Invest DSM
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.
Invest DSM at a glance
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.
- Grants paid (2024)
- $2,305,715 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- +298.2% vs 2023
- Total assets
- $29,036,420
- +19.3% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $10,898,293
- +5.8% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $451,557
- +122.8% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $7,854,647
- +52.3% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Invest DSM
- Contact
Mailing address: 525 Sw 5Th Street F, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 221-8410
Website: https://investdsm.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Invest DSM funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
34 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 34 (65%).
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
Cities
Is Invest DSM open to new grantees?
90%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 9 of 10 grantees (90%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $41K; repeat grants $207K. How we count
Medians: $39K first-time, $207K repeat.
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
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.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Q-Enterprises LLC Des Moines, IA | Single Family Developer Grant | $206,500 |
| Uptown Investor TJU LLC Des Moines, IA | Commercial Development Grant | $107,275 |
| Beachhaus Partners LLC Clive, IA | Commercial Development Grant | $57,018 |
| Wesley Community Services Inc (Wesleylife) Johnston, IA | Commercial Development Grant | $50,000 |
| 36 on 6TH LLC West Des Moines, IA | Commercial Development Grant | $40,000 |
| RM Madden Construction Inc Des Moines, IA | Single Family Developer Grant | $38,865 |
| Wilshire Holdings West Des Moines, IA | Single Family Developer Grant | $30,000 |
| Lucky Horse Beer and Burgers LLC Des Moines, IA | Commercial Development Grant | $20,000 |
| DRJ Investments LLC Des Moines, IA | Single Family Developer Grant | $16,000 |
| 609 Green Room Des Moines, IA | Commercial Development Grant | $13,394 |
Ready to take the next step with Invest DSM?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $29,036,420 | $10,898,293 | $7,854,647 | $2,305,715 | Total only | $451,557 |
| 2023 | $24,331,235 | $10,301,946 | $5,156,473 | $579,052 | 10 | $202,662 |
| 2022 | $19,287,532 | $10,543,054 | $4,723,480 | $775,179 | 12 | $60,221 |
| 2021* | $13,108,701 | $10,321,586 | $6,561,437 | $704,960 | 8 | $24,742 |
| 2020 | $4,819,375 | $5,055,674 | $300,240 | $113,894 | 4 | $55,674 |
*2021: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
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.
The website describes program support as generally cost-share based, with Invest DSM contributing 20–50% of project costs. For the Homeowner Renovation Program, it lists grants of up to $75,000, with the share depending on the project and neighborhood; all projects must include an exterior component. The website says these grants may be forgiven over five or seven years if the homeowner stays in the home, while smaller grants are reimbursed after work is complete without a forgiveness period.
The website’s general process asks applicants to check property eligibility, review program guidelines, consult with Invest DSM, and submit a formal application if the project is deemed eligible. For the Homeowner Renovation Program, the site estimates an application process 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.
The organization’s 2024 filing says it has board-approved written policies for grant eligibility and selection. Recipients must provide supporting documentation for eligible expenses before grant awards are distributed, and staff review property improvements before authorizing distributions.
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $192K, to Amber Lynch (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
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.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Invest DSM funds
Housing & Shelter Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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.
Assets
$717K
Grants
46
Total Given
$508K
Helen J and Thomas Nelson Urban Sr Charitable Foundation III
Des Moines, IA
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.
Assets
$4.6M
Grants
12
Total Given
$221K
The Rich Foundation Inc
Atlanta, GA
The Rich Foundation supports Metro Atlanta initiatives across arts and culture, food assistance, legal services, health, history, and programs for older adults and people with disabilities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000, with a median of $50,000. The filing lists application materials and says grants are not limited to preselected organizations, but does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$51.7M
Grants
37
Total Given
$2.1M
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone supports domestic and international nonprofits, including Christian ministries and charitable and educational organizations, through donor-directed grants; eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3)s whose mission aligns with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, with awards ranging from $5,028 to $11 million, and were concentrated in Texas and Colorado. Grant recommendations come from donor-advised fund holders; the profile does not state that it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
Illumina Corporate Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The Illumina Corporate Foundation funds STEM education, access to genomics, and community impact, including programs that build pathways to life-science careers. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $881,989, with a median of $10,000; it has a global focus and prioritizes U.S. communities where Illumina employees live and work. It accepts applications through a form on a rolling basis.
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
40
Total Given
$3.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Iowa
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Invest DSM's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Invest DSM down — hundreds of funders to go?