Community Foundation for Western Iowa

MISSION The Community Foundation for Western Iowa is dedicated to creating a lasting legacy in our region by engaging our citizens and communities for durable change and fostering a culture of philanthropy ** about us ** The community Foundation for Western Iowa is a tax-exempt public charity, 501(c)(3), that serves thousands of people who share a common interest in improving the quality of life in western Iowa. Through the Community Foundation, individuals, families, businesses and organizations can create permanent charitable funds that help their communities meet the challenges of changing times. The foundation invests and administers these charitable funds. The Community Foundation is overseen by a volunteer board of leading citizens and run by professionals with expertise in identifying the needs of their community. ** VISION ** The Community Foundation for Western Iowa, now and in the future, is the most respected and able provider of philanthropic direction, management, education, and support to the people in the communities we serve as measured by our responsiveness and relevance to the communities' philanthropic needs, our excellent stewardship of resources entrusted to our care and our delivery of high-quality service. ** CORE VALUES ** We are a catalyst for positive change. The Community Foundation will trigger good things to happen and inspire change in our western Iowa communities. We are guiding philanthropy through trust. The Community Foundation will establish meaningful trusted relationships and to lead community impact through strategic philanthropic investments. We are service driven. The Community Foundation will provide responsive service to people in the community and inside the organization. We are diligent community educators. The Community Foundation will be conscientious investors in community development, explorers of strategic initiatives, and leaders to achieve desired outcomes. We are solution focused. The Community Foundation exists to identify inspiring and collective solutions to the most pressing community issues through philanthropy and engagement. We are amplifying impact every day. The Community Foundation approaches each day with a determination to enact meaningful change for the communities in western Iowa...it's what we do! History The Community Foundation for Western Iowa was established in 2008 with the help of the Iowa West Foundation and four founding board members: Bobbette Behrens, Dean Fischer, Marie Knedler, and Kelly Summy. Pictured from left to right at the 2017 Governor's Volunteer Awards: Lieutenant Governor of Iowa, Adam Gregg; Kelly Summy; Marie Knedler; Bobbette Behrens; Dean Fischer; and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.