SPRING 2013 PRAIRIE MEADOWS MAKING A DIFFERENCE DEAR FRIENDS, Prairie Meadows began operations in 1989 and, over the course of nearly 25 years, one common thread has remained consistent – that Prairie Meadows be a catalyst for jobs, economic development, agriculture and tourism. That has remained our goal ever since and has allowed us to provide our state and local community with more than $1.2 billion in taxes and community betterment funding. We are an excellent example of how a public/private partnership can benefit our local community, and we take great pride in being a non-profit organization that can help make a difference in the lives of Iowans. Prairie Meadows is the result of a complete community effort, thanks to the commitment of so many people – volunteers, business leaders, elected officials, and hundreds of others who have been instrumental in the development and continued success of one of the great public/private business experiments in the entertainment industry. CONTENTS WHere OUR ProfiTS GO 4 CommUNITY BETTermenT GranTS 16 ALLON’S STORY – 2012 ALS Campaign 6 EDUcaTional FUnding 18 TERRACE HILL RESTORATION 8 Board of DirecTors 22 Legacy GranTS 10 AdminisTraTion and EXecUTIVE ManagemenT 23 Central Iowa has seen dramatic and positive changes over the last two decades, and all of us at Prairie Meadows have been thrilled to provide financial assistance to help make this such a vibrant and progressive community. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share with you the great work being done through our giving and through the hard work of like-minded citizens who realize the potential the Des Moines area has to become one of this country’s great cities. Sincerely, Gary Palmer JULIE STewarT Prairie Meadows Prairie Meadows President/CEO Director of Community Relations MORE THAN $ BILLION 1 worth OF GOOD WHERE OUR profits GO TaXES $718,939,000 POLK COUNTY $462,469,000 COMMUNITY CHARITABLES $70,388,000 CITY OF DES MOINES $33,329,000 POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL $4,354,000 DONATION $1,289,479,000 Numbers reflect 1995 - February 19, 2013 4 As a non-profit, locally managed operation, we’ve given more than $1 billion through taxes, grants and charitable donations to the state of Iowa and to thousands of worthwhile charitable organizations that do so much for our communities. More than $500 million has remained right here in central Iowa. Prairie Meadows provided a $100,000 Legacy Grant to the United Way of Central Iowa for all-day preschool curriculum at George Washington Carver Elementary School. The High Trestle Trail Bridge is a half-mile long, 13-story high bicycle-pedestrian bridge that provides spectacular views up and down the Des Moines River Valley. A Prairie Meadows Legacy Grant assisted with the construction of this project. 5 Allon’S Story ALS is an inconvenience, but it has not defined me. The distinguishing factor between life and inconvenience – is faith. 6 “ ” My name is Allon Cady. I have ALS. I think the first indication that anything Much has happened in the two years was wrong, came one morning in since my diagnosis. Now, I need the use of church when I was walking back after my power-chair full-time. I’m not able to Communion. I tripped and fell, and I’m enjoy playing with my grandsons, or doing In 2012, Prairie Meadows sure at that point that a lot of folks around my own home repairs the way I once did. contributed $70,000 through a me thought maybe I’d had a little bit too Community Betterment Grant much Communion wine. We had to give up our swimming pool when we moved from a four-level split to and our Walk to Defeat ALS. But the truth is, the foot drop symptom a townhouse on one level. I am no longer Prairie Meadows’ support has that caused me to trip was an early able to drive. I need assistance for even funded respite care for ALS indication that signals were not being sent simple, daily routines. The biggest affect families who often need 24/7 correctly through the nervous system to ALS has had on me has been separating caregiving. Our Care Services the muscles in my legs. me from the activities that I had once staff is also providing more home enjoyed, mainly at church. visits and customized support Other symptoms followed soon thereafter. services to Iowans affected by My family decided I needed a diagnosis to These are the inconveniences of living ALS than any year as a result of figure out what was wrong. Not long after with ALS, but ALS has not defined me. that while I was at home, my legs The distinguishing factor between life and Prairie Meadows’ partnership. collapsed and I fell and broke my ankle. inconvenience – is faith. My faith has What I love about the Prairie Two months later at my visit to see my been a positive influence throughout life. Meadows team is that their doctor in Iowa City, I learned I had ALS. It has held me steady