The City of Waterloo has established a new program that pours some of its gambling revenue into nonprofit groups aiming to better the community.

The Community Nonprofit Grant Program was approved during a city council meeting last month following previously held committee meetings to discuss the matter.

Total grant funding available each year is $50,000 – the equivalent of about two months of city gambling proceeds – with grant amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000 per application. 

Nonprofit (501(c)(3) organizations eligible to receive this grant must operate on the local level or be an affiliate of a larger organization that operates locally and may only receive one grant per year.

Some local groups who have or plan to submit for this grant include the Monroe County History Museum and the Whiteside Station Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Funding must be used toward projects that benefit both the nonprofit and the Waterloo community as a whole.

All grant applications will be reviewed by the Waterloo Beautification Committee, which consists of the mayor and five aldermen. 

Video gambling proceeds have up to this point been used for beautification projects throughout the city, including a street clock at the corner of Main and Mill streets, multi-colored lights strung over Main and Mill streets, and soldier statutes on display at Lakeview Park.

Outside of the $50,000 allocated to this new grant program, gambling proceeds will still be used toward that beautification effort.

Local nonprofits interested in applying for this new grant may email communityrelations@waterloo.il.us or call Waterloo City Hall at 618-939-8600 for an application.

In news from Monday’s meeting of the Waterloo City Council, the appointment by Mayor Stan Darter of Sarah Craig as the city’s new human resources coordinator received unanimous consent from aldermen. 

Craig, who fills a position vacated through the recent resignation of prior HR coordinator Saundra Eckstadt, begins her employment on March 15.

Also at the meeting, Waterloo Zoning Administrator Nathan Krebel reported that the demolition and clearing away of structures at the former Greenbrier Trailer Park at 500-506 West Mill Street is complete, and the property was graded, seeded and strawed. 

Darter added that the future of this newly city-owned  land will be discussed at some point in a committee meeting. 

In a related measure, the council approved the disbursement of $3,399.26 for payment of unpaid real estate taxes on the property.

In other action, the council approved its annual $7,500 contribution to the Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council for use at the senior center and nutrition site located at 207 W. Fourth Street.

“It’s money well spent,” Alderman Jim Hopkins said. 

The next meeting of the Waterloo City Council takes place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, at Waterloo City Hall.