Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Iowa Women's Foundation and what do you do?

Established in 1994, the Iowa Women's Foundation (IWF) is a nonprofit organization that raises funds and awards grants to seed, strengthen, and connect programs that benefit women and girls throughout Iowa.

Grants from the IWF are intended to promote lasting change - attending to the causes of inequity, as well as the symptoms. To that end, the Foundation develops the collective power of resources and advocates increased philanthropy by and for women and girls.

2. Why does there need to be a "women's foundation?"

For every issue on the national agenda-from violence to health care-there is a dimension specific to women. There are few social problems that can be resolved without programs and strategies that specifically address the needs of women and girls. Women's issues involve the entire community. When a woman is given an opportunity or when a girl can take advantage of an expanded range of positive choices, entire communities benefit.

However, organizations that serve women and girls are in desperate need of support. Studies indicate that, nationally, little more than 5% of philanthropic dollars go toward programs specifically targeted to women and girls. This lack of resources seriously impedes the efforts of women's organizations, and in effect, opportunities for women. The Iowa Women's Foundation exists to balance the scale on behalf of women and girls.

3. How does the Iowa Women's Foundation raise funds?

The Iowa Women's Foundation receives most of its funding from individual donations and pledges. Additionally, the IWF receives support from businesses, other foundations, and organizations. We raise funds many ways--asking friends of the IWF to support its work, hosting fundraising events, sending direct mail appeals, and making website donation available. Make an on-line donation to the Iowa Women's Foundation by clicking the button below.

4. Can I volunteer for the Iowa Women's Foundation?

Yes. We offer several opportunities for volunteer involvement, including serving on grant review committee, events committees, internships, and working in our office on special and routine projects. You can fill out a volunteer application on-line or contact us at info@iawf.org, 319.337.4222, or 888.488.4293 (toll-free).

5. How can I make a donation and are they tax-deductible?

We offer you many gift-giving options-and allow you to designate your contribution for any project or program. Click here for the ways to give page.