Charles E. Lakin Foundation Launches $165 Million Initiative to Revitalize Southwest Iowa

(Atlantic) The Charles E. Lakin Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the Revitalize Southwest Iowa Initiative 2024, an ambitious new project to reverse the economic decline plaguing Southwest Iowa’s small towns.

The Lakin Foundation announced the details and the partnership with the Community Foundation for Western Iowa at a press conference in Atlantic this morning. The unprecedented donation of $165 Million is designed to benefit 51 towns across the region.

Steve Wild, President of the Charles E. Lakin Foundation said the profits of these funds will be reinvested year after year and granted back into the community creating a cycle of growth so cities can flourish well into the future.

Donna Dostal, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, said this will make a huge impact on the challenges that face southwest Iowa.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said while 165-million dollars would move the needle anywhere, it goes even further in southwest Iowa communities where great ideas often run up against the financial constraints of a smaller tax base.

Steve Wild said in terms of the $165-million, it will be divided up between “Member Cities” and “Anchor Cities”.

Donna Dostal explained that they are creating a series of Field of Interest funds in benefit of the communities that they serve and a non profit advisory group will serve as the central contact. She said every year they will be able to grant out 5-percent of those Field of Interest funds.

More information will be available on this funding opportunity at www.givewesterniowa.org/