Coalition Building Lessons from Central Iowa Nonprofit Leaders
Coalitions are often where some of the hardest community work happens. They bring together organizations with different priorities, funding structures, timelines, and approaches in pursuit of something larger than any one group could accomplish alone.
At its May gathering, Heart of Des Moines hosted a panel discussion focused on coalition building, featuring leaders working across housing, health, advocacy, and community development in Central Iowa. Moderator Peggy Huppert led a conversation with panelists Bethany Snyder, Julian D. Neely, Matt Unger, and Jackie Cale.
The discussion offered practical insight into what makes coalitions sustainable and where many groups struggle.
One of the strongest themes throughout the conversation was that structure matters. Coalitions are often formed around urgency, but panelists emphasized that long-term success depends on clearly defined systems, expectations, and decision-making processes.
Julian Neely shared lessons from developing housing-focused initiatives, including the Develop the Developer Launchpad, a program designed to help emerging builders enter the market and address housing shortages. The coalition behind the effort took roughly two and a half years to move from concept to launch. That process included extensive one-on-one conversations with developers, partners, and stakeholders before formalizing the program structure.
Neely stressed the importance of building alignment before launching publicly. Coalition partners developed formal agreements, confidentiality expectations, conflict-of-interest policies, handbooks, and clearly defined roles to create long-term sustainability and trust among participants. He also noted that guided conversations and strong bylaws help groups navigate inevitable disagreements without losing momentum.
Bethany Snyder discussed coalition work through the lens of statewide advocacy efforts, including Minnesota for Healthy Kids. She emphasized the importance of operational clarity before public rollout, including decisions around leadership, communications ownership, website management, action alerts, fundraising responsibilities, and coalition governance. Their coalition divided work intentionally between grassroots organizing, lobbying, and advocacy communications to ensure responsibilities were clear and manageable.
Jackie Cale shared lessons from policy coalitions at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, including the value of having candid “dealbreaker” conversations early in the process. Coalition partners openly discussed which policy positions and advocacy tactics they could or could not support before campaigns began. Cale also highlighted the importance of regular lessons-learned conversations and consistent monthly meetings to maintain alignment over time.
Matt Unger emphasized that avoiding difficult conversations early often creates larger challenges later. As he noted during the panel, “Starting with friction usually means it returns later in a bigger way.” Panelists agreed that coalitions function best when there is a trusted framework for making timely decisions and clear representation structures, such as boards elected by coalition members.
The conversation also explored what motivates organizations to stay engaged in coalition work over the long term. Unger emphasized the importance of shared sacrifice for shared gain, while other panelists noted that durable coalitions often succeed because participants see clear value in solving root-cause issues together rather than competing individually for short-term resources.
For nonprofit leaders in Central Iowa, the panel reinforced that effective coalitions rarely happen quickly. They require patience, structure, trust-building, and a willingness to define expectations early. But when done well, coalitions can create the scale and alignment needed to address complex community challenges.
To learn more about Heart of Des Moines members and future conversations focused on Central Iowa nonprofit leadership, connect with us here.
Coalition Building in Central Iowa: Join Heart of Des Moines for a May 5 Panel
Coalitions are how big ideas move forward.
In Central Iowa’s nonprofit landscape, no single organization can carry the full weight of complex challenges alone. Whether the issue is housing, health, or community wellbeing, real progress often happens when organizations come together with shared purpose and clear coordination.
That’s exactly what we’re exploring at Heart of Des Moines’ May meeting.
A Public Panel on Coalition Building
On May 5, Heart of Des Moines is hosting an open-to-the-public panel discussion focused on coalition building in nonprofit spaces. This conversation brings together leaders who have been in the work—navigating partnerships, aligning priorities, and learning what actually makes collaboration effective.
You’ll hear directly from panelists working across Central Iowa as they share:
Lessons learned from real coalition work
Common pitfalls that can stall progress
Practical do’s and don’ts for working across organizations
Examples of both legislative and community-based coalition wins
This is not theory. It’s a grounded look at what works, what doesn’t, and what nonprofit leaders should consider before stepping into—or expanding—a coalition.
Event Details
📅 Date: May 5
🕐 Time: 1:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Hamilton’s, West Des Moines
No registration required. Just show up.
Who Should Attend
This panel is designed for:
Nonprofit leaders navigating partnerships or shared initiatives
Organizations considering joining or forming a coalition
Community partners working across sectors
Anyone who has experienced the complexity (or frustration) of collaborative work
If you’ve ever asked, “Is this coalition actually helping?”—this conversation is for you.
Featuring Local Leaders in Coalition Work
We’re grateful to be joined by a panel of experienced leaders who bring perspectives from housing, advocacy, public health, and policy:
Moderator: Peggy Huppert
Bethany Snyder, MPP
Julian D. Neely, M.S.
