Giving Back, Going Forward

Feb 5, 2025

Dr. Erin Netteland-Sandvig has spent most of her life in Iowa, a place she calls home. After completing her medical residency in Chicago, she and her husband made the intentional decision to return to Iowa to raise their family. Guided by a shared belief in the importance of giving back, Dr. Netteland-Sandvig instilled in her family the value of supporting the community through time, talent and treasure. It was this passion for giving back that led her to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.

Through friends, Dr. Netteland-Sandvig learned about the opportunities provided by the Community Foundation to make a meaningful impact. Inspired, she and her family opened two charitable funds with a clear focus: to support causes close to their hearts, including promoting healthy habits, sustainable lifestyles and preserving nature.

The family has been experiencing the joy of giving by actively granting through these funds, but they also recognized the importance of planning for the future. To ensure their legacy of giving endures, they named the Better Together Fund as the successor to their charitable funds.

“We set the Better Together Fund as our successor because we wanted to choose something that would ensure that our giving could continue to help others long after we’ve gone,” said Dr. Netteland-Sandvig. “Des Moines is where we’ve established our home and family, and we want to continue to see it grow.”

Dr. Netteland-Sandvig and her family see the Better Together Fund as a way to be sure Greater Des Moines has flexible dollars to respond to emerging needs as they arise; after all, no one knows exactly what tomorrow may bring for our community. And that’s why the Better Together Fund exists.

“The Better Together Fund can be used to ensure people are getting their needs met now and in the future – wherever needs are greatest,” said Dr. Netteland-Sandvig. “I also trust the Community Foundation as a reputable source to give to others in the community. I know everything is vetted, and the money is going to where it can best serve others.”

While the future is unpredictable, the Better Together Fund invites donors, just like Dr. Netteland-Sandvig’s family, to be a part of something bigger. Through the collective power of generosity, the Better Together Fund is fueled by donations from those who love Greater Des Moines. Donors find that by contributing to the Better Together Fund they are not only fulfilling their charitable giving goals, but helping the community realize its own- both today, and tomorrow.

“We need to help our neighbors. And that may seem like a big task to take on, but the Community Foundation helps you maximize your impact to help others,” said Dr. Netteland-Sandvig.

To learn more about how you can be part of something bigger and support our community’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities, connect with our team. We are here to help you giving back today, and going forward.