Iowa Center

What Iowa Center does

Iowa Center for Economic Success, operating as The Iowa Center, is a nonprofit economic development organization founded in 1987 and headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with a second office in Muscatine. It serves Iowa entrepreneurs and small business owners, particularly those who lack access to traditional capital, through three core service lines: Business Coaching, Credit + Lending, and Tax Services. The Business Coaching division includes one-on-one coaching, the 8-week virtual DreamBuilder cohort program ($250 per participant), the Women's Business Center for female entrepreneurs, the Fareway-supported "Placing Iowa Products on Grocery Store Shelf" program, and the recurring "Always Ready" class series covering getting started, business planning, financials, lending, and marketing. Credit + Lending operates through the Iowa Center Loan Fund, a US Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and the SBA Microlender program, offering loans up to $50,000 at a 6% annual fixed interest rate with terms up to 5 years and flexible underwriting. Tax Services includes the free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for individuals and families earning under $69,000 and Schedule C small businesses, delivered through a statewide coalition of 96 tax sites and 22 partner organizations, plus the new Small Business Tax Services program launched in January 2025 with Intuit support.

The organization's business model is a hybrid of grant-funded nonprofit services and modest fee-for-service revenue. The majority of operations are funded by grants and donations from AARP Foundation, Wells Fargo, Principal Financial Group, the IRS, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, United Way of Central Iowa, and other institutional donors, alongside impact investments from local and national financial institutions that satisfy Community Reinvestment Act goals. Program fees are limited to the $250 DreamBuilder cohort tuition and sliding-scale flat-rate fees for Small Business Tax Services, while loan interest income at 6% on a modest microloan portfolio provides incremental revenue. Distribution is delivered through two physical offices (Des Moines and Muscatine), a statewide VITA Coalition network of 96+ tax sites, and virtual/online classes via Zoom and Eventbrite. Customer acquisition is community-led and event-driven, relying on partnerships with chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and financial institutions, plus word-of-mouth referrals and a volunteer network. The organization is led by President + CEO Erin Strawn, who was promoted on July 15, 2025 following the departure of her predecessor, and is preparing for a rural and micropolitan expansion announced in January 2026.

Name

Iowa Center

Legal name

Iowa Center for Economic Success

Website

https://theiowacenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Iowa Center is a Des Moines-based nonprofit economic development organization that provides business coaching, microloans up to $50,000, and tax services to Iowa entrepreneurs, particularly those lacking access to traditional capital. It serves low-to-moderate income individuals and small businesses statewide through a 96-site VITA tax coalition and a CDFI-certified loan fund.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development & Small Business Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Services (611), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)

Keywords

• Small business coaching
• SBA microloans
• Community development lending
• Volunteer tax preparation
• Entrepreneurship education

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest Income: The Iowa Center Loan Fund provides loans up to $50,000 at a 6% annual fixed interest rate with terms up to 5 years. Interest income from the loan portfolio supports operational sustainability.
2. Grants and Donations: Funded by generosity of donors including AARP Foundation, Wells Fargo, Principal Financial Group, and others who support assisting clients in starting and sustaining businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to economic development.
3. DreamBuilder Program Fees: 8-week virtual business planning course costing $250 per participant with ticket fees. Includes step-by-step guidance, live group classes, one-on-one coaching, and a $1,400-value Industry Intelligence Report.
4. Small Business Tax Services: Flat-rate fee service for small business tax preparation and planning, offered under a sliding scale with fee proposals sent in advance of services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Iowa Center for Economic Success is a nonprofit economic development organization that empowers Iowans to launch, manage, and grow small businesses through three integrated lines of service: Business Coaching (1:1 counseling, DreamBuilder 8-week virtual course, Always Ready classes, Women's Business Center), Credit + Lending (SBA microloans and Iowa Center Loan Fund CDFI loans up to $50,000 at 6% fixed interest with terms up to 5 years), and Tax Services (free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance for individuals earning under $69,000 and paid Small Business Tax Services). Services are delivered through Des Moines and Muscatine offices, a statewide VITA Coalition of 96 tax sites, and virtual classes.

