MADISON, Wis. -- In its second Community Grant cycle of the year, Alliant Energy and the Alliant Energy Foundation awarded $708,599 to various causes and nonprofits across Iowa and Wisconsin. All Community Grant recipients seek to make an impact in Alliant Energy's four focus areas: Community safety and engagement, environmental stewardship, workforce readiness and hunger and housing. Community safety and engagement: Improvements for emergency services and over $130,000 in grants covered 40 communities in first responder organizations including police, fire and EMS departments. Grants will also support projects and events that foster community connections, including fairs, playground enhancements and other local festivals. Grants supported programs in 32 communities, including youth agriculture initiatives, school gardens, farm education and innovation, libraries and bookmobiles and STEM programming.