"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.
L.U.N.A. Promotora Program
The L.U.N.A. promotora program will engage women to participate in the community while developing leadership and management skills.
Life Skills for Young Moms
Life Skills for Young Moms is a 12-week program to teach the basics of personal finance, review job application skills, introduce local resources, and offer individual coaching.
Next Step – Women’s Job Readiness Program
ACCESS will offer Next Step, an employment readiness program to provide financial literacy education and support to survivors of domestic violence in Ames and surrounding communities.
Refugee Child Care Microenterprise Program
LSI assists refugee women in increasing their financial stability by becoming registered in-home child care providers and expanding the number of safe and culturally appropriate places to provide child care for working parents.
SciGirls Summer Camp Scholarships
The overall goal of the SciGirls Summer Camps is to engage a diverse population of Iowa girls in research-based activities that ignite interest and encourage careers in STEM.
Shining Stars: Girls Looking Ahead Project
Through the Shining Stars: Girls Looking Ahead Project, elementary and middle school girls “in need of improvement” are recruited to participate in weekly activities and experiences at UNI while tracking their academic progress.
Strong Girls Read Strong Books
Strong Girls Read Strong Books provides the means for girls to see themselves as readers, thoughtful decision-makers, and leaders.
The Women’s Business Center
The WBC offers a series of workshops for low-income and low-capital women on creating a business along with individual counseling.
Women Caring for the Land: Nurturing New Careers in Ecological Restoration
WFAN has built a successful conservation outreach program called Women Caring for the Land(SM) to support aspiring female entrepreneurs in the growing field of ecological restoration and for the rising number of women inheriting farmland in Iowa
Writing for Change
For 2 years IYWP led writing workshops at IJH with University of Iowa students and Iowa City community members working with girls to hone their writing skills within a community of active listeners. Writing for Change will offer similar creative writing and empowerment workshops for adolescent girls at a residential treatment home in Monticello.