Invest DSM logo

Invest DSM

Public charity · Grantmaker Des Moines, IA EIN: 84-2607571 Website

Invest DSM is a Des Moines, Iowa–based public charity that supports neighborhood revitalization through property improvements, housing rehabilitation and development, and business improvements in designated Special Investment Districts (SIDs). The organization says it was launched in 2019 and combines public and private funding.

Key facts about Invest DSM

In short: Invest DSM reported $2.3M in grants paid in 2024 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). 90% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

EIN
84-2607571
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Grants paid (2024)
$2,305,715 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
Total assets
$29,036,420

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$29.0M

+19.3% YoY

Grants Paid (reported total)

$2.3M

+298.2% YoY

Revenue

$10.9M

+5.8% YoY

Net Investment Income

$452K

+122.8% YoY

Is Invest DSM open to new grantees?

90%

first-time grantees, 2023

In 2023, 9 of 10 grantees (90%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $41K; repeat grants $207K. How we count

Medians: $39K first-time, $207K repeat.

  • 10% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
  • Giving grew 408% from 2020 to 2023. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization’s stated mission is to provide holistic and innovative solutions that strengthen neighborhoods through strategic real estate investments and partnerships intended to improve quality of life. Its website describes work intended to promote housing stability, neighborhood identity, local business activity, and community connection.

Website-listed programs include matching funds for groups of neighbors’ exterior improvements; grants and support for homeowners’ renovations; assistance for single-family renovation or new construction; rental-property rehabilitation; and commercial property improvements. These programs are tied to eligible properties in SIDs, rather than to an applicant’s income.

Grantmaking

IRS filing data report grants totaling **$775,179 across 12 grants in 2022** and **$579,052 across 10 grants in 2023**. The average grant was approximately **$64,598 in 2022** and **$57,905 in 2023**, calculated from those totals and counts. The 2024 filing reports **zero grants**. No grantee names or grant-level amounts are provided here.

Average Grant

was approximately **$64,598 in 2022** and **$57,905 in 2023**, calculated from those totals and counts. The 2024 filing reports **zero grants**. No grantee names or grant-level amounts are provided here.

How to Apply

of approximately 20–25 business days and says work done or paid for before completing the application process is not eligible for funding. Program guidelines vary by neighborhood.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Invest DSM?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The website says properties must be within a Special Investment District to qualify for its programs. It describes these districts as targeted Des Moines neighborhoods selected by the City of Des Moines and Polk County, and states that district boundaries may include properties on either side of a boundary street. Its stated purpose also refers to SIDs established by the City of Des Moines or other governmental units within Polk County, Iowa.

Grant Distribution by State

2states

States

Cities

Des MoinesWest Des MoinesAnkenyCliveEvergreenJohnston

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M4 grants2020 8 grants2021* Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed)12 grants2022 10 grants2023 Total only2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $114K (2020) to $2.3M (2024). In 2024 it reported $2.3M in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.

*2021: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).

Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Grant Size Distribution

34 grants across all recorded years

22<$50K5$50–100K6$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 34 (65%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for 2024.

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants reported
2022 $19,287,532 $10,543,054 $4,723,480 $775,179 across 12 grants
2023 $24,331,235 $10,301,946 $5,156,473 $579,052 across 10 grants
2024 $29,036,420 $10,898,293 $7,854,647 0 grants
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M2020 2021* Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed)2022 2023 2024

*2021: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).

Metric202420232022
Total Assets$29,036,420$24,331,235$19,287,532
Revenue$10,898,293$10,301,946$10,543,054
Expenses$7,854,647$5,156,473$4,723,480
Net Investment Income$451,557$202,662$60,221

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 28, 2022)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 2, 2023)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 19, 2024)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 10, 2025)
  5. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Tom Hockensmith as chair; Connie Boesen as vice chair; Jennifer Cooper as treasurer; Angela Connolly as secretary; Scott Sanders, John Cacciatore, Matt McCoy, Angie Pfannkuch, and Carl Voss as directors; and Amber Lynch as executive director.

The filing states that the board can appoint its own members, with three members appointed from the City of Des Moines, three from Polk County, and three from the local community.

Invest DSM is led by Amber Lynch, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 3 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Amber Lynch

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $150K (2021) → $192K (2024)

  • Tom Hockensmith

    Chair

    Co-Chair → Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Angie Pfannkuch

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Carl Voss

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Cacciatore

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matt McCoy

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Scott Sanders

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chris Civitate

    Neighborhood Development Manager

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $106K (2024)

  • Sierra Rose

    Operations Manager

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $104K (2024)

  • Angela Connolly

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Connie Boesen

    Vice Chair

    Director → Treasurer, 2022

    Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Cooper

    Treasurer

    Director → Treasurer, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Frank Cownie (2020–2023) — Co-Chair

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Amber Lynch — Executive Director: $192KAmber LynchExecutive Director$192KChris Civitate — Neighborhood Development Manager: $106KChris CivitateNeighborhood Development Manager$106KSierra Rose — Operations Manager: $104KSierra RoseOperations Manager$104K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $192K, to Amber Lynch (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Mailing address: 525 Sw 5Th Street F, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 221-8410
Website: https://investdsm.org

Frequently asked questions about Invest DSM

How much does Invest DSM give each year?

