Isaacson-Syverson Consulting has released its 2026 State of Central Iowa Philanthropic Giving Study, a biennial report measuring giving trends, donor preferences and giving motivation.  The study found that philanthropic giving will stay largely the same as last year as community needs change and nonprofits’ operation costs rise. Just over half (54%) of Central Iowa donors…

First Interstate Bank has announced a new leadership structure across Iowa and Missouri. With the changes, the bank aims to accelerate response times and tailor services to different markets. The leadership changes affecting Central Iowa include Jim Miller and John Jennett serving as state presidents of Iowa and Missouri, Steven Frederick serving as commercial market…

Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business will host the 2026 Business for Good Summit on Feb. 27 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., bringing together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, alumni and students to examine how businesses can pursue positive social and environmental impact alongside financial performance. The event will feature sessions on ethical leadership, sustainability, carbon-neutral…

Nearly $100 million in charitable grants were distributed to nonprofit organizations in 2025 from funds held at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, marking a nearly 20% increase over the previous year, the foundation announced Thursday. More than 2,900 charities received funding as donors responded to urgent community needs and emerging opportunities. Donors also…

Deb Fenton-Roe is a Wapello County Veterans Affairs Commissioner and co-coordinator of the Veterans Mobile Food Bank in Wapello, one of only two veteran-specific distributions in Iowa. As a United States veteran herself, she feels passionate about helping others who served to access benefits they need. She talks us through how she gets involved and…

As Dan Houston advanced through the leadership ranks at Principal Financial Group, his involvement in civic and social initiatives across Greater Des Moines expanded. And while the 64-year-old Houston has retired from corporate leadership, he continues to apply his experience and influence to community initiatives that will help shape the region’s future. Remaining engaged in…