The Wellmark Foundation recently awarded nearly $1.68 million in grants to 21 Iowa organizations through its Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grant program. In Central Iowa, the awards include $100,000 to Polk County Conservation for the Easter Lake North Shore Capital Campaign and $100,000 to WesleyLife for the So Much More than Meals Campaign. The organizations were notified in May of their pending awards and had 16 weeks to secure the required matching funds. All the funded projects will help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through built environment initiatives that encourage physical activity or provide access to healthy foods, the foundation said in a release. “We know the neighborhoods people live in have a major impact on their health and well-being,” said Mary Lawyer, executive director of the Wellmark Foundation. “That is why we are proud to award a total of $1,682,650 to these 21 Iowa organizations. Each of these projects provides an opportunity for residents to be active where they live, work, learn and play, or ensure access to healthy foods.” Since its inception in 1991, the Wellmark Foundation has awarded nearly $58 million in grant and special project funding to initiatives that positively influence the well-being of Iowans and South Dakotans. A list of the 21 awards can be found at this link.