In 2004, the Iowa General Assembly passed three significant initiatives to promote charitable giving and encourage the formation of new Qualified Community Foundations or Affiliates. The legislation ensures that a portion of gaming tax revenues will be directed to the 84 non-casino Iowa counties through qualified organizations; and it provides tax credits for permanent endowments to community foundations, as well as start-up grants to foster community philanthropy.

Among the states with legalized gaming, Iowa is the only state that requires the requlated licensed casinos to contribute a portion of their revenues to local charities and community projects. Each year casinos collectively provide millions of dollars to charities through their respective nonprofit license holders. You can view a list of these grants and charitable contributions by visiting our property or nonprofit license holder web pages.
 

In 2005, the Iowa Legislature implemented the County Endowment Fund Program, which stipulates that the community foundations distribute 75 percent of the allocated funds to charitable projects and programs within their communities. The remaining 25 percent allocated is used to build the unrestricted endowment fund for that county to provide future grant support.

The program's funds are being distributed through the qualified community foundations or a community affiliate. in the 85 counties without state issued gaming licenses. In 2010, more than $10.4 million was distributed by the Department of Revenue to these counties' community foundations and/or affiliate organizations—each receiving approximately $123,000. Through Iowa Community Foundations, counties have the resources to encourage and grow endowment funds that will provide charitable support to many causes both now and in the future.

We encourage you to view "Building Iowa's Communities Through Philanthropy," a collaborative summary by the Iowa Council of Foundations and the Iowa Gaming Association. The reports showcase the impressive results in the form of charitable grants awarded to numerous worthy organizations.

Building Iowa's Communities Through Philanthropy:
2010-11  |  2009-10  |  2008-09  |  2007-08  |  2006-07  |  2005-06

Technical assistance for the qualification process:
Iowa Council of Foundations
515-989-1188 • 515-537-6956
www.iowacounciloffoundations.org
www.iowacommunityfoundations.org