Product overview

The Iowa Center provides three core lines of service for entrepreneurs launching or growing small businesses: Business Coaching, Credit + Lending, and Tax Services. The Business Coaching division includes DreamBuilder (an 8-week virtual business plan course), the Women's Business Center, the Placing Iowa Products On The Grocery Store Shelf cohort program, and Always Ready classes covering topics like getting started, business planning, financials, lending, and marketing. Credit + Lending offers SBA Microloans up to $50,000 and the Iowa Center Loan Fund CDFI for entrepreneurs without access to traditional capital. Tax Services provides free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for individuals earning $69,000 or less and paid Small Business Tax Services for small business tax preparation. The organization operates as a nonprofit economic development organization, not a software product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women's Business Center: Program providing business coaching and support specifically for women entrepreneurs
• DreamBuilder
• Placing Iowa Products On The Grocery Store Shelf
• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
• Iowa Center Loan Fund

Products and services

• Business Coaching 1:1 business counseling, group classes, and curriculum-based education for Iowa entrepreneurs building sustainable small businesses.
• Credit + Lending Access to capital through SBA microloans and Iowa Center Loan Fund CDFI loans up to $50,000 with flexible underwriting, combined with technical assistance and credit counseling.
• Tax Services Free tax preparation through VITA for individuals and families earning under $69,000, plus paid Small Business Tax Services for comprehensive tax preparation and planning.
• DreamBuilder 8-week virtual business plan writing course with step-by-step guidance, live group classes, one-on-one coaching, peer networking, and a $1,400-value Industry Intelligence Report.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Free income tax preparation for individuals, families, and Schedule C small businesses generally earning $69,000 or less, with specialized assistance for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
• Small Business Tax Services Paid small business tax preparation, filing, planning, and quarterly estimate services for Iowa small businesses under a sliding-scale flat-rate fee, including two in-person meetings and ongoing email/phone consultation.
• Placing Iowa Products On The Grocery Store Shelf Business coaching cohort program in partnership with Fareway that supports Iowa small business owners seeking to place products on grocery store shelves, covering brand awareness, market strategy, inventory management, and food safety.
• Women's Business Center Specialized business coaching, networking, and education program within The Iowa Center tailored for women entrepreneurs in Iowa.
• Iowa Center Loan Fund CDFI Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the US Treasury providing loans up to $50,000 with flexible underwriting and credit counseling to entrepreneurs lacking access to traditional capital.
• SBA Microloans SBA-certified microloan program providing loans up to $50,000 to Iowa entrepreneurs for working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery, and equipment.
• Always Ready Classes Recurring educational class series covering the fundamentals of starting and managing a small business: Getting Ready, Business Plan, Financials, Lending, and Marketing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Loans up to $50,000 available with flexible underwriting for entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional capital
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IntuitcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Partnership with Intuit to launch Small Business Tax Services program. Intuit-powered tools enable the Center to provide comprehensive tax preparation and planning services for small businesses. Launched January 1, 2025.
• FarewaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2024Business coaching partnership launched in 2024 with Fareway to support Iowa small business owners who dream of placing a product on grocery store shelves. Fareway executives lead classes on key grocery distribution topics including brand awareness, market strategy, inventory management, and food safety. Participants receive follow-up group and 1:1 coaching. Fall 2024 cohort included 10 small businesses.
• Bank IowaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2024$100,000 investment in Iowa Center Loan Fund highlighted through video partnership. Kennedy Van Rossum from Bank Iowa co-presents marketing classes with Iowa Center staff.
• IRScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRS VITA program partnership providing funding support for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Iowa Center leads the statewide Iowa VITA Coalition delivering free tax preparation to low-to-moderate income Iowans.
• Iowa Department of Health and Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partnership providing funding support for the statewide VITA program to ensure tax preparation accessibility across Iowa.
