Funding search · EIN 426139033 · Des Moines, IA

Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines

A grantmaking public charity (files IRS Form 990, Schedule I). Charities like this often run real grant programs with application cycles.

4,247
grants reported
$167.8M
total given
2022–2024
filing years
$12,000
median grant

Based on grants this organization reported to the IRS for tax years 20222024. This is what they filed, not a complete record of their giving, and recent years may be incomplete because filings lag.

What they fund

distributioncampaigncentercountypaymentcyclecommunityquarter

Funder website ↗Full IRS filings ↗How this is builtReport an error

Funding pattern

What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.

Where the money goes

  • Donor-advised pass-through grants to central Iowa nonprofits
  • Catholic parishes, schools, and tuition organizations in Iowa
  • Des Moines arts institutions: symphony, opera, performing arts, museums
  • Affordable and permanent supportive housing in Greater Des Moines
  • Youth services, children's health, and shelter organizations
  • Higher education gifts to Drake, University of Iowa, Kansas State

Typical grant

Median grant is $12,000 with the middle half between $9,000 and $25,000, so most of the 4,247 grants are modest donor-advised distributions. The seven-figure checks go to capital purchases and religious foundations: $7.3M to The Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa, $5.5M across three Spirit of Okoboji land deals, $1M each to Dowling Catholic and airport public art. Repeat giving is heavy, with names like Anawim Housing, ChildServe, Drake University, and Hoyt Sherman Place appearing multiple times in a single year.

Their words

Phrases from their own grant descriptions, worth speaking back to them.

  • GRANT DISTRIBUTION
  • OPERATING GRANT CYCLE 2024 - FIRST QUARTER PAYMENT
  • GENERAL OPERATIONS
  • CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION
  • FOR THE PURPOSE OF

Positioning adjacent work

  • Anchor to a named central Iowa institution they already fund rather than pitching a standalone research idea.
  • Ask in the $10,000 to $25,000 band unless you have a capital project with a named lead gift.
  • Frame requests as operating support or a named capital component; they fund buildings, endowments, and scholarships readily.
  • Identify the donor-advised fund behind a comparable grant; most money moves on donor relationships, not staff review.

Worth knowing: This is a community foundation, so nearly all giving is donor-directed: 3,811 of 4,247 grants stay in Iowa, and out-of-state checks like Maltz Jupiter Theatre or Kansas State track individual donors' ties, not institutional priorities. A handful of recipients (Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa, Spirit of Okoboji, Drake, Anawim, ChildServe) absorb a large share of dollars, and the path in runs through a fundholder rather than the foundation itself.

0 grants matching “student-athlete mental health

No grants to show here.

Top recipients

Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.

  • The Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa14 grants · $8.4M
  • Spirit of Okoboji32 grants · $7.0M
  • Invest Dsm3 grants · $4.3M
  • Drake University105 grants · $4.2M
  • Des Moines Christian School Attn Carmen Kopf4 grants · $4.0M
  • United Way of Central Iowa105 grants · $3.6M
  • St Thomas Aquinas Church & Catholic Student Center9 grants · $2.6M
  • Diocese of Des Moines38 grants · $2.6M
  • The Brenton Arboretum7 grants · $2.3M
  • Des Moines Performing Arts40 grants · $2.2M

Giving over time

$64.0M
2022
$49.7M
2023
$54.1M
2024

Grant history

The 100 largest of 4,247 grants.

  • $7.3M

    The Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $3.0M

    Spirit of Okoboji · Okoboji, IA · 2024

    Emerald estates purchase support

  • $2.1M

    Spirit of Okoboji · Okoboji, IA · 2024

    Green ice development land purchase.

  • $2.0M

    Des Moines Christian School Attn Carmen Kopf · Urbandale, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $2.0M

    Invest Dsm · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $1.7M

    The Brenton Arboretum · Dallas Center, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $1.6M

    St Thomas Aquinas Church & Catholic Student Center · Ames, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $1.6M

    St Francis of Assisi Church · West Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $1.6M

    Bricker-Price Block Restoration Corporation · Earlham, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution to reflect distribution of interest in bp block llc

  • $1.4M

    Des Moines Christian School Attn Carmen Kopf · Urbandale, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $1.3M

    Invest Dsm · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $1.2M

    City of Des Moines · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution to northside community recreation center for the capital campaign

  • $1.0M

    United Community Services · West Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $1.0M

    Council Bluffs Area Educational System'S Inc Dba Saint Albert Catholic Sch · Council Bluffs, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $1.0M

    Dowling Catholic High School · West Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $1.0M

    Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation - Co Community Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution for purpose of dsm international airport art

  • $1.0M

    Maltz Jupiter Theatre · Jupiter, FL · 2024

    Grant distribution-for the purpose of the conservatory

  • $1.0M

    University of Iowa - Center for Advancement - Attn Gift Accounting · Iowa City, IA · 2024

    Kevin and mary krause family women's basketball scholarship.

  • $1.0M

    Iowa Golf Association Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $1.0M

    Invest Dsm · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $1.0M

    University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $900,000

    The Bridge Home · Ames, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution for capital campaign

  • $892,230

    Roosevelt High School Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $839,625

    Des Moines University · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $750,000

    Iowa Soccer Development Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $750,000

    World Central Kitchen · Washington, DC · 2022

    Grant distribution for ukraine

  • $698,767

    Dalla Terra Ranch Foundation · Earlham, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $600,000

    Des Moines Christian School Attn Carmen Kopf · Urbandale, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $556,752

    St Thomas Aquinas Church & Catholic Student Center · Ames, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $502,333

    City of Corydon · Corydon, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution: streetscape improvement

  • $500,000

    Des Moines Performing Arts · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Operating grant cycle 2024 - first quarter payment

  • $500,000

    Food Bank of Iowa · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution: expansion project

  • $500,000

    State University of Iowa Foundation · Iowa City, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution for the carver circle campaign

  • $500,000

    Diocese of Des Moines · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $500,000

    Iowa Soccer Development Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Pro iowa stadium and global village, released after the project is confirmed to proceed- i.e. Construction is to begin.