Invest DSM reported $2.3M in grants paid in 2024 on its 2024 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2023 it gave $579K across 10 grants.

How large is Invest DSM?

Invest DSM reported $29.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.9M.

What does Invest DSM fund?

The organization’s stated mission is to provide holistic and innovative solutions that strengthen neighborhoods through strategic real estate investments and partnerships intended to improve quality of life. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Invest DSM?

Invest DSM has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check investdsm.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

Where does Invest DSM make grants?

The website says properties must be within a Special Investment District to qualify for its programs. It describes these districts as targeted Des Moines neighborhoods selected by the City of Des Moines and Polk County, and states that district boundaries may include properties on either side of a boundary street.

What is Invest DSM's EIN?

Invest DSM's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-2607571. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Invest DSM by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Invest DSM's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Irving S Johnson and Alwyn N Johnson

Indianapolis, IN

The foundation supports varied charitable work, including human services, health care, civil rights, reproductive health, and environmental sustainability, with grants across multiple states and the largest shares going to Indiana, Maine, Virginia, New York, and Kansas. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $42,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts applications by letter with an IRS tax-exempt determination letter; the stated deadline is September 30.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$717K

Grants

46

Total Given

$508K

Helen J and Thomas Nelson Urban Sr Charitable Foundation III

Des Moines, IA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$712K

Grants

43

Total Given

$68K

Ann C Keyser Charitable Trust

Marshalltown, IA

The Ann C Keyser Charitable Trust supports Iowa organizations, with recent grants spanning community projects, health, animal welfare, and public-service groups. In 2025, it awarded $1,000 to $50,000 per grant, with a median of $12,500. Its 2024 filing says it accepts written requests in any form, with no deadline.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.6M

Grants

12

Total Given

$221K

The Rich Foundation Inc

Atlanta, GA

The Rich Foundation funds arts, education, hunger relief, gardens, healthcare, and other community initiatives, directing its giving to the Metro Atlanta area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,500 to $150,000, with a median of $50,000. It accepts applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations; no deadline is stated.

Assets

$51.7M

Grants

37

Total Given

$2.1M

Christian Community Foundation Inc

Colorado Springs, CO

WaterStone funds charitable and educational efforts, especially direct Christian ministries, through donor-recommended grants to eligible U.S. and international nonprofits whose missions align with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and grants are recommended by donors.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$746.4M

Grants

1,651

Total Given

$161.8M

Illumina Corporate Foundation

Wilmington, DE

The Illumina Corporate Foundation funds access to genomics, STEM education—especially for underrepresented learners—and community impact, with a global emphasis and priority for U.S. communities where Illumina employees live and work. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,500 to $881,989, with a median of $10,000. It accepts applications on a rolling basis and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$22.5M

Grants

40

Total Given

$3.0M

The Darrell R Windle and David a Samber Charitable Fund

Chicago, IL

The fund supports charitable organizations working in health and social services, education, food assistance, arts and culture, civil liberties, and LGBTQ+ rights, primarily in Illinois and Florida. Its 2025 grants ranged from $20 to $35,000, with a median of $1,395. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Assets

$521K

Grants

63

Total Given

$226K

Bravo Greater Des Moines Inc

Des Moines, IA

Bravo Greater Des Moines funds eligible nonprofit arts, culture, heritage, and interpretive science organizations in Greater Des Moines, along with public art projects for local government partners. Grants vary by program: reported awards ranged from $5,225 to $550,000, with a median of about $31,000; published limits include up to $500,000 for operating support, $15,000–$125,000 for capital projects, and up to $50,000 for public art. Organizations must apply to be considered; new operating-grant applicants must meet with Bravo staff before applying.

Assets

$11.3M

Grants

72

Total Given

$6.2M

Make It Better Foundation

Wilmette, IL

The Make It Better Foundation supports nonprofits across varied fields, including education, family services, mental health, healthcare, employment, and humanitarian relief, with a general focus on Chicagoland and grants also reaching organizations elsewhere. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $125,000, with a median of $5,125; it accepts applications and nominations for its annual Philanthropy Awards, but broader unsolicited requests are not stated.

Assets

$81K

Grants

73

Total Given

$988K

Ripples a Not-For-Profit Corporati

Oak Lawn, IL

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$924K

Grants

7

Total Given

$213K

Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation Inc

Brookline, MA

Through its nationwide Science on Screen program, the foundation funds U.S. cinemas, museums, and community groups presenting films paired with expert discussions on science, technology, or medicine. Grants are typically $5,400–$9,000, with eligible projects able to receive up to $9,000; it also offers qualifying local nonprofits an in-kind membership worth $150. The profile states that it accepts unsolicited requests for local in-kind donations through an online form, but does not specify whether Science on Screen applications are unsolicited.

Assets

$28.5M

Grants

27

Total Given

$199K

Frankel Julius N Foundation

Chicago, IL

The foundation supports medical research, underprivileged people, and cultural appreciation, with recent grants also benefiting health, arts, and social-service organizations; its 2025 grants went to Illinois recipients. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $1,366,054, with a median of $50,000, and it accepts written unsolicited proposals from qualified charitable organizations at any time.

Assets

$62.7M

Grants

51

Total Given

$5.1M

More Funders in Iowa

Invest DSM down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?