Iowa’s over 130 community foundations, with at least one in every of the state’s counties, will join the nationwide Community Foundations Week celebration beginning today (Tuesday). This annual observance highlights the role of community foundations as they encourage local collaboration and support public initiatives. Community foundations gather and steward resources from donors to benefit homegrown nonprofits and causes. Kari McCann Boutell, Iowa Council of Foundations (ICOF) president, says, “Iowa’s community foundations are the backbone of local giving, and we’re fortunate to have one of the strongest networks in the nation, thanks in large part to two programs the Iowa Legislature put in place two decades ago.” She is referring to the County Endowment Fund and Endow Iowa tax credit programs. Since 2004, these programs have generated $160 million in grants through gambling tax revenues and leveraged over $411 million in endowed gifts. As of 2023, Iowa foundations distributed $126 million to local causes, with total endowed assets totaling $1.38 billion. Local foundations include the Community Foundation of Carroll County, Sac County Endowment Foundation, Calhoun County Community Foundation, Crawford County Community Foundation, Greene County Community Foundation, Audubon County Community Foundation, and the Guthrie County Community Foundation. Learn more about each of these organizations using the links included with this story on our website. Iowa Community Foundations Week runs from Nov. 12 through Nov. 18.
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