Community Foundation for western iowa awards record $68,870 in latest and largest impact grants funding cycle

June 8, 2022 - In its latest and largest Impact Grants funding cycle to-date, the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, formerly Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, is pleased to announce its 2022 Community Impact Grants award recipients. After a thorough evaluation process, the Community Impact Grants Committee – a group of county residents and board members – elected to award 40 Community Impact Grants totaling $68,870 to Pottawattamie County nonprofit and city organizations, a 15% increase in grant dollars from the 2021 grant cycle. 

The Community Foundation received 64 grant proposals totaling $226,921.63 in project requests, with total project budgets combined at an impressive $1.9 Million dollars, signifying the incredible work that is being done in Pottawattamie County.

Individual grant awards for this year’s funding cycle ranged from $500 to $5,000 to benefit innovative and meaningful projects that align with the Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of all county residents. Annually, Community Impact Grants funding is eligible to any tax-exempt, nonprofit organization or governmental entity for creative or impactful projects that meet a clear, identifiable need in Pottawattamie County. Grants are allocated to projects in a variety of focus areas, such as: Arts & Culture, Community Betterment, Community Engagement, Education, Environment, Health, Human Services, and Youth.

“This record-breaking cycle for our Community Impact Grants truly illustrates the amazing and impactful work being done throughout our county by nonprofit organizations and community groups,” said Donna Dostal, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Our entire team here at the Community Foundation is committed to supporting these important projects and programs, not only with funding, but also through communication and sharing their stories of impact. We are honored to be able to assist in their work.” 

The majority of the Community Foundation’s grant making is directed by donors who have funds created to purposefully impact charities located within our community and throughout Western Iowa. Dostal added that individuals and businesses can create their own fund through the Community Foundation to “give back” and contributions can receive major tax benefits. New endowment funds and future contributions will receive an additional 10% contribution from Community Foundation for Western Iowa, and an Endow Iowa tax credit of 25% may also be available. In 2021, donors at the Community Foundation provided 269 grants totaling an astounding $1.9 million dollars to a variety of nonprofit organizations. For information on creating a fund, please call 712-256-7007 or visit www.givewesterniowa.org for more details. Community Foundation for Western Iowa is nationally accredited by the Council on Foundations (www.cfstandards.org).

2022 Community Grants Award Recipients