The 2027 grants will support childcare, housing, employment, mentorship and education programs across Iowa, including organizations in Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Waterloo.
By Hola Iowa
The Iowa Women’s Foundation announced $400,000 in grants for organizations supporting women and girls across the state, with funding directed toward childcare, housing, employment, mentorship, and education and training.
The awards were announced October 20 during the foundation’s 32nd Annual Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center. Recipients include organizations in Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Waterloo and other Iowa communities.
Claudia Schabel, the foundation’s president and CEO, said the grants support organizations working directly with women and girls while contributing to broader efforts to improve their economic opportunities.
The funding addresses barriers that can make it difficult for women to enter or remain in the workforce, pursue education, secure stable housing or access affordable childcare.
Davenport and eastern Iowa organizations receive grants
Several organizations serving eastern Iowa are among the grant recipients.
Her Voice Media in Davenport will receive $35,100 in the mentorship category. The nonprofit creates opportunities for women and girls to develop their voices through storytelling, media training and leadership programs.
Its existing programs include Love Girls Magazine and the Her Voice Media Fellowship, which offer opportunities for storytelling, mentorship, professional development and experience in journalism, photography, podcasting and other media fields.
In Cedar Rapids, the Catherine McAuley Center will receive $19,400 in the housing category, while the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois will receive $10,000 for mentorship.
The Dubuque Area Labor Management Council will receive $15,000 for education and training.
Des Moines-area grants focus on housing, childcare and employment
Five organizations in the Des Moines area are among the announced recipients, including four in Des Moines and one in Urbandale.
Lutheran Services in Iowa will receive $50,000 for childcare. The Beacon will receive $50,000 in the housing category, and Jewels Academy will receive $20,000 for employment-related programs.
Dress for Success Des Moines, based in Urbandale, will receive $28,000 for mentorship. The Science Center of Iowa will receive $10,000 for education and training.
The awards address different barriers to financial stability. Childcare can affect a parent’s ability to maintain employment or pursue training, while housing and career-development programs provide other forms of support.
Iowa organizations receiving grants
Among the organizations awarded funding through the Iowa Women’s Foundation’s latest grant announcement are:
| Organization | City | Focus | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Home Finding 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 and 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 and training | $10,000 |
| The Beacon | Des Moines | Housing | $50,000 |
| Try Pie Bakery | Waterloo | Employment | $21,000 |
How the Iowa Women’s Foundation supports economic opportunity
The Iowa Women’s Foundation focuses on six barriers to women’s economic self-sufficiency: childcare, housing, transportation, employment, mentorship, and education and training.
Its Core Grants program supports organizations serving women and girls in Iowa. Eligible applicants include qualifying nonprofit organizations and licensed childcare providers, with grants of up to $50,000.
The latest funding round includes awards across five of the six focus areas. According to the foundation’s category totals, childcare programs account for $116,500, housing for $109,400, mentorship for $73,100, education and training for $60,000, and employment for $41,000.
According to the foundation, it has awarded $2.7 million to 249 organizations across Iowa to date.
The annual luncheon featured journalist and author Josie Cox, whose book Women Money Power: The Rise and Fall of Economic Equality examines women’s financial independence and the barriers that have shaped it. Cox participated in a conversation with Liz Mathis.
More information about the foundation’s work and grantmaking is available at iawf.org.
Stay in the know with stories that matter — visit HolaAmericaNews.com for the latest news, culture and community updates!
Facebook Comments