Area nonprofits receive Viking Foundation grants

The 2016 holidays came early to three area nonprofit organizations. The Viking Foundation of Lincoln announced the funding of 14 grants, including three in the Des Moines area, totaling $65,000 in support of nonprofit organizations in three states.

The following Des Moines-area grants totaling $10,500 were funded:

• $5,500 to Meals from the Heartland—to help provide items for meals packaged by over 100 youth, during spring break, for 3,300 families in Iowa
• $2,500 to Children and Families of Iowa—for renovation of space from a group home to therapy offices, as well as safe waiting areas and entrances/exits.
• $2,500 to Holy Family School—for books for school’s library.

In addition to these contributions, The Viking Foundation awarded $15,000 to these nonprofit organizations in Denver County, Colorado: Upstream Impact and Adam’s Camp; and $39,500 to Lancaster County, Nebraska, nonprofits: Center for legal immigration Assistance, Child Advocacy Center, Community Crops, Good Neighbor Community Center, The Indian Center, Lincoln Music Teachers Association, Nebraska Appleseed, Planned Parenthood and Willard Community Center.

The Viking Foundation was created in 2012 to help improve and enrich the lives of individuals – especially children – who are less fortunate. The foundation provides charitable grants annually to 501(c)(3) organizations in three counties, including Polk. The grants are directed to those who are challenged with education, poverty, housing, gender, mental and physical health, and other issues.

Detailed information about the foundation and its history, values, proposal guidelines and 2017 submission deadline can be found at vikingfoundation.webs.com.