The Wellmark Foundation has notified 22 Iowa organizations they will receive Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grant funds, contingent upon securing the required dollar-for-dollar match. To ensure community support for these projects, organizations have until Aug. 17 to secure their matching funds. All of these grantees are planning projects that can help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through built environment initiatives that encourage physical activity or provide access to healthy foods. Among the grants in Central Iowa are $100,000 to Polk County Conservation for the Easter Lake North Shore Capital Campaign to create an accessible beach walkway, and $100,000 to WesleyLife Community Services Inc. for the So Much More Than Meals Capital Campaign to help acquire and renovate a new building with a commercial kitchen that can accommodate preparation of 3,000 meals a day. The new space will include an indoor vertical garden for food production. “Each project included here has the potential to make a positive, long-term impact on the overall health and well-being of their community which will enhance the quality of life for generations to come,” said Mary Lawyer, executive director for the Wellmark Foundation. “We’re excited to see the planning, focus and community engagement within each of the selected applications.” A list of the 22 Iowa organizations receiving grants can be found at this link.