On June 12, 2026, the NJCAA Foundation announced Southwestern Community College's athletic department received a 2026 Sport Opportunity Grant for men's and women's wrestling.

According to Cole Higgins, Southwestern athletic director, the grant funds will be used for setup costs to establish men's and women's wrestling programs at the college. 

Higgins said the grant application included specific details about the impact wrestling will have on the college's Creston campus and Southwestern's region. He stated the wrestling programs will provide the athletic department with opportunities to expand the number of student-athletes from SWCC's region given wrestling's rich heritage in southwest Iowa and across the state of Iowa. Higgins said the college plans to be ready to compete during the 2027-28 academic year.

The NJCAA Foundation gave grants to 15 colleges throughout the country during the 2026 grant program. The mission of the NJCAA Foundation is to enhance the NJCAA national organization, student-athletes, member colleges, and local communities through financial support, scholarships, program initiatives, and community service.