The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines recently awarded Leadership Grants totaling $300,000 to support two community initiatives. Grants have been awarded to the Urbandale Food Pantry in recognition of the Community Hub Space and the Work that Impacts Housing Coalition through the Polk County Housing Trust Fund.

“These grants provide catalytic investment in the health and resilience of our community, in addition to fostering an inclusive workforce and promotion of economic development,” Kristi Knous, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, stated in a press release. “The projects awarded build long-term community sustainability and opportunity, and highlight the deep dedication and innovation of our local nonprofit organizations in creating a brighter future for all.”

Leadership Grants are made possible by the foundation’s Better Together Fund. Donor support of the Better Together Fund aims to provide for community needs now and in the future, as identified through the Community Foundation’s grantmaking process facilitated by the organization’s staff, grantmaking committee and board of directors.

Urbandale Food Pantry: $200,000
Funding supports a community hub model being piloted by the Urbandale Food Pantry. The model focuses on addressing root causes of food insecurity by making navigation easier for individuals and families through the co-location of collaborative service partners. This approach is a strategy of the Central Iowa Food Security Plan. Existing collaborative support partners include Project Iowa, Aging Resources, and Women Infants and Children (WIC), with potential for growth. The food pantry launched the pilot when it opened its new location in March and received more than 5,000 visits in its first month. 

“This grant is an investment in what matters most: people. The Community Foundation sees our vision for well-rounded support services and is helping us reduce food insecurity in more meaningful, dignified and connected ways,” stated Patty Sneddon-Kisting, CEO of Urbandale Food Pantry. “Our expanded facility and new community hub directly tackle the underlying issues of hunger by conveniently connecting individuals and families with vital services right where they receive support, empowering them to build stable, healthy futures. This model removes barriers, restores dignity and ensures that people can access support that strengthens their health, stability and long-term well-being.”

Work that Impacts Housing Coalition led by the Polk County Housing Trust Fund: $100,000
Funding will support the establishment of the Work that Impacts Housing Coalition (WTIHC) pre-apprenticeship program. This program is an effort to upskill and reskill individuals in the trades, while coalition members simultaneously complete deferred home maintenance repairs for qualified homeowners. According to Polk County Housing Trust Fund’s “Here We Grow: Home Attainability” initiative, more affordable homes in Greater Des Moines overlap substantially with older neighborhoods. The program’s approach aims to address a gap in existing owner-occupied repair programs and leverage partnerships across nonprofit, for-profit and local government sectors.

“This community initiative combines housing and workforce development, while providing support for community members to realize stable careers with livable wages. Simultaneously, they are helping repair housing in neighborhoods that are often overlooked,” stated Julian D. Neely, director of advancement and community investment with the Polk County Housing Trust Fund. “As people feel confident through income and stable housing, they can better invest in the local economy and feel a part of the greater community.”

The Community Foundation Fall Leadership Grant cycle is now open with Letters of Intent due by Wednesday, October 1 at noon. To learn more about Leadership Grant guidelines and instructions, visit the Community Foundation website.