The American Water Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic nonprofit of American Water, along with the utility’s subsidiary Iowa American Water announced that six Quad Cities organizations have received a 2026 Water and Environment grant.
Collectively, the local recipients were awarded $57,000 in grants to protect and strengthen Iowa’s water resources. Part of the foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, these grants focus on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities.
“Collaboration is essential to driving meaningful, lasting change,” Iowa American Water President Brad Nielsen said in a news release Friday, April 24. “Together, with the American Water Charitable Foundation and committed community organizations, we are investing in environmental stewardship for future generations – protecting local watersheds, promoting water conservation, and delivering lasting value to the Iowa communities we are proud to serve.”
The 2026 grantees in Iowa American Water’s service communities are:
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois, Inc., $20,000, for its Girls Scouts for the River: Climate Advocates in Action program. Scouts will be engaged in climate science, river ecology and advocacy workshops.
- Partners of Scott County Watersheds, $15,990, for its Scott County Water Quality Lab Analysis Program. Funds will purchase water testing kits for its bi-annual volunteer monitoring events.
- Clinton Substance Abuse Council, Inc., $8,625, for its Medical Disposal Program that prevents environmental contamination through safe and proper disposal of medication.
- River Action, Inc., $7,500, for Nature’s Classroom: Access to the River. The project will enhance Duck Creek with a kayak launch, rain garden, prairie, signage and trail upgrades.
- Keep Scott County Beautiful, $4,500, for Growing Community Impact Through Volunteer Action. The program will mobilize Xstream Cleanup volunteers to protect waterways across the region.
- Bettendorf Community School District (High School Conservation Club), $1,000, to restore prairie habitat and establish a cross country trail.
Awardees grateful
“Living along the Mississippi River, this grant is especially meaningful as it equips girls with the confidence, knowledge, and leadership skills needed to protect the Mississippi River Basin and other vital ecosystems,” Diane Nelson, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois’
CEO, said in Iowa American’s recent news release.
“Through this project, we will strengthen community relationships while engaging girls in climate science and encouraging them to explore nature-based solutions,” Ms. Nelson added. “This partnership sets the stage for these girls to become lifelong advocates for the sustainability of the Mississippi River – and all the ecosystems that depend on it.”
For the Partners of Scott County Watershed, “the grant monies will allow us to continue the much-needed water quality monitoring on our local streams and rivers,” said Steve Gustafson, the organization’s vice chair.
Carrie Williams, Iowa American Water’s foundation president, said that with its support, these organizations will make a meaningful impact across Iowa. “Funding for Water and Environment grants supports projects focused on clean water, conservation, environmental education, climate variability, and water-based recreation.”
The foundation has invested more than $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to organizations in communities served by American Water. Funded by American Water shareholders, its work has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.
Companies at a glance
American Water is the nation’s largest regulated water and wastewater utility company and will celebrate 140 years in 2026. It provides safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 7,000 professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 85 dedicated employees providing safe, clean, reliable and
affordable water and wastewater services to about 225,000 people.
To learn more about Iowa American Water’s community impact, visit here.
