Over $174,000 Awarded in Muscatine Health Support Fund Grants

We are pleased to announce the awarding of over $174,000 in grants to support local charitable programs and projects through the Muscatine Health Support Fund—the first round of grants since completion of the new Mulberry Health Clinic.

The Muscatine Health Support Fund’s purpose is to encourage, assist, establish, maintain, and develop projects to improve the community health and aid the growth and development of the health care system for the City of Muscatine and the surrounding area.

This year, priority was given to the two community health focus areas identified through the Muscatine County Health Improvement Plan—Behavioral Health and Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Weight.

Organizations that received grants include:

Community Health Care, Inc. - $75,000 to expand mental health care access in Muscatine by hiring a full-time psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner to anchor a new, sustainable behavioral health service line for patients.

Milestones Area Agency on Aging - $17,500 for the Milestones Senior Nutrition Program, which provides home-delivered nutritionally balanced meals to senior citizens in Muscatine County.

Muscatine Area Farmers Market - $1,500 for Bucks and Buckets, a program to provide community members with opportunities to grow vegetables and purchase locally grown fresh produce.

Muscatine Center for Social Action - $37,298.50 for the new permanent supportive housing program, which includes a new 21-unit housing complex for adults experiencing chronic homelessness.

Muscatine County Boxing Club - $2,500 in matching funds to support club operations.

MWA III – $3,801.50 for a new ceiling lift and ceiling lift chargers to support residents of Harmony Place.

NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley - $10,000 for evidence-based mental health programming in Muscatine County, including a Peer Recovery Support Group and presentations to youth and first responders. 

River Bend Food Bank - $21,000 for establishing in-school food pantries for low-income Muscatine families.

Trinity Muscatine Public Health - $6,000 for the Mental Health Connections program, which covers the financial barriers of therapy sessions for vulnerable students within the Muscatine Community School District. 

Nearly fifty years ago, community leaders reimagined how to keep strong, local health care in Muscatine. Their innovation led to the creation of what is now the Muscatine Health Support Fund, an enduring model that has since granted more than $7 million back into our community to strengthen our local health care system.

“It’s a privilege to help carry forward the vision of those early community leaders—to continue a legacy rooted in collaboration, innovation, and compassion,” said Rebecca Harden-Jones, Programs Manager at the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine. “We’re deeply grateful for the organizations and partners who share that same commitment, including this year’s grantees who carry that vision forward through their daily work.”