Join Us in Being Part of Something Bigger

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines improves quality of life for all by promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about and providing leadership on important community issues…we’re simply better together.

For the latest stories of impact from the Community Foundation, download our
2024 Annual Report.

For a look at where we're going, download our Strategic Framework.

Strong Communities Start With a Strong Foundation

In 1969, community leaders came together with the tremendous foresight and vision to create a foundation to serve the pressing needs and promising opportunities of our community. They recognized that in order to have a world-class community, we needed a foundation that would stand as a pillar to provide sustainable support for organizations and community projects, challenge us to invest in collaborative, systemic change and serve our generous neighbors who wanted to give back to the causes they care about. These leaders recognized what we still know to be true, we’re simply better together. 

Your Passion is Our Purpose

The charitable spirit of Iowans is evident in the charitable giving funds that have been established at the Community Foundation by donors who want to simplify and maximize their giving in tax-wise ways. These charitable giving funds can be established to make a difference today or to benefit the causes and communities you care about for generations to come. Our team of charitable giving experts is here to provide advice on how best to maximize your giving, provide professional fund management, offer maximum tax savings and provide connections to hundreds of local nonprofits.

Community Leadership

We are a planner, convener and catalyst to address the pressing needs and promising opportunities in our community. We develop partnerships and pool resources with others to create real and sustainable change to make our community not only better together, but better forever.

Connections that Count

We are invested in the continued success of our local nonprofit sector. Through our nonprofit trainings we provide an opportunity for board members and staff to learn and grow in service to their organizations. Through our grantmaking we can support organizations as they build capacity to fulfill their missions and, thanks to the Better Together Fund, invest in tidal wave change for our community today and for generations to come.

Our Guideposts

These are the pillars we stand firmly upon that guide us in our work.

We connect, inspire and ignite generosity

to solve our community's most pressing issues and promising opportunities.

We leverage our influence

to drive community change.  

We believe and invest

in our nonprofit sector and seek to amplify their impact. 

We strive to be an approachable partner

and authentic collaborator, building connections and relationships for greater impact.

We embrace and embody diversity, equity and inclusion

throughout the Community Foundation to ensure we are building communities where ALL people have the opportunity to flourish.