"Women’s foundations work … helps 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 more than 350 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.
SMART Girls Program
The SMART Girls program provides the space, support and tools needed to navigate adolescence and grow into self-sufficient women.
Today’s Children, Tomorrow’s Dysart – CCSF Grant
When Union Community School District (UCSD) saw increased enrollment, Little Knights Learning Center (LKLC) was forced to quickly relocate.
Women Workforce Ready
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.
CECC Expansion
The Community Early Childhood Center (CECC) expansion project will add a 4,908 square foot addition on to the north side of the current one level facility, allowing CECC to increase the number of children to whom we can provide child care services from 151 children to 207.
Cedar Valley Kids design project
Cedar Valley Kids (CVK) will provide high-quality childcare to infants through school-age children. Ideally, CVK will build two or more sites, each serving about 100 children, in Waterloo. Funding will be used for initial design expenses which can then be replicated for additional sites and not duplicated saving funds for construction and startup costs.
Creating Economic Mobility for Women – CORE Grant
The “Creating Economic Mobility for Women” program covers the ridership fees of women dropping their children off to daycare for work shifts and the subsequent transportation to work.
Expanding Supportive Housing for Women – CORE Grant
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.
Expansion of Quality & Affordable Early Learning
Crittenton center offers high quality, affordable early learning care for families in all socio-economic levels. The project will expand childcare access to families in the most rapidly growing yet underserved area of Siouxland.
Girls Mentoring Project – CORE Grant
United Way of the Quad Cities’ African American Leadership Society (AALS) formed to address the opportunity gap in their community. The ultimate goal is to provide stability in the students’ lives so they can benefit more from the education they receive.
Growing Beyond Barriers – CORE Grant
The Sioux City Community School District developed a program to provide support to high school parents and assist them in completing their educations. This project is designed to get student parents into the classroom with as little disruption as possible, advocating for those who need an extra voice to reach their potential.