Grants add momentum

A $20,000 grant from the Iowa West Foundation and a $4,413 project grant from the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment are helping build financial momentum for American Midwest Ballet’s February 11–12 ‘Momentum’ production.
“American Midwest Ballet’s performances do very well in paid ticket sales, but grant support is still a key part of the mix,” said board chair Greta Vaught, a vice president at Midlands Choice in Omaha. “Our mission is to make high-quality professional dance available to the entire community – and the support of these granting agencies, plus our individual and corporate donors and sponsors, helps make sure our ticket prices will be accessible to all segments of our audience.”
The Iowa West Foundation, which is headquartered in Council Bluffs, assists nonprofit organizations and government entities with funding for area projects. Funding for the Foundation’s grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association (IWRA), which receives contracted fees from casino operators – Ameristar and Harrah’s. IWRA distributes funds to the Foundation, which is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that makes grants in southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska.
The Nebraska Arts Council grants monetary resources to Nebraska’s nonprofit organizations for arts projects and programs in communities throughout the state. This financial support is made possible by funds appropriated by the Nebraska Legislature, through competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a federal agency, and funds from the Nebraska Cultural Endowment (NCE).