The Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity announced today a new Framing Our Future capital campaign, a $10.5 million fundraising initiative aimed at ensuring all Central Iowans have the stability of an affordable and well-located home.

Leading up to the launch, the campaign raised more than $7.6 million – over 70% of its goal – through support from Central Iowa philanthropists, corporate partners and foundations.

American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co. committed a lead gift of $1.5 million to the campaign, the largest amount ever committed to GDM Habitat for Humanity by a Central Iowa-based company. Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and Kemin Industries Inc. each provided $1 million contributions.

The campaign’s leadership will include honorary co-chairs Linda and Chris Nelson, as well as campaign co-chairs Mary Lou and Gerry Neugent, and Tanner and Emily Kinzler.

The funding will be distributed among several organizational priorities, including:

• Increasing the supply of housing near jobs through two workforce housing developments
• Creating new homeownership opportunities in response to a shortage of affordable units
• Acquiring land in areas of greater opportunity for future development, while continuing to invest in GDM Habitat’s traditional target neighborhoods
• Setting the stage for collaborative mixed-income developments and innovative multifamily housing products
• Moving households to homeownership through a new pathway called Habitat Direct
• Ensuring financial stability and improving quality of life for current homeowners through investment in home preservation repair and modification projects