The Wellmark Foundation has notified 17 Iowa organizations they will receive Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grants up to $100,000, contingent upon securing the matching funds. To ensure community support for these projects, organizations are challenged to match the award amount dollar-for-dollar. Organizations have until August 23 to secure their matching funds. Each of these grant recipients submitted projects that can help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through built environment initiatives that encourage physical activity.

The organizations selected to receive the grant have demonstrated their grants are sustainable and will help to improve the well-being of the communities they serve well into the future. Two of the 17 organizations in our area include:

• The Ames Foundation, $100,000
  Ames Miracle Playground and Field
  The Ames Miracle Playground and Field Project will feature an all-inclusive playground and Miracle League Field. It will be the first active recreational area of its kind in Ames promoting unencumbered play for children and adults of all abilities and will serve as an important outreach tool educating the public on the importance of fostering involvement by everyone in the community.
• Woodward-Granger Community School District, $92,425
  Woodward-Granger Early Learning Center Playground
  The Woodward-Granger Community School District is installing a new playground at the Early Learning Center to provide physical activity opportunities for students and Granger residents. This multi-phase, comprehensive playground update will include a concrete surface with painted markings, basketball hoops, green space, playground equipment and fencing. This playground will be used by students during recess, physical education class time, and before-and-after school programming, and then by community residents year-round. As one of five parks/play spaces in the Granger community, this space will greatly increase access to physical activity.