The Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa Steering Committee, an initiative of the Community Foundation for Western Iowa (www.givewesterniowa.org), was recognized by the State of Iowa for its outstanding commitment and service. The committee accepted the volunteer award on June 21 at a ceremony where more than 100 individuals and groups were honored by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
In 2018, after purposeful planning and a collaborative needs-assessment within the communities that make up southwest Iowa, the Community Foundation created the Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa – an endowed Fund to support nonprofit organizations with a goal to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of women and their families. The ongoing work to lead the strategy, provide community-based insights, and fund development is managed by a steering committee of 16 devoted individuals who are committed to bringing awareness to critical needs in southwest Iowa where poverty, lack of childcare, and issues around women’s safety and health are at a stage of crisis. Members include Kim Armstrong, Jerry Banks, Connie Casson, Kate Cutler, Heather Davis, Judy Davis, Donna Dostal, Michelle Franks, Heidi Hough, Lucy Hough, Ashley Jankowski, Alison Johnson, Suzanne Kotula, Darlene Pilling, Nancy Schulze, Inez Summy, Lana White, and Janet Whitson.
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa and its Board are thankful for the efforts the Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa Steering Committee puts forth each and every day and are proud to share that the Fund to-date has awarded nearly $125,000 in grant dollars across southwest Iowa. Learn more at www.givewesterniowa.org.
Members of the Women’s Fund steering committee at the inaugural Impact for Women Summit in October 2021. L-R: Jerry Banks, Inez Summy, Donna Dostal (president and CEO of the Community Foundation), Nancy Schulze, Alison Johnson, Kate Cutler, Lucy Hough, Lana White, Judy Davis.