Area nonprofits receive 2018 Viking Foundation grants

The Viking Foundation of Lincoln announced its recent funding of 19 grants—including three in Polk County—totaling $75,000 in support to nonprofit organizations in three states.

• $6,000 to Des Moines Pastoral Counseling—for its COOL Program that provides psychological counseling to low-income, uninsured or under-insured children and adolescents,
• $6,000 to Everybody Wins! Iowa—for reading program support at Howe Elementary School to help develop greater reading proficiency,
• $3,000 to Holy Family School—to provide books for its library.

In addition to these contributions, The Viking Foundation awarded $35,000 to nonprofits in Lancaster County, Nebraska: Nebraska Appleseed, Center for People in Need, City Impact, Eastridge Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, Lincoln Bike Kitchen, Lincoln Housing Charities, Lincoln Music Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood and Seniors Foundation; and $25,000 to these nonprofit organizations in Denver County, Colorado: Bella Boutique, CHARG, Denver Public Schools-Garden of Youth, The Empowerment Program, Metro Caring, SAME Café and Wee Cycle.

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 issues related to poverty, housing, gender, education, mental and physical health, and others.

Detailed information about the foundation, and its history, values, proposal guidelines and 2019 submission deadline, can be found at vikingfoundation.webs.com.