D.M. founder awarded grant for Girls Entrepreneurial Summit: Des Moines nonprofit founder Nancy Mwirotsi received a $10,000 Nation of Neighbors grant from Royal Neighbors of America for a new initiative dedicated to building entrepreneurship skills among young women, the Royal Neighbors of America announced. Mwirotsi, founder of tech education Pi515, is developing the Girls Entrepreneurial Summit Program, which focuses on educating young women on business basics, including planning, financials, marketing and digital promotion. The summit will continue Pi515’s existing work introducing girls to careers in STEM fields. The Royal Neighbors of America’s Nation of Neighbors program has awarded more than $2 million nationally to individuals who have a plan to start or expand a business, organization or initiative that helps women or girls in their communities.

Application period open for 2021 Community Connect program: The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is now accepting applications for the 2021 Community Connect program, which begins in February. The Community Connect program inspires and teaches participants that leveraging their purpose and passions improves their lives and their community. Program applications are being accepted until Nov. 9 at this link on the institute’s website.

AND IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

The Iowa Women’s Foundation announced 2021 Core Grant recipients during the group’s Annual Luncheon on Oct. 9.