'Price was right' for Community Foundation in 2014

May 11, 2015

By Megan VerHelst, Business Record Staff Writer

What do Kyle Krause, Rob Denson, Plinko and Bob Barker have in common? All turned out for the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines' annual celebration luncheon and report to the community held Thursday at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott.

Well, maybe not Bob Barker - but that didn't stop Community Foundation staff from talking about the organization's last year in the style of "The Price is Right," complete with local business leaders as contestants competing for glamorous prizes like Community Foundation Giving Cards and a Fuzzy Zoeller bobblehead figurine, among other things. 

Behind the fun and entertaining delivery, though, the Community Foundation saw a successful year in 2014. During the luncheon game show, staff updated donors and members of the Central Iowa business and philanthropic communities on the impact the organization had in the last year. (To see a video of the event's Showcase Showdown click here.)

In its 2015 Report to the Community, the Community Foundation reported facilitating nearly $51.4 million in gifts last year. In total, the organization had more than $375 million in assets under administration and awarded nearly $26 million in grants made from Community Foundation funds.  

Also during the event, the Community Foundation named Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Des Moines as recipient of the 2015 Better Together Award.

The award is given annually to organizations that work to advance social capital in Greater Des Moines. Social capital is defined as connections among diverse people or groups, based on trust, that enhance cooperation for mutual benefit.

YNPN Des Moines is the local chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network. The group's mission is to promote an efficient, viable and inclusive nonprofit sector that supports the growth, learning and development of young professionals. The group meets to share experiences, resources and connections to advance the nonprofit field in Des Moines.