DES MOINES, Iowa – (November 14, 2024) – As communities continue to recover from natural disasters that impacted parts of MidAmerican Energy Company’s service area this year, the MidAmerican Energy Foundation has committed $100,000 to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. This funding will assist communities affected by severe weather events throughout 2024, including tornadoes, floods and extreme wind events.

 

This month, the foundation is awarding $42,500 in grants to fund eight recovery projects in four communities impacted by extreme weather events. The grants address immediate needs while also supporting longer-term recovery efforts, with a special emphasis on Minden, Iowa, which was severely impacted by a deadly tornado on April 26.

 

The foundation will reserve the remaining funds to provide additional grants to disaster recovery projects across MidAmerican’s service area. Eligible communities and organizations involved in restoration efforts are encouraged to apply for grants to meet local needs and support recovery.

 

“We’ve seen firsthand the devastation caused by tornadoes, floods and extreme wind events across MidAmerican’s service area this year,” Kathryn Kunert, MidAmerican Energy Foundation board member and grants committee chair, said. “These communities need both immediate and sustained support as they rebuild. We are committed to being a part of their long-term recovery process.”

 

Initial foundation grants

• Minden, Iowa: $22,500 to four recovery projects.
  • American Legion Post 437: $5,000. The funds will help restore the building’s roof and exterior wall, which were destroyed by the tornado.
  • Veterans memorial at Minden Triangle: $2,500. The funds will help the city restore the Minden Veterans Memorial Park located at the Minden Triangle.
  • Minden Community Club: $10,000. The tornado destroyed the Minden Community Club building and property. The grant will help the organization rebuild.
  • Minden Little League: $5,000. The funds will help the organization rebuild its field complex, which was destroyed by the tornado.
• Crescent, Iowa: $5,000 to the city baseball field. The grant will help the community rebuild the field, which was damaged by heavy rain and flooding.
• Pottawattamie County Conservation, Honey Creek, Iowa: $5,000. The grant will help restore the Hitchcock Nature Center trail system, which was damaged by heavy downpours.
• Pottawattamie County Conservation, Council Bluffs, Iowa: $5,000. The funding will assist restoration efforts at Narrow Rivers Park. Flooding heavily damaged the park, including tree canopy, landscaping and amenities.
• City of Windsor Heights, Iowa: $5,000. The grant will help restore the extensive tree canopy that was lost in public areas following two separate severe weather events this year, including a tornado and a derecho.

 

Recovering communities can seek recovery grants through foundation
Nonprofit organizations and communities within MidAmerican’s service area that were affected by extreme weather events may be eligible to receive funding ranging from $500 to $10,000 through the MidAmerican Energy Foundation’s additional commitment.

 

Organizations applying for a grant should provide the following information to Foundation@MidAmerican.com: organization name, mailing address, project description, amount requested, total project cost, amount raised to date and project timeline or important dates. Nonprofit organizations must include a copy of their IRS tax determination letter.

 

To discuss an organization’s or community’s disaster recovery needs and project plans, or for assistance in applying, email Foundation@MidAmerican.com or call 515-252-6570.

 

MidAmerican employees assist communities through CARES program
Beyond the foundation’s charitable funding efforts, company employees have volunteered to support communities affected by extreme weather events. Collectively, this year more than 220 MidAmerican employees spent 1,200 hours assisting with disaster recovery efforts in Des Moines, Greenfield, Humboldt County, Minden and Pleasant Hill.

 

These efforts are part of MidAmerican Energy Company’s corporate citizenship program, called CARES. CARES stands for Community Enhancement, Arts and Culture, Environmental Respect, Education/STEM and Safety. Through CARES, the company contributes to every facet of the communities MidAmerican serves – through employee volunteers, partnerships with local organizations and donations.

 

“As soon as these weather events occurred, MidAmerican employees were there around the clock to restore electric and gas service to anyone who may have lost it,” Kunert said. “Over the next days, weeks and months, hundreds of MidAmerican employees volunteered to respond to many of these same areas to provide helping hands through company CARES events. The MidAmerican Energy Foundation is also stepping up because we know recovery projects take a lot of time and money. Like the company, MidAmerican Energy Foundation wants to be a reliable partner to support communities in need.”

 

About MidAmerican Energy Foundation
MidAmerican Energy Foundation, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, provides funding to qualified nonprofit organizations that serve the communities in MidAmerican Energy Company’s service areas in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. The foundation is funded by MidAmerican shareholders, and financial giving does not impact customer bills. Information about MidAmerican Energy Foundation is available at midamericanenergy.com/foundation.