Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

What Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines does

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines is a 501(c)(3) community foundation established in 1969 and headquartered at 1915 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. It manages more than $1 billion in assets under administration across 46 affiliated county and community foundations statewide and distributes grants to the Greater Des Moines nonprofit sector; it distributed a record near $100 million in 2025, up from $62.1 million in 2023. The foundation serves four primary constituencies: individual and family donors establishing charitable funds, nonprofit organizations receiving grants and capacity-building support, professional advisors (estate planners, financial advisors, tax planners) integrating giving into client strategies, and corporate partners (e.g., Casey's) executing philanthropy through Committee Advised Funds.

Its core product is a suite of eight charitable giving vehicles (Donor Advised, Designated, Legacy, Agency, Committee Advised, Field of Interest, Scholarship, and Seed Funds), supported by the GIVEdsm online nonprofit-donor matching platform and iPhiview-based fund management tools for donor portals, grant processing, due diligence, compliance, and reporting. The physical Campus and C3 Center, completed in May 2023 at a $4.4M donor-funded cost, provides meeting space, training facilities, and nonprofit tenants (Lead DSM, The Directors Council). Adjacent services include the Endow Iowa Tax Credit program (25% state tax credit), Charitable Investment Partners program for professional advisors, Colleague Connect monthly peer groups, nonprofit training (including AI governance curricula via the Science Center of Iowa), and the Legacy Leavers podcast.

Revenue mechanics are nonprofit-economics rather than commercial SaaS. Charitable contributions and planned gifts are added to assets under administration; operating revenue is generated from administrative fees on managed funds, Endow Iowa Tax Credit administration, affiliate support services (tax return preparation, investment management, grant distribution assistance), and C3 Center rental income. Distribution occurs through direct donor relationships, the 46-affiliate network (which functions as a channel partner model), professional advisor partnerships, and the GIVEdsm self-serve platform. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, consistent with the foundation's community-convening and event-driven go-to-market model.

Name

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

Legal name

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

Website

https://desmoinesfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines is a 501(c)(3) community foundation managing $1B+ in assets, serving individual donors, 148+ nonprofits, professional advisors, and 46 affiliate foundations across Iowa through charitable giving funds, the GIVEdsm platform, and the C3 Center hub.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation and Philanthropic Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Charitable giving funds
• Nonprofit grantmaking
• Donor advised funds
• Endowment management

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines, Iowa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Contributions: The foundation receives charitable contributions from individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to establish and grow charitable giving funds. These contributions form the primary source of assets under administration.
2. Affiliates Network: The foundation serves as host for 46 county and community affiliate foundations, providing operational and technical support while affiliates conduct local grantmaking.
3. Endow Iowa Tax Credits: The foundation administers Endow Iowa Tax Credits, a 25% state tax credit on qualified gifts made through qualified Iowa community foundations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines operates a community foundation that manages charitable giving funds (Donor Advised Funds, Designated Funds, Legacy Funds, Committee Advised Funds, Field of Interest Funds, Scholarship Funds, Agency Funds, Seed Funds, and the Better Together Fund), administers Endow Iowa Tax Credits, processes and distributes grants to nonprofits, hosts 46 county affiliate foundations across Iowa, and provides nonprofit training, peer networking (Colleague Connect), and professional advisor resources. It serves individual donors, families, businesses, nonprofits, and professional advisors throughout Greater Des Moines and the state of Iowa.

Product overview

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines operates as a philanthropic services organization offering a unified suite of charitable giving products and nonprofit support services. The core offerings include Charitable Giving Funds (Donor Advised, Designated, Legacy, Agency, Committee Advised, Field of Interest, Scholarship, and Seed Funds), the Better Together Fund for responsive grantmaking, and Endow Iowa Tax Credits for state-matched giving. Supporting infrastructure includes the C3 Center for community convenings, GIVEdsm online giving platform, and a network of 46 affiliate community foundations. The organization also provides professional advisor resources, nonprofit training programs, Colleague Connect peer networking, the Legacy Leavers podcast, and investment management services. The portfolio functions as an integrated charitable ecosystem enabling donors, nonprofits, and professional advisors to engage in organized philanthropy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Catalyst Circle: A giving circle where members have created a substantial endowment that supports projects or causes providing long-term community impact and addressing critical needs in Greater Des Moines.
• Better Together Legacy Society
• LifeTown Legacy Society
• GIVEdsm
• C3 Center
• Legacy Leavers

