Community Foundation for Western Iowa
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa is a tax-exempt public charity (501(c)(3)) headquartered in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Founded in 2008, the organization serves thousands of individuals, families, businesses, and organizations committed to improving quality of life in southwest Iowa. The foundation operates as a philanthropic fundraising services organization that creates and administers permanent charitable funds for donors seeking to create lasting community impact.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$83.3M
+86.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.5M
-11.9% YoY
Grant Count
39
+34.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$91K
-34.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa's mission is to improve the quality of life in southwest Iowa by connecting donors committed to making a difference with pressing community issues and compelling projects. The organization identifies current and emerging issues to help investors channel resources and create lasting legacies addressing the most pressing needs in their communities.
The foundation facilitates giving across multiple focus areas including education, human services, philanthropy and grantmaking, mental health, and emergency relief.
Grantmaking
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa provides grants and allocations to nonprofit charitable organizations. Typical grant awards range from $5,033 to $3,033,500.
Review Cycle
have awarded approximately $65,000 in Community Impact Grants funding.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa primarily serves southwest Iowa, with grantmaking activity also extending to Nebraska and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $83,311,926
- Total Revenues: $40,729,739
- Total Expenses: $5,702,271
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $44,593,080
- Total Revenues: $4,632,343
- Total Expenses: $5,466,717
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $83,311,926 | $44,593,080 | $42,464,983 |
| Revenue | $40,729,739 | $4,632,343 | $3,918,445 |
| Expenses | $5,702,271 | $5,466,717 | $6,680,004 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,948,452 | $2,001,198 | $1,118,951 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
147 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Community Foundation for Western Iowa
Henry K. Peterson Foundation Grant
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR WESTERN IOWA
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Fund of Southwest Iowa
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR WESTERN IOWA
Amount
US $500 - US $2,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
PCIF Community Impact Grants
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR WESTERN IOWA
Amount
US $500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Southwest Iowa Nonprofit for Collective Impact ($1,000,000), Charles E Lakin Human Services Campus ($600,000), Iowa State University Foundation ($360,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN MIDWEST BALLET COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | ARTS & CULTURE GRANT | $43,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE MIDLANDS OMAHA, NE | YOUTH SUPPORT GRANTS | $13,000 |
| CENTRO LATINO OF IOWA COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | HUMAN SERVICES GRANT | $31,000 |
| CHILDRENS SQUARE USA COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | YOUTH SUPPORT GRANTS | $30,081 |
| COUNCIL BLUFFS SCHOOL DISTRICT COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | YOUTH GRANTS | $315,000 |
| MICAH HOUSE CORPORATION COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | HUMAN SERVICES | $21,000 |
| NEW VISIONS HOMELESS SERVICES COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | HUMAN SERVICES | $125,562 |
| POTTAWATTAMIE ARTS CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | ARTS & CULTURE | $193,150 |
| POTTAWATTAMIE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | ENVIRONMENTAL & ANIMAL | $7,000 |
| RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT CARSON, IA | EDUCATION GRANT | $51,513 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONNIE CASSON | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KATHERYNE CUTLER | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY FAHRENKROG | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ALAN GARDNER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHERYL GARST | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LUCY HOUGH | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JOHN JERKOVICH | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| HENRY MCKINLEY | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DAN PETERSON | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHRISTY SAUSER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DONNA SCHOEPPNER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NANCY SCHULZE | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN WILD | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINA BATEMAN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KEVIN CABBAGE | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHEILA JACOBS | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DONNA DOSTAL | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $173,640 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa has been actively accepting applications for Community Impact Grants and other funding opportunities. Recent grant cycles have distributed approximately $65,000 in impact grants funding. The organization also committed $100,000 to the Westfair Project.
Community Foundation for Western Iowa Now Accepting ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Community Foundation for Western Iowa fund?
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa's mission is to improve the quality of life in southwest Iowa by connecting donors committed to making a difference with pressing community issues and compelling projects. The organization identifies current and emerging issues to help investors channel resources and create lasting legacies addressing the most pressing needs in their communities. The foundation facilitates giving across multiple focus areas including education, human services, philanthr…
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation for Western Iowa?
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa provides grants and allocations to nonprofit charitable organizations. Typical grant awards range from $5,033 to $3,033,500. The foundation offers multiple fund types for donors, including: • Donor Advised Funds • Corporate Donor Advised Funds • Designated Funds • Scholarship Funds • Nonprofit Agency Funds • Affiliate Community Funds • Field of Interest Funds • Unrestricted Funds • Fiscal Sponsorship • Family and Private Foundations Active grant opportu…
Where does Community Foundation for Western Iowa make grants?
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa primarily serves southwest Iowa, with grantmaking activity also extending to Nebraska and Michigan.
What size grants does Community Foundation for Western Iowa award?
In 2024, Community Foundation for Western Iowa awarded 39 grants totaling $3.5M — an average of about $91K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Community Foundation for Western Iowa's EIN?
Community Foundation for Western Iowa's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1382215. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation for Western Iowa's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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