Vision
Improving the human experience for all children in our communities.
of 2021 Contributions Support Children & Education
2021 Foundation Highlights
We value excellence, integrity and transparency in ourselves and in all of the organizations we support; and positive and collaborative partnerships built on trust and respect.
Financial Gifts to 97 Organizations
Agape
AGC of Iowa Foundation
AGC of North Dakota Foundation
Alpha Women’s Center
Alzheimer’s Association
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
Angel Reach
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Be The Match Foundation
Best Buddies Iowa
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City
Blank Children’s Hospital
Blank Park Zoo
Boy Scouts of America, Mid-Iowa Council
Bravo Greater Des Moines
Can Play
Central Texas Food Bank
Children's Cancer Connection
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Childserve Foundation
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Community Kitchen of Monroe County
Community Rehabilitation Center
Construction Angels
Des Moines Performing Arts
Des Moines Community Playhouse
Des Moines Public School Foundation
Des Moines Valley Golf Club
Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation
DMACC Foundation
Dorothy’s House
Dress for Success Des Moines
Easterseals Iowa
Eggstrong Foundation
EveryStep Foundation
Family Cancer Network
Food Lifeline
Freedom for Youth Ministries
Friends of Des Moines Parks
Gilda's Club of the Quad Cities
Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa
Great Lakes National Cemetery
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Hanaeleh Horse Rescue
Healthiest State Initiative
Helping Animals Live On
Hoag Hospital Foundation
Hope Ministries
Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation
Iowa College Foundation
Iowa PBS Foundation
Iowa State University Foundation
James Arthur Albert Foundation
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Living Well Disability Services
Main Street Greenfield
Make-A-Wish
Manda Strong Foundation
Mary Bridge Children's Foundation
McNish Family Foundation
Meals from the Heartland
Melanoma Research Foundation
Metrocrest Services
MVP4Life
National Alliance on Mental Illness - Iowa
New Horizons Adult Day Center
Orchard Place
Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation
Pi515
Pinky Swear Foundation
Principal Charity Classic
Raise the Bar Initiative
Ronald McDonald House
Salisbury House Foundation
Short Years Partnership
Single Parent Provision
Special Olympics Iowa
Special Olympics New York
Summer Scholars
Surety Foundation
Team Jack Foundation
Terrace Hill Society Foundation
United Way of Central Iowa
University of Iowa Foundation
The University of Texas at Austin
Variety - the Children's Charity
Vision To Learn
Volunteer League of the San Fernando Valley
Waukee Area Christian Services
Wesleylife
Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center Inc.
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
YMCA of Michiana
Youth Homes of Mid-America
Youth With A Mission San Diego/Baja
$191,660 to Vision to Learn
Vision to Learn, a partnership of United Way of Central Iowa and Variety – the Children’s Charity, was selected as the Foundation’s primary beneficiary for 2021. Vision to Learn seeks to give every child a chance to succeed in school and in life by bringing mobile clinics and trained eye care professionals directly to schools and community organizations. The program provides students with two free pairs of eyeglasses – one pair to take home and one to leave at school.
$50,297 to United Way of Central Iowa
United Way of Central Iowa works to give every central Iowan the opportunities to succeed by providing quality, equitable access to the 5 Elements of a Thriving Community:
Essential Needs
Early Childhood Success
Education Success
Economic Opportunity
Health & Well-Being
27 Matching Gifts Totaling $5,863
The Foundation matches eligible associates’ donations of at least $25, up to $400 per year.
248.5 Service Hours to 26 Organizations
All eligible associates receive 7.5 hours of paid volunteer time off (VTO) each year to participate in community services activities of their choice.
- Amanda the Panda
- Bondurant Fire Department
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa
- Central Decatur PTO
- Children & Families of Iowa
- Contributors Breakfast Club (CBC)
- Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
- Dress for Success Des Moines
- Easterseals Iowa
- First Tee – Central Iowa
- Habitat for Humanity
- Indianapolis Public Schools
- Indianola Athletic Booster Club
- Kiya Koda Humane Society
- Laguna Hills High School
- LifeServe Blood Center
- Meals from the Heartland
- Meals on Wheels
- Nelson Elementary School
- Planned Parenthood
- Raise the Bar Initiative
- Single Parent Provision
- United Way of Central Iowa
- Variety – the Children’s Charity
- Wildwood Hills Ranch
- Wooster City School District
Bill Warner Sr. Memorial Charity Golf Classic
The 6th Bill Warner Sr. Memorial Charity Golf Classic, held September 27 at Wakonda Club and Des Moines Golf & Country Club, set a new fundraising record!
$ 170,000
Raised for Vision to Learn
192
Golfers from 23 States
48
Sponsors
53
Volunteers
234
Volunteer hours
Community Outreach Council
To help support its mission, the Foundation formed the Community Outreach Council (COC), a committee of dedicated Merchants associates who encourage and facilitate financial giving and volunteer efforts throughout the company and our community.
Adopt A Family
Bags Tournament
Bingo
Bowl for Kids' Sake
Courage League Can Play
Courage League Wheelchair Basketball
Easterseals Iowa Landscaping
EveryStep Good Grief Golf Open
Food Days
Food Days
Freedom for Youth Golf Tournament
Golf Fore The Kids
Meals From The Heartland
Opportunity on Deck Game for Good
Principal Charity Golf Classic
Stuff The Bus
Party with a Vision
Party with a Vision
Party with a Vision
Party with a Vision
Party with a Vision
Party with a Vision
Party with a Vision
Shining Star Award
Shining Star Winner Shelby Boyd
Marketing Production Manager Shelby Boyd was selected as Merchants Bonding Company’s 2021 Shining Star for her involvement with Raise the Bar Initiative (RBI), an organization dedicated to helping women develop strength by creating experiences that support physical, mental and emotional well-being. Shelby put in over 100 hours as co-director of the Women’s Barbell Classic, the primary fundraising event for RBI. The event raised more than $32,000 to support RBI’s Barbell Club, a six-week lifting program for high school girls in Des Moines Public Schools.
Shining Star Runner-Up Amanda Brunkhorst
Executive Assistant Amanda Brunkhorst was recognized as Merchants’ Shining Star Runner-Up. Amanda was nominated for her work with Variety – The Children’s Charity, where she serves as a board member. Amanda was instrumental in helping with Variety’s annual Two Days of Compassion Radiothon, which raised over $132,000 for the Variety Compassion Fund. Amanda is also an integral member of Merchants’ Community Outreach Council and has served on the Council since 2006.
Merchants’ annual Shining Star Award honors associates who are getting involved and giving back to their community. Nominations are reviewed and winners selected by Merchants’ Executive Committee.
Ending Homelessness Is Urgent Work
Hawthorn Hill Selected as 2022 Charity Beneficiary
The Merchants Bonding Company Foundation has selected Hawthorn Hill as its primary beneficiary for 2022. Hawthorn Hill’s mission is to establish and operate housing programs for homeless families with children that help them obtain permanent housing and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Funds raised by Merchants’ Community Outreach Council will go towards assisting clients financially with items such as apartment application fees, rent/deposits, back utility bills, transportation and clothing.