Larchwood, Iowa — The latest Lyon County Riverboat Foundation competitive grants have been announced.
Lyon County Riverboat Foundation officials tell us they awarded $1.4 million in 2026 grant funds to 18 organizations in northwest Iowa, southeast South Dakota, and southwest Minnesota at the 2025 Competitive Grant award ceremony. Approximately 100 people representing various nonprofit organizations, schools, and local governments attended.
Foundation officials tell us the foundation seeks to be the catalyst to help qualified organizations meet needs within Lyon County and beyond, with a primary emphasis in the areas of Community Development & Beautification, Education & Arts, Economic Development, and Human & Social Needs.
Eleven organizations received $800,000 for Human & Social Needs projects with the largest amounts going towards a Doon EMS ambulance upgrade, an inclusive playground at West Lyon School, pickleball courts at George, and new gear for the Lester Fire Department. Education & Arts projects received $100,000, with the largest amounts awarded for a Lyon County Star Lab and school safety training for Central Lyon, George/Little Rock, and West Lyon. Four organizations received over $500,000 for Community Development & Beautification. The largest awards went toward a new community center in Larchwood and a track project at Hills-Beaver Creek School in Hills, MN. Veterans’ needs were addressed during this grant cycle, with over $130,000 being awarded for Midwest Honor Flight Mission 29, Hero Haven Outdoor Adventures, and Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere (G.I.V.E).
Foundation officials tell us the foundation is the nonprofit gaming license holder for Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort, which is located five miles northwest of Larchwood.
Iowa law requires that the foundation be funded through a portion of the casino’s gaming revenue, and that money should be used to fund charitable and civic needs in and outside of their communities.
The Lyon County Riverboat Foundation was established in June 2011. In 2025, the foundation will have distributed over $4 million, and since its inception, has distributed over $30 million to those charitable and civic organizations.
KIWA Staff Photo
| Organization | Project | Amount |
| Lyon County Straight Shooters | 5 Stand Addition at Rock Rapids Gun Club | $ 8,500.00 |
| Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere Foundation | Golf Event | $ 10,000.00 |
| City of Little Rock | Rec Center Upgrades | $ 22,600.00 |
| Hero Haven | Outdoor Adventures for Front Line Heroes | $ 23,850.00 |
| Alvord Fire & Rescue Dept | Bunker Suit Gear | $ 25,980.00 |
| Central Lyon School | CL-G/LR-WL School Safety Training | $ 35,000.00 |
| City of Inwood | Shelter House Addition | $ 37,000.00 |
| Lester Visioning | Meadowview Trails Addition | $ 37,500.00 |
| Three Rivers Pheasants Forever | Lyon County STAR Lab | $ 43,000.00 |
| Oaklyn Foundation | Funeral Expenses for 17 Year Olds & Under | $ 50,000.00 |
| Little Rock EMS | AED Upgrades | $ 55,868.25 |
| City of Lester / Fire Dept | Firemen Gear | $ 82,520.76 |
| George Community Foundation | Double Pickleball Court | $ 86,673.59 |
| Midwest Honor Flight | Mission 29 | $ 100,000.00 |
| Hills Beaver Creek School | Track Project | $ 150,000.00 |
| West Lyon School | Inclusive Playground | $ 150,000.00 |
| Doon EMS | Upgrade Ambulance & Stretcher | $ 175,000.00 |
| City of Larchwood | New Community Center | $ 350,000.00 |
| Total | $ 1,443,492.60 |