Products and services

• Charitable Giving Funds A suite of customized charitable giving vehicles including Donor Advised Funds, Designated Funds, Legacy Funds, Agency Funds, Committee Advised Funds, Field of Interest Funds, Scholarship Funds, and Seed Funds offered to individual donors, families, businesses, and nonprofits for organized philanthropy.
• GIVEdsm An online giving platform that allows donors to learn about nonprofit needs in the Greater Des Moines area and offer financial support to organizations matching their interests.
• Better Together Fund A philanthropic fund providing the Community Foundation with flexibility to respond to pressing community needs and opportunities through grantmaking for generations to come.
• Endow Iowa Tax Credits A 25% Iowa state tax credit available on qualified gifts made through qualified Iowa community foundations, supporting local endowment building.
• Grantmaking Programs Grant distribution to nonprofits through various programs including competitive grant cycles, leadership grants, and affiliate foundation grants across 46 county affiliates.
• Colleague Connect Monthly peer networking groups for nonprofit professionals organized by role: Executive Directors, Development, Marketing & Communications, Managers, and Financial Stewards.
• Nonprofit Training Programs Educational offerings for nonprofits including OnBoard board training, AI governance, cash flow planning, human-centered AI learning, and the Together on Purpose Learning Cohort.
• Charitable Investment Partners Program A program connecting professional advisors with the Community Foundation to structure charitable giving strategies for their clients during financial transitions.
• Investment Management Professional management of foundation assets providing investment performance reporting and portfolio returns for donors and stakeholders.
• C3 Center Rental A community space at 1910 Ingersoll Avenue available for rent to nonprofit and mission-aligned organizations for meetings, trainings, and community events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Near $100 million in charitable grants distributed in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• Nature SacredmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2023Nature Sacred, founded by Tom and Kitty Stoner (with Tom being the founding board chair of the Community Foundation in 1969), provided the Nature Sacred Contemplative Garden on the Community Foundation Campus. The garden serves as an urban sanctuary for reflection and contemplation.
• Lead DSMcoreOthers · 17 May 2023Lead DSM is a nonprofit tenant housed at the C3 Center, part of the hub for Connection, Collaboration and Community.
• The Directors CouncilcoreOthers · 17 May 2023The Directors Council is a nonprofit tenant housed at the C3 Center, part of the hub for Connection, Collaboration and Community.
• Casey'smajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCasey's uses a Committee Advised Fund at the Community Foundation for strategic corporate philanthropy supporting education, hunger, and community servants. Darren Rebelez, President and CEO of Casey's, serves as a board member of the Community Foundation.
• Science Center of IowasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience Center of Iowa provides AI training sessions for nonprofits through the C3 Center, helping organizations navigate AI adoption responsibly.
• County Endowment Fund ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe County Endowment Fund Program, established 20 years ago, annually redistributes a percentage of gaming revenues to Iowa counties in support of local charities and community projects, supporting affiliate community foundations.
• 46 Affiliate Community FoundationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Community Foundation serves as host foundation for 46 county and community affiliates across Iowa. Operational and technical support is provided to affiliates including tax return assistance, investment management, grant distribution support, and marketing assistance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Council on Foundations: National membership organization for philanthropic entities that issues Community Accredited Foundation status. Relevant as the accrediting body that confers the credential the foundation currently holds.

Broad incumbents

• Cleveland Foundation: One of the oldest and largest community foundations in the U.S., offering donor-advised funds, competitive grantmaking, and nonprofit leadership programs. Comparable in mission and core products at a larger scale.
• Silicon Valley Community Foundation: Large community foundation offering donor-advised funds, corporate giving, and strategic grantmaking. Comparable in product breadth but operates in a different (much larger) geographic market with a tech-driven donor base.
• Fidelity Charitable: The largest national donor-advised fund sponsor, providing a self-service DAF platform to individuals and advisors. Competes for the same donor-advised fund dollars, though at much greater scale and with a primarily digital model.
• Schwab Charitable: National donor-advised fund sponsor affiliated with Schwab, offering charitable investment accounts and giving tools. Direct competitor for DAF dollars, particularly from professional advisors and HNW investors.
• Chicago Community Trust: Large regional community foundation with a comprehensive suite of charitable funds, grantmaking, and nonprofit capacity-building programs. Compares on mission and product set but operates at significantly larger scale in a major metro.

Direct peers

• Greater Kansas City Community Foundation: Mid-sized community foundation administering charitable funds, conducting regional grantmaking, and offering nonprofit support services. Highly comparable in structure, products, and target donor segments.
• Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo: Regional community foundation providing donor-advised funds, grantmaking, and nonprofit support. Comparable in size band, mission, and product offering to a single-metro community foundation.
• National Philanthropic Trust: Independent national donor-advised fund sponsor and grantmaking organization serving individuals, families, and advisors. Overlaps on DAF products, donor servicing, and grantmaking capabilities.

Regional players

• Omaha Community Foundation: Community foundation serving the Omaha metropolitan area with comparable donor-advised funds, grantmaking, and affiliate services. Operates in a neighboring Midwest market with similar donor and nonprofit ecosystems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLVhkUdjNHy_Jd8c_IlBJWJdSxXCHwYuuR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-foundation-of-greater-des-moines

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines