Non-Profit Partner Program

The Non-Profit Partner Program of the Des Moines Arts Festival® provides an opportunity for local, 501(c)(3), nonprofit organizations to earn money from the sale of beverages during the Festival. Selected organizations earn a percentage of the net proceeds generated at their booth, along with any tips received, in exchange for their volunteer service to DMAF. Requirements include:

• Standing 501(c)(3) designation
• Organization mission/project must further engage Iowans in the arts (includes public art activation project) or encourage young people to actively participate in their community.
• A designated team lead that acts as the liaison between the non-profit and Festival staff and serves on the Event Management Team.
• Capacity to fill volunteer shifts (varying volunteer shifts throughout the three-day Festival (minimum of three volunteers in tent at all times with 2-3 additional volunteers during peak hours), including half day on Thursday for set up, volunteer age must be 18+)
• All volunteers are required to attend a beverage service training (1 hour training – 2 year certification) prior to the Festival
• Smiling, energetic volunteers!

To learn more, submit your organization and email below. We'll be in touch!

Community Youth Concepts has participated as a non-profit partner in our beverage program since 2013. As product and tent size have increased over the years, so has their volunteer pool. They now have around 90 shift volunteers over the three day festival!

The money raised has went to a variety of projects over the years. For several years, it helped offset the Junior Police Explorers Program partnership with Des Moines Police Department and the CYC annual Sidewalk Chalk Flood. For the past three years, it has helped build the Stowe Heights Challenge Course. The Festival is a great opportunity to connect with past students and families. Seeing and hearing the families and students impacted by their work gives the team a great feel good moment as a volunteer and as staff. The energy surrounding the Festival is contagious and it's just a great weekend of excitement, art, and raising money to continue to impact students in central Iowa. If you enjoy fun, creativity, and people-watching, nothing compares to volunteering at the Des Moines Arts Festival®!

Cowles Montessori has managed a beverage booth at the Des Moines Arts Festival® since 2010 and now manages both the main stage beer tent and the craft beer tent. Cowles has 130 volunteers covering nearly 200 shifts over the festival 3 day weekend between both booths.

The money Cowles makes at the festival beverage tents goes to fine arts programs at Cowles and also into the community. Some of the things funded by the profits made at the festival include – visits to Des Moines Performing Arts for students, a City Sounds piano, middle school graffiti project, a new kiln and pottery wheel, band and orchestra music, African drums, dance workshop, several high quality keyboards, and support for the Fine Arts Day at Cowles every spring.

Volunteering is a fun and easy way for parents to support both Cowles and the festival. The people and festival are a wonderful thing to be a part of!