The Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation (UMGC) has announced its 2026 grant awards, providing $900,985.30 to schools, nonprofit organizations, emergency responders, local governments and community groups across the region.
This year’s awards support a wide range of community priorities, including student scholarships, emergency assistance, food security, public safety equipment, parks and recreation, historic preservation, child care, health care and economic development.
“We are proud to support the organizations and volunteers working every day to strengthen our communities,” said Kelly Shaffer, UMGC President. “These grants represent investments in education, safety, essential services and projects that will improve quality of life throughout the region for years to come.”
2026 grant awards in education, scholarships and human services include:
Postville School District - Dollars for Scholars scholarships: $1,500
Starmont School District - Dollars for Scholars scholarships: $3,750
Clayton Ridge School District - Dollars for Scholars scholarships: $10,000
Central School District - Dollars for Scholars scholarships: $5,250
MFL MarMac School District - Dollars for Scholars scholarships: $7,500
Clayton County Womenade - Hardship assistance: $10,000
Edgewood-Colesburg Friends of the Arts - Electric piano and music stands: $6,362.99
RISE Ltd. - Remote support services: $10,000
Clayton County Food Shelf - Emergency food, hygiene products and toiletries: $15,000
Point Women’s Club - Winter apparel: $2,996.40
Early Literacy in Clayton County - Clayton County Imagination Library: $5,000
Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation - NEICAC Crisis Assistance Program: $25,000
Grants in for recreation and community improvements include:
Starmont Booster Club - Baseball updates: $12,840
City of Garnavillo - Gem Park improvements: $87,619.59
Warrior Little League and Town Teams - Field extension: $12,375
Mar-Mac Human Powered Trails, Inc. - Phase 3 of the trail project: $49,000
City of Monona - Aquatic center shade structures: $10,000
City of Guttenberg - Riverfront Park bench replacement: $25,000
Point Vision - Sun shades and lighting for pickleball courts: $27,837.79
City of Volga - Campground natural buffer and beautification project: $3,000
Monona Public Gardens and Trail - Garden View Playground upgrade: $96,000
Postville Park, Pool and Recreation Board - Lull’s Park playground project: $60,000
Strawberry Point Pool Committee - Municipal pool facility improvements: $46,184.95
Grants for public safety and emergency response include:
City of Strawberry Point - Thermal imager and high-angle rescue gear: $13,696
City of Monona - Police K9 unit equipment: $3,000
Elkport-Garber EMS - LUCAS 3 device: $23,271.81
St. Olaf Fire Department - Cascade system: $15,735
Clayton County Sheriff’s Office - Public safety drone project: $13,467
Garnavillo Firefighters Association - Equipment for new fire truck: $22,500
Strawberry Point Police Department - Police in-car video system: $5,437.95
Luana Volunteer Fire Association - Brush fire skid unit and portable radio: $8,512.50
Crawford County Sheriff’s Office - Law enforcement squad-car cameras: $22,722
Grants related to history, culture and veterans include:
American Legion Post 388, St. Olaf - Legion uniform shirts: $1,600
Northeast Iowa Vietnam Veterans Association - Northeast Iowa Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park: $53,500.07
St. Joseph’s Cemetery Association of Garnavillo - Headstone restoration project: $2,675
Asbury Cemetery Association of Elk Township - West fence and gate replacement: $6,456.95
Guttenberg Heritage Society - Guttenberg history display: $22,500
Marquette Historical Society - Depot Museum improvements: $15,000
Methodist Church Preservation Foundation, Inc. - Tower roofing project: $19,125
Northeast Iowa Farm & Antique Association (Plagman Barn) - Restroom floors: $1,382.00
McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts, Inc. - “NO Ice Baby”: $3,750
Clayton County Agricultural Society - Save the History of Barn D: $9,667.30
Big Four Agricultural Society - Big Four Fairgrounds dairy barn: $7,222.50
Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society - Harpers Ferry Museum historic front entrance: $18,000
Grants for economic development and community facilities include:
Clayton County Development Group - Marketing for Clayton County: $29,000
Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce - Welcome Center building updates: $17,842.50
Kinderwood Child Care - Industrial dishwasher and commercial furnace: $8,560
Elkader Child Care and Learning Center - Child care center roof project: $24,145
Together, the 2026 grant awards demonstrate UMGC’s continued commitment to locally led projects that meet immediate needs while creating lasting benefits for residents and visitors.
Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the enrichment of Clayton County through the dispersion of funds acquired from Bally’s Marquette Casino. It is the groups’ mission to award these funds to qualifying tax exempt organizations or those working in cooperation with local governments in Clayton County and the surrounding area, who cultivate projects that meet established criteria. These projects should encourage economic development, community betterment, improved cultural and recreational activity facilities, programs or activities that foster enhanced educational experiences for youth, or improve the overall quality of life for residents of this county.
