Iowa West Foundation announces $2.7 million in grants and initiative funding
Investments support career education, housing stability
The Iowa West Foundation announced major investments in housing stability and career education among other priorities through recently awarded grants and initiative funding.
The foundation's first funding cycle of 2026 saw more than $2.7 million distributed to 36 nonprofits, school districts and municipalities, according to a news release.
Brenda Mainwaring, president and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, delivers remarks during the unveiling of the Council Bluffs Professional Sports Roster at the Iowa West Field House on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
Housing stability
Iowa West poured $525,000 into three organizations working to provide increased housing stability as part of its efforts to keep people from becoming homeless in Southwest Iowa.
Together Inc.'s housing stability fund received a $250,000 infusion, while Heartland Family Service received $200,000 toward permanent supportive housing. Iowa Legal Aid was provided $75,000 toward eviction prevention services.
The foundation also gave $90,000 to Bridges Out of Poverty to offer poverty alleviation classes in Council Bluffs and $30,000 to Family Housing Advisory Services for increased services in the area.
“Research has consistently shown that the best way to address homelessness is to stop it from happening in the first place,” Iowa West President and CEO Brenda Mainwaring said in the release. “These grants support a variety of prevention strategies, such as eviction diversion, emergency housing, and access to financial assistance, all of which are proven to improve long-term outcomes.”
Teresa Coleman Hunter, executive director and CEO of Family Housing Advisory Services, said in the release that the organization will work with community partners to provide housing stability counseling, intensive case management services, and financial capabilities to Council Bluffs residents.
“We are excited about the investment in our work to make a positive impact in the community," Coleman Hunter said in the release.
Education, business and community leaders gathered at Iowa Western Community College on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, to celebrate the launch of th…
Career education
An additional $850,000 will flow to Pottawattamie County high schools through an initiative designed to promote work-based learning opportunities and other efforts to connect students with in-demand careers.
Iowa West's Aspire Program was created in 2023 to support six school districts, Iowa West Community College and Career EdVantage, formerly known as Avenue Scholars of Southwest Iowa.
Career EdVantage received $200,500 for rural Pottawattamie County program support, while Iowa Western received $126,000 to support college and career transition counselors.
The Council Bluffs schools received $325,000 for its signature Diploma +1 Pathways program that challenges students to graduate with a second credential in addition to their high school diploma. The Lewis Central schools received $100,000 to support a college and career readiness coordinator.
The AHSTW schools in Avoca received $25,000 for work-based learning. The Treynor schools received $25,000 for a career coach. The Riverside schools in Oakland and Tri-Center schools in Neola each received $25,000 to support their Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates programs.
The Iowa West Foundation said in the release that Aspire has been funded for the third straight year because data shows "an increase in work-based learning opportunities, more college credits taken by high school students, and an uptick in degrees, credentials, and certificates earned in tandem with high school diplomas."
“This funding plays a vital role in expanding access to high-quality education, career exploration, and workforce training opportunities for the young people we serve,” Cara Cool Trede, executive director for Career EdVantage, said in the release. “Through this support, students gain the knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences needed to pursue meaningful, sustainable careers and build stable, independent futures.”
Golden Hills Resource Conservation & Development holds a field day on land management practices at Vincent Bluff Prairie State Preserve in Council Bluffs on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Other awards
The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation received $378,000 toward an addition to the Vincent Bluffs State Preserve in Council Bluffs.
The United Way of the Midlands received $200,000 for a community campaign to benefit Southwest Iowa nonprofits.
Pottawattamie Arts, Culture, & Entertainment also received $200,000 in general operating funding for building maintenance. PACE operates the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center in Council Bluffs.
Additional funding of $95,000 went to Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands for Council Bluffs club operations,$85,000 went to MICAH House in Council Bluffs for emergency shelter for women and families and $60,000 went to Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines for its domestic violence and sexual assault support program serving Southwest Iowa.
Here are the 2026 Iowa West Foundation Cycle 1 grants and initiatives
Funding applications
The Iowa West Foundation is a private charitable foundation serving the region and is the designated grant recipient for the Iowa West Racing Association, which sponsors Ameristar and Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel as well as serving as the license holder for Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs.
The foundation has awarded more than $550 million in grants to nonprofit and government entities. Its funding comes from investment earnings and the contractual fees paid through the Iowa West Racing Association.
The $2,743,675 awarded in the first cycle was approve by the Iowa West Foundation board of directors.
Grant applications begin with letters of inquiry, which are accepted year-round by the foundation. To be considered for the next funding cycle, submissions must be received by Friday, May 1.
A grant workshop is planned Wednesday, April 1. Registration is required by March 30. Find more at iowawestfoundation.org.
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Brenda Mainwaring, president and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, wraps up the unveiling of the Council Bluffs Professional Sports Roster at t…
