Women in Leadership
A key segment of the working population is women - in fact, nearly 47% of the workforce is women according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Grow Cedar Valley is committed to the continued growth and development of professional women by connecting them to opportunities for networking with other professionals, education to strengthen skills, and to become impactful leaders in the Cedar Valley. This page is a compilation of the many resources available right here in the Cedar Valley specifically for women.
Do you know of a resource that should be listed, have an update, or a question? Please contact Sandi Sommerfelt.
Choose from one of the categories below to get started!
|
Includes groups that have a targeted community focus or specific community projects, which may also include advocacy and fundraising opportunities.
View Category
|
These groups offer grant opportunities, funding, or scholarships for females.
View Category
|
These groups offer structured opportunities to meet with other professional women.
View Category
|
Offers opportunities for education, workshops, professional and/or leadership development.
View Category
|
Community
Includes groups that have a targeted community focus or specific community projects, which may also include advocacy and fundraising opportunities.
100 women donate $100 every quarter. Through the power of numbers, we will combine our donations to make an immediate, BIG impact on our local community while having some fun! In doing so, we will create a culture of giving and support.
- Cost: $100/ quarter donated to charity
- Contact Information
The Cedar Falls-Waterloo AAUW meets monthly. Members are involved in numerous interest groups and community projects. We also provide funding for educational scholarships, legal advocacy, research and lobbying to promote equity for women and girls. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.
- Cost: $93 annually, Membership is open to all graduates holding an associate (or equivalent), baccalaureate, or higher degree from a qualified educational institution.
- Contact Information
A nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide breast cancer prevention, education, support, and advocacy for comprehensive, quality care FOR ALL in the Cedar Valley and surrounding communities.
- Cost: $5 annually to be included on membership list, free to volunteer
- Contact Information
Club Les Dames
Striving to empower young African American women who are high school seniors within the Cedar Valley.
Girl Scouts is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. Our program provides girls of varying backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to discover adventure, gain new skills, and change the world. By focusing the Girl Scout program on the core initiatives of Entrepreneurship, Outdoors, Life Skills, and STEM, girls will become self-sufficient, courageous, and ready to tackle what lies ahead.
- Cost: $25 annually
- Contact Information:
The Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
- Cost: $125 annually
- Contact Information:
Leader Valley is a talent development initiative of Grow Cedar Valley. Implementing in three communities — Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Waverly. Leader Valley is preparing Pre-K-12 students for life by providing them with the essential soft skills needed for a life of effectiveness and a competitive advantage in the workforce. Businesses in the Cedar Valley can also benefit from leadership and development trainings.
- Cost varies by course registration
- Contact Information:
The League of Women Voters of the United States encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
- Cost: $63 (single), $32 (additional household member), $21.50 (college student)
- Contact Information:
An organization whose purpose is to take action through intersectional grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and achieve and protect the equal rights of all women and girls in all aspects of social, political, and economic life.
- Cost: $40 annual dues
- Contact Information:
Girls on the Run reaches girls at a critical stage, strengthening their confidence at a time when society begins to tell them they can’t. Underscoring the important connection between physical and emotional health, our program addresses the whole girl when she needs it the most. At Girls on the Run Eastern Iowa, teaching essential life skills is the cornerstone of our research-based programs. Trained volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy.
- No cost
- Contact Information:
Women for Good educates, engages, and inspires giving to improve the lives of women and girls in Black Hawk County. Women For Good provides opportunities to learn about nonprofits and engage with other community-minded women at quarterly luncheons, participate in the Women’s Fund grant selection process, and join occasional nonprofit volunteer opportunities or site visits.
- Cost: $150 annually ($100 of the membership fee and any additional gifts go directly to the Women’s Fund to support grants benefitting women and children in Black Hawk County.)
- Contact Information
- Email:
- Phone:(319) 287-9106
Women United focuses on empowering women to create real and lasting improvement in people’s lives. Women United empower other women to use our passions, our ideas, our expertise and resources to transform the very conditions in which people live. Members can choose to participate solely through their giving or through their giving and volunteering on WPC projects.
