Planting a Gift that Grows

May 4, 2026

Community connection led Denise and David Bubeck to a solution they had been seeking for more than a decade. 

Raised in the rural Midwest, the couple developed an early appreciation for faith, community and caring for neighbors — values that continue to shape their giving today. So, when Denise began serving on the board of the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC), it felt natural to build relationships with others who shared the same commitment. Through Denise’s community engagement, she connected with like-minded leaders, including Johnne Syverson and Matt Roberts of Syverson Strege, a financial planning firm. A shared passion for addressing food insecurity deepened the connections, and it led Denise to recruit Matt to serve as a fellow board member. 

 Over time, conversations extended beyond board service to the Bubecks’ own charitable giving goals. 

 “It was a time when David and I were working to refocus more of our finances on charitable giving, and we wanted to be intentional,” Denise shares. “Matt understood what we were passionate about and helped us identify additional ways to make even greater impact.” 

 For years, the Bubecks had been searching for solutions to structure their philanthropy so it could grow alongside them, not just today, but throughout retirement. While they had previously established a donor advised fund, they were seeking guidance that aligned with their financial planning, tax strategy and philanthropic goals. Together, with Matt, they explored opportunities that would carry their giving confidently into the next chapter. 

 David grew up on farms, and today the couple continues to own farmland in Dallas County that remains in active production. With careers of their own, the couple doesn’t depend on the grain income — and that’s when they realized a routine harvest held the potential to plant something lasting. By making a gift of grain, the Bubecks can support the organizations that mean the most to them while maximizing the tax benefits.

This opportunity had Denise, David and their advisor Matt, turning to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines for expertise in accepting non-cash charitable assets, including agricultural gifts. Working together, the process was seamless, and the local co-op turned the Bubecks’ fall harvest into a sustainable gift to grow the couple’s capacity to give for years to come. 

“With people’s busy lives, the Community Foundation makes charitable giving accessible and easy,” said David. “Through the partnership with Syverson Strege and the Community Foundation, we now have a giving strategy aligned with our goals to sustain our philanthropy throughout retirement.”