ALTOONA, IOWA (July 23, 2026) — The Prairie Meadows Board of Directors approved its largest round of community grant funding to date, awarding $17 million to 473 nonprofit organizations serving communities across Central Iowa. The historic investment underscores the organization's ongoing commitment to strengthening local communities and expanding access to programs and services that improve quality of life.
The grants align with Prairie Meadows' mission of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism throughout the state of Iowa. The grant programs work to strengthen and expand opportunities, infrastructure, and services offered within the community. Below are the three grant programs offered and the amount awarded:
- Prairie Meadows Legacy Grant Resolution awarded 29 grants totaling $8,000,000.00.
- Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant Resolution awarded 401 grants totaling $7,981,326.00.
- Prairie Meadows Youth Sports and Recreational Grant Resolution awarded 43 grants totaling $1,018,674.00.
"This record-breaking community investment reflects our belief that strong communities are built by strong local organizations," said Brian Ohorilko, Prairie Meadows President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Every day, non-profits are addressing our communities' greatest challenges while creating new opportunities for individuals and families to thrive. We're proud to partner with these organizations and help expand their impact at a time when their work has never been more important."
Since 1996, Prairie Meadows has contributed more than $2.5 billion to the state of Iowa through taxes and charitable giving, helping fund programs and projects that create lasting benefits for communities across the state.
Prairie Meadows and the Polk County Board of Supervisors will co-host the annual Community Impact Luncheon on September 18 at Prairie Meadows in the Meadows Events Center. The event will recognize and celebrate the non-profit organizations receiving grant-funding from Prairie Meadows and Polk County and highlight the positive impact these investments have across Iowa.
For the full list of grant recipients, visit https://www.prairiemeadows.com/about-us/grant-programs.
Prairie Meadows began operations as a non-profit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes and charitable giving, Prairie Meadows has given more than $2.5 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.
