Latest Iowa West grants reflect regional reach

COUNCIL BLUFFS — Council Bluffs' Iowa West Foundation has announced $4 million in grants for the fourth quarter of 2011. The funding will assist 44 area nonprofit organizations and governmental entities with projects.

"The foundation's grants this quarter exemplify that we are truly a regional foundation," said Jerry Mathiasen, interim president and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. "Many grants meeting many needs throughout southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska is a key Iowa West role."

Mathiasen noted that the number of organizations receiving grants was one of the most for a quarter.

This round of grants includes $1.25 million to support the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation's effort to promote local philanthropy and help meet emerging needs in communities. It is the fourth installment of Iowa West's six-year pledge.

Other sizable grants this quarter:

» A $487,500 grant to the Nature Conservancy of Iowa for preservation of a scenic and native Loess Hills area in Mills County.

» A $400,000 grant for implementation of an economic development-related strategic plan in rural Pottawattamie County.

» A $350,000 grant to the United Way of the Midlands - headquartered in Omaha - to complete its 2011 campaign in meeting the needs of southwest Iowans and eastern Nebraskans.

Mathiasen also cited many "small but important" grants in the round, including the smallest of $2,000, which went to a Best Buddies program at Harlan (Iowa) High School to support students with developmental disabilities.

Iowa West has provided $280 million in grants to non-profits and governmental entities since the inception of its grants program in 1996.

Applications for second quarter grants will be due April 16. For information and applications, find a link to the foundation's website attached to this story at Omaha.com or contact Deb Debbaut, grants manager, at 712-309-3003.

Funding for the foundation's grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives contracted fees from casino operators Ameristar and Harrah's.

The organizations that received Iowa West grants in the fourth quarter of 2011:

» Angels Among Us Inc., financial aid assistance for Omaha metro families with ill children, $30,000.

» Ballet Nebraska, performance production and outreach in Omaha-Council Bluffs area, $7,500.

» Best Buddies International Inc., developmental disabilities program at Harlan (Iowa) High School, $2,000.

» Bluffs Arts Council, general operating support, $22,500.

» Board of Regents/University of Nebraska at Omaha, arts education for southwest Iowa teachers, $8,000.

» Camp Hertko Hollow Inc., "Camperships" for youths with diabetes in southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska, $4,000.

» Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Omaha, enhancements to communications system to improve family relief services, $22,000.

» Center for the Advancement of Self-Sufficiency, upgrade of technology to improve services in southwest Iowa, $25,000.

» Children's Hospital & Medical Center Foundation, housing program for families with children receiving medical treatment in Omaha, $50,000.

» Children's Square U.S.A., windows renovation at Council Bluffs facility, $15,000.

» Christian Urban Education Service, "Professional pals" mentorship program in north Omaha, $5,000.

» City of Avoca, Iowa, improvements to the community's baseball and softball complex, $53,190.

» City of Elk Horn, Iowa, reconstruction of the city's "friends walk" trail, $38,600.

» City of Walnut, Iowa, beautification and improvements of city park, $12,056.

» Community Education Foundation Inc., grants for improved educational opportunities in Council Bluffs classrooms, $26,700.

» Community Education Foundation Inc., general operating support to the foundation in Council Bluffs, $95,000.

» Community Housing Investment Corporation, an infill housing program for Council Bluffs families, $44,000.

» Douglas County (Neb.) Historical Society, Victorian Heirloom Garden restoration at the General Crook House, $4,000.

» El Museo Latino, visual and performing arts program for at-risk-youth in Omaha, $10,000.

» Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development, technical assistance for projects in western Iowa communities, $62,000.

» Grant (Iowa) Community Preservationists, restoration of historic building into multipurpose facility, $25,000.

» Green Hills AEA, summer leadership academies for southwest Iowa students, $80,000.

» Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, neighborhood revitalization initiative in areas of north and south Omaha, $25,000.

» Heartland Center for Leadership Development, implementation of strategic economic development plan in rural Pottawattamie County, $400,000.

» Heartland Family Service, HEAT 2012 housing and emergency assistance for residents in Pottawattamie County, $170,000.

» Heartland Family Service, substance abuse prevention in Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area, $35,856.

» Humanities Iowa, speakers bureau program for rural southwest Iowa, $2,850.

» Iowa Radio Reading Information Service for the Blind and Print Handicapped Inc., program outreach into western Iowa, $15,000.

» Iowa Special Olympics, events for disabled athletes in southwest Iowa, $10,000.

» Joslyn Art Museum, "Museum to the Classroom" program for Omaha metro teachers, $20,000.

» Keep Council Bluffs Beautiful Inc., collaborative gardening and education program in Council Bluffs, $25,000.

» Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa, to fulfill wishes of southwest Iowa children with life-threatening diseases, $15,000.

» Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless, services to prevent homelessness in Omaha metro area, $12,500.

» Mills County (Iowa) Prevent Child Abuse Council Inc., family and youth health programs, $5,500.

» Omaha Botanical Center Inc., "Railroad Days," a collaborative area event celebrating railroad history, $25,000.

» Omaha Symphony Association, "Adventures in Music" for southwest Iowa students, $60,000.

» Omaha Zoological Society, aquarium education and outreach programs in Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area, $75,000.

» Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, support for community foundation operations and donor outreach, $1,256,000.

» Pottawattamie County Development Corporation, general operating support for the nonprofit corporation in Council Bluffs, $200,000.

» Project Interfaith Inc., diversity education project in Omaha area, $10,000.

» Southwest 8 Senior Services Inc., reorganized programs and services for southwest Iowa aging, $34,231.

» The Danish Immigrant Museum, restoration of prairie park at museum in Elk Horn, Iowa, $25,000.

» The Nature Conservancy, scenic Loess Hills preservation in Mills County, $487,500.

» The Salvation Army Council Bluffs Corps, emergency assistance and seasonal services for local families, $50,000.

» United Way of the Midlands, human services programs in Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area, $350,000.

» Vocational Development Center Inc., capital improvements at new location serving Omaha and Council Bluffs, $38,250.

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