The Iowa West Foundation, headquartered in Council Bluffs, has announced the recipients of a shared $5.3 million in grants for the second quarter of 2013. The grants will be used to assist 30 non-profit organizations and governmental entities with funding for area projects.Of the $5.3 million in grants announced today (Friday), $3.5 million was previously announced as a co-lead gift for a new YMCA in Council Bluffs. Philanthropist Charles E. Lakin also gave $3.5 million toward the project. The $16 million wellness facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2015.

The Iowa West Foundation also awarded second quarter grants to these area groups or organizations. They include, but are not limited to:

• American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, general operating support for Council Bluffs site, $40,000

• Cass County (IA) Conservation, equipment for snowshoeing activities in local parks, $1,250

• City of Clarinda, construction of mile-long/multi-use community trail, $25,000

• City of Griswold, new community welcome signs, $8,000

• City of Lewis, playground equipment for city park, $7,400

• Golden Hills Resource Conservation & Development, Mormon Trail-related inventory of historic sites in southwest Iowa, $14,500

• Iowa Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, “Embrace Iowa – Mental Health First Aid” training in southwest Iowa, $8,000

• Pottawattamie County Veterans Affairs, mediation services to address Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, $29,000

• Southwest Iowa Families, Inc., family/parent education programs in Fremont and Page counties, $10,000

• The Danish Immigrant Museum, exterior restoration of historic house in Elk Horn, $10,000

• Visiting Nurse Association of Pottawattamie County, services for low-income first-time mothers, $29,000