For Immediate Release: March 23, 2021
United Way of the Midlands Receives Grant from Iowa West Foundation
United Way of the Midlands (UWM) is proud to announce it has been awarded a grant of $255,500 from the Iowa West Foundation. The grant will support programs that serve the Council Bluffs metro through UWM’s Community Care Fund. Prior to COVID-19, more than 100,000 people were living below the poverty line in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro. Now, thousands of individuals have experienced the physical, mental and financial impacts of COVID-19, and more people are in need than ever before.
For 98 years, UWM has brought together community partners to help our neighbors through crisis – whether those crises are personal or as widespread as COVID-19. Through the Community Care Fund, UWM funds local nonprofit programs that provide basic needs, education and financial stability supports to those who are struggling. By investing in these programs through the Community Care Fund, the Iowa West Foundation is empowering nonprofits to work together and provide a circle of support that meets people’s multiple, interconnected needs during difficult times like these.
“We are honored to be awarded this generous grant from the Iowa West Foundation,” said Shawna Forsberg, president and CEO at UWM. “Throughout the past year, we’ve seen our community’s needs evolve due to the effects of COVID-19. Iowa West Foundation’s support will empower us to work with our trusted nonprofit partners to provide basic needs, education and financial stability supports that help our neighbors get back on their feet.” “United Way is a trusted partner for so many metro area organizations,” said Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of Iowa West Foundation. “Many of our local social service providers receive grants directly from the Iowa West Foundation, but for others, United Way offers a source of financial support. Our collaboration helps to ensure that organizations across Southwest Iowa are able to provide important services to our community.”
About Iowa West Foundation
The Iowa West Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the Midwest. It has distributed more than $500 million to nonprofits and governmental agencies through southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska since the inception of its grant program. Funding for the grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives contractual fees from casino operators, Ameristar and Harrah’s. IWRA is the license sponsor for Ameristar and Harrah’s and the license holder for Horseshoe-Bluffs Run. The Foundation targets resources into programs and projects that focus on economic development, education, placemaking, and healthy families.
About United Way of the Midlands
United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro for 98 years. Guided by best practices and community input, it approaches poverty in a specific way – a “united” way. With the support of volunteers, community partners and donors, UWM efficiently and effectively invests donors’ dollars into our local community. These dollars fund basic needs, education and financial stability programs at local nonprofits, creating a circle of support for people in need. Please visit unitedwaymidlands.org for more information.