Our nonprofit community is driven by purpose and a desire to make a difference in the community. Each organization has a unique mission and niche in which they serve. But like all organizations, they face challenges in our changing world.

What do you do when you’re faced with more people to serve than ever before? How do you engage with community members who don’t have the resources to be major donors? What kind of message can your organization portray to potential donors who may see your focus as less important than other needs? What does collaboration among nonprofits look like in 2023?

For this year’s Pillars of Philanthropy publication, eight nonprofit leaders wrote about how they’re rising to the occasion to meet these challenges head-on. We also asked them to predict how philanthropy will change in the next five years. These eight leaders are just a sampling of the many organizations that make a difference in Central Iowa.

But what I found so profound about working with each leader on their letter was that despite drastically different missions and focuses – health, public radio, arts and culture, support for cancer survivors, youth homelessness, at-risk children, refugee resources and supporting other nonprofits – each leader illuminated common themes. Creativity. Open mindedness. Engagement. Innovation.

Through their lessons, we hope you can better understand how to navigate through your own unique barriers.

This magazine is dedicated to celebrating the work of our nonprofit leaders who work to stay at the top of their game so they can best serve the community.

View the full publication here and click below to read each letter.

— Emily Barske Wood, Business Record special projects editor

• Angie Dethlefs-Trettin, chief community impact officer, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
• Jami Haberl, executive director, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative
• Myrna Johnson, executive director, Iowa Public Radio
• Chris Goodale, president, Above + Beyond Cancer
• Lisa Behrends, YSS director, Iowa Homeless Youth Centers
• Sally Dix, executive director, Bravo Greater Des Moines
• Sheri McMichael, executive director, Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa
• Teree Caldwell-Johnson, president and CEO, Oakridge Neighborhood