FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 18, 2006

CONTACT: Daniel P. Finney, (515) 271-2833, daniel.finney@drake.edu

DRAKE LEGAL CLINIC RECEIVES $15,000 TO HELP CHILDREN IN NEED

Drake University has received a $15,000 grant for the Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights at the Drake Legal Clinic from the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation’s Community Impact Fund.

The center provides direct legal representation and other social services to abused and neglected or delinquent children in the greater Des Moines area.

“The Greater Des Moines Community Foundation’s generous grant will increase our ability to address the spectrum of issues our child-clients present while increasing our ability to attract funding and become self-sufficient,” said Suzanne Levitt, executive director of the Drake Legal Clinic.

The Community Foundation provides financial resources to local projects in the areas of arts and culture, education, health, human services and community betterment.

“The goal of the Community Impact Grant program is to assist innovative and results-based projects, partnerships and opportunities throughout the area,” said Johnny Danos, president of the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation. “The foundation is pleased to continue to play a role in facilitating growth, supporting innovative ideas and increasing the quality of life for our residents.”

The foundation is a charitable public foundation established to improve the quality of life in greater Des Moines by initiating programs, coordinating resources and supporting organizations that enhance education, community betterment, arts and culture, health and human services.

The foundation manages assets in excess of approximate $90 million, administers more than 310 charitable funds created by Iowans and distributes more than $7 million in grants each year. To learn more, visit www.desmoinesfoundation.org or call (515) 883-2626.

- 30 -