Community Connections
In the Community Connect program, participants identify their purpose as an active member of the community. There are many organizations to give time to that align with your values. The opportunities on this page have been vetted and shared by alumni and mentors as great opportunities for community involvement.
Interest Areas
DMARC, contact Amanda Parkins. On-going opportunities that includes
- Red Barrell Committee
- Signature Special Event
- DMARC YP Committee
- Development and Outreach
- Food and Fund Drive
State Historical Society of Iowa: National History Day (March-April annually) Contact Hanna Howard.
The Beacon, Saturday Night Socials, contact Marlena Arnold.
Nutrition 4 Young Children, submitted by Community Connect 2022 alum, Amber Schelling. Volunteers needed to help with:
- Revise our current business model
- Provide accounting support/improve our accounting system
- Support converting the organization to Google Non-Profit platform
- Other technological support to update and simplify orders of business
YSS, submitted by current GDMLI participant Lisa Behrends.
- Serving Meals
- Hold a Donation Drive
- Donation Organization
Iowa Asian Alliance, Asian Heritage Festival, CelebrAsian, submitted by Jordan Wright.
- Festival Leadership team
- Day-of volunteers
4-H experiential learning opportunities in STEM, Healthy Living, Arts & Communication, and Civic Engagement and Leadership, by alumnus Lisa Green.
IHYC/Post-Secondary Education Retention Program, submitted by alumnus Mark Core.
Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa, submitted by Alison Hanner
- Marketing Committee
- Golf Invitational Event Committee
- Two days of Compassion Event Committee
- Young Variety Date Night Event Committee
- Young Variety Kickball Tournament Event Committee
- Second Annual Sporting Clay Classic at New Pioneer Gun Club
Community Youth Concepts, submitted by alumnus Alicia Vermeer.
- Marketing Committee
- Strategic Partnerships Committee
Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, submitted by Diane Weber.
- Ankeny Celebrates Education, a tribute to all Ankeny teachers and staff - set up and tear down.
- Spring Golf Outing at Briarwood Golf Club - set-up and driving sponsors to their holes.
WesleyLife Meals on Wheels, submitted by alumnus Shannon Draayer.
Broadlawns Medical Center Foundation, Medical Center's Gift Shop cashier, submitted 1/24/23 by alumnus Jenna Knox who is happy to make a warm introduction.
Girls on the Run of Central Iowa/YMCA of Greater Des Moines, submitted by alumnus Christa Vander Leest
- Advisory Board Members to begin June 2023 (two year term).
- 5K Volunteers for May 20, 2023 at the State Capitol Complex.
- Volunteer coaches for Fall 2023.
Future Ready Iowa Mentoring Program Submitted by current GDMLI participant Jana Daisy, who is happy to happy to make an introduction to the coordinator.
IMPACT Pantry Delivery volunteers
IMPACT Community Action Partnership Drake Neighborhood Food Pantry
Salvation Army Des Moines Advisory board members. If interested, contact Butch Frost. - Submitted by alumnus Grant Taylor.
AHeinz 57 Rescue: Pet rescue & transport
Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL): Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal shelter
Bailing out Benji: Working to end puppy mills
Furry Friends Refuge: a no-kill shelter serving the animals of West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive and Windsor Heights
Humane Society of the US: Support homeless animals
Puppy Jake Foundation: Dedicated to helping military veterans through the assistance of well bred, socialized and professionally trained service dogs.
The Pet Project Midwest: Pet food pantry, pet lost and found site
Public Service Symposium Resource Booklet: (will have an updated one for 2023)
- Regional City Boards & Commissions
- Regional County Boards & Commissions
- Each City and County has different guidelines for Boards & Commissions.
- State of Iowa Boards and Commissions
- Please be aware that state law requires most boards and commissions be balanced according to gender and political affiliation. Geographical location and diversity is also considered. Appointments are made to most boards and commissions annually. All applications are kept on file as public information.
Vote Smart: Volunteering opportunities for a nonpartisan organization centered around voting housed at Drake University
Iowa Poll Workers: The State of Iowa and counties are always in desperate need of Election Poll Workers.
Political issues you are passionate about have nonprofits with volunteering and serving on the Board opportunities.
United Way of Central Iowa: Offers various Day on the Hill opportunities on a variety of issues
Bidwell Riverside Center: The Food & Clothing Pantry provides families and individuals with food, clothing, personal care items, and household goods.
Catholic Charities: Emergency family shelter, food pantry, counseling programs, refugee services.
Central Iowa Shelter and Services: Providing low barrier shelter and meals.
Des Moines Area Religious Council: Food pantry network.
Des Moines Refugee Support: Providing supports for refugee families.
Eat Greater Des Moines: Food rescue. Their mission is to create innovative, forward-thinking solutions that prove what’s possible in the food system.
EMBARC Iowa: Supporting Iowa’s refugee communities
Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa: Provide job and skills training to those facing barriers to employment
Gigi's Playhouse: Down syndrome awareness and programming
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity: Work to build homes and provide financial education to families
Hawthorn Hill: Operate housing programs and shelter services for families and children
HOME, Inc: Home counseling and education for renters and first time homebuyers
Hunger Free Dallas County: Food pantry support and resources in Dallas County
IMPACT Community Action Partnership: Providing essential needs in Central Iowa including housing, food, energy, and emergency assistance.