Matt Unger
Jackie Cale
Their collective experience spans both legislative advocacy and on-the-ground community collaboration, offering a well-rounded view of how coalitions function in practice.
Why Coalition Building Matters Right Now
Coalition work is often treated as a default strategy—something organizations “should” do. But without clarity, structure, and aligned expectations, coalitions can just as easily drain time and energy as they can create impact.
This panel will cut through that tension.
You’ll leave with a clearer sense of:
When a coalition makes sense
How to structure collaboration so it actually moves work forward
What to watch for before things go sideways
Join the Conversation
Heart of Des Moines exists to connect nonprofit leaders with the expertise and conversations that make their work more effective.
This event is part of that effort—creating space for honest discussion, shared learning, and stronger collaboration across Central Iowa.
Molly Kottmeyer of Kottmeyer Law Firm: Practical Legal Guidance for Iowa and Missouri Nonprofits
Every nonprofit leader eventually finds themselves staring at a decision that feels both strategic and slightly terrifying: Are we actually allowed to do this?
That question sits at the heart of Molly Kottmeyer’s work.
With more than 20 years of legal experience, Molly now runs Kottmeyer Law Firm, where she focuses exclusively on serving nonprofit organizations across Iowa and Missouri. Her practice centers on three interconnected areas that shape an organization’s stability and impact: formation, governance, and advocacy.
When a nonprofit is getting started, the legal structure chosen at the beginning can quietly shape everything that follows. Molly helps founders think strategically about which tax-exempt status best fits their mission and long-term goals, rather than simply defaulting to what feels familiar. Different classifications carry different implications for fundraising, public engagement, and advocacy work. Taking a proactive approach at formation helps organizations avoid costly pivots later and positions them for sustainable growth from the outset.
As organizations mature, governance often becomes the pressure point. Bylaws written years ago no longer reflect current operations. Policies exist informally but not on paper. Boards want to do the right thing but lack clarity about their responsibilities. Molly works with nonprofits to strengthen internal systems, clarify governing documents, and provide board education that protects both the organization and the people leading it. In an environment where regulators, funders, and the public are paying closer attention, strong governance is not just a best practice — it is a protective measure.
Advocacy is where the legal gray areas tend to feel most uncomfortable. Leaders worry about lobbying limits, voter engagement rules, and the ever-present line between advocacy and political activity. Molly helps nonprofits understand what the law actually allows so they can confidently maximize their impact without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. Much of her work involves untangling blurred lines and updating policies to reflect how organizations are actually operating in today’s landscape.
Importantly, Molly structures her services to remain accessible. She does not bill through retainers; instead, she works hourly or by project, making it easier for nonprofits of varying sizes to get the guidance they need.
At Heart of Des Moines, we believe that strong missions require strong legal foundations. If your organization is navigating nonprofit formation, reviewing governance policies, or exploring advocacy and lobbying strategy in Iowa or Missouri, Molly Kottmeyer is a resource worth knowing.
Volunteer Engagement for Iowa Nonprofits Starts With Structure
Volunteerism is often treated as a feel-good function of nonprofit work—something rooted in generosity, goodwill, and community spirit. All of that matters. But for Iowa nonprofits trying to grow impact and sustainability, volunteer engagement works best when it is designed with intention.
At a recent Heart of Des Moines gathering, member EJ Wallace shared insights from his work with Central Iowa organizations through The Wallace Edge. His experience reflects a reality many nonprofit leaders recognize: volunteer programs do not succeed on passion alone. They succeed when structure comes first.
Structure means clear roles, defined expectations, and systems that help volunteers understand how their time contributes to the mission. When volunteers know where they fit and why their work matters, relationships deepen. Retention improves. Engagement becomes more consistent. Over time, those relationships often lead to stronger financial support as well.
For Iowa nonprofits operating with limited staff capacity, this connection between volunteer engagement and revenue matters. Well-designed volunteer programs do more than fill gaps—they build long-term champions. People who start by giving their time frequently become donors because they understand the organization’s work firsthand and feel invested in its success.
This approach reframes volunteerism as a core organizational strategy, not an add-on. Instead of asking, “How do we get more volunteers?” the more effective question becomes, “ How does meaningful volunteer engagement save us time and can contribute to us financially?" The answer often reveals opportunities to strengthen internal systems, clarify messaging, and align volunteer roles with broader organizational goals.
For Central Iowa nonprofits, this shift can be especially powerful. Strong volunteer programs create community connection, expand capacity, and support sustainability—all while honoring the time and energy people choose to give.
Heart of Des Moines exists to connect nonprofits with trusted local professionals who understand these dynamics and help organizations build capacity thoughtfully. To learn more about Heart of Des Moines members like EJ Wallace and other experts supporting Iowa nonprofits, visit our Members Page and explore the resources available in our community.
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