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| 2008 |
The Community Foundation managed assets in excess of $146 million and administered over 590 charitable funds created by Iowans. In 2008, Community Foundation donors earned more than $1 million in Endow Iowa Tax Credits, leveraging more than $5 million in charitable giving throughout the state. Through the generosity of Community Foundation donors, nearly $28 million was granted to charitable causes.
Maddie’s Circle was established to honor the life and legacy of Madelyn (Maddie) M. Levitt. These innovative giving circles inspire new generations to make a difference through philanthropy.
Recognizing the importance of relationships established between donors and their trusted professional advisors, the Community Foundation created Charitable Investment Partners. This program allows donors to establish funds at the Community Foundation while their professional advisors manage the assets.
Leadership Grants made in 2008 funded the following projects: the research and development phase of the Blank Park Zoo’s expansion, the Des Moines Kiwanis’ Miracle League field that allows children with disabilities to play baseball and the World Food Prize Foundation’s restoration of the former downtown library into the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates.
In response to the natural disasters Iowans experienced in 2008, the Community Foundation created the 2008 Flood Relief and Recovery Fund to support those affected by flooding in Greater Des Moines. To assist Iowans recovering after the floods and tornadoes statewide, Governor Culver established the Embrace Iowa: 2008 Iowa Disaster Fund and called then President Elect of the Community Foundation J. Barry Griswell and community leader Fred Hubbell to lead the private fundraising effort. Nearly $8 million was raised through Embrace Iowa.
Through an affiliate relationship, the Community Foundation accepted its first gift of farmland. The generous donors gave 83 acres from their family farm near Madrid.
After 10 years of serving as president, Johnny Danos retired from the position, and the
Community Foundation welcomed J. Barry Griswell as incoming president. Beginning in 2009, community leaders Suzie Glazer Burt, Jim Cownie, H. Lynn Horak, Suku Radia and Mark Rupprecht joined the Community Foundation Board of Directors. Teree Caldwell-Johnson and Johnny Danos became emeritus members. Monroe Colston retired from serving as a consultant to the Community Foundation.
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| 2007 |
The Community Foundation grew to $184 million in assets under management and 506 funds. In 2007, the Community Foundation’s Pooled Investment Portfolio earned more than 11%, maintaining its 10% average rate of return since the inception of the pool in 1997. The Community Foundation distributed more than $26 million in grants.
Community Foundation Leadership Grants included significant support to the City of Des Moines for the Downtown Des Moines Digital Model, the Des Moines Music Coalition to launch the 80/35 Music Festival, the Center on Sustainable Communities to fund three affordable green demonstration homes in Greater Des Moines and Des Moines Neighbors to work with 35 low-to-moderate income neighborhoods on revitalization efforts. Restoration Ingersoll earned the second installment of its grant from the Community Foundation by meeting private fundraising goals to restore this historical retail and residential district near downtown Des Moines.
The inaugural Principal Charity Classic, hosted by the Community Foundation, delivered record crowds of golf spectators and record contributions to local charities including more than $575,000 “FORE Our Kids.” The Community Foundation partnered with Bravo Greater Des Moines and combined Principal Charity Classic grants to create “Connecting Kids and Culture,” an innovative program that funds educational field experiences for 39,000 kindergarten through 5th grade students in Polk and Dallas counties.
The Community Foundation partnered with the Charitable Giving Resource Center to develop comprehensive training for nonprofit fundraising professionals through the creation of Fundraising University.
The Community Foundation launched Legacy Funds as a planned giving tool for donors who want to establish a vehicle to facilitate planned gifts.
Because of the critical role professional advisors play in donor’s and prospective donor’s
decisions, the Community Foundation created the Professional Advisors Council with estate planning attorneys, accountants and financial planners.
Business and community leader Fred S. Hubbell joined the Community Foundation Board of Directors, and after 10 years of board service, Jim Cownie and Ed Power became Emeritus members.
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2006
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The 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%. The Community Foundation distributed more than $20 million in grants.
Community Foundation Leadership Grants included seed funding to Restoration Ingersoll, equipped Primary Health Care dental exam rooms to serve local families who would not otherwise have access to dental care, financed research and design options for Greenwood Park and the former Science Center of Iowa site through The Great Outdoors Fund, created a teen center at the Central Des Moines Public Library and supported the Chinese Cultural Center for the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens.
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).
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.
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 and Barry Griswell received the prestigious Des Moines Register Iowa Star Award for their contributions toward making Iowa shine brighter.
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.
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| 2005 |
The Community Foundation reached its targeted $100 million milestone for assets under management. The Community Foundation’s endowment portfolio earned more than 7.6%, moving the 10-year rate-of-return average to 10.5%. The Community Foundation distributed more than $16 million in grants, more than double the dollars invested a year ago.
The Community Foundation served as the founding sponsor for the World Food Festival. The Des Moines Art Center’s “To All Gates” project received a significant Community Enhancement Grant, and the Community Foundation provided key funding to the Des Moines Science Center for innovative programming.
Through the Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund, the Community Foundation created BoardLaunch to enhance the management and leadership skills of local nonprofit board members with technical and leadership instruction in fundraising, finance and governance. More than 150 community volunteers took advantage of this first-of-its-kind training.
More than 100 community stakeholders became founding members of the LifeTown Legacy® Society.
Business and community leaders Roger K. Brooks, Michele Griswell, Doug Reichardt and Ted Townsend joined the Community Foundation Board of Directors and Charles C. Edwards, Jr. rejoined the Board.
