With nearly two years of organizing, planning and initiating positive change in rural Iowa the Iowa Community Affiliate Network (Iowa C.A.N.) reports numerous positive impacts for local communities and their development efforts. Iowa C.A.N. is a collaboration of 30 county and community foundations from across Iowa. They come together to learn and share ideas to help grow and strengthen local philanthropic initiatives.  Over $13.3 million dollars has been granted among the Iowa C.A.N. affiliates for community betterment projects and over $4.7 million have been added to permanent endowment funds for these counties.

The local impact has been significant with improved health care initiatives, efforts in education, main street improvements and various other projects.  Iowa Area Development Group Community Foundation (IADGCF) is a not for profit foundation for the betterment of rural Iowa.

Iowa C.A.N. Represents Thirty Iowa Counties

Iowa Area Development Group Community Foundation is pleased to have 30 counties from across Iowa part of the Iowa Community Affiliate Network.

The Iowa General Assembly passed legislation allowing nearly one percent of state gaming revenues to be shared among counties without gaming facilities.  This legislation has spurred a wave of community interest and philanthropic awareness.

Rand Fisher, President of IADG and IADGCF commented, “This is truly a “grass-roots” effort and local leadership within each county is springing forward to engage their communities in philanthropic efforts.  Every county is in control of their own destiny and our Iowa philanthropy journey is off to a tremendous start.”

The following county groups are working with IADGCF and Iowa C.A.N.:



Empowering Adair County Fund
Boone County Endowment Fund
Buena Vista Community Foundation
Calhoun County Community Foundation
Cherokee County Legacy Foundation
Dallas County Foundation
Davis County Community Foundation
Greene County Community Foundation
Guthrie County Community Foundation
Enhance Hamilton County Foundation
Hancock County Foundation
Hardin County Community Endowment Foundation
Enhance Henry County Foundation
Humboldt County Community Foundation
Jasper Community Foundation
Greater Jefferson County Foundation
Keokuk County Endowment Foundation
Greater Madison County Community Foundation
Charitable Foundation of Mahaska County
Marion County Community Foundation
Foundation for the Enhancement of Mitchell County
Monroe County Endowment Fund
Community Foundation of Osceola County
Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County
Pocahontas County Foundation
Sac County Endowment Foundation
Community Foundation of Greater Story County
Taylor County Endowment Foundation
Warren County Philanthropic Partnership
Wright County Charitable Foundation

Iowa C.A.N. Meetings and Materials

Iowa C.A.N. members meet regularly for education and training.  Handouts and materials from these meetings are provided below:

Handouts for October 27, 2011:

Improving the Grantmaking Process
  Story County Grant Application Handout

Endowment Building "Seeds for Success"
  Endowment Matching Program Idea
  Hardin County - "Seeds for Success" Program

Endow Iowa Tax Credit & Legislative Updates 
  Endow Iowa Tax Credits
  IDED 2011 Tax Credit Report Update
  Endow Iowa Tax Calculator

Planned Giving - Building a Legacy Society
  Creating Legacies - 3 steps for 3 months (ICOF)
  Securing Our Future
  Our Golden Opportunity
  Legacy Society Brochure
  Legacy Society Card
  The Power of Giving Together
  Make this Your Best Year
  Press Release - Local Community Foundation Wealth Transfer
  Press Release - Iowa Wealth Transfer
  Story County - Planned Giving Policies
  Story County - Legacy Society
  Story County - Legacy Society Certificate of Membership

Year End Solicitations & CFGDM Updates
  CFGDM - Year End Solicitations
  Green County - New Donation Letter
  Green County - Past Donation Letter
  Green County - Donation Form

Handouts forAugust 11, 2011:
Letter to Legislators
Press Release - $118,100 Award

Handouts for April 26, 2011:

Handouts for April 26, 2011

Handouts for September 8, 2010:

Press Release - $122,952 Award
IMAP Philanthropy & Microenterprise Demonstration Grant Application
IMAP Philanthropy & Microenterprise Demonstration Grant Background & Instructions
USDA Non-Profit Funding Tool
Ahrens Foundation Community Collaboratio Partnerships
Youth Philanthropy in Iowa
Financial Literacy
Stronger Together: For Good. For Ever. 
Tool Kit:
  Endow Iowa Flyer
  Endow Iowa Tax Calculator
  Stronger Together - 3 steps
  Stronger Together - Endowing your nonprofit organization - Agency Endowed Fund
  Stronger Together - Endowing (NonProfit) through the community foundation - Agency Endowed Fund
  Stronger Together - Helping (Nonprofit) sustain and grow - Designated Fund
  Stronger Together - Newsletter
  Stronger Together - Nonprofit correspondence
  Stronger Together - Storytelling template
  Stronger Together - Web excerpts

Handouts for June 17, 2010:

Agenda
Endow Iowa Tax Credits
Board Member Expectations & Responsibilities
Job Description for Board Members Example
IMAP Application
IMAP Power Point
IMAP - Hardin County
IMAP - Mitchell County
F.I.N.D. Initiative Power Point 

Handouts for August 27, 2009 Meeting:

Agenda
Clarinda Vision 2020 Presentation
Press Release - $129,013 Awarded
Affiliate Grant Reporting - 2009
Endow IA Post Card
Sample Bequest Language
Affiliate Sales Sheets
  Fund Type Comparison
  Acorn Funds
  Agency Funds - Endow Iowa
  Agency Funds - Non-Endow Iowa
  Commitee Directed Funds
  Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines -FAQS
  Community-Private Foundation Comparison
  Designated Funds
  Donor Advised Fund Guidelines
  Donor Advised Funds
  ENDOW IOWA
  Family Philanthropy
  Field of Interest Funds
  Investment
  Legacy Funds
  Life Town Legacy Society
  Scholarship Funds
  Unrestricted Funds
ICOF Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program Portfolio
  Promoting Endow Iowa - 3 Steps
  Endow Iowa - Professional Advisor Letter
  Endow Iowa - Flyer
  Endow Iowa - Guest Column
  Endow Iowa - Local News Release
  Endow Iowa - Messaging Points-Legislative Modifications
  Endow Iowa - Newsletter Content
  Endow Iowa - Postcard
  Endow Iowa - Tax Calculator
  Endow Iowa - Web Content

Handouts for April 15, 2009 Meeting:

Agenda
Farm Bureau Local Contacts
Farm Bureau Regional Manager Map
Improving Rural Vitality Through Farm Bureau Partnerships (PPT)
Iowa Microenterprise Assistance Project (IMAP)
Affiliate Inquiries: Who to Contact for What

Affiliate Best Practices and Materials

Below are examples of materials submitted by Iowa C.A.N. members to share with their fellow affiliates.

Grant Awards Night - Hardin County