(Council Bluffs, IA) – The future of career-based education in Pottawattamie County is strong, with the Iowa West Foundation committing nearly $1 million to local school districts and education partners as part of its ASPIRE investments for the second year. The initiative allows urban and rural districts flexible funding to grow existing workforce training programs or launch new opportunities for their students that result in meaningful and financially stable career paths. Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, says “The benefits of ASPIRE are multi-faceted. Not only do students thrive when their education is meaningful to their future, but also the business community benefits when the workforce pipeline is prepared to enter in-demand jobs. We want everyone to imagine a successful future for themselves, right here in Pottawattamie County.”

In addition to the school districts, ASPIRE supports education partners including Iowa Western Community College, STARS, and Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowa. Of the high schools in rural areas of Pottawattamie County who receive ASPIRE funding, two have elected to use the $25,000 in funding allotted toward a partnership with Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates or iJAG. The Foundation also awarded a series of grants to non-profit organizations that fight hunger and food insecurity in southwest Iowa, which is at an all-time high according to Brian Barks, President and CEO of the Food Bank for the Heartland.

“This grant will have a direct impact on families and individuals living in food deserts across Pottawattamie, Cass, Montgomery, and Shelby Counties in southwest Iowa,” he said, noting the consistent access to healthy foods through its Mobile Pantry Program. “This additional support will deliver hope and nutritious food to neighbors in southwest Iowa, helping them focus, live, and thrive.” Both the Food Bank for the Heartland and the Food Bank of Iowa received $30,000 grants. The Food Bank of Iowa’s funding will supply pantries in Adams, Audubon, Carroll, and Taylor counties and their school-based weekend backpack program. Lastly, Together Inc. received $200,000 to continue pantry operations in Council Bluffs. The organization will move into its new permanent location at the Iowa West Foundation Collaboration Center in September.

Partnerships with local casinos Ameristar, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe make it possible for the Foundation to continuously award outcome-focused grants in southwest Iowa communities. Fees from gaming and income from Foundation investments provide funding for programs and projects that benefit the residents of 14 counties in southwest Iowa.

The Iowa West Foundation has a two-step grants process, with Letters of Inquiry (LOI) accepted year-round. LOIs received by Sept. 1 will be considered in the next cycle with final applications due by Sept. 15^th. All applicants will need to create a Giving Data account to access the LOI and application unless they have already done so. A grant application workshop will be held on July 31^st in Harlan.

2024 Cycle 2 Grants and Initiatives
ASPIRE

• AHSTW Community School District $25,000
• Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowa $215,000
• Council Bluffs Community School District $325,000
• Iowa Western Community College $69,500
• Lewis Central Community School District $100,000
• Riverside Community School District $25,000
• STARS Scholarships $350,000
• Treynor Community School District $25,000
• Tri-Center Community School District $25,000

American Midwest Ballet: Operating funding, $125,000
City of Carroll: Historic Band Shell in Graham Park, $7,500

City of Council Bluffs: FIRST AVE mural program, $77,500

City of Glenwood: Welcome sign, $15,000

Family Crisis Centers, Inc.: 24/7 Iowa Victim Service Call Center in IWF funding area, $8,500

Food Bank of the Heartland: Support for mobile pantries, $30,000
Food Bank of Iowa: Support for school-based pantries, weekend backpack programs, and mobile pantries, $30,000

Heartland Family Service: Capital funding for the therapeutic education center in Council Bluffs, $365,000

Immigrant Legal Center: Legal services in SWI,$85,000

Iowa Western Community College Foundation: Support for the IWCC Arts Center’s 2024-2025 Season, $34,000

 Metro Revamp Collective: Risk mitigation for property owners who rent to tenants at risk of being unhoused, $30,000

Micah House: Shelter and support services, $80,000

National Alliance on Mental Illness -SWI: Peer-led mental health support, outreach, and services, $35,000

Nature Conservancy of Iowa: Protect and provide public access to 472 acres of Loess Hills prairie habitat near Council Bluffs, $500,000
Nebraska Diaper Bank: Diapers for children in need in Pottawattamie County, $10,000

Kiewit Luminarium: Luminator internship program & STEM enrichment in SWI, $50,000

Omaha Symphony Association: Music education programs in SWI , $21,000

Opera Omaha: Iowa Community Engagement, $15,000 

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.: Healthy relationships workshops in Council Bluffs schools, $10,000 

Silver City Ambulance Service: Cardiac Monitor Defibrillator, $4,000

Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund: Housing repair, $125,000

The 712 Initiative: Operating funding, $125,000

The Rose Theater: Field trips for 17 SWI schools, in-school programs at two Council Bluffs schools, $15,477
The Wellbeing Partners: WhatMakesUs campaign, $5,000

Together Inc.: Council Bluffs Pantry operating expenses, $200,000

Union Pacific Museum Association: Railroad Days 2024, $23,000
University of Nebraska Foundation – Samuel Bak Museum: Field trips for Council Bluffs students, $15,470

Women of Color: Iowa West Foundation initiative, $50,000.