The Iowa West Foundation has announced thirty-five grants totaling $6.4 million to nonprofits and governmental entities for area projects and programs, the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports.

The third-quarter grants include $1.7 million to help complete the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus in Council Bluffs, which is a collaboration of local agencies of the American Red Cross, the Boys & Girls Clubs, Heartland Family Service, MICAH House, and the Salvation Army. Other grants include nearly $1.8 million to Artspace Projects Inc. to renovate its headquarters; $750,000 to the Iowa West Foundation's streetscape initiative to beautify primary corridors in Council Bluffs; and $400,000 to the Omaha Zoological Society for a butterfly and insect pavilion.

According to Iowa West Foundation president Lynn Grobe, "the grants demonstrate our commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities by focusing on social needs and economic development, as well as education and community development."