Anawim Housing strives to develop stable homes and strengthen people and communities by providing permanent supportive housing, supportive services, and programs such as ReNew Crew––a supportive social enterprise for upskilling Anawim clients seeking stable employment. Founded as a vision of Sister Stella Neill in 1987, Anawim Housing has grown into Iowa’s largest provider of PSH and a leader in affordable housing development, providing both affordable and market rate housing for nearly 1,000 individuals and families across Iowa.

Art is Rad aims to make art accessible, fun, and inclusive for every community member. Through Art Night events and community-driven art projects, Art is Rad provides creative outlets for all ages and skill levels. Art is Rad believes art has the power to transform lives, build connections, and inspire positive change.

Blank Park Zoo has been part of the Des Moines metro community since 1963. Blank Park Zoo’s mission is to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research, and recreation. Blank Park Zoo believes everything is connected. Blank Park Zoo is the only zoo that is AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited in the state of Iowa.

With a 45 year tradition in the community, the Des Moines Choral Society is an auditioned volunteer group of singers brought together by a unified passion for excellence in choral music. The choir consists of approximately seventy gifted and accomplished adult singers from throughout central Iowa and has been recognized by the Iowa Arts Council for its exceptional concert performances.

Dorothy's House is a safe place for the practice of life for those whose lives have been interrupted by human trafficking, exploitation and prostitution. Dorothy’s House provides a foundation of safety, basic needs, and access to resources to remove barriers and provide community engagement to allow survivors to find their healing journeys.

Ellipsis is central Iowa’s critical safety net for kids and families in need. By providing the care, encouragement and skills development needed for a lifetime of success, Ellipsis is breaking down barriers, rewriting stories and empowering families to thrive together.

Heartland Youth Choir, founded in 2003, provides a performance-based program for youth that emphasizes musical literacy and character development through the rehearsal and performance of quality choral literature. Heartland Youth Choir offers a unique opportunity for children of diverse backgrounds with a particular aptitude in vocal music to explore that interest beyond their school setting. Kids are able to start singing with HYC at the age of 4 and can continue all the way through high school.

Horizon Science Academy is a public charter school located in Des Moines. Horizon Science Academy opened in 2023 to Kindergarten through 3rd grade and has added a grade level each school year since.

Iowa Bird Rehabilitation is committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing wild birds in Iowa. Iowa Bird Rehabilitation strives to provide immediate care for injured, sick, and orphaned birds, ensuring their return to the wild, while educating and engaging the community about the critical need for bird conservation. Established as a non-profit in 2018, Iowa Bird Rehabilitation serves as a vital resource in central Iowa, supported by volunteers who help in rescue operations, care, and educational outreach, promoting a deeper connection and responsibility towards our natural environment.

Iowa Dance Theatre
Iowa Dance Theatre produces a season of dance events including the comedy of Dracula––the battle of good and evil, the Nutcracker––a seasonal celebration of love and kindness, and a spring show that warms the heart as well as a summer collaboration of art, music, and dance.

IRIS aims to deliver equal access to literature to the community by reading newspapers aloud over the radio, performing live audio description at theatrical performances, and community events.

Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa, tells the amazing story of how Iowans transformed the fertile prairies of the Midwest into the most productive farmland in the world. While at the 500-acre open-air museum, visitors travel at their own pace through historical time periods spanning 300 years. On-site interpreters provide a unique learning environment of seasonal activities and demonstrations.

Pulse 101.7FM is a carefully curated selection of Positive Pop & Hip Hop with a message of hope that aims to uplift and inspire the community of any background. Pulse 101.7 strives to bring meaningful experiences and opportunities for personal growth through fun music, engaging DJs, and impactful events. It's not just another radio station. Pulse 101.7 is access to positive music relevant to today’s listener via radio in the Des Moines area and around the world via online streaming and the free app.

Raising Readers in the Heartland’s mission is to inspire a life-long love of reading by providing new, high-quality books for ALL children from birth to age five who live in funded zip codes in Polk County.

Repurpose Rising is the nonprofit behind Partial Arts, Central Iowa’s first and only Creative Reuse Center, located in Pleasant Hill. Repurpose Rising collects donated art and craft supplies and makes them available to the community at low cost—keeping materials out of landfills and putting them into the hands of creators. Repurpose Rising’s mission is to make creativity accessible, sustainable, and community-driven through upcycling, education, and connection. Whether you're an artist, teacher, student, or D.I.Y. enthusiast, Partial Arts is your local hub for eco-friendly inspiration.

At Roots Capoeira, we believe in the transformative power of the arts. Through Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends movement, music, and history, Roots Capoeira empowers youth and the broader community to develop resilience, creative problem-solving skills, and self-expression. Roots Capoeira’s free after school programming and reduced-cost community class options ensure that financial barriers never stand in the way of accessing the arts. By fostering leadership opportunities for teens, Roots Capoeira helps cultivate confidence, mentorship, and personal growth. Whether in the roda (circle) or beyond, participants learn to adapt, collaborate, and express themselves in ways that strengthen both individuals and communities.

Centrally located in Downtown Des Moines, Science Center of Iowa features hands-on exhibits, special-format theaters, and unique programming to encourage learning that is fun for all ages. Through daily visitors, a statewide educational outreach programs, and the NAEYC-accredited SCI Preschool, the Science Center of Iowa serves more than 300,000 people annually.

Sista Soul Fest aims to create a space for women––especially women of color––to offer, sell, and display their talents, gifts, and businesses. Sista Soul Fest allows women and young girls of all ages to come together as sisters to network, encourage, inspire and just show up for each other. Every year Sista Soul Fest is honored to recognize several sisters, with the "We See You Sis" award. This award shows the appreciation and recognition of the hard work, dedication and embodiment of women empowerment they each display throughout every community.

St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines offers help to those within the local community with access to food, clothing, and hygiene pantries. Along with community programs that help individuals gain meaningful employment and others to acclimate when being released from incarceration.

The Joy of Art’s mission is to provide access to art supplies and artistic experiences for youth who lack supplies at home, youth who are in need, and any child wanting to explore their creativity. This is done through art kits, which are pouches of art materials, that are sent around the world; and art workshops and camps that have scholarships available for all students to attend.