The Iowa West Foundation has announced grants totaling $5.1 million in support of nearly 30 nonprofits in the region.

Organizations serving the rural communities of Audubon, Griswold, Harlan, Treynor, and Woodbine will receive funding for placemaking projects in their communities, including recreational amenities, infrastructure upgrades, and fire safety. Approximately $2.4 million was awarded to nonprofits focused on areas such as healthy families, education, and arts enrichment for youth in southwest Iowa, in the form of multiyear funding for operating costs.

“The multiyear funding program has provided more than $10 million to nonprofits who serve Iowa residents,” said Iowa West Foundation president and CEO Brenda Mainwaring. “It’s difficult for nonprofits to secure funds for operating expenses. We decided to address that gap in the funding stream. Our multi-year funding program is designed for long-standing nonprofit partners and allows them to focus less on fundraising and more on their missions for the community.”

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