During its 27th annual luncheon Oct. 4 in Coralville, the Iowa Women’s Foundation announced the eight recipients of the organization’s 2024 Core Grant. The $150,000 Core Grant program funds organizations across the state that address barriers to women’s economic self-sufficiency, including child care, housing, employment, education and training, mentorship, and transportation barriers, according to a news release. The luncheon also featured a keynote address from retired U.S. Ambassador Mary Kramer, who detailed her experiences with “somewhat unexpected leadership opportunities” throughout her career and encouraged attendees to take risks and embrace leadership regardless of their roles, the release said. The Iowa Women’s Foundation says it has distributed nearly $1.7 million in grants over the last 26 years to 170 organizations and more than 300 projects benefiting women and girls.

The recipients are:

• House of Hope in Waterloo for the Total Transportation program, which provides women with affordable, reliable transportation through education, mentorship and assistance.
• Dorothy’s House in Des Moines to expand services for survivors of trafficking and exploitation, including a safe place for survivors to go, training for law enforcement and assistance with crisis response.
• Eyes Open Iowa in Des Moines and statewide for the support of institutionalized sex education for adolescents, including partnerships with school districts to provide an age-appropriate, research-based curriculum that educates young women.
• Girls on the Run Eastern Iowa in Iowa City/eastern Iowa for updated curriculum materials that will teach young women about competence, confidence, caring, character, connection and contribution — all of which help participants manage emotions, help others and resolve conflicts.
• Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) in Des Moines and statewide to help remove barriers to career exploration for young women, including increasing access to opportunities within the trades and commercial construction industry by providing transportation and other resources.
• St. Mark Youth Enrichment in Dyersville/Dubuque for the expansion of after-school child care spaces in rural areas with existing shortages. The program will include education in literacy, STEM and large motor skills as well as social and emotional learning.
• The Kids Spot Daycare in Lake City/central northwest Iowa to help furnish new classrooms that will provide additional child care spaces for preschool and school-aged children.
• Young Women’s Resource Center in Des Moines to strengthen the parenting and life skills program for young moms, including education and resources that help meet essential needs, build skills like financial literacy and assist with educational achievements.