  • $500,000

    State University of Iowa Foundation · Iowa City, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution for the carver circle campaign

  • $500,000

    Youth and Shelter Services Foundation · Ames, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $497,211

    United Way of Central Iowa · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $487,696

    Luther Memorial Church · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $481,000

    Okoboji Yacht Club Sailing School · Milford, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $424,226

    Edmundson Art Foundation Inc Dba Des Moines Art Center · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution to enable the association to exclusively fund or partially fund permanent acquisitions of art by the association and temporary exhibitions of art by the association at the des moines art center.

  • $422,000

    Community Support Advocates · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $419,693

    Anawim Housing · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $415,000

    Catholic Tuition Organization · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $409,740

    United Way of Central Iowa · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $403,650

    Yourcause Llc - Attn Yc Funding Payments Coe · Charleston, SC · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $400,000

    Spirit of Okoboji · Okoboji, IA · 2024

    Grant for golf course development.

  • $400,000

    Friends of West Des Moines Parks and Recreation · West Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution for the purpose of the arboretum.

  • $400,000

    Diocese of Des Moines · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $388,000

    Yourcause Llc - Attn Yc Funding Payments Coe · Charleston, SC · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $380,249

    Edmundson Art Foundation Inc Dba Des Moines Art Center · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution for the purpose of permanent acquisitions of art and temporary exhibitions

  • $375,000

    City of West Des Moines · West Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution construction and recplex project support

  • $366,000

    Edmundson Art Foundation Inc Dba Des Moines Art Center · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $351,914

    South Hardin High School · Eldora, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $350,000

    Orchard Place Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $350,000

    Orchard Place · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $345,000

    Science Center of Iowa · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $333,950

    Des Moines Performing Arts · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Cultural leadership grant

  • $333,843

    Foundation for the Boone Area Humane Society · Boone, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $333,334

    Des Moines Park & Recreation Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $333,333

    Des Moines Park & Recreation Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Fbo friends of dsm parks

  • $325,000

    The Bridge Home · Ames, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $308,121

    Junior Achievement of Central Iowa · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $301,500

    Des Moines Metro Opera · Indianola, IA · 2024

    Operating grant cycle 2024

  • $300,000

    Catholic Tuition Organization · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $300,000

    Drake University · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Other: knapp center

  • $300,000

    Horizon Science Academy · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Horizon science academy: one-time expenses

  • $293,853

    Foundation for the Boone Area Humane Society · Boone, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $275,000

    Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans · Alexandria, VA · 2024

    Grant distribution for 2024 horatio alger awards sponsorship

  • $274,225

    Des Moines Performing Arts · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $266,400

    Des Moines Metro Opera · Indianola, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $260,126

    City of Des Moines · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution for the fleur drive median project

  • $260,000

    Lutheran Church of Hope · West Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $259,100

    Ames Historical Society · Ames, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $255,698

    Des Moines Performing Arts · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $252,979

    The Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $250,000

    Des Moines Park & Recreation Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Phase i and/or phase ii

  • $250,000

    Drake University · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution-practitioner in residence

  • $250,000

    Science Center of Iowa · Parkway Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Innovative stem learning initiative and accessibility fund

  • $250,000

    The Beacon · Des Moines, IA · 2024

    The beacon village

  • $250,000

    Valley Evangelical Free Church · West Des Moines, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution

  • $250,000

    Youth and Shelter Services · Ames, IA · 2024

    Grant distribution for the maintenance shop at embers youth recovery campus

  • $250,000

    Des Moines Area Religious Council · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution for the purpose of the food pantry.

  • $250,000

    Des Moines Park & Recreation Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    North side community recreation center

  • $250,000

    Des Moines Park & Recreation Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Phase i and/or phase ii

  • $250,000

    Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution for the framing our future campaign

  • $250,000

    Habitat for Humanity International · Americus, GA · 2023

    Grant distribution - 2023 home is the key campaign

  • $250,000

    Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $250,000

    Iowa Arboretum · Madrid, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $250,000

    State University of Iowa Foundation · Iowa City, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution to be for the wrestling development fund

  • $250,000

    The Brenton Arboretum · Dallas Center, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution

  • $250,000

    Unitypoint Health Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2023

    Grant distribution for the purpose of blank children's hospital.

  • $250,000

    Community Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $250,000

    Habitat for Humanity International · Americus, GA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $250,000

    Mainframe Studios · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution $1 million match

  • $250,000

    The Great Outdoors Foundation · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution-central iowa water trails 4 of 4

  • $248,260

    Central Iowa Shelter & Services · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $240,000

    St Francis of Assisi School · West Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution

  • $239,874

    City of Des Moines · Des Moines, IA · 2022

    Grant distribution for the fleur drive median project

  • $238,900

    Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans · Alexandria, VA · 2023

    Grant distribution

View all 4,247 grants →

Who else funds this kind of work

Same state

Similar purposes

Similar grant size

Grants already paid are the record; PaperOrbit reads your paper and finds the funders whose record matches it — then explains why.

Search funders like this one

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule I, as filed by this organization. These are grants already paid. Grants paid directly to individuals are reported to the IRS only as totals, so they do not appear as named lines here.