Iowa West Foundation Grant Program

The Iowa West Foundation is a private philanthropic organization located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Its mission is to improve lives and strengthen communities in southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska. It operates under the oversight of the Iowa West Racing Association and manages a well-defined, cyclical grantmaking process to support local nonprofit and community efforts. The Foundation prioritizes transparent communication, robust eligibility verification, and applicant support throughout the funding process. The Foundation manages three grant cycles annually: spring, summer, and fall. Although full grant applications must be submitted by specific deadlines in each cycle, Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) are accepted year-round. LOIs serve as the first step to determine applicant eligibility and project compatibility with funding priorities. Upon submission, LOIs are reviewed by Foundation staff, and applicants typically receive a response within five business days. The Foundation emphasizes fairness and consistency by strictly enforcing submission deadlines, which move to the next business day if falling on a weekend or holiday. Once an LOI is approved, the applicant is invited to complete the full grant application. All information from the LOI is transferred automatically into the application form. Applicants must complete and submit the application by 11:59 p.m. on the stated due date for the relevant cycle. Significant changes to the budget or proposed activities after LOI submission may affect eligibility and require consultation with the grants team. The Foundation conducts a due diligence process after application submission. Staff contact applicants to schedule a conversation, often in-person, to clarify proposal details and better understand organizational needs. These discussions may also be held virtually or by phone, especially when travel or logistics are a concern. Applicants are informed of funding decisions approximately two months after submission. Successful applicants participate in a follow-up meeting to discuss award details and expectations. Grants are disbursed based on organizational capacity and project risk. Typical initial disbursements range from 50 to 100 percent of the total grant award. Grantees may request extensions if necessary, and all awards are governed by a formal grant agreement outlining terms and conditions. The grant process is conducted entirely online via GivingData, and applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation directly if questions arise. Staff can be reached by phone at 712.309.3000 or email at grantinfo@iowawestfoundation.org. The Foundation’s grant cycle deadlines are as follows: Cycle 1 (Spring) – LOI due January 2, full application due January 15, awards announced third week in March; Cycle 2 (Summer) – LOI due May 1, full application due May 15, awards announced third week in July; Cycle 3 (Fall) – LOI due September 2, full application due September 15, awards announced third week in November.

Applicants are advised to contact the grants team if any major changes are made post-LOI; extension requests and special cash flow needs should be discussed with a program officer.