Bravo Greater Des Moines is a regional arts council and grantmaking organization serving the Greater Des Moines area. Founded in 2004, the organization provides significant funding and support to nonprofit cultural organizations and programs essential to a vibrant community. Headquartered at 801 Grand Ave Suite 250 in Des Moines, Iowa, Bravo operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a staff of 5 employees.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.0M
+1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.2M
+20.6% YoY
Grant Count
68
+15.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$76K
+4.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Bravo Greater Des Moines leverages community resources to maximize the impact of arts, culture, and heritage to advance regional priorities.
Vision: Arts, culture, and heritage elevate and enrich a vibrant Greater Des Moines.
Bravo's primary focus is strengthening arts, culture, and heritage organizations serving Greater Des Moines through competitive grant programs and community leadership initiatives. The organization recognizes that arts and culture impact every regional priority, from economic development to education to housing to mental health.
Grantmaking
Bravo administers competitive grant programs providing financial support for administration, operations, capital improvements, and programs of local 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Bravo serves Greater Des Moines through partnerships with 17 local government communities: Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Polk County, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights. These communities contribute portions of their hotel/motel tax revenue to fund Bravo's grantmaking programs.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Financial Overview (2024):
- Total Revenues: $7,552,939
- Total Expenses: $6,425,141
- Total Assets: $8,040,294
- Staff: 5 employees
Funding Source: Bravo's grant funding is made possible almost entirely through hotel/motel tax contributions from 17 local government partners.
Rating: Bravo holds a Four-Star rating with a 96% score based on accountability and financial metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,040,294 | $7,903,041 | $3,545,703 |
| Revenue | $7,552,939 | $7,284,497 | $5,885,208 |
| Expenses | $6,425,141 | $5,172,145 | $5,167,116 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $181,321 | $105,643 | $10,487 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
247 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc
Bravo Greater Des Moines: Capital Project Grant
BRAVO GREATER DES MOINES INC
Amount
US $15,000 - US $125,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Bravo Greater Des Moines: Operating Grants
BRAVO GREATER DES MOINES INC
Amount
Up to US $500,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Bravo Greater Des Moines: Public Art Grant
BRAVO GREATER DES MOINES INC
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Edmundson Art Foundation Inc Dba Des Moines Art Center ($510,000), Des Moines Performing Arts ($500,000), Des Moines Metro Opera Inc ($341,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANKENY AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANKENY, IA | OPERATING GRANT | $6,750 |
| ANKENY COMMUNITY THEATRE LTD ANKENY, IA | OPERATING GRANT | $7,000 |
| ANKENY FRIENDS OF THE ARTS ANKENY, IA | OPERATING GRANT | $22,800 |
| ARTS FOR THE CITY INC DES MOINES, IA | OPERATING GRANT | $51,000 |
| BALLET DES MOINES WEST DES MOINES, IA | OPERATING GRANT | $125,000 |
| BLANK PARK ZOO FOUNDATION INC DES MOINES, IA | OPERATING GRANT | $150,000 |
| CAPITAL CITY PRIDE DES MOINES DES MOINES, IA | OPERATING GRANT | $125,000 |
| CAROUSEL THEATRE OF INDIANOLA INDIANOLA, IA | OPERATING GRANT | $9,600 |
| CENTRAL IOWA WIND ENSEMBLE ANKENY, IA | OPERATING GRANT | $6,675 |
| CITY OF ANKENY ANKENY, IA | PUBLIC ART GRANT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President: Sally Dix
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALLY DIX | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & SECRETARY EX-OFFICIO | 40 | $193,071 |
| MIKE MCCOY | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| TODD ROSS | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| ROBERT BROWNELL | PAST PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| EMILY ABBAS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANNETTE ADAMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CALEB BRUS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRYAN BURKHARDT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KENIA CALDERON CERON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAUREN CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHANNON COFIELD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TEJ DHAWAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHAD DRISCOLL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL EGEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KURT GIBSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROSS GROOTERS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW HARRIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHERYL HEID | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUSAN JUDKINS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ARDIS KELLEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE BOLTON KING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BOB KLING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ED KUHL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LIZ LIDGETT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GREG LIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BLAIRE MASSA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LARRY MCBURNEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW MCKINNEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFF PERRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANNA BERGMAN PIERCE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KUUKU SAAH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL SIMONSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANGIE STEPSIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JULIE STEWART | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK TRUE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MANDY VOGEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Bravo has announced significant grant awards in recent periods, including $6.1 million and $5.1 million in grant distributions. The organization has awarded capital project grants to nine cultural nonprofits and provided general operating support grants to organizations including the Des Moines Art Center.
Bravo announces $6.1M in grant awards - Business RecordIn 2023, Bravo commissioned research including the Arts & Economic Prosperity Study (AEP6) to gauge economic impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in the region. The organization also partnered with the City of Des Moines and Keen Independent Research on a feasibility study exploring the repurposing of Des Moines City Hall as a facility supporting regional arts, culture, and heritage programming.
Bravo Greater Des Moines awards $5.1 million in grants - Business RecordSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc fund?
**Mission:** Bravo Greater Des Moines leverages community resources to maximize the impact of arts, culture, and heritage to advance regional priorities. **Vision:** Arts, culture, and heritage elevate and enrich a vibrant Greater Des Moines. Bravo's primary focus is strengthening arts, culture, and heritage organizations serving Greater Des Moines through competitive grant programs and community leadership initiatives. The organization recognizes that arts and culture impact every regional pri…
How do I apply for a grant from Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc?
Bravo administers competitive grant programs providing financial support for administration, operations, capital improvements, and programs of local 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies. **Grant Programs:** • **Operating Grant:** Provides general operating support funding to eligible arts, culture, and heritage organizations • **Capital Project Grant:** Provides financial support for capital projects enabling organizations to deliver programming and services more effectively, includi…
Where does Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc make grants?
Bravo serves Greater Des Moines through partnerships with 17 local government communities: Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Polk County, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights. These communities contribute portions of their hotel/motel tax revenue to fund Bravo's grantmaking programs.
What size grants does Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc award?
In 2024, Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc awarded 68 grants totaling $5.2M — an average of about $76K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc's EIN?
Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3598346. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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