Recent Leadership Grants

Bridges of Iowa

Des Moines and the state of Iowa lack long-term substance abuse programs for women even though the need is substantial. Women with substance abuse issues typically have fewer resources than men. The Community Foundation is providing a $75,000 Leadership Grant to support the new Bridges of Iowa Women's Substance Abuse Treatment Program, which will develop a long-term women's treatment program tailored specifically to the needs of women in the criminal system with substance abuse addictions.

Des Moines Social Club

Des Moines Social Club is a nonprofit organization that uses art as a catalyst to create unprecedented community engagement. In existence since 2009, the Des Moines Social Club is working to purchase and restore Fire Station #1 at the corner of 9th and Mulberry in downtown Des Moines as its permanent home. The Community Foundation is providing a $100,000 Leadership Grant in support of the project. 

Directors' Council

The Directors Council has been awarded a $25,000 Leadership Grant for the African American Leadership Forum from the Community Foundation. Funds will support capacity building, leadership development and activities that will enhance the community and help the movement forward. The Des Moines African American Leadership Forum is creating a broad-reaching network of African American leaders that value and engage in intentional dialogue, shared planning and collective action while developing a common agenda to improve the economic and social well-being of the African American community.

Meals From the Heartland

Fifty thousand dollars from the Community Foundation is supporting the construction of a new packaging center/warehouse building. The new center will enable Meals from the Heartland to engage thousands of additional local volunteers in hands-on efforts to package meals that will be distributed to reduce hunger in Greater Des Moines and internationally. At the same time, these volunteers will be informed and educated about the reality of hunger in this community and throughout the world.