In 2006, the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation reached more than $156 million in assets under management; a single-year growth of more than 50%. At the same time our number of relationships grew to 416 funds.
In 2006, the Community Foundation’s endowment portfolio earned 12% moving the 10-year rate-of-return average to 10%.
As part of the Community Foundation’s focus on donor services, it invested in a secure online fund management system. DonorCentral allows Community Foundation donors to access fund balances, view grant history and make grant recommendations online.
As a strategic grantmaker, the Community Foundation provides leadership and critical funding to address community issues, gaps, needs and opportunities. In 2006, the Community Foundation distributed more than $20 million in grants - a new record.
Community Foundation Leadership Grants included seed funding to Restoration Ingersoll, which in turn raised more than $1 million in private contributions and additional grants to restore this historical retail and residential district near downtown Des Moines.
A Leadership Grant to Primary Health Care equipped dental exam rooms to serve local families who would not otherwise have access to dental care.
The Great Outdoors Fund received a Leadership Grant to finance research and design options for Greenwood Park and the former Science Center of Iowa site.
The Des Moines Pubic Library received a Leadership Grant to create a teen center at the Central Library. The Community Foundation’s Grantmaking Committee also planted a seed for community betterment by providing a Leadership Grant to the Chinese Cultural Center for the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens.
BoardLaunch, the series of workshops offered through the Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund, continues to meet the needs of the nonprofit sector by training volunteer board members to meet their legal and fiduciary responsibilities. More than 525 nonprofit board and staff members have participated in BoardLaunch training since its inception in the fall of 2005.
As a neutral third party, the Community Foundation played the role of convener when Des Moines faced the challenge of where to relocate the area’s largest homeless shelter. A Community Foundation grant funded a professional facilitator to bring together homeless advocates, downtown business leaders and city officials to identify the most viable relocation options for Central Iowa Shelter & Services (formerly Churches United).
Membership in the LifeTown Legacy Society increased to 112 donors who will leave legacies to the Greater Des Moines community through their planned giving commitments.
Through the generosity of premier philanthropists, the Community Foundation established the Leadership Circle Fund. The founders of the Leadership Circle have contributed and pledged a total of $20 million. Members of the Leadership Circle will participate in leveraging their giving to make significant and strategic grants to improve the quality of life in Greater Des Moines.
Greater Des Moines Community Foundation donors received more than $887,000 in 2006 Endow Iowa Tax Credits by creating or contributing to Endow Iowa-qualified funds totaling $4,435,000.
The 2005 Columbus Foundation Annual Survey of more than 640 community foundations ranked the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation in the Top 100 Foundations for grants made, gifts received and assets under management. Des Moines ranked 40th for gifts received, 50th for grants made and 99th for market value.
The Greater Des Moines Community Foundation is serving as the host charity for the Champions Tour golf event in Des Moines. The Principal Charity Classic is focused on charity and is designed "FORE Our Kids.”
Community Foundation Board Chair Maddie Levitt became the first Iowan selected to receive the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service and philanthropist John Pappajohn became the first Iowan selected to receive the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship.
Community Leaders and philanthropists Michele & Barry Griswell received the prestigious Des Moines Register Iowa Star Award for their contributions toward making Iowa shine brighter. Michele serves on the Foundation’s Board of Directors and its Marketing & Development Committee.
Business and community leaders G. David Hurd and Robert G. Riley joined the Community Foundation Board of Directors and Fred W. Weitz rejoined the Board.
The Community Foundation Board of Directors engaged in a strategic planning process that produced measurable goals for 2007 - 2011 and outlined key strategies to achieve each goal.
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