Chrysalis Foundation

Chrysalis Foundation is a grant-making organization dedicated to advancing the safety, security, education, and economic empowerment of girls and women throughout the Greater Des Moines area, including West Des Moines, IA. Since its founding in 1989, Chrysalis has developed a comprehensive approach to supporting female success through strategic partnerships, community education, and targeted donor investment.

The organization operates through multiple channels of impact. Chrysalis After-School programs currently serve hundreds of adolescent girls annually, building confidence, resilience, and knowledge for their futures. The foundation's community grant program supports over 13,000 individuals each year through partner organizations delivering shelter, job training, life skills development, financial literacy education, and ongoing mentorship. Additionally, Chrysalis has awarded 42 scholarships since 2014, helping young women transition from high school to college.

What distinguishes Chrysalis is its commitment to research-driven solutions and operational efficiency. The organization funds only the most effective programs addressing documented disparities facing girls and women in Polk, Warren, and Dallas Counties. Thanks to an endowment established by founder Louise Rosenfield Noun, 100 percent of every gift reaches girls and women directly—no contributed dollars support operations. Chrysalis provides training, coaching, education, and mentoring to partner agencies, leveraging three decades of expertise to maximize community impact. Whether through direct programming, grant investments, or capacity-building support, Chrysalis transforms lives by ensuring all girls and women have the resources and opportunities necessary to thrive.