IWF awards annual Core Grants to organizations that tackle at least one of the six identified barriers to women’s economic self-sufficiency:
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
Letters of Interest Open Now!
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
Note: IWF no longer has a separate process for childcare grants. Only one application required!
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.
If you were unable to attend or need a refresher, watch the recording below or download the slides
Application Process
The first step of the application process is submitting a Letter of Interest (LOI)
- Due May 16
- Up to $50,000 may be requested
- Designed to reduce the administrative lift of applicants
- Provides a brief description of your organization and funding proposal
- Eligible requests will be invited to submit a full application
Core Grant Examples
Click here to learn about previous grantees and their incredible programs!
New Grantmaking Timeline
APRIL
- April 28: Letters of Interest OPEN
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 11: Full Applications DUE
AUGUST
- Awardees 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 dispersed to awardees
OCTOBER
- Expenditure cycle begins: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
NOVEMBER
- November 5: Awardees celebrated at the IWF Annual Luncheon!
