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.
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.
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.
Ready to take the next step with Invest DSM?
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
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.
Grant Insights
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%).
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 |
*2021: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- 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
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.
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.
Here's the math on researching Invest DSM by hand.
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