Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines

What Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines does

Founded in 1924 by Bishop Thomas W. Drumm as the Catholic Council for Social Concern (renamed Catholic Charities in 1992), Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services ministry of the Diocese of Des Moines that operates across 23 counties in central and southwest Iowa. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Bishop William M. Joensen and is led by Executive Director Mike Sheehy, who succeeded Barbara Q. Decker in late 2024 following the organization's centennial year. The legal entity is "Catholic Council for Social Concern" (EIN #42-0680464), and the organization holds COA accreditation and a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency.

The organization's service portfolio spans eight integrated program lines: the Food Pantry (a DMARC Food Pantry Network member with a daily food window and monthly market); the Emergency Family Shelter (a 10-bedroom facility, the largest family-oriented shelter in the Des Moines area); the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Program (24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, court advocacy, serving nine southwest Iowa counties from Council Bluffs); the Counseling Program (in-person and telehealth in Des Moines and Council Bluffs); Community Resource Coordination (housing, employment, healthcare, and transportation navigation); Refugee Services (under USCCB auspices, the only Iowa agency independently resettling refugees since 2010, with post-resettlement support added in 2018); Adoption Search (records and reunion services for Christ Child Home/Catholic Charities adoptees); and the Social Justice Consortium (seven thematic initiatives including Justice for Newcomers).

Name

Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines

Legal name

Catholic Council for Social Concern

Website

https://catholiccharitiesdm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Diocese-affiliated social services ministry delivering food assistance, emergency family shelter, domestic violence services, counseling, refugee resettlement, and adoption search across 23 counties in central and southwest Iowa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food Services (62421), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Social services
• Emergency shelter
• Food assistance
• Refugee resettlement
• Mental health counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Financial contributions from individuals, families, and corporate sponsors supporting the organization's mission. The organization conducts an annual appeal and accepts various types of gifts including cash, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
2. United Way Funding: Catholic Charities is a member of United Way of Central Iowa and United Way of the Midlands, receiving important funding support through these partnerships.
3. Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from local, state, and federal government sources including refugee resettlement contracts (though federal funding has been impacted by recent policy changes).
4. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events like Shamrocks and Shenanigans annual fundraiser and other program-specific events.
5. Planned Giving and Endowments: Planned gifts through estate planning, donor-advised funds through Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa, and endowed funds like the Larry Breheny Catholic Charities Endowment Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines provides direct social services to individuals and families in need across 23 counties in central and southwest Iowa. Core offerings include a Food Pantry (daily food window and monthly market), a 10-bedroom Emergency Family Shelter, a Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Program (crisis line, shelter, advocacy), a Counseling Program (in-person and telehealth), Community Resource Coordination, Refugee Services, Adoption Search, and the Social Justice Consortium.

