Jason Neises, Community Development Coordinator, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

The old, lazy narrative about the “brain drain” continues to vex those of us working in rural Iowa communities. “All the kids leave!” “Why would anyone live HERE?” We hear those things so often that we start to believe they are true. To make any meaningful progress in rural vitality, we need to address the reality in our small towns and write a new, hopeful narrative about the future of life in rural Iowa.

While the latest census numbers do show that almost every community in Iowa experienced population declines among 18- to 24-year-olds, these statistics actually reflect the desire of youth to leave temporarily and gain valuable experience and knowledge. They don’t mean that young people dislike living in their small Iowa towns. In fact, research shows that in the long run, small towns benefit from the ideas, energy and wisdom young people gain in those faraway places — as long as town leaders have done a good job creating a vibrant, attractive place where they can return and raise their families.

Look more closely at census numbers and you’ll see that towns often see population increases among certain age groups, especially 25- to 44-year-olds. To benefit from these gains, leaders need to be intentional about creating the type of town where young families want to live. The best way to do this is by getting the entire community involved: Identify your town’s assets and work together to enhance them. This asset-based approach will ensure that your town develops a positive narrative about its future and breaks free of the old “brain drain” narratives that focus on what’s allegedly ‘broken’ in our communities.

Our small towns don’t need to be fixed. They need to be strengthened, supported and inspired to be places where youth want to return. There are many tools available for small town leaders who want to be intentional about this work, including “reverse scholarships,” Community Heart & Soul®, and Hometown Pride.

These are all initiatives that are entwined with my work at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. We and other foundations across Iowa play a key role in rural vitality efforts by providing the resources to do the visioning and action planning that will keep small towns strong. Think about how your town is taking advantage of these types of programs to create its own hopeful, welcoming story. Learn more from Jason and other rural leaders at our next connect session, February 22 at 10 AM.

Jenna Manders, Community Foundation Services Coordinator Iowa Council of Foundations

For the past six years, I have looked forward to the Connect Community Foundations Conference to learn and connect with my peers. As I begin planning my first Connect Conference as the Community Foundation Services Coordinator with the Iowa Council of Foundations, I am reflecting on all that has been accomplished by community foundations in our state. When I first joined the community foundation field during the summer of 2009 as a youth philanthropy student, Iowa community foundations collectively had $370 million in assets. Now, 12 years later, that total is $1.66 billion and growing. We’ve learned so much in Iowa about endowment building and asset development and the Connect Conference is an annual opportunity to share successes with our peers and learn new skills and approaches to implement in our communities.

With your feedback in mind, we are taking a new approach to Connect – a series of virtual workshops throughout the year culminating with an in-person event in the fall. There will also be more opportunities for Peer Learning Circle conversations, opportunities to learn from others and exchange ideas on a specific area of community foundation work.

A primary goal of the Connect series is for you – our community foundation leaders and partners – to gain ideas you can implement to help grow your endowments and to make your grantmaking processes and strategies even stronger. I hope you will attend the conference sessions and feel equipped, inspired and energized:

• Equipped with tools, resources and new ideas to carry into your work.
• Inspired with creative marketing ideas to implement and new ideas on how to share donor stories.
• Energized to launch strategic changes among your staff, committees, leadership teams and collaborative community partnerships.

I always enjoyed the Connect Conference – an opportunity to learn, meet, and connect with so many of you. I miss seeing everyone in person and look forward to bringing everyone together again in September. I continue to be inspired by the group of leaders across our state that are committed to this work, improving the quality of life in our communities today and into the future.

Kari McCann Boutell, President Iowa Council of Foundations

As we enter into April, we see signs of spring all around us. Farmers are anxious to get in the fields; teachers and students look forward to summer break; and everyone is ready for more warmth and sunshine. For those who work in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, spring is a time for preparation. As community foundations, you all have important roles you can play in this space and we hope the resources we have curated in our Disaster Philanthropy Resource Page can be a helpful guide to getting you started in your planning, or in refreshing your plans for the year ahead. Through our participation in The Funders’ Network’s Philanthropic Preparedness, Resiliency and Emergency Partnership (PPREP) cohort, we have learned alongside community foundations – including some of our own members – and other philanthropy serving organizations about the important role community foundations play in disaster philanthropy. TFN recently released a new report, Community Foundations: Drivers of Inclusive and Meaningful Local Change, which details much of this learning and highlights some of our members: Quad Cities Community Foundation, Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, and Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. I hope you will take some time to review this comprehensive and informative report. As the pandemic persists in our country and our world, we know everyone is being impacted in some way. Consider how the Iowa Community Foundations Initiative Disaster Philanthropy Toolkit can be a resource to you as you navigate both pandemic response as well as preparedness for natural disasters in your communities. You can never plan or build positive, trusting relationships with partners too early. The best time to begin this work is now!

