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:
