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More than $1.6 million in MATCH grants awarded to Iowa communities

Des Moines, IA — The Wellmark Foundation has provided 21 Iowa organizations with their Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grant awards. These organizations were notified in May of their pending awards and had 16 weeks to secure the required matching funds. All the funded projects will help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through built environment initiatives that encourage physical activity or provide access to healthy foods.

“We know the neighborhoods people live in have a major impact on their health and well-being,” said Mary Lawyer, The Wellmark Foundation executive director. “That is why we are proud to award a total of $1,682,650 to these 21 Iowa organizations. Each of these projects provides an opportunity for residents to be active where they live, work, learn and play, or ensures access to healthy foods.”

Since its inception in 1991, The Wellmark Foundation has awarded nearly $58 million in grant and special project funding to initiatives that positively impact the well-being of Iowans and South Dakotans.

The 21 Iowa organizations awarded a Wellmark Foundation MATCH grant include:

Carroll County Conservation Board, $100,000
Sauk Rail Trail Resurfacing – Swan Lake to Maple River (Carroll)

Casey Service Club, Inc., $100,000
Abram Rutt Park Trail (Casey)

Cherokee Community Foundation, $75,000
Cherokee Skate/BMX/Scooter Park (Cherokee)

City of Afton, $65,000
Trail Extension to Rec Complex (Afton)

City of Burlington, $100,000
Dankwardt Park Playground Project (Burlington)

City of Laurens, $100,000
The Laurens Pool Project (Laurens)

City of Lenox, $100,000
Recreational Trail Extension — Phase I & II (Lenox)

City of Marcus, $100,000
Marcus Trail Plan — Phase I (Marcus)

City of Sioux City, $100,000
Cone Mountain Bike Park (Sioux City)

City of West Burlington, $100,000
Gear Avenue Trail Expansion — Phase II (West Burlington)

City of Winterset, $100,000
Winterset All-Inclusive Playground (Winterset)

Davis County Trails Council, $100,000
Davis County Trail System – Phase 4A (Bloomfield)

Friends of Eldora Parks and Recreation, $42,650
Park Street Corridor Improvement Project (Eldora)

Friends of Lacey–Keosauqua State Park, $100,000
Campground to Bath House Trail (Keosauqua)

Jasper County Conservation, $100,000
Red Rock Prairie Trail (Mitchellville, Monroe and Prairie City)

Lake View Foundation, $49,866
Pickleball Courts (Lake View)

Nahant Marsh Education Center, $100,000
Nahant Marsh Connector Trail Project (Davenport)

Polk County Conservation, $100,000
Easter Lake North Shore Capital Campaign (Des Moines)

The Cedar Falls Schools Foundation, $100,000
Communiy Natatorium (Cedar Falls)

WesleyLife Community Services, Inc., $100,000
So Much More than Meals Capital Campaign (Des Moines)

YMCA of Washington County, $100,000
Indoor Aquatic Center Project (Washington)

Learn more about these projects.