Iowa Council of Foundations








The Iowa Council of Foundations was founded in 1998 by representatives from Iowa foundations and corporate giving programs.

Board of Directors

  • Nancy Van Milligen (President), Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
  • Matt McGarvey (Vice President), Wellmark Foundation
  • Kathryn Bradley, (Secretary), Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
  • Mike Stoffregen (Treasurer), Community Foundation of Johnson County
  • Steve Schaaf (Past President), Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc
  • Terry Hernandez, Chrysalis Foundation
  • Jerry Mathiasen, Iowa West Foundation

It is governed by a board of directors, which is elected by the membership. Committees made up of member volunteers also help direct the organization.

Past Presidents of the Iowa Council of Foundations:

  • 1998-1999 Linda Klinger, Executive Director, R. J. McElroy Trust
  • 1999-2000 Eric Fogg, former Director, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. Foundation
  • 2000-2001 Mary Ann Burk, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Northeast Iowa
  • 2001-2002 Paul Leighton, Vice President and Secretary, MidAmerican Energy Foundation
  • 2002-2004 Johnny Danos, President, Greater Des Moines Community Foundation
  • 2004-2005 Laura Sauser, IFMC Community Initiative/Iowa Foundation
  • 2005-2007 Steve Schaaf, Community Investment Director, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

Membership in the ICoF is open to:

  • Any charitable organization, foundation, or trust whose principal function is the making of grants within the state of Iowa.
  • Banks and trust companies which administer charitable trusts.
  • Corporations that offer grants.

Most member foundations are either private foundations, community foundations or corporate foundations.

Purpose

ICoF plays a leadership role in advocation for philanthropy. It strives to help elected and appointed officials, the media and the general public understand the benefits of charitable giving.

Whom We Serve

In addition to its members, the ICoF serves the larger nonprofit community by linking agencies to grant-making opportunities and the public, which is served by these grant recipients and their efforts toward enhancing various aspects of Iowa communities. The ICoF also serves the donors who generously contribute to the various foundations or funds in Iowa.