Discover the Difference: Diocesan Catholic Schools Awarded Community Betterment Grant

by Diocese of Des Moines | July 20, 2023

Prairie Meadows logo

Prairie Meadows recently awarded the Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools a Community Betterment Grant totaling $99,000.

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.

“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.”

Schools awarded grant funds include Christ the King, Dowling Catholic, Holy Family, Holy Trinity, Sacred Heart, St. Anthony, St. Augustin, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Joseph, St. Luke the Evangelist, St. Theresa, and St. Patrick. The Community Betterment Grant funds will support STEM programming, curriculum enhancements, building security, adaptive seating, and classroom technology resulting in an enhanced academic experience for thousands of students.

Projects funded through this grant program are expected to be completed throughout the 2023-2024 school year.

“At Prairie Meadows, we are dedicated to transforming the lives of central Iowans. We are proud to support the Diocese of Des Moines Catholic schools and many other projects in our community,” said Julie Stewart, Prairie Meadows vice president of Community Relations.

Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 to promote economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in Iowa. Prairie Meadows has given $2.1 billion to the state of Iowa through taxes, grants, and charitable donations. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.

The Diocese of Des Moines includes 16 schools 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 our website or email us 

Diocese of Des Moines

The Diocese of Des Moines, created in 1911, serves people over a 12,446 square mile area in the southwestern quadrant of Iowa, including 23 counties.