DES MOINES, Iowa (May 5, 2022) — The Wellmark Foundation has notified 22 Iowa organizations they will receive Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grant funds, contingent upon securing the required dollar-for-dollar match. To ensure community support for these projects, organizations have until Aug. 17 to secure their matching funds. Each of these grantees are planning projects that can help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through built environment initiatives that encourage physical activity or providing access to healthy foods.

“Each project included here has the potential to make a positive, long-term impact on the overall health and well-being of their community which will enhance the quality of life for generations to come,” said Mary Lawyer, executive director for The Wellmark Foundation. “We’re excited to see the planning, focus and community engagement within each of the selected applications.”

Among the (area) organizations and projects selected to receive a 2022 MATCH Grant is:

Carroll County Conservation Board, $100,000: Sauk Rail Trail Resurfacing – Swan Lake to Maple River (Carroll); A beautiful 33-mile trail system connecting Swan Lake State Park and Black Hawk State Park, the Sauk Rail Trail provides an excellent place for biking, walking, jogging and in-line skating and is open for snowmobiling and cross-county skiing during the winter, and portions of the trail are open for hunting during the appropriate seasons. The Sauk Rail Trail resurfacing project will update 6.2 miles of existing aging asphalt trail to concrete, providing a safer experience for trail users.
Casey Service Club, Inc., $100,000: Abram Rutt Park Trail (Casey) ; The Abram Rutt Park Trail will be a paved walking and biking path that follows the perimeter of Abram Rutt Park. The trail will be graded to protect the path from any potential flooding, and benches will be added along the trail for people to stop, relax and enjoy the scenery.
City of Afton, $65,000: Trail Extension to Rec Complex (Afton) – This trail extension project will create a multi-purpose trail along the county road connecting the city to the school, trails and sidewalks in existing residential areas where safe off-street walkways currently do not exist. The project will also connect existing trails and sidewalk systems at Scott and Temple streets to East Union Schools and the community sports complex.
City of Lenox, $100,000: Recreational Trail Extension — Phase I & II (Lenox); As part of a two-phased project, phase I of the recreational trail extension project will extend existing trails and add connectors between the Lenox School District and newly developed athletic courts, encouraging safe walking and biking for students and families. Phase II will further extend the trail, add safe crossings and signage.
City of Winterset, $100,000: Winterset All-Inclusive Playground (Winterset); The Winterset all-inclusive playground project will create a play space that encourages play and activities for all abilities.The creation of an all-inclusive playground within the 76-acre Winterset City Park will include ramps, a merry-go-round, zipline, safety surfacing, adaptive switch technology, swings, proper draining, safe curbing and sidewalks all around.

“The Wellmark Foundation recognizes sustainable changes take time and we are pleased to continue to offer these grant opportunities to support the overall health and well-being of local communities,” said Lawyer. “Recently, we have better aligned the grant focus and awards to encourage even more communities to get involved and take advantage of support from The Wellmark Foundation and upcoming improvements will allow for a more defined focus on physical activity and healthy foods.”

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