Core Grants

IWF awards annual Core Grants to organizations that tackle at least one of the six identified barriers to women’s economic self-sufficiency:

Purple Iowa Women's Foundation Icon of a home used to indicate housing
Purple Iowa Women's Foundation Icon of a Bus used to indicate Transportation
Purple Iowa Women's Foundation Icon of an open book used to indicate education and training
Purple Iowa Women's Foundation Icon of a briefcase used to indicate employment
Purple Iowa Women's Foundation Icon of a Teddy Bear used to indicate a Child Care
Purple Iowa Women's Foundation Icon of a handshake used to indicate mentorship

Housing

IWF funds initiatives that assist women and children experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Examples may include emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, and life-skills programs to maintain stable housing.

Transportation

IWF funds initiatives that help women obtain safe and quality means of transportation. Examples may include assistance with finding and securing a vehicle, financial-lending and credit-building education, vehicle maintenance skill-building, and financial support for registration and title fees.

Education & Training

IWF funds initiatives that prepares women and girls to enter the workforce or advance within their field. Examples may include job-specific training, apprenticeship programs, financial literacy education, and employment readiness programs.

Employment

IWF funds initiatives that supports women in seeking or maintaining employment.  Examples may include resume-writing and job-application assistance, employment retention curriculum, and career advancement programs.

Childcare

IWF funds initiatives that increase access to quality and affordable childcare. Examples may include center expansion, furniture and equipment purchasing, training curricula for new providers, before/after-school programming, and efforts to increase options for second/third-shift workers.

Mentorship

IWF funds initiatives that encourage women to share their talents to inspire a new generation of female leaders. Examples may include professional networking programs, career exploration programs, role model pairing programs, and leadership skills and self-esteem building programs.  

Applying for a 2025 Core Grant

Opening April 28!

Eligibility Requirements

Core Grants are awarded to:

  • 501(c)3 organizations or licensed childcare facilities
    • Registered in-home providers included
  • Serving women and/or girls in Iowa
    • Don’t need to exclusively serve women or girls 
  • Tackling at least one of the six barriers listed above

 

Ineligible Requests:

  • Capital campaigns
  • Reimbursement for previously incurred expenses
    • Funds are to be used between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026
  • Political candidate campaigns
  • Promotion of religious activities

Grant Informational Sessions

The 2025 Core Grant Cycle kicked-off with two virtual informational sessions. Both covered grant priorities, timeline, application details, and a walkthrough of the online portal.

Application Process

The first step of the application process is submitting a Letter of Interest (LOI)

  • Open from April 28 May 16
  • Designed to reduce the administrative lift of applicants
  • Provides a brief description of your organization and funding proposal
  • Up to $50,000 may be requested
  • Eligible requests will be invited to submit a full application

Check back on this page when the portal opens April 28!

Core Grant Examples

Click here to learn about previous grantees and their incredible programs

New Grantmaking Timeline!

APRIL

  • April 28:  Letters of Interest open  (a brief description of your funding request for eligibility screening)

MAY

  • May 16:  Letters of Interest DUE

JUNE

  • Second week of June:  Eligible applicants invited to complete a full application
  • All applicants will be notified of their status

JULY

  • July 11Full Applications DUE

AUGUST

  • Awardees will be selected after review from community volunteers, the IWF Grants Committee, and the IWF Board of Directors
  • All applicants will be notified of their status

SEPTEMBER

  • Funds will be dispersed to awardees

OCTOBER

  • Awardees will be celebrated at the IWF Annual Luncheon!
  • Expenditure cycle begins  (October 1, 2025 September 30, 2026)

Interested in volunteering as a Community Reviewer?



Please contact grants@iawf.org with questions

 

Snag a limited edition
IWF x RAYGUN t-shirt

available online for $22!

Each design shares an important message while proceeds help further IWF’s mission to improve the lives of Iowa’s women and girls. Order yours today before they’re gone!