Alliant Energy Foundation provides $215,000 to Cedar Rapids non-profits

Rebuilding Our Communities Grant program awards grants of up to $20,000 for flood-related expenses

The Alliant Energy Foundation is pleased to announce the first allocation of Rebuilding Our Communities Grant awards to non-profits directly affected by the recent flooding.

The Foundation announced awards of $215,000 to non-profit organizations in the Cedar Rapids area to use for flood-related expenses. The Rebuilding Our Communities Grant Program is providing unrestricted grants in the amount of $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 to organizations for increased operating and other expenses incurred as a direct result of the recent flooding.

“We are committed to helping our city rebuild,” said Tom Aller, President – Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy company. “We hope these grants will help provide some immediate relief that organizations need to continue providing services to their clients.”

Funds are to be used to help non-profits in Alliant Energy’s utility service area resume or maintain operations. Initial grants were awarded to those organizations hardest hit by the June flooding or fulfilling a critical need in the community. Grants are awarded in five major categories: civic, culture and art, education, environment and human needs.

The following organizations supporting human needs received grants totaling $80,000: The ARC of East Central Iowa, Waypoint, Horizons, ASAC’s Heart of Iowa, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cedar Rapids.

Culture and art organizations including the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, Theatre Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, New Bohemia Group, Inc., National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, African American Heritage Foundation and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. received awards totaling $75,000.

Civic organizations including Diversity Focus, Girls Scouts of Eastern IA/Western IL, Neighborhood Transportation Service and the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area were awarded grants totaling $60,000.

Non-profit groups can request funds by submitting a brief application form explaining their need and the population they serve that was affected by the flooding. A determination of grant eligibility will be made within 14 days of submission. The Foundation will accept applications for the Rebuilding Our Communities Grant Program until October 1, 2008.

Organizations may obtain an application and more information regarding the Rebuilding Our Communities Grant online at www.alliantenergy.com/foundation; or may request an application from the Foundation office by calling (319) 786-4852.

To be eligible, an organization must be a registered non-profit organization as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service Code. Organizations are encouraged to review eligibility guidelines before applying. Government entities (i.e. schools and public libraries) are not eligible for this program.

As an immediate response to help people impacted by the flooding, the Alliant Energy Foundation contributed $85,000 to support flood victims and relief efforts in Iowa and Wisconsin. A $50,000 donation was made to the American Red Cross in Iowa, $10,000 to the Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids, and $25,000 to the American Red Cross in Wisconsin.

Additional information regarding the company’s ongoing flood relief efforts will be provided as details are confirmed and will be available at www.alliantenergy.com/flood.