The Alliant Energy Foundation contributed $17,975 to nonprofit organizations to support Iowa and Minnesota communities in the northeastern region of its service territory in the second phase of three grant cycles in 2010. The foundation provided community grants to 14 charitable groups throughout Allamakee, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Clayton, Dodge, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Le Sueur, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Winneshiek and Winona counties. The grants ranged from $300 to $2,725 and were given to help fund a variety of community-based initiatives and projects.

“The Alliant Energy Foundation realizes the importance of lending a hand to as many community nonprofits as possible with our Community Grants Program, regardless of the size of the area,” said Julie Bauer, Alliant Energy Foundation executive director. “We are delighted to have provided support to so many organizations in the northeastern region of Alliant Energy’s service territory.”

The Alliant Energy Foundation Community Grants Program focuses on contributing to a wide range of programs aimed at improving the quality of community life. Grants are awarded to support specific programs that address community needs and benefit a large number of people. The Program emphasizes five primary areas of giving: human needs, education, culture and art, civic and the environment.

In this second grant cycle of 2010, Alliant Energy Foundation contributed $172,836 to Iowa and Minnesota charitable causes through its community grants program. The foundation was formed in order to help improve the quality of life — now and in the future — in the communities where Alliant Energy has a presence. Its programs reflect a commitment to play an active role in those areas and give back to future generations. Since its formation in 1998, the foundation has contributed more than $30 million to worthwhile projects and organizations.

The following local organizations in Alliant Energy’s northeastern region received community grants in the second grant cycle of 2010:

• City of Frost, Frost
• Freeborn County Ducks Unlimited Greenwings, Albert Lea
• Habitat for Humanity – Freeborn/Mower, Austin,
• West Delaware Co. Community School District, Manchester