Iowa Women's Foundation

10/26/2026

Fifteen organizations. Five barriers. $400,000 invested in creating greater economic opportunity for women and girls across Iowa.

Meet the Iowa Women’s Foundation’s 2027 grant recipients — organizations putting that investment to work in communities across the state:

American Home Finding Association Child Care Center, Ottumwa (Childcare) — $8,500
Carroll Children's Museum, Carroll (Childcare) — $8,000
Catherine McAuley Center, Cedar Rapids (Housing) — $19,400
Dress for Success Des Moines, Urbandale (Mentorship) — $28,000
Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council, Dubuque (Education/Training) — $15,000
Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, Cedar Rapids (Mentorship) — $10,000
Her Voice Media, Davenport (Mentorship) — $35,100
Jewels Academy, Des Moines (Employment) — $20,000
Linking Families and Communities, Fort Dodge (Childcare) — $50,000
Lutheran Services in Iowa, Des Moines (Childcare) — $50,000
MICAH House, Council Bluffs (Housing) — $40,000
Science Center of Iowa, Des Moines (Education/Training) — $10,000
The Beacon Des Moines, Des Moines (Housing) — $50,000
Try Pie Bakery, Waterloo (Employment) — $21,000
Young Women's Resource Center , Des Moines (Education & Training) — $35,000

10/26/2026

$400,000 in grants means more than a number.

It means more childcare options. More support for women working toward stable housing. More opportunities for girls to see themselves in STEM and leadership. More pathways to careers, economic mobility and long-term stability.

We’re grateful to the Corridor Business Journal for helping shine a light on the 15 organizations receiving Iowa Women’s Foundation grants in 2027, including Corridor-based Catherine McAuley Center and Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois Service Unit 616 .

These organizations are turning investment into opportunity for women and girls in communities across Iowa.

Read more about this year’s grantees and the work their funding will support:
https://corridorbusiness.com/iwf-announces-400000-to-womens-economic-prosperity-organizations/

💜 And thank you to every donor, partner and supporter who helps make investments like these possible.

The Iowa Women’s Foundation (IWF) announced that $400,000 in grants funds will be awarded to a total of 15 organizations that work across the state to remove economic barriers for women and girls. The grants were announced during the IWF’s 32nd annual luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 20 in Coralville. ...

10/23/2026

Economic prosperity doesn’t hinge on just one thing.

A couple of weeks ago, IWF Development Director Carly Harper had the opportunity to join a panel at Frontier Co-op ’s Doing Good, Works event, part of the company’s 50th anniversary celebration.

The conversation explored the business case for addressing three deeply interconnected barriers: transportation, career pathways for people reentering the workforce and childcare.

Carly brought IWF’s perspective on childcare to the discussion, sharing why access to affordable, reliable care isn’t just a family issue—it’s a workforce and economic prosperity issue, too.

The room was filled with Frontier Co-op staff and co-op members from across the country who are leading change in their own communities. We’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of a conversation that recognizes what IWF sees every day: creating stronger communities means addressing the barriers that keep people from fully participating in our economy.

Congratulations to Frontier Co-op on 50 years and thank you for bringing changemakers together to learn, connect and imagine what’s possible.

10/21/2026

$400,000 invested in what’s possible for Iowa’s women and girls.

At this year’s Annual Luncheon, the Iowa Women’s Foundation announced 15 organizations receiving grants in 2027 — supporting work across the state to remove barriers to women’s economic prosperity.

These investments will help expand access to childcare and housing, strengthen career and education opportunities, build mentorship and leadership pathways, and support women working toward greater economic stability.

From Ottumwa to Council Bluffs, Fort Dodge to Davenport, these organizations are turning opportunity into action in communities across Iowa.

We’re proud to celebrate this year’s grantees — and grateful to the donors and supporters who make this work possible.

💜 Want to help continue this impact? Your support helps IWF invest in organizations creating greater opportunity for women and girls across Iowa.

https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/iowa-womens-foundation/luncheon-donation

10/21/2026

What an afternoon. 💜

Thank you to everyone who joined us for today’s Iowa Women’s Foundation Annual Luncheon and helped make Rooted in Prosperity such a meaningful gathering.

To our sponsors, speakers, partners, grantees, donors and advocates: thank you for showing up, investing in this work and being part of the conversations that move us closer to a more prosperous future for Iowa’s women and girls.

Today’s conversations may have started around the table, but the work continues from here.

More to come and so much to be grateful for.

10/16/2026

When women and girls thrive, communities thrive and there is so much we can learn from one another along the way.

Earlier this month, IWF President & CEO Claudia Schabel and Development Director Carly Harper joined organizations from around the world at the Anderson Foundation Leadership Summit.

The gathering brought together leaders committed to advancing opportunities for women and girls to share ideas, learn from one another and build community around the work we all have in common.

We returned to Iowa energized by the conversations, connections and reminder that meaningful change is stronger when we work together.

Thank you to the Anderson Foundation for creating space for this global community to connect, collaborate and learn from one another

10/12/2026

There’s something powerful about being in a room full of people who believe in what’s possible for women and girls across Iowa.

The Iowa Women’s Foundation Annual Luncheon brings together supporters, community leaders, grantees and changemakers from across the state for an afternoon of connection, conversation and action.

This year, we’ll hear from journalist and author Josie Cox, celebrate IWF’s newest grant recipients and look ahead at what greater economic prosperity can mean for women, girls and communities across Iowa.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now is the time.

🎟️ Reserve your seat for October 20, tickets close at midnight: https://iawf.org/annual_events/luncheon/

10/06/2026

We are just 2 weeks away from our largest fundraising event of the year—and we need you in the room!

Don’t miss your chance to dive into women's economic prosperity with luncheon keynote Josie Cox in a fireside-style interview, led by Iowa’s own Liz Mathis.

We're putting in the work for our women and girls, and you can add momentum. Get your tickets now: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E360201&id=29

10/01/2026

Creating greater opportunity for Iowa's women and girls takes all of us. We are grateful to the businesses and organizations investing alongside IWF and helping make a more prosperous Iowa possible.

09/30/2026

When qualified women have clear opportunities to advance, lead, and shape decisions, businesses are stronger, families have greater economic opportunity, and our state is better positioned to prosper.

Qualified women? ✅ Opportunities? That’s where the work continues.

IWF invests in the systems, programs, and partnerships that help women and girls build economic security, advance into leadership, and contribute fully to Iowa’s future.