FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/26/26

MRHD Awards $50,000 for Community Events

SIOUX CITY – Missouri River Historical Development (MRHD) announced the recipients of its 2026 Community Event Grant during an awards ceremony held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City. In total, $50,000 was awarded to 15 local organizations to support a wide variety of community events throughout Woodbury County.

MRHD’s Community Event Grant provides local governments and tax-exempt organizations with the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 in funding to develop, market, and implement new or existing events. The program is designed to support events that are open to the public and accessible through free or low-cost admission.

“Community events are what bring people together and create a sense of pride in where we live,” said Ed Voloshen, Vice President of MRHD. “We’re proud to support events of all sizes, urban and rural, that strengthen connections, celebrate local culture, and enhance quality of life across Woodbury County.”

This year’s awards include funding for rural communities and organizations across the county, supporting events such as Correctionville’s Party with a Purpose, the Sundae Sunday celebration of National Ice Cream Day in Cushing, and the Golphstok Music and Arts Festival in Pierson.

Funding was also awarded to human service-focused events that support families and community engagement, including Camp High Hopes’ Wednesday Night Social Club and the Crittenton Center’s Bridge to Bright Futures program.

In addition, several of Siouxland’s signature events received support, including the Alley Art Festival, Saturday in the Park, and Leeds Days. Other funded events highlight a diverse range of interests, including cultural celebrations, outdoor concerts, and the arts.

MRHD is the non-profit Qualified Sponsoring Organization (QSO) that holds the license for casino gaming in Woodbury County and receives funding through an agreement with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City. Under Iowa law, a portion of gaming revenue is allocated to MRHD for community development. Since 1989, MRHD has invested more than $60 million into Woodbury County and the greater Siouxland region through grants funded by gaming revenue.

For more information about MRHD or the 2026 Community Event Grant program, contact MRHD Executive Director, David Gleiser, at (712) 899-6631 or execdir@mrhdiowa.org.

MRHD 2026 Community Event Grant Recipients

Vangarde Arts Alley Art Festival 2026 $4,100

City of Correctionville Correctionville's Party with a Purpose $2,500

Old 20 Community Development Corp. Sundae Sunday $1,500

Downtown Partners Runway Sioux City $2,000

Camp High Hopes Wednesday Night Social Club at Camp High Hopes $2,000

Crittenton Center Bridge to Bright Futures 2026 $3,000

Saturday in the Park, Inc. Saturday in the Park $5,000

Siouxland Institute of Film Sioux City International Film Festival $3,650

Mary J. Treglia Community House Global Harmony Fair $2,750

Art Center Association of Sioux City Free Family Art Day 2026 $2,000

Golphstok, Inc. Golphstok Music and Arts Festival $5,000