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Community Fdn of Greater Des Moines

EIN 42-6139033 · Des Moines, IA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BY PROMOTING CHARITABLE GIVING, CONNECTING DONORS WITH CAUSES THEY CARE ABOUT AND PROVIDING LEADERSHIP ON IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ISSUES . . . WE'RE SIMPLY BETTER TOGETHER.

Income
$160.8 million
Spending
$96.6 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
109.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
41
Volunteers
652
Highest pay
$442,124, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 109.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $88.6 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES WORKS WITH INDIVIDUAL DONORS, FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES TO ESTABLISH CHARITABLE GIVING FUNDS THAT BENEFIT CAUSES AND COMMUNITIES FOREVER. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL BY PROMOTING CHARITABLE GIVING, CONNECTING DONORS WITH CAUSES THEY CARE ABOUT AND PROVIDING LEADERSHIP ON IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ISSUES. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DES MOINES IS CONFIRMED IN COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR U.S. COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OFFERS EXPERT GIVING ADVICE, CHARITABLE GIVING TOOLS TO MEET INDIVIDUAL GIVING GOALS, PROFESSIONAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT OF CHARITABLE GIVING FUNDS AND MAXIMUM TAX ADVANTAGES. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ADMINISTERS MORE THAN 2,600 CHARITABLE COMPONENT FUNDS. THROUGH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTMAKING PROGRAMS AND DONOR FUNDS, OVER $84 MILLION WAS GRANTED TO CHARITABLE CAUSES IN 2024.
  2. $3.3 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SERVES AS THE FISCAL SPONSOR FOR IMPORTANT COMMUNITY BETTERMENT INITIATIVES. THESE INITIATIVES FULFILL SHORT-TERM ADMINISTRATIVE NEEDS FOR A SPECIFIC PROGRAM OR PROJECT THAT IS KEY TO THE FUTURE VIABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY. BY SERVING AS FISCAL SPONSOR, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR THESE VOLUNTEER GROUPS TO ESTABLISH AN UNNECESSARY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, YET ALLOWS FOR THE PROJECT TO BE CARRIED OUT IN A PRUDENT MANNER WITH STRONG FISCAL OVERSIGHT. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR THESE PROJECTS. EXAMPLES INCLUDE THE LAURIDSEN SKATEPARK, GRAY'S LAKE, THE MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPANY RECPLEX AND PLANNING FOR THE GREATER DES MOINES DISASTER RECOVERY FUND.
  3. $4.1 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN GREATER DES MOINES AND RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANT ROLE THE NONPROFIT SECTOR PLAYS IN BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S LEADERSHIP GRANTS SUPPORT CRITICAL PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN GREATER DES MOINES. ITS CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS STRENGTHEN THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION TO HELP IMPROVE THE CAPACITY AND MANAGEMENT OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN ASSISTING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH ACCOUNTING SERVICES WHICH ALLOWS THEIR FOCUS TO REMAIN ON MISSION FULFILLMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.