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| 2004 |
The Community Foundation’s assets exceeded $84 million in 2004. The endowment portfolio earned more than 12%, moving the 10-year average to 10%.
Business and community leaders Patricia J. Crawford and Kurt Rasmussen joined the Community Foundations Board of Directors and Margo Blumenthal re-joined the Board.
The LifeTown Legacy® Society was introduced, which encourages community stakeholders to create or support endowments as a way to give back to the community in which they have raised families, formed friendships and built successful careers.
31 donors, including 22 new donors, received Endow Iowa tax credits by creating qualified funds with the Community Foundation.
The Community Foundation and the Iowa Area Development Group Community Foundation collaborated to form the Iowa Community Affiliate Network (Iowa C.A.N.). This effort increases community-based philanthropy to help communities and counties take advantage of philanthropic state incentives.
Nearly $7 million in grants was distributed from Community Foundation funds and invested in a wide variety of causes and community betterment projects. The Community Foundation implemented its new grantmaking Leadership Agenda that focuses on long-range community outcomes.
The Community Foundation provided the resources to help fund the successful rebirth and expansion of the Cultural Alliance into Bravo Greater Des Moines and celebrated the successful transition of Des Moines’ public art program into the Community Foundation.
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| 2003 |
The Community Foundation’s assets exceeded $60 million, with the endowment portfolio earning an impressive 25% return on investment. The Charitable Gift Annuity program was introduced in 2003, providing lifetime income to the donor and leaving the remainder to charity. The Community Foundation bid farewell to ten-year Board members Chuck Betts, Bob Dee, and Margo Blumenthal, and welcomed Bob Burnett, Allison Fleming, Mary Middleton, Mark Oman and Tom Press as new Board members. The Iowa Council of Foundations shepherded Endow Iowa legislation through the Iowa General Assembly in 2003. The Philanthropic Resource Center welcomed the #1 Question: Is it Good for the Kids; the Annie E. Casey Foundation; and Iowans for a Better Future as new tenants. A record amount of $315,000 was invested to build capacity and efficiency in local nonprofit organizations through the Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund.
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| 2002 |
The Community Foundation’s assets reached $49 million in March 2002. The Community Foundation co-sponsored the Women in Public Policy luncheon featuring Lt. Governor of Missouri, Harriet Woods. M. Ann Abbe, a national development consultant, spoke to an audience of agency executive directors and staff, fundraisers and volunteers on motivating and educating women philanthropists. Linda Koehn, Janis Ruan, Stan Reynolds and Dawn Taylor accepted positions on the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. Kristi Knous joined the Community Foundation as the Director of Donor Relations and Programs.
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| 2001 |
As of July 31, 2001, the Community Foundation’s assets exceeded $41,000. A professional advisor relations program began. The Community Innovation Fund grant program was fully implemented and the #1 Question was funded as a special initiative of the Community Foundation.
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| 2000 |
During 2000, the Community Foundation achieved an asset level over $35 million. Grants made and facilitated exceeded $5 million. Community Foundation staff and philanthropic services were expanded, and a new grantmaking process was implemented. Patty and Jim Cownie moved their family foundation to the Community Foundation. Collaboration and projects included the #1 Question Campaign – Is it Good For the Kids?, the Grays Lake Renovation project and the Latino Snapshot project.
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| 1999 |
In January, the Community Foundation received a $2 million human services challenge grant from the Hubbell Family. The challenge provides for a one-to-one match over a three-year period and stipulates that funds be donated to the Community Foundation’s United Way Fund or any other Community Foundation endowment fund restricted to human services. The Community Foundation adopted its first strategic plan.
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| 1998 |
Grants exceeded $900,000, including $400,000 in funds from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. Monroe Colston retired as President. Johnny Danos was elected President effective Jan. 1, 1999. Foundation assets totaled $19 million.
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| 1997 |
Grants made by the Foundation totaled $700,000. Foundation assets totaled $15.5 million. |
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| 1996 |
The Hawley Foundation, a private foundation formed in 1927, merged with Community Foundation, bringing with it a history of supporting human service causes, assets of $2.9 million and significant new board members. The $1 million goal for the “Success” program was reached. The first organized prospective donor contact program was initiated. Board and staff members made 84 contacts. The Community Foundation was named one of three agencies to receive and distribute funds from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. Foundation assets totaled $12.5 million.
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| 1995 |
The Community Foundation invested $600,000 in grants to 101 organizations in Greater Des Moines and received $1 million in donations. Foundation assets totaled $7.3 million.
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| 1994 |
The Community Foundation’s merger with the United Way Foundation brought additional funds and community leadership into the organization. John R. & Zelda Grubb made a $1 million gift to the Community Foundation, unrestricted after the first $250,000 of income goes to Children & Families of Iowa. The Community Foundation published its first annual report. Community Foundation assets totaled $6.8 million.
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| 1993 |
The Community Foundation assumed a leadership role in the “Success by Six and Beyond” Program by leading a $1 million fund drive to support what has become a highly acclaimed program. “Success” provides school and home-based services for families with children from conception through elementary school. Community Foundation assets totaled $5.6 million.
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| 1992 |
The Community Foundation hired its first full-time employee, Monroe Colston, as President and began recruitment of additional community leaders to a revitalized Board. Community Foundation assets totaled $4 million.
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| 1969-1992 |
The Community Foundation was “housed” in and administered by the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
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| 1969 |
The Des Moines Community Foundation was formed by a small group of citizens as “an enduring method for preserving our area’s quality of life and extending its benefits to the entire community.”
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