Grant Recipients

…Women’s foundations work … to help guarantee that (women and girls) can achieve economic (and social) balance."

— Stephanie Clohesy, Founder & Donor

The Iowa Women’s Foundation (IWF) is proud to partner with over 100 state-based organizations. Since 1994, over $2 million has been awarded to nearly 400 programs, benefitting thousands of women and girls in all 99 Iowa counties.

To learn more about the projects we have funded for over 25 years, you can search below or download our Grants at a Glance.

Total Transportation

House of Hope

House of Hope provides single mothers in or facing homelessness and women ages 18-24 who have spent time in out-of-home placement with transitional and temporary housing and access to resources to achieve secure families and permanent homes.

Year 01 Operating Expenses

Iowa City Sober Living (ICSL)

Iowa City Sober Living (ICSL) is a new residential program supporting women in recovery from drugs and alcohol, providing 3-6 months of support designed to decrease recidivism and increase opportunities for healing the mind, body, and spirit.

Building Self-Sufficiency through Supportive Housing Services

Catherine McAuley Center

The goal of this project is to provide women with the skills, tools and support to enable them to thrive while living in the Catherine McAuley Center’s Supportive Housing, and continue to build toward a future of self-sufficiency and empowerment.

First Step Toward Self-Sufficiency

Opening Doors

Opening Doors serves women and children who are experiencing homelessness.

Women Workforce Ready

YWCA Clinton

This program aims to build upon the foundation of our RRHP to ensure that once women are housed, they are equipped to keep their homes and experience financial and personal stability.

Expanding Supportive Housing for Women – CORE Grant

Catherine McAuley Center

The goal of this project is to expand support to women in need of housing and services as they heal from trauma and regain stability in their lives. While it specifically focuses on housing, there is a tight interconnectedness with employment, childcare and education related barriers.

Offering Hope and Opportunity through Transitional Housing

Catherine McAuley Center (CMC)

The Catherine McAuley Center’s Transitional Housing Program is unique in the Linn County community as the only transitional housing program for women.

Safety and Housing Stability

Friends of the Family

Friends of the Family offers two essential programs in 14 counties across Northeast Iowa. These programs are The Safe Shelter & Rapid Rehousing Service program & The Human Trafficking Comprehensive Services program.

Transitional Housing for Single Homeless Mothers

House of Hope, Waterloo

The House of Hope is a two-year transitional house for homeless single mothers and their children.

Transitional Housing Program

Catherine McAuley Center, Cedar Rapids

The Catherine McAuley Center (CMC) Transitional Housing Program will provide individualized programming and support services for at least 35 homeless and near-homeless women in order to help them successfully transition into safe, stable housing, achieve and maintain financial security, and build healthy social connections.