Des Moines, Iowa – Local companies committed their financial support to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa (BBBSCI)’s “Building a Big Future” capacity campaign. Dahl Trust, John Deere, NCMIC, Stine Seed Company, William C. Knapp Foundation, and the Dixon Family have pledged their early support to this campaign, which includes a new youth mentoring center.

In late 2023, BBBSCI announced the purchase of a 10,500 sq. ft. building located at 2130 Grand Avenue in Des Moines. Renovations are underway to increase its functionality with plans to open this new youth mentoring center in early fall 2024. The additional space gained with this new building will allow BBBSCI to serve more youth and expand its community outreach.

Long-time supporters, John Deere, NCMIC, and Stine Seed Company, were among the first to commit to the campaign.

“We supported the effort early on because of the vision and thoughtfulness of each aspect of the mentoring center. We toured the facility in September, and it was easy to see how this project will have a big impact in our community. We have partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa for years on many projects and believe the new youth mentoring center will allow them to expand their community impact for many years to come,” said NCMIC Group Chief Executive Officer- Mike McCoy.

For Stine Seed Company President- Myron Stine, who previously served on BBBSCI’s Board of Directors, it was a no-brainer for Stine Seed Company to support BBBSCI’s new youth mentoring center.

“With a track record of effectiveness in promoting mentorship activities in areas where the need is most critical, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Iowa creates positive change for many children and young adults. Stine Seed Company is proud to support establishing a new youth mentoring center, which will allow BBBSCI to meet the high demand in central Iowa. These connections provide support, empowering our youth to strive for excellence in all aspects of life,” said Stine Seed Company President- Myron Stine.

Rosalind Fox, John Deere Factory Manager and BBBSCI Board of Directors Member, helped secure a gift from John Deere and here’s what she had to say:

“Part of John Deere’s higher purpose is to run for the people who trust us and the planet that sustains us. Our next generation has put a lot of trust in us to help support strong, healthy communities. Part of supporting our Central Iowa community is done by creating spaces like the [Youth] Mentoring Center where our next generation can achieve educational success, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships. 

The importance BBBSCI puts on fiscal responsibility is elite. It’s safe to say that leadership is exclusively concerned with getting the right opportunities to the right kids at the right time and that starts with stewarding the budget well. The vision that has been cast for BBBSCI is ambitious to the core but built on a legacy of results. As the country’s largest evidence-based mentoring organization, results are key and they deliver every time.

I can’t think of many other organizations that provide volunteers with an immediate opportunity to make a lasting impact in the life of a child. Healthy relationships are the foundation to healthy communities and BBBSCI helps foster those relationships to ensure each child can reach their incredible potential,” said John Deere Factory Manager- Rosalind Fox.

BBBSCI Board of Directors President and Holmes Murphy Sr. Vice President- Jeff Matney shares his and the Board’s gratitude to the campaign’s partners.

“This campaign has a lot of momentum in the first few months, we are thrilled about all the support and excitement the new youth mentoring center has received this far.  We are thankful to those that have gotten this campaign off to a great start,” said Holmes Murphy Sr. Vice President- Jeff Matney.

BBBSCI CEO Bridget Cravens-Neely agrees, adding:

“Thank you to our generous partners for stepping up and committing to ‘Building a Big Future’ with us. Our purpose is to serve more youth, and that need is significant and urgent. Our new youth mentoring center will transform how we deliver mentoring to central Iowa. We will become a safe space for our young people to come to feel welcome, to feel like they belong, and to get some of their basic needs fulfilled- socially or emotionally,” said BBBSCI CEO- Bridget Cravens-Neely.

BBBSCI is off to a great start of their $2.2 million dollar “Building a Big Future” capacity campaign. With still over one million dollars to go BBBSCI needs the community’s support to make this happen. For more information about BBBSCI, including how to give, visit bbbsia.org/building-a-big-future/.

Special thank you to Dean Snyder Construction, Dentons Davis Brown, Knapp Properties, and SVPA Architects for their partnership on this project.