(Dubuque, IA – October 25, 2022) – During today’s regularly scheduled, monthly board meeting, the DRA announced that additional organizations will receive funding as a part of the organization's Mission Grant funding process in 2022. The five organizations receiving funding include:
Hills & Dales
Project: Hills & Dales Center for Autism
Award: $100,000
Clarke University / University of Dubuque / Loras College
Project: Dubuque Promise Program
Award: $200,000
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque
Project: Arts & Crafts Room
Award: $100,000
Crescent Community Health
Project: Leading wellness equity by engaging the community in healthy habits
Award: $125,000
Dubuque Community YMCA/YWCA
Project: Building for the Future – A “Y” for All
Award: $160,000
As a group, these 2022 recipients – along with the eight organizations who received grants in August and September – have requested more than $17 million in funding for a collection of projects and initiatives under the Mission Grant category, which is designed to fund large, capacity-building projects that tie into the DRA's overall mission. The awards ranged from $75,000 to $250,000 and are intended to help fund programs and initiatives designed to enhance population growth, retention and/or tourism in the Dubuque area. Recipients of the funds should also be able to demonstrate their overall impact to the community and show there is sustainability beyond any initial funding.
“Overall, the proposals we have received for both our Core and Mission grants this year have been impressive, so it will be exciting to see how the projects the DRA has chosen to help come to fruition and begin having an impact," said Alex Dixon, President & CEO of the DRA and Q Casino. "Our organization has a strong history of community philanthropy, so we remain firmly committed to doing what we can to have a positive impact on growth and change – not only in Dubuque, but the tri-state area as well."
DRA is the non-profit entity that owns and operates Q Casino and is the co-licensee for Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque. Since 1985, the DRA has awarded 5,000-plus grants – totaling more than $52 million – to over 1,500 organizations in the tri-state area (Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois). With the announcement of these latest grant recipients, the organization has now contributed a total of $3,134,846 through its Core Grant and Mission Grant programs in 2022.
“It is encouraging to see so many organizations stepping up and developing programs and projects that really address some important needs in the community,” said Wendy Runde, Vice President and General Manager of the Diamond Jo Casino. “I am glad we can help be a catalyst for positive change, but I also look forward to seeing how these newly funded programs and initiatives take shape in the coming weeks and months.”
For more information on the 2022 Core Grant and Mission Grant recipients and other DRA-related news, including exciting new development plans for Schmitt Island, you can visit https://dradubuque.com/.
DRA’s commitment to the community is made possible by proceeds that come from both Q Casino and the Diamond Jo Casino – both of which attract tens of thousands of visitors to Dubuque each year from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and beyond.
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About the DRA
The DRA, through its gaming and entertainment facilities provides for social, economic and community betterment and lessens the burden of Dubuque city and area government, while contributing to the growth and viability of Dubuque area tourism. The organization has been a vital part of the community since its inception in 1985 and is operated by a volunteer board comprised of 21 directors who work together to guide operations of Q Casino. The DRA holds the license for casino-gaming operations of Q Casino and is also the co-licensee for the Diamond Jo Casino, both of which are located in Dubuque. For more information on DRA and its community-minded mission, visit https://dradubuque.com/.