- Cost: $500 annually for Individual Membership, $1,000 annually for Employer Membership
- Contact Information
We help women of all ages develop and advance themselves personally and professionally. Our Mission is to develop and empower women, in all stages of their work lives, through education, awareness and advocacy within a supportive network.
- Cost: $50 annually, $25 annually for students
- Contact Information:
Grants/Scholarships
These groups offer grant opportunities, funding, or scholarships for females.
We help women of all ages develop and advance themselves personally and professionally. We have a proud tradition of "women helping women". Through the Foundation's education program, scholarships are awarded to non-traditional students who are already in the workplace and want to attend school to further their education or be able to receive the training necessary for careers in business and professions.
- Award: Four $1,000 scholarships
- Contact Information:
The Girls with Goals Fund is an opportunity for you to join us in ensuring that all girls (K-8) have an opportunity to gain critical skills that will support their growth as women leaders. In conjunction with the Women of Achievement Awards, Women Lead Change launched a non-profit grant opportunity called the Girls with Goals Fund. If you are a non-profit organization that works to empower girls ages K-8 in Iowa, you might qualify!
The Iowa Women’s Foundation is committed to improving the lives of Iowa’s women and girls. We use research to uncover the biggest barriers to women’s success as well as their greatest needs, and we invest our passion and resources accordingly. As the only statewide organization focused on the economic empowerment of women and girls, IWF awards Core Grants to programs that tackle one of the six identified barriers to women’s self-sufficiency:
P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations. Currently there is not a local chapter.
- Educational Loan Fund
- Lend money to qualified women students to assist them in securing a higher education.
- Award: $12,000 for accredited non-degree program, associate or bachelor's degree; $15,000 for master's degree programs; $20,000 for doctoral degree programs
- International Peace Scholarship Fund
- Provide scholarships for women from other countries for graduate study in the US or Canada
- Award: $12,500
- Program for Continuing Education
- Provide need-based grants to women in the US and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that will improve their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families.
- Award: $4,000
- P.E.O. Scholar Awards
- Provide substantial merit-based awards for women of the US and Canada who are pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university.
- Award: $25,000
- STAR Scholarship
- Provide scholarships for exceptional women in their final year of high school to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the US or Canada in the next academic year.
- Award: $2,500
- Contact
Women for Good educates, engages, and inspires giving to improve the lives of women and girls in Black Hawk County. Women For Good provides opportunities to learn about nonprofits and engage with other community-minded women at quarterly luncheons, participate in the Women’s Fund grant selection process, and join occasional nonprofit volunteer opportunities or site visits.
-
The Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, as advised by Women for Good members, funds nonprofit projects or programs addressing issues that lead to long-term change for Black Hawk County women and girls in the areas of: education and literacy, poverty, and homelessness, violence and safety, and health and healthcare. The grant application process opens May 15 with a July 15 application deadline.
-
Contact Information:
-
Email:
- Phone: (319) 243-1358
These groups offer a supportive environment for women to connect, exchange ideas, and advance their careers through networking events, workshops, and mentorship programs, fostering growth and empowerment within the local professional community.
100 women donate $100 each every quarter. Through the power of numbers, we will combine our donations to make an immediate, BIG impact on our local community while having some fun! In doing so, we will create a culture of giving and support.
- Cost: $100/ quarter donated to charity
- Contact Information:
The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition. Currently there is no local chapter.
Business and Professional Women of Iowa [BPW Iowa] helps women of all ages develop and advance themselves personally and professionally. We have a proud tradition of "women helping women". BPW Iowa targets the needs of all working women through seminars/workshops, networking, scholarships, newsletters, legislative advocacy and community awareness & involvement.
- Cost: $50 annually, $25 annually for students
- Contact Information:
Membership in the Cedar Falls Woman's Club is open to all women. All meetings include a meal, friendship, a short meeting, and a program. The Cedar Falls Woman's Club meets regularly each month from September through May. Other special events are scheduled throughout the year. Each member belongs to the General Club as well as one of the two departments, Business Women or Cultural Affairs.
- Cost: $65 annually
- Contact Information:
Cedar Valley Women Connect is a community of organizational leaders dedicated to improving women's leadership competencies by engaging women in the Cedar Valley region through sharing best practices, connecting people and providing professional development opportunities.
