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Front row, seated: Jeff Rommel and Dan Houston, tri-chairs. Back row: Amy Stapp-Arpy, CFI's director of development and communications; J. Scott Johnson, tri-chair; Gloria Gray, CFI's executive director.

What to Know Capital Campaign Children & Families of Iowa (CFI) recently launched "Building Futures Capital Campaign." Money raised from the $3.4 million campaign will be used to renovate and update seven 20- to 50-year-old Des Moines-area facilities, including a residential treatment center and group home for teens, a transitional housing complex, an early childhood development center, a mental health and family-centered facility, and a domestic violence shelter. Last month, Nationwide Insurance Foundation gave the first major gift, for $400,000, which will be used to renovate CFI's domestic violence center. The campaign will continue through 2011 with pledges being paid out over the next three to five years. Campaign chairs are Jeff M. Rommel, Allied/Nationwide Insurance; Daniel J. Houston, Principal Financial Group; and J. Scott Johnson, Wells Fargo. For more information, contact Amy Stapp-Arpy at amysa@cfiowa.org or call 697-7921.

Bubble Ball co-chairs Jim Willer and Soozie McBroom read "The Cat in the Hat."

Secrets of Success It's the kind of success any nonprofit group would envy: Swamped by pre-sale ticket demand for its inaugural "Bubble Ball," ChildServe booked a bigger venue--and still sold out in two days. The ball, April 1 at Embassy Club West, drew 367 people and 25 corporate sponsors, raising $67,000 for ChildServe, which provides specialized pediatric health care services to children. "Everything about (the ball) exceeded expectations," says Cheri Burns, director of development and community relations. Burns credits co-chairs Jim Willer and Susie McBroom, along with board members and volunteers, with the having the initiative, inventiveness and organizational skills necessary to create a blockbuster. That meant staying out of their way, she emphasizes. "In order for ChildServe to (foster) the awareness we need, we knew (the event) had to be volunteer-driven, not staff-driven," she says. "Our job was to support the volunteers and board members, to be the cheerleaders. Sometimes it was hard to let go, but we let them call the shots." The event's innovative theme also was key to its success, Burns says. "We didn't want to duplicate what anyone else was doing," she says. When McBroom noted it was the 50th anniversary of bubble wrap, the idea for a runway show featuring bubble wrap creations was born. Forty-one local designers and architects created bubble wrap works for the show, ranging from bridal gowns to chandeliers. People who missed out on the fun need not worry; the event's success means there will be another one next spring, says Burns. For more information on ChildServe, go to www.childserve.org.

Fran Gallaher

Rebranding and Reinvention Chrysalis Foundation will unveil a new focus, brand, website and donor opportunities May 3. The unveiling will be part of a luncheon, "Leadership, Wholeness and Authenticity," that will feature executive and meditation coach Fran Gallaher as the keynote speaker. (Tickets are $30; register online at www.chrysalisfdn.org, call 255-1853 or email info@chrysalisfdn.org). "It's a new age for Chrysalis," says Terry Hernandez, executive director. "After 23 years, it was time for renewal." The foundation is expanding its focus to include more community outreach and additional support and educational opportunities for girls and women beyond grant recipients. "We want to be relevant to the entire community," Hernandez says. "We're going to a whole new level of community engagement that's fresh, energized and relevant." For example, Chrysalis is launching a new scholarship program and has developed different giving circles to engage more women. "Spark," a donor partnership that began this spring, is geared to younger professional women who donate $250 a year. Events for Spark members are intended not only to introduce them to philanthropy but also to foster networking, learning and fun, Hernandez explains. The next Spark event, 5-7 p.m. June 16, will feature Carlos Alvarez, senior training consultant from Tero International, speaking about "communications for impact." More information: www.chrysalisfdn.org.

Bridget C. Shapansky

People The Young Women's Resource Center has announced three new board members: Bridget C. Shapansky, an attorney at Brown Winick Law Firm; Karen Henderson, community volunteer; and Daniel D. Garrett, executive director and CEO of the Iowa Chiropractic Society.

More than 750 employees from Hy-Vee participated in last year's "Walk to Defeat ALS."

Honors The Iowa affiliate of The ALS Association was honored with the organization's "Walk to Defeat ALS Chapter of the Year" award. Iowa's 2010 walk raised $425,400, more than double 2009's total. With more than 3,300 participants, the walk also had the highest growth rate among the nation's 42 chapters. ALS, which stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. More information: http://webia.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=IA_homepage The Junior League of Des Moines honored members Allison Fleming and Connie Isaacson with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the organization's 80th anniversary gala March 26 at the Science Center of Iowa. Liz Garvey, Nancy Shafer, June Owens, Rosalie Gallagher, Anne Happel, Janis Ruan and Kristen Hall also were recognized. More information: www.jldesmoines.org

Community Foundation staff present a check to The Homestead.

Grants The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines has awarded a $25,000 grant to The Homestead, which will help fund The Autism Clinic. The clinic provides services to children with autism and serves as a resource to families and professionals. More information: www.thehomestead.org.

HCI Giving Tree's grand opening.

What to Do Volunteer HCI Giving Tree, a thrift store benefiting HCI Care Services that opened in Urbandale last month, is seeking donations and volunteers, especially those who can help move furniture. Proceeds from the sales of the furniture, plus décor, collectibles and clothing, support HIC Care Services' patients and their families. More information: www.hospiceofcentraliowa.org. Drake University Adult Literacy Center is looking for volunteers to tutor adults on reading, writing and comprehension skills. Tutors receive training, instructional materials and ongoing support. For more information and an application, go to www.drake.edu/soe/projects/adult_lit_center.php

Participants in last year's "Light the Night."

Get Involved Last year's "Birdies for Charity" event. Support your favorite nonprofit through The Principal Charity Classic's "Birdies for Charity" program, which benefits local organizations serving youths. Your entire donation will go to the youth-related charity of your choice. The classic will be June 1-5 at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. To make your pledge online or for more information, go to www.principalcharityclassic.com/birdies. You can form a team now for the 2011 "Light the Night Walk" for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Oct. 8 at West Glen Town Center in West Des Moines. Register at www.lightthenight.org or call 270-6169. Golf for good at the 11th annual "Goodwill Golf Classic" May 24. Lunch and registration begin at 11:15 a.m. Fees are $150 per golfer or $600 for a foursome. Proceeds benefit Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa, which in 2010 served 1,145 individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment. To register or for more information, call 265-5323 or email marym@dmgoodwill.org.

Susy Bales

Attend Garden expert Suzy Bales will demonstrate easy-to-make bouquets and garlands and give a talk at "Garden Bouquets and Beyond," 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 13 at the Des Moines Botanical Center. The event, which benefits the Botanical Center, also will include lunch and a silent auction. Tickets are $80; for more information, call 323-6265 or email ajordan@botanicalcenter.com. Morris Dees, founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, will speak at "Equal Justice After Hours 2011" May 4 at the Temple for Performing Arts. The event benefits Iowa Legal Aid. Tickets are $50 for the general reception (begins at 5:30 p.m.) and program (6:30 p.m.); or $125 for the sponsors' reception, which begins at 5 p.m., and program. Order tickets online at www.iowalegalaid.org/link.cfm?46; call 243-2980, ext. 1611; or email tbennett@iowalaw.org.

What to Learn Join nonprofit leaders and technology experts at "Tech for Good," 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 22 at Salisbury House & Gardens. The seminar will cover how nonprofits can use new technologies to benefit their organization. Cost is $20; for tickets or for more information, call 274-1777 or email terrib@salisburyhouse.org. Confused about the difference between assets and net assets? Board members of nonprofit groups can find out how to appraise and analyze such numbers at "Beyond the Numbers: Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements" May 9. The workshop is part of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines' spring "BoardLaunch" sessions, which also includes "Succession Planning: Who is Your Next Leader?" May 23. Each workshop will be 3-5:30 p.m. at Junior Achievement, 6100 Grand Ave. Cost for each is $35. More info: www.desmoinesfoundation.org/page10005471.cfm

Don't Forget Email us at dsmeditor@bpcdm.com with innovative ideas you've implemented, board and staff appointments, capital campaigns, events and other news (plus photos and links to your videos!). The deadline for the next issue is May 5. Get the word out about your upcoming event by listing it on our community calendar. Go to www.dsmMagazine.com, click on "calendar," then "add event" and follow the instructions.

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