Driving Change
in Des Moines Neighborhoods
Every day at Invest DSM, we focus our full attention on four extraordinary Des Moines neighborhoods. Although each one is different, we have a shared goal for all of them — to unleash investment that will strengthen the neighborhood, support local businesses, increase property values, and improve quality of life for the residents.
Invest DSM dollars — largely distributed through grants to homeowners — serve as the catalyst for a chain reaction. The funding we provide inspires homeowners, small business owners, landlords, developers, and others to invest their own dollars to improve their properties.
Our IMPACT
$24.59M
of total investment through grant programs
825+
projects completed
$5.9M
granted by Invest DSM
$18.65M
of private investment
$3.14
leveraged from other
sources, for every dollar
granted by Invest DSM
96%
of completed grant program projects have involved existing homeowners
2022 Special Investment Districts
Columbus Park
$930K
in investment through grant programs
11
projects completed
Drake
$6.7M
in investment through grant programs
85
projects completed
Franklin Area
$4.8M
in investment through grant programs
150
projects completed
Oak Park / Highland Park
$3.2M
in investment through grant programs
27
projects completed
“We are thankful for the vision Invest DSM has. We are all about community. Thanks for pouring investment into our community and for assisting us in doing the same.”
REDevelopment Work
Invest DSM also takes on development work that the private market would not complete on its own. As with everything we do, this work reinforces high standards of quality and diversifies the housing available.
PROPERTIES ACQUIRED
RENOVATIONS IN PROGRESS
HOMES IN POOR CONDITION DEMOLISHED
VACANT LOTS SOLD TO PARTNERS FOR NEW HOMES TO BE BUILT
(2 to an affordable housing partner)
“Invest DSM allowed our family to remain in a neighborhood that we love for years to come.”
2022 Grant Programs
BLOCK CHALLENGE GRANT
11
teams
109
participants
$480K
in total investment
$1.54
spent by homeowners for every dollar spent by Invest DSM
HOMEOWNER RENOVATION PROGRAM
149
projects completed
100+
projects under construction
$5.6M
in total investment
(completed projects only)
$1.89
spent by homeowners for every dollar spent by Invest DSM
SINGLE FAMILY DEVELOPER PROGRAM
6
projects completed
(2 rehabs and 4 new-construction homes)
$2.3M
in private investment
$599K
granted by Invest DSM
$2.98
spent by developers for every dollar spent by Invest DSM
COMMERCIAL GRANT PROGRAM
8
projects completed
$6.7M
in private investment
$445K
granted by Invest DSM
$15.15
spent by business owners and developers for every dollar spent by Invest DSM
special projects
TREE PLANTING
Partnered with Trees Forever to plant 899 trees in the SIDs over the past three years.
PUBLIC ART
Supported more than a dozen public art projects and community-building events.
FLEXIBLE HOUSING OPTIONS
Partnered with HOME Inc. and others to build one of Des Moines’ first newly constructed Accessory Dwelling Units.
COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT
Partnered in key commercial projects, such as the revival of the Varsity Cinema and the historic restoration of the Euclid Bank Building.