Community Foundation Grants $350,000 to Local Community Projects

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines has awarded Leadership Grants totaling $350,000 to support two community projects: The Beacon’s The Beacon Village and ChildServe’s Des Moines Center. Leadership Grants are made possible by the Better Together Fund.  

“We are thrilled to announce this new set of grants. By investing in these initiatives, we, as a community, are not only addressing immediate needs but also building a foundation for long-term community resilience and opportunity,” said President Kristi Knous. “The Beacon’s and ChildServe’s dedication and innovative solutions make our communities stronger and more resilient. Together, we are creating a brighter, more equitable future for everyone.” 

Leadership Grants are centered around equity and support projects with the potential to create significant impact on community issues and opportunities. Donor support of the Better Together Fund provides for community needs now and into the future, as identified through the Community Foundation’s grantmaking process facilitated by the organization’s expert staff, Grantmaking Committee and Board of Directors. 

The Beacon: The Beacon Village

A $250,000 Leadership Grant will support the purchase of The Beacon Village facility. The Beacon is addressing the need for housing and support for women who have a history of homelessness and/or incarceration by expanding to The Beacon Village on Euclid Avenue. The new facility will have 32 individual apartments and utilizes a community-centered approach where women involved support one another in a neighbor-centric environment. 

"The Beacon is beyond grateful to be the recipient of a 2024 Leadership Grant from the Community Foundation. Not only does this generous funding support women in our community who have faced complex trauma and systemic barriers, but it will actually work to change the systems that are harming them,” said Executive Director Melissa Vine. “These funds will prevent the endless cycle of trauma, mental illness, homelessness and the incarceration of women and replace them with a healing, safe community, affordable housing and supportive services."

ChildServe: Des Moines Center 

A $100,000 Leadership Grant will support a new ChildServe facility near the intersection of 48th and Franklin in Des Moines. The facility will expand the capacity from serving 60 children to 600, dramatically reduce waitlists for families and overall, expand services with the addition of 40 new specialized clinical staff roles.  

“We are incredibly grateful to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines for selecting ChildServe as a Leadership Grant recipient,” said CEO Dr. Teri Wahlig. “The grant will allow ChildServe to expand in Des Moines – the perfect complement to our main campus in Johnston in serving the Des Moines metro area. The facility will improve access and decrease barriers to care for children with special healthcare needs through several of our specialized programs, including medical childcare, autism services, pediatric rehabilitation and neurobehavioral healthcare. Thank you to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines for helping us improve child health, enhance quality of life and strengthen our community.”