased hospitalizations -- especially among patients with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart failure, or depression.
The Caring for Our Community Program provided services to nearly 1,700 individuals, and on more than 667 occasions, program participants received vouchers and/or financial assistance that allowed them to obtain medications; arrange for transportation; acquire durable medical equipment, and more.
"On behalf of all of our Caring for Our Community Partners, we would like to share our appreciation to the Community Foundation for their ongoing support and dedication to caring for some of our most vulnerable individuals in our community," said Tara Slevin, Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Jennie Edmundson Foundation. "We are honored to partner with such an amazing organization!"
Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska DBA Immigrant
Legal Center
Southwest Iowa Immigration Legal Services | $1,500
Grant funding from the Community Foundation will support the Southwest Iowa Program, with an expected 80 consultation and 40 new cases.
League of Human Dignity
Medical Equipment Loan and Rental Program | $1,500
League of Human Dignity received a $1,500 Community Impact Grant to support their Medical Equipment Loan and Rental Program. Funds helped League of Human Dignity continue to provide durable medical equipment to vulnerable community members for a nominal fee of just $5. Equipment included: walkers, bath benches, commodes, toilet risers, grab bars, portable ramps, and safety rails.
New Visions Homeless Services
MOHMS Place Meal Site | $2,000
New Visions Homeless Services received a $2,000 Community Impact Grant last year from the Community Foundation to support MOHMS Place, a meal site that provides meals to the homeless and near-homeless population in our community.
A year unlike any other, New Visions expanded their food programs by 300% during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing 9,016 food pantries to 31,409 individuals. The MOHMs Place site alone served 109,588 meals and provided 13,215 sacked meals to single men, women, children, and families experiencing homelessness and hunger in our community.
"With the help of the Community Foundation for Western Iowa we were able to help meet the need of the community having our food security program increase by over 300%," said Brandy Wallar, New Visions Volunteer and Program Director. "Since the beginning of the pandemic we have been able to provide 402,861 meals to SW Iowa families through our meal site and pantry programs."
Oakland Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
Pager Replacement | $1,500
Oakland Fire and Rescue received a $1,500 Community Impact grant from the Community Foundation for Western Iowa to support the purchase of six new pagers to replace 10+ year-old models.
Pagers are the primary source of communication for the Oakland Fire and Rescue Department and are used to notify personnel of a call for service.
"Recently, Oakland Fire received grant money to purchase new pagers that have benefited our department in multiple ways," said Braeton Moore, Assistant Chief-EMS for Oakland Fire and Rescue. "The new battery lasts 3 times longer than our old Minitor 5 pagers -- we used to get close to an 8 hour charge, and now we can go for a day or two without a charge. Clear communication from dispatch and other agencies when Oakland has a call for service, and responding to other mutual departments for aid. The department is unable to purchase new Minitor 5’s as they are discontinued now and only the Minitor 6 is available for purchase. We would like to thank the Community Foundation for their help in purchasing the new pagers and helping us continue to help our community and the surrounding communities as well!"
Omaha/Council Bluffs Bridges Out of Poverty
Southwest Iowa Poverty Alleviation Initiative | $1,500
Grant funds will be used in Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County for providing 10 week Getting Ahead classes to cohorts of 12 to 14 under-resourced individuals with multiple cohorts in each calendar quarter. Costs of delivering the program include: Facilitator and cofacilitator; Space costs; Books; Supplies; Food; Participant stipends; Childcare; Follow-up Life Skills Coaching; and Community Education.
Omaha Conservatory of Music
Pottawattamie County String Sprouts | $1,000
The Community Foundation's Impact Grant to Omaha Conservatory of Music will support the Pottawattamie County String Sprouts early education program for children ages three to nine and their families.
Omaha Performing Arts
2020-21 Musical Explorers | $1,000
Grant funding from the Community Foundation will support the Musical Explorers program in Pottawattamie County -- a semester-long, curriculum-based music education program presented by O-PA in partnership with Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute. The program focuses on three local musical ensembles, each representing a musical style and cultural community, and encourages children to make personal connections between the artists' music, their neighborhoods, and their own lives.
