Community Foundation sees record giving in 2020 as more people step up to meet critical needs BY MICHAEL CRUMB, Senior Staff Writer Thursday, February 11, 2021 10:39 AM The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines received $86.6 million in charitable giving in 2020, a record amount that helped it provide more than $70.1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in Central Iowa. That level of giving -- an $8 million increase from 2019 -- was heartening to see, particularly because of the tough year so many people had in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, said Kristi Knous, foundation president. “I think it gives great hope, not just for recovery but resiliency of the wonderful community we live in,” she said. “It brings a bright light to the end of this tunnel for our nonprofit sector as well, to know our generous donors really did step up in such a meaningful way. We can only hope we can continue to inspire that sort of giving in 2021 and beyond as we look to meet the needs of the community and the gaps we’re seeing now.”