COUNCIL BLUFFS (Nov. 20, 2023) – Giving Tuesday is tomorrow (Nov. 28, 2023). It is a global day of giving and the largest day of giving in our region. Giving Tuesday is a day that encourages people to do good and that every act of generosity matters.

Leading the Giving Tuesday 712 charge in western Iowa is SHARE Iowa, an initiative of the Community Foundation for Western Iowa. SHARE Iowa is a one-stop online platform for supporting the good work of nonprofits in nine counties throughout Western Iowa by connecting residents to easy ways of doing good through financial giving, in-kind donations of items and volunteerism. SHARE Iowa’s resources are brought to the region by the Community Foundation for Western Iowa and through the generosity of the Charles E. Lakin Family Foundation. Iowans now have more opportunities to yield positive outcomes in their communities and learn more about the organizations that impact people in their neighborhoods, towns, cities and states. Currently, there are more than 200 nonprofits partnered with SHARE Iowa.

Nonprofit organizations that partner with SHARE Iowa are dedicating time, efforts and resources to Giving Tuesday to collectively advocate for support and connect with their community.

Community Foundation for Western Iowa President and CEO Donna Dostal states “for all of us to give back to the nonprofit organizations who are doing wonderful, necessary work in our communities during Giving Tuesday 712 maximizes a natural and traditional season of giving. For nonprofits to end the year on this high note of support and financial strength really makes a difference in the impact they create.”

This year, the Community Foundation again will earmark $250,000 for a 20% match on charitable gifts to endowment funds within the Community Foundation. The 20% match is on gifts up to $100,000 per fund. Nonprofit organizations with an endowment fund with the Community Foundation can have supporters donate directly to their endowment fund through SHARE Iowa. This special match is a gift from the Community Foundation during Giving Tuesday 712 to our nonprofit partners to amplify the impact of their generous donors.

Endowment funds are designed to build and grow over time, which provides income to the nonprofit organization for years to come. They are an investment into an organization’s future sustainability, so it may continue its work. When the Community Foundation launched SHARE Iowa, it was important to include an easy option for donors to support organizations in a number of ways that include their endowments. If an organization has an endowment fund through the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, a donor will see a “Donate to Endowment” button as one of the giving options to support their favorite nonprofits.

The Community Foundation also will provide an array of $1,000 hourly prizes for SHARE Iowa nonprofit organizations that participate in Giving Tuesday 712. We are grateful for the generosity of the businesses and individuals who sponsor these prizes.

New this year, Katelman Steel Fabrication, Inc. will sponsor the activities and excitement during Giving Tuesday 712. Tony Hovenga, President and Owner of Katelman Steel states: “Katelman Steel is excited to be the new sponsor for Giving Tuesday 712.  We are honored to be involved with SHARE Iowa and the Community Foundation for Western Iowa as they create a culture of philanthropy in our area. We are thankful for a community that has supported us for nearly 100 years. Katelman Steel understands the importance of giving back to our community and partnering as this year’s Giving Tuesday 712 sponsor is a great way to make impact in our area and give where we live.”

The Community Foundation for Western Iowa will be the heart of Giving Tuesday 712 fun and excitement this year. All day long, community members and nonprofits are encouraged to come to the Community Foundation office on 536 E. Broadway in Council Bluffs for check presentations, special guest appearances and to be part of the excitement that giving creates throughout the day. At the end of this special day of giving, everyone from across the region is encouraged to come to the Community Foundation for Western Iowa from 5 to 7 p.m. to celebrate the success and generosity of Giving Tuesday.

“We love to celebrate this day of giving and encourage the community, nonprofit organizations and their supporters to celebrate with us.” Dostal states. “We are thrilled to show what the ‘west coast’ of Iowa can do when we come together and support the organizations that have a big impact in our communities.”

Giving Tuesday is an important day of giving. Every act of generosity matters, and everyone can contribute toward building a better world in which we all want to live. Donors are encouraged to visit sharegoodiowa.org to find new nonprofits to support on Giving Tuesday and any day throughout the year.