19 Commercial Casinos Generate Millions of Tax Dollars for Charities Across Iowa

The Iowa Gaming Association, in partnership with the Iowa Council of Foundations, recently released its Building Iowa’s Communities Through Philanthropy annual report. The report showcases how Iowa’s commercial gaming industry is a catalyst for philanthropic initiatives and supports communities in every county of our state.

Counties without Casinos Benefit from the County Endowment Program

Now in its fifteenth year, the County Endowment Program is funded with .8% of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, and the money is distributed to the 84 counties without casinos. In 2017-2018, $11.2 million was distributed, bringing the total since the program’s inception in 2004 to more than $97.7 million in grants to nonprofits and charitable projects. The annual report showcases a county-by-county listing of each grant awarded in 2017-2018, which impact programs in arts and culture, education, societal benefits, healthcare and human services, and the preservation of our environment. Here are some key takeaways from this year's report on the County Endowment Program:

Counties with Casinos Received $85 Million in Grants

The report also details the 19 commercial casinos' involvement in their respective 15 counties, which includes portions of gaming tax revenue distributed through their respective qualified sponsoring organizations. These non-profit license holders awarded more than 1,400 grants totaling over $85 million in 2017-2018. This uniquely Iowa legislative initiative ensures that citizens in every county across the state annually benefit from commercial casinos, to keep it thriving as an ideal place to live, work and raise families.