• United Way of Central IowacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for the statewide VITA Coalition. Iowa Center leads the coalition of 22 organizations operating 96 tax sites across Iowa with United Way support.
• Bankers TrustminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKevin Chorniak with Bankers Trust presents 'Essential Leadership Skills for Business Owners' workshop covering strategic decision-making, emotional intelligence, adaptability, communication, and conflict resolution. 90-minute sessions with break-out coaching.
• Spin Markket + DigitalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFort Dodge-based digital marketing agency partnering to deliver 'Marketing with Intent' class covering ideal customer definition, marketing plan development, channel selection, and performance measurement.
• Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Poweshiek Economic Development Collaborative, Brooklyn Economic DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership presenting the Brooklyn Business Builder Series - a free 4-class series teaching fundamentals of building and maintaining a strong small business covering Getting Ready, Business Plan, Financials & Loans, and Marketing.
• CLAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Made in Iowa event series. Grant Rolfes, Assurance Principal with CLA, moderates panel discussions. Registration to Made in Iowa events is free through CLA's generosity and support.
• Hub 712minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Early-Stage Essentials' in-person workshop at Hub 712 location in Carroll, Iowa (603 N Adams Street) covering first steps to business ownership.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kiva: Kiva is a global nonprofit microfinance platform offering crowdfunded 0% interest loans to small business owners. It overlaps Iowa Center's mission of providing capital access to entrepreneurs who lack traditional financing, though Kiva operates digitally across geographies.
• Accion (Accion Opportunity Fund): Accion Opportunity Fund is a CDFI providing small business loans and advisory services to underserved entrepreneurs. It mirrors Iowa Center's CDFI-certified lending model combined with business coaching, serving similar micro-borrower and SMB customers.
• Pacific Community Ventures: PCV is a nonprofit that combines small business advising, capital access, and pro bono professional services for small businesses in underserved communities. It overlaps Iowa Center's education + capital + networking framework with a regional focus.
• Women's Business Centers (SBA): WBCs are SBA-funded centers providing business training and counseling to women entrepreneurs. Iowa Center itself operates a Women's Business Center; this is the federal peer network serving the same women-entrepreneur segment with similar coaching and capital-access offerings.
• Opportunity Fund (now DreamSpring): DreamSpring is a CDFI providing microloans and small business loans to underserved entrepreneurs across multiple states. It is comparable to Iowa Center as a CDFI/SBA microlender pairing capital with technical assistance for small business owners.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): America's SBDCs are SBA-funded local centers providing free business consulting, training, and market research. They directly compete with Iowa Center's business coaching arm, serving the same SMB customer base through a federally subsidized channel.
• SCORE Association: SCORE is a national nonprofit network pairing volunteer mentors with aspiring entrepreneurs for free business coaching and classes. It is the closest direct peer to Iowa Center's business coaching and education arm, serving the same SMB customer base with a similar mentor-driven model.
• Grameen America: Grameen America is a nonprofit microfinance organization providing small-dollar loans and financial education to low-income entrepreneurs, predominantly women. It is comparable to Iowa Center in combining group lending with financial coaching for credit-thin borrowers.

Others

• ICBA (Independent Community Bankers of America) Community Investment arm: ICBA advocates for community banks and facilitates CRA-motivated investments into CDFIs and small business lenders. It is indirectly comparable to Iowa Center as a partner channel for the kind of CRA-driven capital investments that fund the Iowa Center Loan Fund.

Regional players

• RSVP (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance legacy operators): Other state VITA coalitions and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide operate free tax preparation similar to Iowa Center's VITA program. Comparable as fellow IRS-certified VITA operators delivering free tax services to low-to-moderate income individuals, though outside Iowa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheIowaCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iowa-center-for-economic-success
• Instagraminstagram.com/theiowacenter
• Xx.com/theiowacenter

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iowa Center