Island Impact is built on the idea that we’re all in this together as a community.”

Aaron Seehusen, Treasure Island’s Public Relations Manager

Giving back is central to who we are as Dakota people.”

Grant Johnson, Tribal Council President for the Prairie Island Indian Communit

Treasure Island Resort & Casino
5734 Sturgeon Lake Rd
Welch, MN 55089
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A steady stream of generosity is about to get a major boost next year, as the Prairie Island Indian Community and Treasure Island Resort & Casino prepare to match every guest donation made through their 2026 Charity of the Month program. The move is expected to lift total giving to more than one million dollars, a milestone that both organizations say reflects long held Dakota values rooted in community care.
The expansion arrives during Native American Heritage Month, a moment the Prairie Island Indian Community views as a chance to honor what has guided its approach for generations. Those principles will be on full display in 2026, as the match turns every dollar dropped into a Charity Bingo bucket or donated through unclaimed slot tickets into two.
“Giving back is central to who we are as Dakota people,” said Grant Johnson, Tribal Council President for the Prairie Island Indian Community. “Our ancestors taught us to care for our neighbors and to share our resources for the good of all. This expanded initiative is a reflection of that belief, tribal gaming for good.”
Treasure Island’s Charity of the Month program began in 2020 and has already generated more than 1.3 million dollars for organizations across the region. The 2026 match nearly equals the total raised in the program’s first five years. Since the casino opened in 1984, the Prairie Island Indian Community has contributed nearly 30 million dollars to charitable causes, much of it aimed at education, health, cultural preservation and environmental stewardship.
The new match is part of Island Impact, Treasure Island’s broader corporate social responsibility effort. Island Impact is built on four guiding pillars that shape the casino’s outreach and selection of partners: Cultural Awareness and Education, Economic Empowerment, Health, Wellness and Equity, and Environmental Stewardship. The 2026 Charity of the Month lineup reflects those priorities, chosen from a pool of 57 applicants by a nine member committee of Treasure Island team members with input from the Tribal Council. Each applicant received a site visit, giving committee members a chance to see firsthand how the work touches local residents.
“Island Impact is built on the idea that we’re all in this together as a community,” said Aaron Seehusen, Treasure Island’s Public Relations Manager. “Our guests’ generosity inspires us to do more, and by matching their donations, we’re doubling the difference we can make in our local communities.”
A large share of next year’s giving will go to organizations serving residents in and around Red Wing, Hastings and Goodhue County, areas where both guests and team members live, work and volunteer. The selected nonprofits reflect the region’s mix of needs, some focused on basic services, some on youth development, some on culture, and others on environmental work.
The 2026 calendar begins with Hastings Family Service in January, an organization that helps residents meet essential needs during difficult moments. February’s beneficiary, CARE Clinic, provides access to affordable health care. In March, funds will support the Red Wing Area Food Shelf, which continues to see steady demand from families facing higher grocery costs.
April’s partner, the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center, gives young people hands on outdoor education and a chance to build confidence through adventure. May will highlight MIGIZI, an organization that supports American Indian youth academically, culturally, socially and economically.
Special Olympics Minnesota anchors June with opportunities for athletes of all abilities to compete and connect. Hope and Harbor follows in July, offering shelter and resources to people experiencing homelessness. Can Do Canines takes the August spot, using skilled assistance dogs to improve quality of life for Minnesotans with disabilities.
Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi, selected for September, protects and restores sacred Dakota sites and promotes environmental stewardship. October’s partner, Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, focuses on education and outdoor experiences that build appreciation for the natural world.
November brings attention to the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, which works to empower Native women and families. The year closes in December with HOPE Coalition, an organization that supports individuals and families in crisis through housing assistance, advocacy and mental health resources.
Amy Sutton, Executive Director and CEO of Hastings Family Service, said she has seen the impact of Prairie Island and Treasure Island’s involvement many times over.
“The Prairie Island Indian Community and Treasure Island Resort & Casino have stepped up countless times in support of our communities,” she said. “Programs like this show what community partnership really looks like. Treasure Island and the Prairie Island Indian Community don’t just give back, they inspire collective action that creates a sustainable impact. We're grateful to have the support of Island Impact along with all the other deserving Charity of the Month organizations.”
Throughout the coming year, guests will be invited to contribute during Charity Bingo sessions or by donating slot tickets that might otherwise be forgotten. Those small gestures add up quickly, especially when matched dollar for dollar. For the Prairie Island Indian Community, it is another reminder that the casino’s role extends far beyond entertainment or hospitality. The Tribe sees Tribal Gaming as a tool for prosperity that reaches well beyond reservation boundaries.
Island Impact’s mission describes that approach as a ripple effect of generosity that supports cultural awareness, environmental stewardship, economic strength and long-term health. Volunteerism, in kind donations and team member engagement round out the program’s work. Year after year, those efforts have pushed the initiative into new territory, bringing more partners into the fold.
Treasure Island Resort & Casino continues to be one of the Midwest’s best known entertainment destinations, but its leadership says the heart of the operation remains service to the community. With the 2026 match in place, that service is poised to reach even farther.
As donations begin to roll in next January, each participating organization will have one month in the spotlight. All will benefit from a growing tradition of giving, one that blends Dakota teachings, guest generosity and a long-standing commitment to strengthen the communities of southeastern Minnesota.