Grants for Nonprofit Organizations

The Community Foundation has announced three competitive nonprofit grant programs made possible by contributions to the Better Together Fund: Leadership Grants, Capacity Building Grants and Strategic Alignment Grants. We are excited to announce that our 2026 Grant programs are now open!

  • Leadership Grants support requests that drive change and challenge existing systems to address root causes to community issues. We are looking to invest in solutions, not solely projects.
  • Capacity Building Grants seek to strengthen an organization’s effectiveness. Funding is provided for strategic initiatives in areas related to governance or management.
  • Strategic Alignment Grants provide funding for the exploration and/or implementation of strategic alignment strategies between two or more nonprofit organizations in coming together to enhance systemic support around a community issue/priority, align operations/programming or deepen partnerships.

Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to the Community Impact team to discuss project goals and alignment prior to applying. Please contact La-Tica Paige to schedule a conversation.

Funding needs not aligned with our competitive grant programs that meet our focus on creating impact for Greater Des Moines may be a fit for GIVEdsm.

Leadership Grants

What is the purpose of the Leadership Grant program?

Investments from the Leadership Grant program are rooted in community plan alignment, and prioritize and foster inclusive engagement and impact to improve quality of life for all in our community. The purpose of the Leadership Grant program is to catalyze and challenge Greater Des Moines to impact systems change and/or significantly influence community outcomes and opportunities by: 

Learn more about these Grantmaking Priorities.

Learn about some of the Leadership Grant investments made in 2025.
Leadership Grant Details and Cycle

Leadership Grants support requests that drive change and challenge existing systems to address root causes to community issues. We are looking to invest in solutions, not solely projects.

  • Grant Cycle 1: Letter of Intent due April 8 at Noon, Finalists notified approximately April 28; Full application due May 19 at Noon; Grant awardees notified approximately June 17.
  • Grant Cycle 2:  Letter of Intent due October 1 at Noon; Finalists notified approximately October 15; Full application due November 6 at Noon; Grant awardees notified approximately December 10. 
  • Review the 2026 Leadership Grant Guidelines and Instructions.
  • Submit a Leadership Grant Letter of Intent
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    Capacity Building Grants

    What is the purpose of the Capacity Building Grant program?

    Capacity Building Grants seek to strengthen an organization’s effectiveness. We provide funding for strategic initiatives in areas related to governance or management. 

    Capacity Building Grant Details and Cycle
  • Capacity Building Grants are awarded throughout the year and can be requested at any time. 

    Review the 2026 Capacity Building Grant Guidelines and Instructions.
  • Apply for a Capacity Building Grant
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    “The grant enabled us to hire a professional to help us through the process. They asked the hard questions and challenged us to focus on what would be sustainable for our organization while still growing our impact.”

    -Stephen King, executive director of the Des Moines Arts Festival

    Learn more

    Strategic Alignment Grants

    What is the purpose of the Strategic Alignment Grant program?

    Strategic Alignment Grants provide funding for the exploration and/or implementation of strategic alignment strategies between two or more nonprofit organizations in coming together to enhance systemic support around a community issue/priority, align operations/programming, or deepen partnerships. Strategic alignment could be defined as coordination (formal relationships around specific efforts or programs that leverage efficiency and effectiveness for individual organizations) or collaboration (pooled or jointly secured resources with defined and measured outcomes that have social impact beyond one organization).
    Strategic Alignment Grant Details and Cycle

    Strategic Alignment Grants are awarded throughout the year and can be requested at any time.

    Review the 2026 Strategic Alignment Grant Guidelines and Instructions.

    Apply for a Strategic Alignment Grant
    "The funding enabled us to explore possibilities with the nonprofits we are engaged with, to see how we could come together to not just gain efficiencies, but grow impact.”

    -Jen Cross, vice president of strategic partnerships at the Great Outdoors Foundation

    Learn more