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Greater Des Moines Community Foundation
The Greater Des Moines Community Foundation is a foundation based in Des Moines, Iowa, US. It manages approximately $393 million in assets across 16 funds,...
Greater Des Moines Community Foundation
The Greater Des Moines Community Foundation is a foundation based in Des Moines, Iowa, US. It manages approximately $393 million in assets across 16 funds, primarily focused on North America.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Des Moines
Corporate office
1915 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
Principals
Kristi Knous
President & CEO
Fred Hubbell
Investment Committee Chair
Debbie Hubbell
Board Chair
Steve Lacy
Vice Chair
Diane Bridgewater
Board Member
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Greater Des Moines Community Foundation?
Fred Hubbell chairs the foundation's investment committee. Hubbell is a former Democratic gubernatorial nominee, retired insurance executive, and longtime Iowa civic figure. The committee oversees portfolio allocation across traditional securities, real assets including farmland and mineral rights, and cash reserves for grantmaking.
How is Greater Des Moines Community Foundation structured?
It follows the standard U.S. community foundation model: a public charity that pools donor-advised funds, scholarship endowments, field-of-interest funds, and unrestricted assets into a single institutional portfolio. The foundation is accredited under the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations and governed by a local board chaired by Debbie Hubbell.
Does the foundation hold non-traditional assets in its portfolio?
Yes. Altss research identifies Iowa farmland and mineral rights among the foundation's holdings. These real assets sit alongside conventional public equity and fixed-income allocations. The farmland exposure ties the endowment directly to the region's dominant agricultural economy.
How does the foundation deploy capital into the community?
The foundation makes grants to Des Moines-area nonprofits through donor-advised funds, scholarship programs, and field-of-interest funds. It also operates the Better Together Fund, a rapid-response vehicle for local needs, and collaborates with organizations including the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Iowa PBS Foundation.
Who serves on the board, and what is their background?
Vice Chair Steve Lacy is the former Executive Chairman of Meredith Corporation, the Des Moines-based media company sold in 2021. Board member Diane Bridgewater retired as EVP and CFO of LCS, a major senior-living operator. The board blends corporate leadership from Iowa's largest legacy businesses with civic volunteer representation.
Is Greater Des Moines Community Foundation affiliated with any broader networks?
It is accredited through the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program and participates in the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the region's economic development and chamber-of-commerce organization. The foundation also maintains a relationship with the Iowa PBS Foundation.
Where does the foundation's funding come from?
Unlike a private foundation with a single wealth origin, a community foundation aggregates charitable assets from multiple local donors over time. The Greater Des Moines Community Foundation holds donor-advised funds, bequests, and outright gifts from individuals, families, and corporations in the Des Moines metro area.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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