Executive Summary

Nonprofit organizations are essential in central Iowa, creating a more equitable and thriving community and addressing community challenges as they arise. Nonprofits cultivate a sense of community and cooperation, bringing together volunteers, donors, leaders, and other stakeholders to collaborate on shared objectives.

Central Iowans are living in a time of profound change; the lasting effects of downturns and increasing economic volatility, shifts in work dynamics, and civic disengagement are contributing to uncertainty in many facets of our lives and our community. Nonprofits are encountering growing and diverse pressures as the public sector reduces investments in direct service, by default increasing the burden on the nonprofit and faith-based communities. It is more important than ever that our nonprofit sector is financially stable and supported so they can continue to provide the wide range of programs and services that our community depends on to weather the ever-changing dynamics and contribute to a positive quality of life for all.

In the spring of 2024, United Way of Central Iowa collaborated with Bravo Greater Des Moines and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines to distribute a survey to assess the state of nonprofits in central Iowa (Polk, Warren, and Dallas counties). More than 110 nonprofit organizations responded to the survey, ranging from volunteer-run operations to those with more than 700 employees and serving from 20 to 700,000 individuals per year.

The results of this survey present a committed, yet strained, nonprofit sector that is very much in need of ongoing support to sustain and enhance its capacity to address the pressing problems facing our region. Addressing these complex issues requires a multisector, systems-level, community-based approach that includes government, business, nonprofits, the faith-based community, and the voices of our neighbors with lived experience. We must join forces across these various sectors to build a stronger, more resilient community capable of meeting the diverse needs of its members. This holistic approach ensures that the responsibility of addressing social challenges is shared and that sustainable solutions are implemented for the benefit of all.

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What You Can Do

 

Volunteer 

United Way's Central Iowa Volunteer Hub can connect you with hundreds of volunteer opportunities posted by local nonprofits. You'll find ongoing initiatives like board positions and advisory committees to one-time opportunities and everything in between.
 

Join a Board 

LeadershipLink is an online portal that connects individuals in Central Iowa seeking leadership roles to nonprofit organizations that have opportunities.  
 

Join a Workgroup or Committee

United Way of Central Iowa's OpportUNITY staff help eight work groups implement action plans and lead advocacy efforts with more than 2,000 individuals.

Work for a Nonprofit Organization 

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines maintains a list of current nonprofit employment opportunities.  
 

Advocate 

Subscribe to the United Way of Central Iowa’s Advocacy Update newsletter for information about current issues, public policy, and priorities across central Iowa.  
 

Give 

Bravo Greater Des Moines provides funding and support for more than 85 nonprofit cultural organizations. Attending a show, touring a museum, contributing time or money, or participating in a local arts event means supporting a vibrant community and advancing all of the region’s priorities.

GIVEdsm is the Community Foundation’s online interactive platform that allows nonprofit organizations impacting Greater Des Moines to post funding opportunities that can be searched by Community Foundation charitable fund holders and the greater community. 

United Way of Central Iowa works together with our neighbors in Polk, Warren, and Dallas counties and more than 100 local partner organizations to create a future in which all central Iowans can reach their full potential.  
 

Get Social 

Follow Bravo Greater Des Moines, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, United Way of Central Iowa, and other nonprofit organizations on social media platforms to keep up with the events and opportunities that nonprofit organizations in central Iowa offer every day.