FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2004

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

DRAKE CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL STUDIES RECEIVES $10,000 GRANT

Drake University's Center for Professional Studies has received a $10,000 grant from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino through its 2003 Community Betterment Grant Program. The grant will help provide scholarships for students earning a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Administration.

"We are extremely pleased to have received this funding from Prairie Meadows," said Connie Sanderson, director of the Center for Professional Studies. "This investment will become part of a corporate, education, nonprofit collaboration to offer a comprehensive certificate program designed to enhance the capacity of nonprofit managers so they may improve the quality of life for their constituents and clients."

Prairie Meadows'18-member Grants Advisory Committee, comprised of education, religious and business leaders from the greater metro area, reviews all grant requests and recommends funding levels. In 2003, the board was able to fund 178 of 317 requests.

Prairie Meadows, a not-for-profit organization operated by the Racing Association of Central Iowa, has contributed more than $100 million in community betterment funding to more than 500 local charitable organizations since1996.

For more information about Drake’s Center for Professional Studies, call (515) 271-2592 or visit www.drake.edu/cps/.