Des Moines Art Center
The Des Moines Art Center received a $30,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant in 1994, thanks to a major gift donated by the DMFGC. Club involvement with the Art Center spans decades and continues today.
Des Moines Civic Center & Nollen Plaza
For many years, DMFGC members planted flowers in the city center as well as other locations around the community.
Easter Seals Camp Sunnyside
Many of the gardens at Camp Sunnyside were developed by DMFGC. The camp serves the recreational needs of campers with disabilities.
Ewing Park Lilac Arboretum
DMFGC raised funds for the creation of this northeast Iowa national treasure, dedicated in 1961 and contributed to the Iowa National Heritage Foundation of the purchase of an adjacent 1,045-acre woodland in 2000.
Fleur Drive Landscaping
Des Moines Founders Garden Club and its members played an integral role in the beatification of Fleur Drive, the gateway between the Des Moines International Airport and downtown Des Moines. In 2003, DMFGG donated $11,000 to the project using funds raised from its annual Garden Walk. The $2 million project took approximately four years to complete.
Fort Des Moines Training Center
The club assisted the city of Des Moines and other organizations in providing landscaping that included 3,000 trees and shrubs, sod and tons of fertilizer for the Fort of Des Moines.
Gray’s Lake
Funds were donated to the city of Des Moines to transform the area surrounding Gray’s Lake into a recreational area.
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
The club donated to the development of the birthplace and gravesite monument of Iowa-born President Herbert Hoover in West Branch, Iowa
Japanese Bell of Peace and Friendship
DMFGC members helped with the site, platform, and plantings for the ceremonial Japanese Bell of Friendship and Peace, located on the Iowa State Capitol grounds.
Lillian Swartzell Funds
DMFGC members served with others to make yearly recommendations to the city on how to use the funds generated by the estate of a former teacher for perennial plantings.
Living History Farms
As part of the 1976 bicentennial program, DMFGC developed and implemented landscape plans and planting for the 1900 Farm House at Living History Farms, in cooperation with Iowa State University’s Landscape Architecture program.
Margo Frankel Woods State Park
For six decades, DMFGC has donated time and money to the grounds at Margo Frankel Woods State Park north of Des Moines as well as stepping into public discussions and protection of the park, The park was named for an early DMFGC member who served as the for chair of the State Conservation Commission.
Springbrook State Park
For nearly 50 years, DMFGC has contributed to scholarships for the State Teachers Conservation Camp at Springbrook State Park near Guthrie Center, Iowa.
Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion
DMFGC has donated funds to renovate the Victorian gardens at the Governor’s mansion among other projects.