Iowa American Water Honors Water and Environment Grant Recipients in 2026

Iowa American Water Celebrates Charitable Grant Recipients for 2026

On April 24, 2026, Iowa American Water proudly announced the recipients of the Water and Environment grants, aimed at supporting six nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing environmental stewardship and promoting clean water initiatives across Iowa. The grants, totaling over $57,000, are part of the American Water Charitable Foundation's Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, which emphasizes three core pillars: Water, People, and Communities.

Diane Nelson, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, expressed the significance of the grant in empowering young girls along the Mississippi River. She remarked, "This grant equips girls with the confidence, knowledge, and leadership skills necessary to advocate for the protection of the Mississippi River Basin and other essential ecosystems. Through this initiative, we foster stronger community connections while engaging them in climate science and encouraging natural solutions on the ground. This partnership sets a foundation for these young advocates to champion the sustainability of the Mississippi River and its ecosystems for years to come."

Presenting the grants, Brad Nielsen, President of Iowa American Water, emphasized the importance of collaboration between local organizations and the foundation: "Collaboration is crucial for impactful and lasting change. With dedicated community partners, we are jointly investing in environmental stewardship to benefit future generations by protecting local watersheds and promoting water conservation. Our commitment to delivering lasting value to the Iowa communities we serve is unwavering."

Among the notable grant recipients is the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, awarded $20,000 for its 'Girls Scouts for the River Climate Advocates in Action' program. This initiative is designed to engage girls in workshops focused on climate science, river ecology, and advocacy, equipping them with vital skills for environmental preservation.

The Partners of Scott County Watersheds received $15,990 for their Scott County Water Quality Lab Analysis Program, which will enhance their efforts in volunteer-led water quality monitoring by providing necessary testing kits. Steve Gustafson, Vice Chair of the organization, expressed gratitude for the funding, stating, "This grant enables us to sustain essential water quality monitoring on local streams and rivers."

Another recipient, the Clinton Substance Abuse Council, Inc., was awarded $8,625 to support its Medical Disposal Program. This initiative aims to mitigate environmental contamination by facilitating safe disposal methods for medications, thus protecting local waterways.

River Action, Inc. also secured $7,500 for their 'Nature's Classroom Access to the River' project. This project focuses on enhancing access to Duck Creek by implementing improvements such as kayak launches, rain gardens, and trail upgrades. In addition, Keep Scott County Beautiful received $4,500 for their 'Growing Community Impact Through Volunteer Action' program, which mobilizes volunteers to engage in cleanup initiatives across the Quad Cities. Finally, the Bettendorf Community School District's High School Conservation Club was granted $1,000 to support efforts in restoring prairie habitats and establishing a Cross County Trail.

Carrie Williams, President of the American Water Charitable Foundation, highlighted the significance of these grants, stating, "We are thrilled to support nonprofit organizations making a genuine difference across Iowa. The Water and Environment grants are crucial for projects aimed at promoting clean water, conservation, environmental education, climate variability, and recreation activities based on water."

The American Water Charitable Foundation, founded by American Water, has proudly invested over $25 million in grants since its inception in 2012. This nonprofit organization continues to focus on impactful projects that benefit communities nationwide, ensuring that their essential mission of providing safety and reliability in water and wastewater services remains strong.

For more information on the initiatives supported by Iowa American Water, please visit Iowa American Water's webpage.