Omaha Symphony
2020-21 Mission Imagination at Iowa Western | $1,500
Each year, the Omaha Symphony’s Mission Imagination program and team travels to Southwest Iowa to provide a unique educational opportunity for students in Southwest Iowa. Mission Imagination is an interactive musical experience that aims to teach students age appropriate music concepts to start a foundation in music. In 2021, the Omaha Symphony will perform four “Melvin the Explorer” at the Arts Center on the Iowa Western Community College Campus for pre-k through 3rd grade students.
Pottawattamie Arts Culture & Entertainment
PACE Music & Movies in the Park/Community Events | $1,500
In 2020, many of our local nonprofit organizations had to pivot their programming and education efforts due to restrictions and guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment was unable to offer their annual Music and Movies in the Park last summer, but tirelessly worked to provide safe and socially-distanced programming for individuals of all ages. They utilized their Community Impact Grant funding from the Community Foundation to offer free and low cost classes in October to community members that benefitted 81 adults, 27 children and 9 artists in a safe manor, and over 1,800 individuals virtually.
"We believe that when our community – young and old – connects with the arts, everyone’s lives are enriched," said Danna Kehm, CEO of Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment. "We’re committed to building a robust cultural environment, and the October programming supported by the Community Foundation for Western Iowa helped make that possible. Thank you to the team at the Community Foundation for your support during these challenging times."
Share My Smile
Mission Victory | $500
Mission Victory was created in April 2020 to support Foster Teens in their educational growth and strengthen life skills. The program is offered to Foster Youth grades 6 through 12. Mission Victory offers a monthly group meeting to youth and encourages teens to participate in life skills activities and courses to earn various rewards.
Grant funds will be used to purchase supplies for graduation packages, life skills rewards, and course support.
Southwest Iowa Mediation Center
Children In The Middle Class Pottawattamie | $1,000
This project will provide the parents with accurate information, provide them with helpful tips, and provide them with proven strategies. These proven strategies enable the parents to reduce the potential conflict, helps them to recognize detrimental behavior, and helps them to attune themselves to the needs of their children. The project provides information from the Iowa Supreme Court, and provides a listing of resources that are available for parents from other providers.
Southwest Iowa Nature Trails Project
Wabash Trace Pottawattamie County Resurfacing | $2,000
For over 30 years, the Wabash Trace has served as a backbone to the region's trail system.
Grant funds will be used towards the placement of new crushed limestone surfacing on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail between mile marker 6 and Applewood.
Underwood Optimist Club
Community Ball Field Facility and
Concession Improvement | $2,000
Funds from the Community Foundation will support the Underwood Community Ballfield in scoreboard improvements, dugout upgrades, paint, and concession stand equipment.
Union Pacific Museum Association
Farm to Fork Tales; Stories of Recent
Immigrant Farmers | $1,000
Grant funding will support a pop-up exhibit focusing on the history of labor and labor relations with a special focus on the immigrant experience. Funds will help support a story-telling performance, speaker mileage and lodging, sound equipment, and other event fees.
Walnut Community Center Foundation
Youth Basketball | $2,500
Grant funds will support the purchase of adjustable basketball hoops to meet the need and demand for youth sports.
West Pottawattamie County Agricultural Extension District
Speak Up Be Safe Program | $2,000
Funds will support the Speak Up Be Safe Program in Pottawattamie County schools in grades preK-4th grade.
Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center
Healing Garden | $1,000
Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center received a $1,000 Community Impact Grant to support the creation of their indoor Healing Garden -- a healing space for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.
In addition to the new indoor Healing Garden, Wings of Hope was able to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic by transferring many of their mental health services to an online format to keep patients and caregivers safe, such as creating two safe space environments called "Huddle Groups" that has supported over 217 contacts.
“The grant from the Community Foundation was instrumental in jump-starting the programming aspects of the Healing Garden project," said Carolyn Ettinger, executive director of Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center. "Wings of Hope is proud of the fact that the slow pace of building alterations in 2020 due to the pandemic did not slow or prevent the development of new and exciting mental health programming. Our adaptation to an online method of service delivery for mental health programming was prompt and responsive to unfolding challenges."