Pottawattamie County Community Foundation and its Board of Directors have identified growth opportunities and the need for increased services and philanthropic support beyond Pottawattamie County and into the western Iowa region. A name change from Pottawattamie County Community Foundation to the Community Foundation for Western Iowa (www.givewesterniowa.org) better reflects the Foundation’s mission to build community through giving while being a leader in donor-centric philanthropy. Over the last 15 years, the Community Foundation has learned how necessary it is to build funding sources for areas of need, where caring and committed donors can invest their charitable dollars in ways that fill their passion, while creating lasting change in our communities. Two “Field of Interest” funds have been established at the Community Foundation – the Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa and Southwest Iowa Mental Health and Substance Abuse Fund – both created to support nonprofit organizations in nine counties throughout southwest Iowa while increasing access to philanthropic funding in a holistic and regional way.
In addition to the new funding sources, the Community Foundation established a “Make It Happen” fund development program to help nonprofit organizations build leadership within their organizations, and to assist them in developing a rich culture of philanthropy in the communities they serve. In late May, the Community Foundation also brought SHARE Iowa to the region to support nonprofit organizations through donor engagement and a high level of donor-centered service.
In November 2021, the Community Foundation moved back into a newly renovated and expanded building at 536 E Broadway due to generous funding support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation. A gift of $556,000 helped the Community Foundation add a total of 1,110 square feet, complete with four additional office spaces for future staff capacity needs, new ADA compliant restrooms, a staff kitchenette, and a large conference room to host board and committee meetings.
The Community Foundation welcomed nearly 150 community members and supporters for their ribbon cutting and building dedication on May 16. The event, in collaboration with the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrated the Community Foundation’s new name and renovation, and revealed a special oil painting tribute to the late Charles and Florence Lakin and their family by local artist Zack Jones of Malvern, IA. The renovated building has been dedicated as the Florence M. and Charles E. Lakin Center for Community Giving.
Community Foundation for Western Iowa, formally Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, was established in 2008 by four founding board members—Bobbette Behrens, Dean Fischer, Marie Knedler, and Kelly Summy—with the help of an initial grant from the Iowa West Foundation. Last year, investors awarded 269 grants totaling an astounding $1.9 million dollars to a variety of nonprofit organizations in focus areas such as community betterment, education, human services, and arts and culture. The investor granting, coupled with the Foundation’s grant awards, was $2.2 million. Additionally, the annual impact report revealed a significant increase of its total assets to $52,363,015 by the end of December, a 15.8% increase from 2021, and nearly $40 million more from its total assets in 2017. Learn more at www.givewesterniowa.org.
L-R: Steve Wild, president; Debbie Johnson, director; Charles Lakin III, director; John Hoich, vice president; Jennifer Green, grants manager; and Zack Jones, artist.