Oakridge Neighborhood's Cynergy Development Receives $950,000 in Community Foundation Grants
Jul 30, 2026
Oakridge Neighborhood has been awarded $950,000 in grants from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines to support Cynergy, a mixed-use workforce housing and wellness project designed to expand access to quality housing while strengthening economic opportunity in Des Moines.
The Community Foundation was the first to contribute to the project, previously awarding a $200,000 grant to help leverage public funding for the project, followed by a recent $750,000 Catalyst Circle grant to support property acquisition and development. Additional contributors include Polk County ($200,000), the City of Des Moines ($25,000) and 40 individual donors contributing from $100 to $50,000 each. The project will include approximately 33 workforce housing units and 9,500 square feet of wellness-focused commercial space that will provide financial health, physical wellness and vitality to the surrounding community.
“This investment from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, including the Catalyst Circle, builds on the momentum that has made Cynergy possible and provides critical support as we move from property acquisition into development,” said Deidre DeJear, Oakridge Neighborhood president and CEO. “Cynergy is not just a real estate project. It is a neighborhood stabilization strategy that connects housing, wellness, workforce development, youth opportunity, small business activation and long-term family stability in one location.”
Cynergy responds to the growing need for workforce housing in Greater Des Moines while creating space for trusted community services that help families thrive. The project is designed to serve working families and cost-burdened renters, including educators, healthcare professionals, small business owners and more, by bringing housing, wellness and economic opportunity together in one location.
Cynergy also creates a rare double-impact opportunity for two nonprofit organizations. The site is currently owned by Mainframe Studios, and the sale will provide resources to strengthen Mainframe’s operations, capital needs and sustainable mission support. By facilitating the sale to Oakridge Neighborhood, Mainframe is helping ensure the land continues serving community-centered purposes, while advancing the missions of both organizations.
“We look forward to expanding access to opportunity, generating increased neighborhood activity and restoring a once strong economic footprint surrounding Oakridge Neighborhood and Mainframe Studios through this sale,” said Julia Franklin, executive director of Mainframe Studios. “Additionally, I am so appreciative of the Community Foundation, who has served as a supportive partner along the way, helping set our two organizations up for long-term success.”
Total project costs for Cynergy are anticipated at $16 million, and work is being overseen by a committee of experienced developers, architects and area business leaders. Oakridge Neighborhood continues to secure public, private and philanthropic investments to advance the project, with Cynergy representing the next phase of the organization's long-term vision to strengthen families and neighborhoods through housing, opportunity and community partnerships.
“The Cynergy project demonstrates what’s possible when strategic philanthropy helps bring transformational community projects to life,” said Kristi Knous, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. “The Catalyst Circle’s investment builds on earlier Community Foundation support to advance a vision that expands opportunity for all. The benefits of this project will be felt throughout our community for years to come.”
The Catalyst Circle of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines brings together like-minded people working to make significant investments in transformational community projects throughout Greater Des Moines.