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.

  • 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 Jenny McCloud 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

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 significantly influence community outcomes and opportunities by:

Expanding Access to Housing and Transportation, Advancing Community Health and Resilience, Fostering Inclusive Economic and Workforce Development, Cultivating a Thriving and Inclusive Community

Learn more about these Grantmaking Priorities.

Leadership Grant Details & Cycle: 

  • Review 2025 Leadership Grant Guidelines and Instructions.
  • Leadership Grants are centered around equity to significantly influence community outcomes and opportunities, as well as strengthen an efficient and effective nonprofit sector in Greater Des Moines.
  • Grant Cycle 1: Letter of Intent due April 9 at Noon; Finalists notified approximately April 30; Full application due May 22 at Noon; Grant awardees notified approximately June 18.
  • Grant Cycle 2: Letter of Intent due October 1 at Noon, Finalists notified approximately October 16; Full application due November 7 at Noon; Grant awardees notified approximately December 11.


Capacity Building Grants

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 & Cycle: 

Strategic Alignment Grants

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 & Cycle: