2023 Year in Review

Annual highlights from Mid-Iowa Health Foundation’s efforts to improve community health and well-being.

Intentional leadership and support advance system-change efforts – and the people who drive them – to ensure central Iowans can access what they need to live healthy lives.

View Grants
$1,163,395

went to initiatives focused on improving community health in 2023.

2023 Grant Themes

Shifting Systems

Strategic efforts are changing how systems meet diverse family needs.

  • Iowa ACEs 360
  • By Degrees Foundation
  • United Way of Central Iowa

Innovative Approaches

Privileging community understanding of health-related needs is leading to new solutions

  • EveryStep
  • Iowa Public Radio
  • Iowa Healthiest State Initiative
  • Iowa Department of Health & Human Services

Leadership Development

Perspectives and expertise of those directly affected by the issues are becoming connected to decision-making and implementation opportunities.

  • Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers
  • Community Youth Concepts
  • Al Exito
  • The Directors Council

Learning and Connections

Participating in and providing opportunities to listen and collaborate with community informs our strategic investments and grows a network of champions addressing community health needs.

  • UpLift – The Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot began $500 monthly participant payments in May 2023. Working with an 11-member funder collaborative and numerous community-based organizations, the 24-month pilot will study health and well-being impacts on central Iowans receiving an unrestricted monthly income as a potential poverty-reduction and healthy workforce strategy.
  • HealthConnect Fellowship: Growth in the network continues with a total of 28 advocacy fellows. In partnership with the Iowa Council of Foundations, MIHF co-designed a three-part Rural Health Equity Series featuring the fellows and focused on the intersections of philanthropy, policy and population health.
  • Community learning for innovation: Partnered with multiple entities to support educational discussions on community health strategies including the Maternal & Rural Health Solutions Symposium, Harkin on Wellness Symposium, Public Health Conference of Iowa, and My City My Health - Health Equity Conference.

Communications Highlights

  • Mid-Iowa Health Foundation's website traffic increased by more than 30% over 2022 totals. Sharing news, blogs and stories, it serves as a platform to educate stakeholders and the community on approaches, initiatives and people working to improve community health outcomes within our central Iowa region.
  • LinkedIn is now being leveraged to connect with broader audiences in the philanthropic, healthcare, nonprofit, and business communities. In the first year, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation has built its following to more than 200 individuals and organizations.
  • MIHF News – a bi-monthly newsletter sharing stories, news, blogs and updates about community health initiatives—continues to grow in readership and is a critical tool to reach local leaders and partners.

Foundation Highlights

  • Built relationship with leading national philanthropic association, Grantmakers In Health, by hosting education session with GIH President, Dr. Cara James, for MIHF Board and Fellows.
  • Partnered with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines in its inaugural Impact Investing initiative that seeks to support collective impact opportunities for both social and financial returns beyond traditional grantmaking.
  • Prioritized academic and community presentations to increase awareness of the role of philanthropy to address social determinants of health, including presenting as keynote speaker at the University of Iowa Culturally Responsive Healthcare Conference.

View Past Reports

20222021

Join Us

Change begins with learning together. Sign up to receive stories, updates, and invitations to explore issues that impact community health in Greater Des Moines.

Subscribe for Updates