Iowa Center for Economic Success: Supporting small businesses with education, capital and networking
Iowa Congolese Organization and Center for Healing: Creating economic opportunity and delivering culturally appropriate care to families
Iowa Legal Aid: Legal Assistance to Meet Essential Needs
Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice: Legal service and advocacy for refugee community
I'll Make Me a World in Iowa: Promotes African American arts, culture and enrichment
Johnston Partnership for a Healthy Community: Food pantry, financial assistance, clothing closet and school based mentoring
Knock and Drop Iowa: Providing culturally specific food items for Latinx community
LadyLike c/o Back 2 School Iowa: Training, mentoring and entrepreneur support for black women
Latinx Immigrants of Iowa: Programs supporting Latinx families including financial, citizenship, computer and English classes
Oakridge Neighborhood Services: Safe affordable housing with wrap around family services
Project Iowa: Support and training for those seeking better careers
Shalom Community Impact Center: Refugee supports including childcare, interpretations, English learning classes, transportation, health and well being, computer classes, citizenship classes, parent education and more
St. Vincent de Paul: Provide social services through food pantries, hygiene and basic need items, HISET classes, financial literacy, etc.
The Helping Hand of Warren County: Food pantry
The Supply Hive: They promote physical, mental and spiritual health, while emphasizing sustainability in caring for the earth, ourselves, and within the movement for social justice.
United Way of Central Iowa: HOPE for Stable Families Program (HFSFP)
U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants: Refugee supports including healthcare, education, legal services, etc
YMCA of Greater Des Moines: Supportive Housing Program, recreation, afterschool programs
Black Women 4 Healthy Living: Improving the health of black women
Children & Families of Iowa: Domestic violence, family support, mental health, substance abuse
Courageous Access: Supporting black women who have experienced domestic violence
Dorothy's House: Physical and Emotional Recovery from Trafficking and Exploitation
EveryStep: Health care services including hospice, home care, grief and loss, etc.
Grace Fitness: Provides coaching and fitness expertise to marginalized communities
Latinas Unidas por un Nuevo Amanecer (L.U.N.A.): Supports the Latinx community with domestic violence and trafficking supports
Link Associates: Leisure services for adults with disabilities
Lutheran Services in Iowa: Refugee & Immigrant services in health, education and community supports
MindSpring: Mental health supports
One Iowa: Improving the Quality of Life for LGBTQ Iowans
Proteus, Inc.: Provide agricultural workers and families with affordable healthcare, education and job training
Primary Health Care: Provides medical, dental and behavioral supports; Polk County centralized intake for those experiencing homelessness
WesleyLife: Supports health and independence of older adults including assisted living, home care, Meals on Wheels and more
The Supply Hive: Promote spiritual, physical and mental health; food rescue
Healthy Birth Day, Inc: Advocating for stillbirth prevention and other programming
Mary's Helping Hands: Support for expecting mothers
AMOS: Children's Mental Health Organizing
ArtForce Iowa: Supports students working through trauma
Bidwell Riverside Center: Childcare center and food pantry
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Mentoring programs
Boy Scouts-Mid-Iowa Council: Cub scouting and afterschool programs
Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa: After school and summer programming for children
By Degrees Foundation: Partner with schools to increase high school graduation rates through programming
Can Play: Recreation programming for those with disabilities
Camp Fire Heart of Iowa: Connecting students to the outdoors, to others and themselves
ChildServe: Specialty healthcare for children
Children & Family Urban Movement: supports the potential of children, youth, and families through educational success, healthy living, and community engagement
Community Youth Concepts: Youth development programs, including Stowe Heights Challenge Course
Dental Connections: Dental Clinic; Smile Squad/providing dental services to children
Ellipsis: Shelter and Mental health Services for Central Iowa Youth
Everybody Wins! Iowa: Power Read/Power Lunch – volunteer to read with children
Forest Avenue Outreach: Encourage youth workforce development and community garden support
Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa: Girl scouting and afterschool programs
Investing In My Future, Inc.: Supports African American children to see the value in education and leadership
Iowa ACEs 360: Advocates for individuals to become informed about Adverse Childhood Experiences
Iowa Center for Children's Justice: Offers legal support for children and families
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers: Works to eliminate homelessness for youth, children and young families
Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates: Connects business, students and schools to provide career readiness for students
Iowa Safe Schools: Offers support for students experiencing bullying
Jewels Academy: STEM enrichment for 4-12 grade girls
Genesis Youth Foundation: Empowering immigrant children and families through athletics, education and programming
Kick it Forward: Providing access for children to play soccer
Latinas Latinos Al Exito Inc.: Programs supporting Latinx youth development
Man Up Iowa: Male youth mentoring
Perry Paces: Before/After & Summer School Learning Center
Pursuit of Innovation (PI 515): Providing STEM programming for children
Please Pass the Love: Mental health support for children while in schools
Prevent Child Abuse Iowa: Advocate and assist in preventing child abuse through programming
Orchard Place: Mental health treatment and support for children
Sarge's WestSide Boxing Club: Providing access to the sport of boxing, providing a safe afterschool program
Starts Right Here: Educates, equips, and empowers young people living in disadvantaged and oppressive circumstances through programming
Iowa AEYC: Supports organizations advocating for programming for children
Short Years Partnership: Supporting parents and caregivers to provide children the best start in life
United Way of Central Iowa: Book Buddy reading program
Urban Dreams: Creating equal opportunity for underserved populations including substance abuse, mental health, social mediation and community engagement
Willkie House: Develop character and esteem in young people through the promotion of academics, social skill building, health, and recreation
Youth Law Center: Advocating for children and youth in foster care and juvenile justice systems
Youth Leadership Initiative: Leadership program for high school students that focuses on community awareness, connections, leadership tools and career exposure.
Young Women's Resource Center: Supports and advocates for women and girls age 10-24 with counseling, young motherhood support, mentoring and confidence building
Do you have an opportunity you would like to share? Board openings? Seasonal volunteering? Share it with us using the button below and we will list it in the Current Opportunities tab.