Welcome to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation’s blog!
We are a non-profit organization with a mission to raise funds for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Since our inception in 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $200 million through individual contributions, state appropriations, in-kind services, and corporate, federal and state grants.
Please follow our blog to learn more about our organization.
Giving Program Deadline
With the deadline for giving programs fast approaching, I started to think about what personal inscriptions I could write for the Blue Ribbon Foundation staff.
To start, Peter Cownie (Executive Director) enjoys watching the six-horse hitch…
MoreWhile 85% might translate to a “B” on an exam, the Blue Ribbon Foundation is never satisfied with anything less than an “A”! We’re proud to share that 85 generous donors have already joined our 2026 T.A.G. Team. Now, we’re…
MoreSave the Date
Happy New Year! The Blue Ribbon Foundation hopes everyone had a wonderful holiday. As you start to make plans for 2026, please add these dates to your calendar.
January: Grandstand Concert Announcements
Welcome Brooklin
The Blue Ribbon Foundation is pleased to announce that Brooklin Border joined our team as the new Development Manager this week.
Brooklin is no stranger to the Iowa State Fair. She grew up attending the Fair as a 4-H member and served as the Blue…
MoreThe Blue Ribbon Foundation wants to hire three interns to join our staff in 2026. The internship application deadline is November 30. What exactly does an intern do? Each summer, a team of college students plan, prepare and execute specific tasks and projects.…
MoreWhat’s happening at the Blue Ribbon Foundation? Check out the Foundation’s fall newsletter. Highlighted is all the fun and fundraising success over the summer. Including a recap of the Corndog Kickoff, BINGO, Woodcarvers’ Auction and details about the 2025 Iowan of the Day…
MoreEach year, Blue Ribbon Foundation interns compile insights from their experiences to support the next group of interns. This may include a list of projects they worked on, lessons they learned, or things they wish they had done differently. The goal is to help future interns make the most of…
MoreThe Blue Ribbon Foundation holds a deep connection to every improvement project across the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Each renovation tells a story, often shared by donors whose family traditions and cherished memories are tied to every barn and building. This summer, one project felt…
MoreProjects on the Iowa State Fairgrounds always come with a tight timeline. All improvements must be completed within a single year, and with more than 350 events hosted annually (outside of the Fair itself) scheduling can be a challenge. Every project is carefully planned, and let’s be honest,…
MoreWe’re Hiring Interns!
Are you ready to help plan Iowa’s biggest celebration, welcoming over 1 million guests each August? How about organizing a fundraising event that brings in more than $800,000 for Fairgrounds improvements? Can you picture yourself coordinating…
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