Community Foundation Grants $300,000 to Advance Community Priorities
Jul 29, 2025
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines recently awarded Leadership Grants totaling $300,000 to support two community initiatives that aim to catalyze and challenge Greater Des Moines to impact systems change and significantly influence outcomes and opportunities for our region. Leadership Grants have been awarded to the Urbandale Food Pantry in recognition of the Community Hub Space and the Work that Impacts Housing Coalition (WTIHC) through the Polk County Housing Trust Fund.
“These grants provide catalytic investment in the health and resilience of our community, in addition to fostering an inclusive workforce and promotion of economic development,” said Kristi Knous, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. “The projects awarded build long-term community sustainability and opportunity, and highlight the deep dedication and innovation of our local nonprofit organizations in creating a brighter future for all.”
Leadership Grants are rooted in community plan alignment and support requests that drive change and challenge existing systems to address root causes of community issues through key, targeted strategies. Leadership Grants are made possible by the Better Together Fund.
Donor support of the Better Together Fund provides for community needs now and into the future, as identified through the Community Foundation’s grantmaking process facilitated by the organization’s expert staff, Grantmaking Committee and Board of Directors.
Urbandale Food Pantry - $200,000
Funding supports a community hub model currently being piloted by the Urbandale Food Pantry. The model focuses on addressing root causes of food insecurity by making navigation easier for individuals and families through the co-location of collaborative service partners; this approach is a key tactic in the Central Iowa Food Security Plan. Existing collaborative support partners include Project Iowa, Aging Resources and Women Infants and Children (WIC), with potential for growth. Upon opening the new location in spring 2025, the model has been well-received, with more than 5,000 visits in its first month.
“This grant is an investment in what matters most: people. The Community Foundation sees our vision for well-rounded support services and is helping us reduce food insecurity in more meaningful, dignified and connected ways,” said Patty Sneddon-Kisting, CEO of Urbandale Food Pantry. “Our expanded facility and new community hub directly tackle the underlying issues of hunger by conveniently connecting individuals and families with vital services right where they receive support, empowering them to build stable, healthy futures. This model removes barriers, restores dignity and ensures that people can access support that strengthens their health, stability and long-term well-being.”
To learn more and contribute toward this project, visit GIVEdsm.
Work that Impacts Housing Coalition (WTIHC) led by the Polk County Housing Trust Fund - $100,000
Funding will support the establishment of the Work that Impacts Housing Coalition (WTIHC) pre-apprenticeship program. This program is an innovative and collaborative effort to upskill and reskill individuals in the trades, while coalition members simultaneously complete deferred home maintenance repairs for qualified homeowners. According to Polk County Housing Trust Fund’s Here We Grow: Home Attainability initiative, more affordable homes in Greater Des Moines overlap substantially with older neighborhoods. The program’s approach addresses a gap in existing owner-occupied repair programs and leverages partnerships across nonprofit, for-profit and local government sectors.
“This community initiative combines housing and workforce development, while providing support for community members to realize stable careers with livable wages. Simultaneously, they are helping repair housing in neighborhoods that are often overlooked.” said Julian D. Neely, director of advancement and community investment with the Polk County Housing Trust Fund. “As people feel confident through income and stable housing, they can better invest in the local economy and feel a part of the greater community."
To learn more and contribute toward this project, visit GIVEdsm.
The Community Foundation Fall Leadership Grant cycle is now open with Letters of Intent due by Wednesday, October 1 at noon. Investments from the Leadership Grant program prioritize and foster inclusive engagement and impact to improve quality of life for all in our community. To learn more about Leadership Grant guidelines and instructions, visit our Grantmaking page.
The Better Together Fund is an opportunity to invest in our community’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities for generations to come. The Better Together Fund supports grants that foster inclusive engagement and collective impact, as well as strengthen an efficient and effective nonprofit sector in Greater Des Moines. Join us to learn how we are Better Together.