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!
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Includes groups that have a targeted community focus or specific community projects, which may also include advocacy and fundraising opportunities.
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These groups offer grant opportunities, funding, or scholarships for females.
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These groups offer structured opportunities to meet with other professional women.
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Offers opportunities for education, workshops, professional and/or leadership development.
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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
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: $80, Membership is open to all graduates holding an associate (or equivalent), baccalaureate, or higher degree from a qualified educational institution.
- Contact
Our club offers an opportunity to make a real difference in Cedar Falls. We undertake a variety of service, literacy, fundraising and international projects each year.
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/year to be included on membership list
- Contact
Club Les Dames
Dare to Lead Book Club
Meets the last Wednesday of the month from 6:00-7:00 pm virtually.
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.
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: $123 annually
- Contact
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.
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: $60 (single), $30 (additional household member), $20 (college student)
- Contact
As the grassroots arm of the women’s movement, the National Organization for Women is dedicated to its multi-issue and multi-strategy approach to women’s rights, and is the largest organization of feminist grassroots activists in the United States. NOW’s 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. Currently there is no local chapter.
- Cost: $35 annual dues
- Contact
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.
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: Contribute $150 or more 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
Women United, formerly known as Women’s Philanthropy Connection, focuses on empowering women to create real and lasting improvement in people’s lives. Members can choose to participate solely through their giving or through their giving and volunteering on WPC projects.
- Cost: Membership is open to women who are at an annual giving level of at least $1,000 to Cedar Valley United Way or $500 for those age 40 and younger. Giving can be done on an individual basis or through combined household giving.
- Contact
Grants/Scholarships
These groups offer grant opportunities, funding, or scholarships for females.
Business & Professional Women of Iowa
We help women of all ages develop and advance themselves personally and professionally. We have a proud tradition of "women helping women".
- Cost: $60/year, $25/year for students
- Contact
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.
P.E.O. is an organization of women, by women and for women. P.E.O. supports women both through friendships and the bonds of sisterhood and through educational scholarships, grants, awards and loans to help women pursue higher education. Currently there is no local chapter.
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.
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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 10 with a July 31 application deadline.
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Contact: Dotti Thompson, 319-243-1358
These groups offer structured opportunities to meet with other professional women.
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
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.
We help women of all ages develop and advance themselves personally and professionally. We have a proud tradition of "women helping women".
- Cost: $60/year, $25/year 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.
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:
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: $123 annually
- Contact
Gathering and support group to support moms. Women rally together in their own neighborhoods and help each other through motherhood, one gathering at a time.
- Cost: $31.95
- Contact:
- Local groups: Hope City Church meets Thursdays at 5:30pm
- Prairie Lakes Church MOPS group meets Thursdays at 9am
NAWBO Iowa propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social & political spheres of influence statewide.
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.
- Cost:
- $299 first year
- $199 each renewal year
- Contact
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.
Offers opportunities for education, workshops, professional and/or leadership development.
American Business Women's Association (ABWA)
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.
We help women of all ages develop and advance themselves personally and professionally. We have a proud tradition of "women helping women".
- Cost: $60/year, $25/year 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.
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:
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!
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.
Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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: $123 annually
- Contact
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.
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.
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.
- Cost: $45 international dues & $20 new member fee
- Contact:
UNI Women in Business Group
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.
Women's Leadership and Empowerment Conference
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. It is held the last Thursday in October.