- Cost: Corporate membership. $3,000, 10 seats; Non-profit membership $1,500, 5 seats; Small-business membership $500, 1 seat
- Contact Information:
The Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
- Cost: $125 annually
- Contact Information:
MOPS International encourages and equips moms of young children to realize their potential as mothers, women and leaders, in relationship with Jesus, and in partnership with the local church.Women rally together in their own neighborhoods and help each other through motherhood, one gathering at a time.
- Cost: $34 annually for basic package, $54 annually for access to topic specific workshops, $104 annually for access to MOPS merch & swag bag at MOMCON
- Contact Information:
NAWBO Iowa propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social & political spheres of influence statewide. Women in business propelling other women in business.
It is our mission to connect the world’s most positive, action-forward, amazing women to build lifelong friendships and business relationships. Currently there is no local chapter.
UNI Women in Business is built upon the following principles: Synergy, Professionalism, Innovation, Networking, Development, Leadership, and Empowerment. Our goal is to create a community within the UNI College of Business which fosters development and allows members to expand their professional experiences to work towards a successful future.
- Cost: $20
- Contact Information:
Offers opportunities for education, workshops, professional and/or leadership development.
The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition. Currently there is no local chapter.
- Cost: $115 annually
- Contact Information:
We help women of all ages develop and advance themselves personally and professionally. We have a proud tradition of "women helping women". BPW Iowa targets the needs of all working women through seminars/workshops, networking, scholarships, newsletters, legislative advocacy and community awareness & involvement.
- Cost: $50 annually, $25 annually for students
- Contact
Membership in the Cedar Falls Woman's Club is open to all women. All meetings include a meal, friendship, a short meeting, and a program. The Cedar Falls Woman's Club meets regularly each month from September through May. Other special events are scheduled throughout the year. Each member belongs to the General Club as well as one of the two departments, Business Women or Cultural Affairs.
- Cost: $65 annually
- Contact Information:
Cedar Valley Women Connect is a community of organizational leaders dedicated to improving women’s leadership competencies by engaging women in the Cedar Valley region through sharing best practices, connecting people and providing professional development opportunities.
- Cost: Corporate membership $3,000; Non-profit membership $1,500; Small business membership $500
- Contact Information:
Girl Scouts is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. Our program provides girls of varying backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to discover adventure, gain new skills, and change the world. By focusing the Girl Scout program on the core initiatives of Entrepreneurship, Outdoors, Life Skills, and STEM, girls will become self-sufficient, courageous, and ready to tackle what lies ahead.
GTA Consulting offers coaching and support to nonprofit organizations and female leaders on their journey to continued growth through strategic planning, grant writing, board training, and more. Lead with intention! GTA exists to help you identify and step into your true purpose. We offer unique coaching, support, and immersion opportunities specifically for female leaders.
The Iowa Women’s Foundation is committed to improving the lives of Iowa’s women and girls. We use research to uncover the biggest barriers to women’s success as well as their greatest needs, and we invest our passion and resources accordingly.
The Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
- Cost: $125 annually
- Contact Information:
Leader Valley is a talent development initiative of Grow Cedar Valley. Implementing in three communities — Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Waverly, Leader Valley is preparing Pre-K-12 students for life by providing them with the essential soft skills needed for a life of effectiveness and a competitive advantage in the workforce. Businesses in the Cedar Valley can also benefit from leadership and development trainings.
- Cost varies by course registration
- Contact Information
The League of Women Voters of the United States encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
- Cost: $63 (single), $32 (additional household member), $21.50 (college student)
- Contact Information:
UNI Women in Business is built upon the following principles: Synergy, Professionalism, Innovation, Networking, Development, Leadership, and Empowerment. Our goal is to create a community within the UNI College of Business which fosters development and allows members to expand their professional experiences to work towards a successful future.
- Cost: $20
- Contact Information:
This one-day leadership conference is a unique opportunity for women from different industries and background to come together to discuss issues facing women in business and how we can support one another for a successful and brighter tomorrow.
- Thursday, November 07, 2024 from 8:00am-4:30pm
- Contact Information:
- Email: staci.kramer@hawkeyecollege.edu