Community Assessments Simplified
From Leighann Sibal, Heart of Des Moines member and senior consultant with DBD Group
When I talk with nonprofits in the Des Moines area, one question I often hear is: “How do we know what our community truly needs?” It’s a crucial question and the answer is the foundation for the support we provide nonprofit organizations at DBD Group — from feasibility studies and capital campaigns to long-term fundraising strategy.
I’ve spent decades leading community needs assessments, which is a critical process for nonprofits that want to allocate resources strategically, win funding, and build trust in the communities they serve.
Why Community Needs Assessment Matters for Nonprofits
A needs assessment helps a nonprofit:
Allocate limited resources more effectively by directing them to programs that address the most pressing issues that matter to the community.
Design more effective programs that build on existing community strengths and resources, and avoid redundancy.
Demonstrate to funders (foundations, government, individual donors) that your proposed projects are grounded in real community data.
Build community trust and legitimacy by involving voices that often go unheard.
Strengthen sustainability: you’re more flexible when you know evolving trends and which programs to scale or sunset in order to stay relevant.
In today’s environment, trust building is more important than ever. Communities demand transparency, responsiveness, and humility from outside partners. The old “tell them what’s wrong then tell them what we’ll do” model doesn’t hold water anymore.
Four Proven Methods to Gather Community Input
Here’s how I help clients collect information that’s both rich and credible:
Research & Trend Reports
Review existing data — census, health metrics, regional plans, funder studies — to spot intersections and emerging issues.Interviews, Focus Groups & Community Forums
One-on-one conversations or small-group discussions let you dig deeper into lived experiences.Online Surveys
Great for reaching more people, including those unable to attend an in-person event.Asset Mapping
Rather than just listing deficits, identify community strengths — organizations, relationships, physical infrastructure — and see how your nonprofit can plug into where energy already exists.
You’ll want to involve the key stakeholder groups that are unique to your organization: program participants, staff, board members, volunteers, local leaders, partner agencies, etc.
Sample Tools We Use
A question bank (e.g. 20-30 vetted questions) from which clients pick for their interviews, surveys or focus groups. Customization is always available based on the needs of the client.
Detailed timeline and project management tools that keep everyone on track.
A card sort exercise: Used typically during the Community Leader Forum, small groups receive cards with labels of ~36 critical social issues (housing, food security, mental health, childcare, etc.) and then group or rank issues that feel most pressing in their neighborhood. Then we ask: Which of these is your organization positioned to address?
I spend time preparing clients to do the interviewing: training facilitators, refining question phrasing, reviewing logistics and consent, and offering tips on guiding discussion without biasing responses.
Deliverables that Matter
After data collection and analysis, I deliver:
An executive summary that highlights key findings in accessible form that includes a summary of what we learned and the most promising intersections and an outline of next steps.
A public-facing version (or community report) that closes the loop — i.e. “Here’s what we heard, here’s what we learned, here’s what we propose to do next”
Guiding You Through the Process
My role as a consultant is not just “give you answers,” but to walk alongside you as you interpret results, wrestle with trade-offs, and make strategic choices.
I always ask clients: “Is there anything I need to do more, better, or differently to get you what you need?” That feedback loop ensures we’re aligned.
If your nonprofit in Des Moines (or anywhere) needs a rigorous, trust-building, results-oriented community needs assessment — or a feasibility study for a capital campaign or fundraising plan — I’d love to talk. Let me help you ground your vision in data and community voices.
The Power of Value Propositions
From Micholyn Fajen, Heart of Des Moines member and head of Fajen Consulting
Consultants in the nonprofit world often get stuck describing what they do — program planning, evaluation, fundraising. But in a crowded marketplace where nonprofits’ resources and time are stretched, what they really hire you for is the difference you make.
In marketing, we consider that your value proposition. As a short, authentic statement, your value proposition should define Who you serve, What challenge you help them solve, How you do it differently, and Why it matters to them.
When I coach consultants (and nonprofits seeking consultants), I emphasize this: your value isn’t defined by your checklist of services, but rather by the impact your approach or perspective has on their business or mission.
What Makes a Strong Value Proposition?
I like to break it into three parts:
Benefit (emotional + tangible)
What transformation do clients experience? More connected staff, stronger proposals, more sustainable funding, a deeper community reputation?Differentiator
What makes you unique? Your lens? Your approach to trust-building? Your local/regional experience?Proof / stories / testimonials
Concrete examples that show the difference you made (quantified if possible).
If someone asked your client to describe you in just one word, what word would you want them to choose? That’s your emotional anchor. Let that guide your messaging.
From Service to Difference
Imagine you list “strategic planning, feasibility studies, fundraising coaching.” That’s a service inventory. Now overlay the difference: “helping organizations realize what’s possible, secure commitments, grow trust, and strengthen sustainability.” That’s your value proposition.
To make it visceral, I help clients to brainstorm:
Outcomes people will feel (confidence, clarity, security)
Outcomes they’ll see (increased revenue, new partnerships, improved reputation)
Stories in which you’ve turned ambiguous challenges into clearer paths
Use those narratives and words in your website, proposals, social media, and even your introductions with prospective clients.
Practical Next Steps
Write or revisit your value proposition using the benefit + differentiator + proof framework.
Collect and polish stories/testimonials from past clients — especially ones in the nonprofit space.
Use client-friendly language (avoid jargon) to describe what you do through the lens of value.
On your website and blog, emphasize impact, not just services.
Map out your calendar of content, networking, referrals — make marketing nonnegotiable.
If your nonprofit or consulting practice in Des Moines or Central Iowa wants to clarify and elevate how you communicate your value—beyond price or proving your worth—or if you’re evaluating consultants and looking for someone who truly “gets it,” I can help.
Together, we’ll rethink your narrative, sharpen your messaging, and position your impact so you’re seen as a trusted partner, not just a vendor.
Welcome to Heart of Des Moines: Growing Nonprofit Impact Together
It all begins with an idea.
At Heart of Des Moines, we believe strong nonprofits build strong communities. From neighborhood initiatives to statewide organizations, the work you do changes lives—and we’re here to make sure you have the support and strategy to keep going.
Our mission is simple: to help nonprofits thrive. We provide consulting, training, and capacity-building services that equip leaders with the tools they need to navigate challenges, tell their stories, and amplify their impact. Whether you’re working through a new strategic plan, facing communication roadblocks, or simply trying to do more with limited staff capacity, Heart of Des Moines is your partner in the work.
Why does this matter? Nonprofit leaders often wear too many hats. Program delivery, fundraising, advocacy, communications, board relations—it’s easy to lose sight of strategy when you’re stretched thin. That’s where we come in. As Des Moines nonprofit consultants, we bring clarity, expertise, and hands-on solutions tailored to your organization’s goals.
This blog will be a space to share insights, practical tips, and stories from the field. We’ll highlight best practices in nonprofit communications, capacity building, and leadership—along with the real challenges that teams like yours face every day.
We invite you to follow along, share your own stories, and explore how Heart of Des Moines can help strengthen your mission. Because when nonprofits succeed, our whole community benefits.
Ready to get started? Learn more about our services and connect with us today at Heart of Des Moines