Product overview

Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines offers an integrated portfolio of social services organized around its mission to Empower Individuals and Strengthening Families. The core programs include: the Food Pantry (food assistance with daily window and monthly market), Emergency Family Shelter (10-bedroom family homeless shelter), Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Program (crisis line, shelter, advocacy), Counseling Program (professional therapy with telehealth options), Community Resource Coordination (system navigation), Refugee Services (resettlement support), Adoption Search (records and reunion services), and the Social Justice Consortium (advocacy and community initiatives). These programs work together to provide comprehensive, family-centered support across 23 counties in central and southwest Iowa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Pantry Food assistance program providing free daily food through its food window, monthly food boxes for eligible families, and food rescue partnerships with local retailers including Hy-Vee, Walmart, Costco, and Panera. Serves as a member of the DMARC Food Pantry Network and partners with the Food Bank of Iowa. Provided 615,401 pounds of food rescued and distributed last year.
• Emergency Family Shelter 10-bedroom emergency shelter keeping families experiencing homelessness together while providing resources, skills, and individualized case management to help them achieve stable housing and self-sufficiency. Largest family-oriented shelter in the Des Moines area. Provided 14,000+ nights of shelter last year.
• Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Program Comprehensive services including a 24-hour crisis phone line, emergency shelter for up to eight families, court advocacy, and support groups and educational classes for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Based in Council Bluffs, serving nine counties in southwest Iowa. Bilingual and bicultural services offered.
• Counseling Program Professional therapy services grounded in dignity, respect, and care for the whole person. Serves clients from all backgrounds and ages addressing concerns including abuse, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and more. Offers both in-person and telehealth services in Des Moines and Council Bluffs on a sliding fee scale.
• Community Resource Coordination
• Refugee Services Comprehensive support for refugees including the 90-day Reception and Placement program, helping refugees become self-sufficient through connections with community resources. Only agency in Iowa to independently resettle refugees. Has helped refugees from more than 32 countries.
• Adoption Search Service for those adopted through Catholic Charities or Christ Child Home (1925-1966) providing file updates, medical and background information, intermediary services, and search services for adoptees, birthparents, siblings, and relatives. Fees range from free to $350.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,000+ nights of shelter provided last year
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Way of Central IowacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCatholic Charities is a member of United Way of Central Iowa. United Way funding is an important part of helping fulfill the mission throughout central and southwest Iowa. This partnership provides critical funding support for programs.
• United Way of the MidlandscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCatholic Charities is a member of United Way of the Midlands. This partnership supports funding for programs serving western Iowa communities.
• DMARC Food Pantry NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic Charities Food Pantry is a proud member of the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network, coordinating food assistance efforts across the metro area.
• Food Bank of IowacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partner with the Food Bank of Iowa for food sourcing and distribution to those in need. The partnership helps Catholic Charities provide nutritious food to pantry clients.
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Migration and Refugee ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud Partner of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Migration and Refugee Services. Catholic Charities coordinated the Parish Rice Bowl Collection and advises on distribution of local funds. The Refugee Services program was established under USCCB guidance following WWII.
• CandidcoreOthersCatholic Charities achieved a Platinum Seal of Transparency through Candid's GuideStar nonprofit registry, demonstrating commitment to transparency and accountability.
• Catholic Foundation of Southwest IowacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose partner that manages financial transactions, oversees strategic investments, and distributes grant and endowment funds guided by Catholic values. Facilitates all planned gifts on behalf of Catholic Charities and manages donor-advised funds.
• Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrom 1995 to 2010, Catholic Charities worked collaboratively with LSI (formerly Lutheran Social Services) to assist refugees coming to Des Moines before beginning independent refugee resettlement in 2010.
• AMOSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Justice for Newcomers initiative, working in collaboration to advocate for social justice issues relevant to new Iowans and reduce structural barriers to full participation in communities.
• Interfaith AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Justice for Newcomers initiative advocating for new Iowans and long-time immigrants who may still face discrimination.
• Human Trafficking CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Justice for Newcomers initiative working to address human trafficking issues affecting vulnerable populations.
• ISNETminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Justice for Newcomers initiative advocating for new Iowans and addressing structural barriers to community participation.
• Primary Health Care (PHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for centralized intake serving as the entry point for persons experiencing homelessness in Polk County. PHC coordinates with more than 30 community organizations to link clients to Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter.
• Council on Accreditation (COA)coreOthersInternational, independent, not-for-profit accrediting body that attests Catholic Charities meets the highest standards and delivers best quality services to the community. COA accredits more than 2,200 organizations serving 7 million individuals and families.
• Iowa Bureau of Refugee ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReferral partner for refugees in need of support. Located at the Ground Floor of the Lucus Building in Des Moines.
• Catholic Charities USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network affiliation providing funding, in-kind gift allocations, advocacy efforts, research and information dissemination, and personal and professional development opportunities.
• Diocese of Des MoinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe parent diocese under which Catholic Charities operates. Bishop William M. Joensen serves as President and Chairman of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors. The organization was founded by Bishop Thomas W. Drumm in 1924.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI): Faith-based social services nonprofit serving Iowa with refugee resettlement, behavioral health, and family services. Comparable as a co-resettlement partner (1995–2010) and a direct functional peer in Iowa social services delivery.
• Primary Health Care (PHC): Federally qualified health center serving homeless and vulnerable populations in Polk County. A close operational peer and centralized intake partner linking clients to Catholic Charities' Emergency Family Shelter.
• Salvation Army of Greater Des Moines: Faith-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, food assistance, and social services in central Iowa. Directly comparable as a provider of overnight shelter, food pantry services, and disaster relief to overlapping client populations in the Des Moines market.
• Children & Families of Iowa: Iowa-based nonprofit delivering family support, counseling, domestic violence services, and adoption support. Comparable as a multi-service social agency with overlapping program mix — counseling, DV/SA, and refugee/immigrant services.
• DMARC Food Pantry Network: Des Moines Area Religious Council coordinating the regional food pantry network of which Catholic Charities Food Pantry is a member. Comparable as a parallel faith-coordinated food assistance infrastructure serving overlapping low-income clients.

Emerging players

• Food Bank of Iowa: Regional food bank supplying and coordinating food distribution across central Iowa. Comparable as a sourcing partner and parallel food-security infrastructure provider serving Catholic Charities' pantry clients.
• Family Promise of Greater Des Moines: Nonprofit providing emergency shelter and stabilization services for families experiencing homelessness in the Des Moines area. Directly comparable as a competing family-shelter provider targeting overlapping demographics.

Regional players

• Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services: State-administered refugee services agency coordinating refugee resettlement in Iowa. Comparable as the policy and referral counterpart to Catholic Charities' independent refugee resettlement program.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: National network of 167 diocesan Catholic Charities agencies. It is comparable as the parent membership body providing advocacy, funding, and shared services to Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines, which is an explicit member agency.

Others

• United Way of Central Iowa: Central Iowa's largest community fundraiser and grantmaker for social services. Comparable as a critical funding partner and as a peer convener of the regional nonprofit ecosystem supporting overlapping client populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ccdesmoines

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines