“
We need to do whatever we can to support and empower women seeking to make real change in our world."
— Robyn Hepker, Donor
Our Grantmaking Legacy
Grantmaking continues to be at the heart of IWF’s work. Since 1997, we’ve awarded $1.68 million to over 300 programs that expand opportunities for women and girls across Iowa.
The mission of the Iowa Women's Foundation is to improve the lives of Iowa's women and girls.
With this as our guidepost, IWF makes three grant opportunities available to organizations whose work aligns with our mission.
Core Grants
With a focus on economic self-sufficiency for Iowa’s women and girls, Core Grants center on applications from organizations in Iowa that address one of the six barriers to the economic self-sufficiency of women and girls:
Core grants are announced at the IWF’s annual luncheon each fall.
Emergency Fund Grants
Emergency Fund Grants are small, one-time-only cash awards given to nonprofits and community organizations that address one of the six barriers to women’s economic self-sufficiency for immediate emergency needs. Requests that would not typically be eligible within IWF’s grant request criteria may still be considered if the requesting agency is programmatically working to meet the needs of one of the six identified barriers.
Grants are awarded throughout the calendar year as needed. Once emergency funds have been expended for the year, applications will close and re-open in January of the next year.
Applications for all grants are welcome from organizations with 501(c)(3) status and other grassroots organizations serving Iowa’s women and girls.
Grants are awarded throughout the calendar year as needed. Once emergency funds have been expended for the year, applications will close and re-open in January of the next year.
Applications for all grants are welcome from organizations with 501(c)(3) status and other grassroots organizations serving Iowa’s women and girls.
Child Care Solutions Fund (CCSF)
The CCSF focuses specifically on increasing the number of child care spaces available for children throughout the state of Iowa. Accessible child care allows women to remain in the workforce, return to the workforce, and seek educational opportunities that further their career.
Child Care Solutions Fund recipients are announced in November.
Child Care Solutions Fund recipients are announced in November.
To learn more about IWF grants, view the recording of our 2022 Grants Information Session below.
