Six Schools Receive nearly $130K in Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grants

July 25, 2025

Six Catholic schools in the Diocese of Des Moines have been awarded $129,129 in Community Betterment Grant funding from Prairie Meadows, significantly exceeding previous years' awards.

"We are profoundly grateful to Prairie Meadows for this exceptional level of support," said Superintendent of Schools Donna Bishop. "This year's grant of nearly $130,000 will be truly transformative for our schools. Prairie Meadows continues to be an invaluable partner in strengthening Catholic education and the entire central Iowa community."

These vital funds will address critical needs such as enhanced school security, improved IT infrastructure, and the development of safe and engaging playgrounds.

This year's total grant amount represents a substantial increase from the historical average of $77,000 to $99,900 previously received by Catholic schools through Prairie Meadows' generous grant programs. The funding demonstrates Prairie Meadows' continued commitment to educational excellence and community well-being in central Iowa.

Six individual schools will benefit from these awards, enabling crucial projects that directly impact student safety and their learning environment:

• $25,000 to Christ the King School to enhance school security.

• $25,000 to Holy Family Catholic School for both safety and IT infrastructure.

• $25,000 to St. Anthony Catholic School for playground improvements.

• $25,000 to St. Joseph Catholic School, also for new playground equipment.

• $15,000 to Dowling Catholic High School for safety enhancements.

• $14,129 to St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School, also for safety upgrades.

These grants will directly enrich the daily lives of students and staff, providing safer environments and fostering opportunities for healthy development. The projects align perfectly with Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools commitment to offering a holistic and secure educational experience rooted in faith and academic excellence.

About the Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools

Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools educates more than 7,000 students across 16 schools in central and southwest Iowa. Our schools are collaborative communities of spiritual formation and academic excellence, where students grow in faith and wisdom and emerge as responsible citizens dedicated to the practice of life-long discipleship. We believe Catholic education should be rooted in faith, focused on excellence, and supported by a caring community while also providing the best value to our families.

About Prairie Meadows

Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 to promote economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in Iowa. Through taxes and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given $2.3 billion to the state of Iowa, helping transform the lives of thousands in central Iowa communities.