"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.
Building a Culture of Support for Pregnant and parenting Young Women
EyesOpenIowa, West Des Moines
Eyes Open Iowa (EOI) aims to end the poverty/teen pregnancy cycle by training personnel in seven school districts to encourage pregnant and parenting to succeed, rather than shaming them or pushing them to drop out.
Cafe 361
First Congregational United Church of Christ, Cedar Rapids
Cafe 361 is a safe place for young women in grades 6-10 living in or near the Wellington Heights neighborhood.
Daring to Rise Strong
Dorothy’s House, Des Moines
Dorothy’s House provides residential housing, basic needs, transportation, care coordination, and educational programming for women and girls whose lives have been interrupted by sex trafficking.
Economic Development for Refugee Women Agriculturalists
University of Northern Iowa, Community Producers Program (CPP), Cedar Falls
The Community Producers Program is an initiative of The UNI Local Food Program, partnering with AmeriCorps VISTA and EMBARC to provide economic empowerment opportunities for refugee women in Waterloo.
Empowering Women to Economic Independence
Dress for Success Quad Citites
PWG's support, combined with other funds, will provide meals, recruitment, supplies, and operational costs for the Professional Women’s Group (PWG) program and Career Success Center to help women get a job, keep a job, and grow a career.
Friendship Sewing Cooperative
NISAA African Family Services, Iowa City
The Friendship Sewing Cooprative (FSC) offers a means of gaining economic self-sufficiency, supportive social networks, and self-confidence for African refugee women.
Latinas Al Exito Exito: Latino Girls Towards Success
Latinas Latinos Al Exito, Inc. Des Moines
The Al Éxito (AÉ) afterschool program empowers young Latinas, 6th-12th grade, from rural communities in Franklin, Wright, and Tama counties to succeed in school and in life through academic achievement, leadership development, and civic engagement.
Professional Women’s Group
Dress for Success Des Moines
PWG was created to promote employment retention and career advancement by providing valuable skill building information and support from other employed women.
Refugee Child Care Training and Expansion
Lutheran Services in Iowa, Des Moines
LSI helps refugee women to increase their families’ financial stability by becoming registered in-home child care providers through the Iowa DHS.
Removing Childcare As A Barrier to Women’s Economic Self-Sufficiency Through Gap Scholarships
Grin and Grow Ltd., Waterloo
This program works to remove the barrier of accessing affordable, quality child care to obtain/maintain work or training and decrease the work force gap while increasing women’s economic security for female-head of households based on poverty guidelines under 200%.