DES MOINES, Iowa (August 27, 2019) — The Wellmark Foundation has notified 19 Iowa organizations they will receive Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grants up to $25,000, contingent upon securing the matching funds. To ensure community support for these projects, organizations are challenged to match this grant at 50 percent. Organizations have until Nov. 8 to secure their matching funds. Becky Wampler Bland, The Wellmark Foundation executive director, said “Each of these grant recipients submitted projects that can help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through built environment initiatives that encourage physical activity and also by providing access to and encouraging the consumption of healthy foods. The next step is for the organizations to secure the required match for the grant. Based on the community support they noted in their applications, they are well on their way to securing those funds.”

The organizations selected to receive the grant have demonstrated their projects are sustainable and will help to improve the well-being of the communities they serve well into the future. The organizations include (locally):

• City of Afton, $25,000 – Afton Safe Routes to Schools; This project will extend the existing trail and provide a safe off-street walking/biking option for students and residents. The sidewalks will be paved and made four-foot-wide to accommodate bi-directional traffic. While doing this work, culverts and curb cuts with ADA ramps will be installed. Permanent paint markings and signage will also encourage safe crossing of city streets.
• City of Carroll, $25,000 – Pickleball courts; The city of Carroll is constructing a six-court pickleball complex which is in close proximity to a large number of residential properties. These courts will be open to the public and will promote healthy lifestyles by providing a free, readily available physical activity option.
• City of Creston, $25,000 – McKinley Park Trail Expansion; The city of Creston is building a trail around Lake McKinley. The trail expansion will be about a half-mile in length. The project will also include lighting to provide safety for the residents who like to walk around the lake in the evening hours.
• City of Mount Ayr, $9,963.50 – Judge Lewis Park Trail; This project will complete a half-mile trail around Judge Lewis Park. It will provide residents with a readily available option to engage in physical activity. With strategically placed benches, it also provides users with an opportunity to socially connect with one another.
• Nodaway Valley Community School District, $25,000 – Elementary School Playground; The school is updating its existing playground equipment. The new equipment will be all-inclusive meeting the needs of all children. This will help children interact and play together for a more fulfilling play experience.
• Shelby County Wellness Alliance, $25,000 – Free Fitness 4 All — Harlan; The project will install outdoor fitness stations in Pioneer Park. These outdoor stations will increase the frequency and length of time spent in the park. It is also anticipated that friends and neighbors will connect socially with one another.

Since 2011, The Wellmark Foundation has provided more than $11 million in grant funding to communities across Iowa and South Dakota. To view previous Wellmark Foundation MATCH grant recipients, visit Wellmark.com/Foundation.