Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

Last week we officially launched our new training, BoardWalk! Attendees walked away with a clearer understanding, and a practical action plan, to strengthen their organization in four critical areas: organization structure and growth, legal compliance, financial acumen and roles and responsibilities.

Keep an eye out on our events page for our next BoardWalk training in December!

The Community Foundation will be closed on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth, a day of reflection and celebration of the emancipation of enslaved people. Visit www.iowajuneteenth.org to learn more and to participate in local activities that celebrate and honor the journey toward freedom and equality. We are simply .

The Together on Purpose Learning Cohort is a virtual three-part series created for nonprofit leaders who want to deepen their understanding of collaboration and explore practical strategies for strengthening impact.

Learn more and register here: https://buff.ly/RAyr0jL

Through peer learning, real-world examples and facilitated discussion, participants will examine local partnership models, explore nonprofit mergers as a strategic option and learn how data and storytelling can shape public perception and community trust. Each session is designed to offer actionable insights, meaningful connection and space for reflection alongside fellow nonprofit leaders.

Training dates are:

- July 21, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- August 4, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- August 18, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Attendance is required for all three sessions.

Congratulations to Makaila on her promotion to Affiliate Relations Associate! Her dedication to our work and commitment to supporting our affiliate communities have helped to advance charitable giving across Iowa in meaningful ways. We're excited to have you on our team and to celebrate- here's to reaching new milestones together!

Colleague Connect is a place for nonprofit leaders to connect with one another in a fun, informal and confidential setting. These meetings allow for peer groups to share resources, discuss insights and troubleshoot challenges.

Learn more here: https://buff.ly/qF4EVrU

We had a great conversation at Big Brothers Big Sisters during this week’s DonorConnect: Protecting Potential: Keeping Youth Safe and Thriving.

Together we explored the Safe & Thriving Youth Plan, a collaborative, community-informed effort to reduce youth violence in Greater Des Moines. We looked at emerging priorities, heard insights from individuals instrumental in informing the plan and built a clearer understanding of what it will take to create long-term, sustainable change that will impact generations to come.

Thank you to these leaders for sharing their insight and helping move the conversation forward:

Bridget Cravens-Neely, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa
Tone Roddy, Project Manager, Safe and Thriving Youth, United Way of Central Iowa
Kimberly Graham, Attorney, Polk County

A clear, thoughtful budget is one of the most powerful tools a nonprofit has, but for many, it can feel overwhelming or overly technical. Join us June 24 for a session designed to demystify the basics and build confidence in creating and managing a budget that supports your organization’s mission. Whether you’re new to budgeting or looking for a refresher, this session will provide a solid foundation you can immediately put into practice.

Register here: https://buff.ly/6YlxJ2e

Key Takeaways:

💡 Understand the essential components of a nonprofit budget
📊 Learn how to align your budget with your strategic priorities
📈 Explore practical tools for tracking revenue and expenses
👍 Gain confidence in making informed financial decisions
📉 Identify common budgeting pitfalls and how to avoid them

What's next in your leadership journey?

If you're a nonprofit professional looking to grow your influence, build meaningful connections and invest in your development, For Impact Leaders may be for you. The program is designed for full-time employees in the nonprofit sector who hold a current or future area of influence in their organization and are committed to their own professional leadership journey.

Join us for a virtual information session Tuesday, July 14 from 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. to learn more about the program, hear from current participants and find out how you can be part of the experience. Register here: https://buff.ly/HGmDL10