Diocese of Des Moines Schools Awarded Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant

August 15, 2022

Prairie Meadows recently awarded the Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools a Community Betterment Grant totaling $97,398.00. Prairie Meadows is a nonprofit organization dedicated to lessening the burden of government by promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. This grant will help fund several educational initiatives at schools within the greater Des Moines area.

“We are grateful for the partnership and generous support from the Prairie Meadows Foundation,” said Donna Bishop, Superintendent of Schools. “These grant funds will help us fulfill our mission to provide collaborative communities of spiritual formation and academic excellence. This grant is not only an investment in our schools and our students, but it is also an investment in the future of the greater Des Moines community.”

The Community Betterment Grant funds will support STEM programming, PreK curriculum enhancements, student leadership activities, adaptive seating, a playground, an outdoor classroom, classroom technology, and the addition of a graphic design class resulting in an enhanced academic experience for thousands of students. Projects funded through this grant program are expected to be completed throughout the 2022-2023 school year.

“At Prairie Meadows, we believe in the power of giving back to our community. From funding meals for hungry children to infusing life into our city playscapes, Prairie Meadows strives to make a difference in central Iowa. And we are beyond grateful that we have the means and the opportunities to do so,” said Gary Palmer, President & CEO of Prairie Meadows.

Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989, with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes, grants, and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given $2.1 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more. Visit prairiemeadows.com/community to learn more about these organizations and the causes they support.

The Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools includes 16 schools in 23 counties in central and southwest Iowa. Catholic schools in the Des Moines Diocese build Christ-centered, collaborative, inclusive partnerships with parents, students, and parishes to provide students with innovative academic excellence and inspirational faith formation. To learn more about Catholic schools in the Diocese of Des Moines, visit www.dmdiocese.org/catholic-schools or email ExpectMore@dmdiocese.org.