from my childhood whole organization gets behind days to my service in Vietnam aboard a At the time, I did not have too much their community involvement hospital ship – from college through 43 trouble walking with the assistance of a years of married life. and they make it personal. walker. But, I decided it was probably time to retire from the bookstore where Thank you, Prairie Meadows, for I’d been working the past four years. stepping up in the fight against ALS to help us provide assistance for the many Iowans directly impacted by this disease. Jason LEE Former Executive Director The ALS Association Iowa Chapter Allon and Gayla Cady are flanked by Gary Palmer (Prairie Meadows President/CEO) and Julie Stewart (Prairie Meadows Director of Community Relations) during the ALS Iowa Chapter’s Walk to Defeat ALS. Gary Palmer served as Corporate Chair for the walk in 2012. 7 HISTORIC TERRACE HILL RESTORED “The $400,000 grant will go a long way to ensuring that Terrace Hill maintains a strong historical presence in the state, and hopefully future generations of Governors will love Terrace Hill as much as my family.” -Governor Terry E. Branstad A Prairie Meadows Legacy Grant for $400,000 to the Terrace Hill Society Foundation will help to position Terrace Hill as a 21st century “green” structure with geo-thermal heating and cooling, new Terrace Hill, also known as the Hubbell Mansion, is the official residence of the Governor of Iowa. It is an excellent example storm windows, plumbing of Second Empire architecture. Construction of the home improvements, an updated began in 1866 and was completed in 1869. The total cost of the project was $250,000 for the mansion, the carriage house, commercial kitchen and much the original furnishings and about 30 acres of land. The home became a National Historic Landmark in 2003. needed exterior repairs. 8 BEFORE AFTER Sharon Van Verth, the official Terrace Hill Chef, stands before the new Terrace Hill kitchen that was transformed with the assistance of funding from Prairie Meadows. 9 LEGACY GraNts The $2 million in Legacy 2013 RecipienTS Grant funding that Prairie Terrace Hill FOUndaTion Meadows awarded in Historical Renovation $400,000 Des Moines Performing ARTS January will impact new, Nollen Plaza Capital Campaign $350,000 large-scale, non-profit CHildSERVE projects in central Iowa. Expansion of Outpatient Therapy and Clinics $250,000 THE Des Moines Social CLUB Firehouse Capital Campaign $250,000 To date, Prairie Meadows has committed CITY of BondUranT more than $22 million in Legacy funding to the central Iowa region. Prairie Meadows Regional Trailhead & Chichaqua Valley Trail Connection $250,000 supports Arts & Culture, Economic Des Moines SympHony Development, Education, and Health 75th Anniversary Campaign: Orchestrating the Future $200,000 & Human Services. Iowa Homeless YOUTH CenTers Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, Capital Campaign $100,000 ChildServe partners with families Planned ParenTHood to help children with special health Patient Support Center/Primary Care Drop-in Clinic $100,000 care needs live a great life. They UniTed Way of CenTral Iowa provide specialized health care George Washington Carver Preschool Classroom $100,000 services to more than 2,500 children in Iowa thanks in part to a $250,000 Prairie Meadows Legacy Grant that will expand their outpatient therapy and clinics. 10 Salisbury House in Des Moines was the home of cosmetic magnate Carl Weeks and was built between 1923 and 1928. It was modeled after the King’s House in Salisbury, England, and contains extensive collections of fine art, rare books, and musical instruments. The Salisbury House Foundation’s mission is to preserve this historic mansion as a full-time museum and cultural center for the public. A 2011 Legacy Grant funded the organization’s restoration and foundation stabilization project. 11 LEGACY GraNts IN ProGress GREATER DES MOINES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY $250,000 ReStore Tool Lending Library Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity received a $250,000 Legacy Grant for It Starts At Home Capital Campaign. Prairie Meadows’ grant will support the Habitat’s Tool Lending Library, a 1membership-based resource for homeowners in Polk County. Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity provides decent and affordable homeownership opportunities for qualified low-income families. The organization is volunteer-driven and welcomes people from all walks of life to assist in building simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need. EVelyn K. DAVIS CENTER FOR WORKING FAMILIES $100,000 Technology Lab The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families is a first-in-the-nation initiative that assists people with gaining employment through education and on-the-job training 2programs supported by local employers.