UMGC Mission Statement
Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the enrichment of Clayton County, Iowa through the dispersion of funds acquired from an admission tax paid by the Casino Queen, Marquette. It is the groups’ mission to award these funds to qualifying tax exempt organizations or those working in cooperation with local governments within Clayton County who cultivate projects that meet established criteria. These projects should encourage economic development, community betterment, improved cultural and recreational activity facilities, programs or activities that foster enhanced educational experiences for our youth, or improve the overall quality of life for residents of this county.
About UMGC
Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation (formerly known as Marquette Gaming Corporation) originally formed in 1993 to meet the Iowa law requirement that riverboat casino licenses must be held by a qualified sponsoring organization. UMGC is the non-profit license holder for the riverboat casino, the Casino Queen located in Marquette, Iowa.
The Casino Queen Marquette whose corporate headquarters is located at East Riverfront St. Louis, 200 S. Front St., East St. Louis, IL 62201. The partnership created by UMGC as the non-profit license holder and the Casino Queen Marquette as the casino operator is a catalyst for grant awards presented annually to non-profits that are located in or benefit residents of Clayton County, Iowa.
Board of Directors
The affairs of UMGC are overseen by a Board of Directors and managed by the Executive Director. The number of Directors shall be no fewer than (7) and no greater than (9). Directors need not be residents of Clayton County Iowa but must have a vested interest in Clayton County by virtue of their residence, or the ownership of real estate or a business in Clayton County. Directors are volunteers. The Executive Director is the only paid employee of the Corporation.
By state law, the Board of Directors of a qualified sponsoring organization licensed to operate gambling games must be residents of Iowa and must include, as ex officio, nonvoting members of the board, a member of the county board of supervisors and a member of a city council for each county and city that has a licensed gambling games facility operated by the qualified sponsoring organization.
Executive Director
The business affairs are carried out by an Executive Director.
Where Does the Funding Come From?
UMGC receives its funding from an admission tax paid by the Casino Queen Marquette. This revenue provides the funding UMGC needs to make grants available to qualified organizations. In recent years funding has transitioned from a 50 cent per passenger admission tax to 3.25% of the casino’s adjusted gross revenue.
Gambling can be a fun recreation when used wisely. Come on over to the Casino Queen and check it out.
The Casino Queen is not involved with the UMGC granting process.
Grant Funding Process
Each year, grant applications are accepted by UMGC from non-profit organizations, government entities, and educational facilities. Requests may be for projects or programs in Clayton County or may be from outside the county if they can demonstrate a direct benefit to the residents of Clayton County.
Board of Directors
Marti Post Monona
Kelly Shaffer Vice President Volga
Robyn Denning McGregor
Dan Kuempel Guttenberg - Executive Director
Dave Kahrs St. Olaf
Kay Kluesner Elkader
Amy Hanna Edgewood
Ellen Johnson Treasurer Guttenberg
Elizabeth Breitbach President North Buena Vista
Dean Courtnage Strawberry Point
Ray Peterson Elkader Ex-officio
Dave Schneider Marquette Ex-officio

Dan Kuempel

Ellen Johnson

Elizabeth Breitbach

Ray Peterson

Dean Courtnage

Dave Kahrs

Robyn Denning

Kelly Shaffer

David Schneider