Jerry Mathiasen, Past ICoF Board Chair and Former CEO, Pottawattamie County Community Foundation

As leaders in the world of foundations and philanthropy, we often hear that it is important to be “at the table” regarding major issues or projects. One important way of doing this is to keep public service on boards and commissions in mind. There are many of these appointment opportunities available at the state, county, and city level.

For example, earlier in my career when I was deputy chief of staff to former Governor Branstad, one of my duties was assisting with state appointments to boards and commissions. During my time with him, we made over 1,600 such appointments. There are approximately 100 Senate confirmation appointments made by the governor in March annually, and another 200 non-Senate ones made annually by June 30. If interested, you can research appointments and apply through talentbank.iowa.gov. Law requires gender and political balance, and other factors may apply (e.g., geography, specific profession, etc.).

Also don’t forget the many opportunities at the local government level. The websites of most counties, cities, and school districts have a link regarding appointments to their boards, commissions, committees, and task forces. Just recently, I was appointed by our Board of Supervisors to fill a vacancy on the Pottawattamie County Conservation Board.

One of my favorite quotes is by our famous Iowa native and U.S. President Herbert Hoover, who said: “Public service is a noble profession.” I agree. And it can also be a real opportunity to “be at the table.” If you’d like any input in addition to your research, you may certainly feel free to email me or call me at 402-216-7955.

Kari McCann Boutell,
President
Iowa Council of Foundations

As the pandemic persists, we will not be hosting an in-person Legislative Breakfast at the Capitol Building for Iowa community foundations this year. So this year, it will be important for you to connect with your legislators in-district and virtually or electronically. I wanted to share some tools and resources with you to support your outreach and conversations. As you know, the $6M in 2021 Endow Iowa Tax Credits have already been allocated and tax credit certificates will be distributed to donors in May. That means the 2022 Endow Iowa Tax Credit wait list is already beginning to grow. We know this has created challenges in marketing the program and communicating with donors, especially this year while we await the approval of the FY22 state budget. We also know how beneficial this program is to your donors and your community. We invite you to help us communicate with legislators the positive impact the program is having in your communities and counties. Here are some statistics you may wish to share:

• Since inception of Endow Iowa, Iowa community foundations have leveraged more than $311,570,788.80 in permanent endowment fund gifts made through 41,256 donations.
• Last year alone, grants from Endow Iowa qualified endowment funds totaled $16.1 million.
• The Endow Iowa Tax Credits Program has helped to build more than 4,300 endowment funds that are permanent resources, building the capacity and strength of Iowa communities now and forever.

Endow Iowa is working. Be sure to thank your legislators for their past and current support of Endow Iowa. If your county receives County Endowment Funds, please be sure to also communicate your appreciation for their support of this program as well. Since 2004:

• 30,774 grants have been made;
• $117 million has been invested in nonprofits and charitable causes across Iowa; and
• participating CEFP counties now hold over $288 million in assets, which will support Iowans – forever.

This year, you can also highlight the role your community foundation played – and may continue to play – in pandemic response efforts in your country. There are several ways you can demonstrate the impact these programs have had in your county and community:

• Attend a Town Hall meeting or Legislative Breakfast when your legislators are in your community.
• Write an Op-Ed in your local newspaper explaining how the County Endowment Fund and Endow Iowa programs have benefited your communities and county. Let me know if you’d like ICoF to guest author!
• Make a call or send an email to your representatives. This can be an effective way to be engaged around issues that are important to you professionally as well as personally.

However you choose to advocate, please engage. Your local voice, perspective and opinions are important to our state and federal legislators. As we seek to protect and preserve policy that helps philanthropy do its best work in Iowa and around the country, we are asking you, our valued partners and members, to join us. ICoF has a number of resources to support your legislative efforts, including:

• Spring 2021 Legislative Talking Points
• 2021 Endow Iowa Fact Sheet
• 2021 County Endowment Fund Program Fact Sheet
• Iowa Community Foundations Fact Sheet