NCMIC Employees: Taking Care of the Community
When it comes to giving back, it seems you can always count on a NCMIC employee. Whether it’s helping out at Battle of the ‘Burbs or giving money to the annual United Way campaign, NCMIC employees are a philanthropic bunch.
But that spirit of giving goes well beyond NCMIC’s campus and its many charitable initiatives. It extends into homes, schools, churches and other mission-based organizations throughout the community where NCMIC employees devote time, talent and treasure to the causes most important to them.
According to Bright Funds, since January, NCMIC employees have recorded more than 230 hours of volunteer time and given tens of thousands of dollars to 95 different charitable organizations. At least 76 of NCMIC’s 209 employees have participated in at least one charitable effort at this time.
While many people say they give back simply because they want to help others, NCMIC makes it possible for so many of us to do even more with our resources. For example, NCMIC matches all donations up to $500 a year, per employee. There is no minimum donation required for the match. And for those who volunteer their time, NCMIC gives every employee one day of volunteer time off so they can give back without giving up PTO. NCMIC also pays $13 per hour volunteered to the organization an employee devotes their time to.
Another great benefit for those who choose to serve on the board of directors of a non-profit—a $2,500 contribution to the organization on their behalf. There are currently 23 NCMIC employees serving in board positions at a host of local and national non-profits.
These are a few of the NCMIC employees making a difference by volunteering their time and talent to charitable organizations. Read about their causes of choice, and how NCMIC is supporting their efforts.
Sara Henderson
The Des Moines Public Library Foundation, The Pet Project Midwest, The River Bend Neighborhood Association
The Des Moines Public Library Foundation is important to me as a reader, as a writer and as a community member. Libraries are so much more than places to borrow books. They are one of the few barrier-free spaces that empower people to learn, to communicate or simply to exist.
In 2008, five Des Moines women got together and started a nonprofit to help pet owners in our community. The Pet Project Midwest recognizes that keeping loved pets in their homes and out of shelters is important to pets, people and other animal-related nonprofits. We developed Iowa Pet Alert, a free lost-and-found service to help lost pets find their people quickly. We also created a pet food pantry to ensure that a temporary financial challenge doesn’t force someone to give up a loved family member.
The River Bend Neighborhood Association is important to me because it is a unique neighborhood in the Des Moines Metro. River Bend is home to a diverse group of people who are actively working together to be good neighbors and good community members. They truly care and look out for each other. It doesn’t hurt that there are some incredibly well preserved and restored examples of 1900s architecture.
NCMIC has paid my board dues and matches my personal contribution of time and money, as well as sponsorship of a Foundation table.
Andy Pratt
Dorothy’s House
A former NCMIC employee and good friend, Sheila Peterson, introduced me to this non-profit. Its founder, Kellie Markey, is Sheila’s niece. At the time I began supporting DH, I had two young daughters about 11-years-old and when I learned that the average age that a girl gets sold into human trafficking is about 11 or 12, I knew I had to get involved at a bigger level. And about that time, I was encouraged by my managers to look for a non-profit board to sit on, so it was a logical fit.
NCMIC financial support has been huge for DH. In addition to the $2,500 annual board incentive dollars, they’ve sponsored many other DH events and has had Kellie to the office to speak about the organization and do some radio ad spots. NCMIC has been a great partner for DH by promoting the cause and helping fund our initiatives.
Nicki Carpenter
Colon Cancer Foundation of Iowa
I got involved with the organization through my friendship with friend and former NCMIC employee, Cacy Hupp. Cacy had battled colon cancer for 10+ years and through my friendship and support of her and participation in the Get Your Rear in Gear event, David McCluskey, president and founder of Colon Cancer Foundation of Iowa and local event director for GYRIG, reached out to me and asked if I’d join the board. Cacy’s battle ended this past January when we lost her to her cancer battle. I will continue to serve and raise awareness in honor of her.
NCMIC has been a great supporter of me and the foundation. Even prior to me joining the board, NCMIC helped to sponsor the GYRIG event. They continue to do so, as well as contribute to the foundation by giving a board incentive to the organization. Team members have joined in the walk/run that takes place every August and employees have donated to my fundraising efforts. I can’t say enough about the great people of NCMIC and their generosity.
Lisa Logan
DMARC
I am the current DMARC president-elect and will be president of the board starting in July 2023. I got involved because I know personally what it feels like to be hungry, and I don’t want anyone to ever feel that. Food insecurity is a major problem all across our nation, but right here at home, too. DMARC’s mission is, “Working together to meet basic human needs for the greater Des Moines community,” and that includes everyone. We strive to provide healthy, culturally appropriate food through our Food Pantry Network and welcome all those who need assistance, no matter their circumstances. We make every effort to treat each visitor to our food pantries with dignity and respect. Eating is one of those needs, but DMARC wants that food to be good, wholesome, nutritious food. Doesn’t everyone deserve the opportunity to have access to good food? This organization does such good work and I am astonished at how little press they receive compared to other similar organizations.
DMARC manages the largest Food Pantry Network in the state of Iowa—14 separate partnering sites and a Mobile Food Pantry. Mostly though, it’s the people! There are about 20 staff that make DMARC hum. They are all the most caring, giving, wonderful people and the culture reminds me so much of ours! They take care of each other and of people in our community. It is amazing to watch them work. I am truly honored to be working alongside them.
NCMIC has supported me in so many ways. First, there is the board participation donation each year, which is truly amazing and the flexibility to be able to attend various meetings, volunteer for events, etc. Spring Greens is DMARC’s signature event to raise operating funds for the upcoming year. The first year, NCMIC purchased a table to support me. The second year, I was the chairperson for Spring Greens and NCMIC came in as a platinum sponsor and donated a significant amount of money, which was much appreciated as we had lost our presenting sponsor. I am very excited to be chairing this event again this next May.
NCMIC is so supportive and I am so grateful to work for a company that is so philanthropic, that gives back to our community in so many ways, and allows me to give back to our community as well!
Patrick McCormick
Girls on the Run of Central Iowa
I first got involved with Girls on the Run through my wife, Jordan. She has been a coach for 15 seasons of girls on the run. Every time she would come home from practice, I loved hearing the stories and about the girls on her team. So, I started to get involved when I could by running the 5k, volunteering for various events and being a running buddy for one season. I really saw the impact of the program the first end of the season 5k I went to. To see that many young girls participating in the program and using running as a vehicle to teach life skills, it blew me away at the participation and the impact and I only wanted to give me time to continue seeing the organization grow.
I’ve only been on the board since June—so only a short time—but NCMIC has been tremendous in supporting my position. The initial donation for being a board member, sponsoring any events that Girls on the Run has and allowing the time during the day so that I can attend board meetings, or volunteering events. It motivates me to be more involved knowing that NCMIC has my back and supports those efforts 100%.
Stacy Conradt
West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation
Going to the library with my grandma to pick out new books every week is one of my favorite childhood memories. I’ve loved libraries, books, and reading ever since. I believe that public libraries are one of the greatest benefits any community can offer—in promoting literacy and reading, of course, but also in providing everything from elderly outreach to essential programs that serve the needs of a wide variety of patrons.
NCMIC is flexible with my schedule when I have board meetings and committee meetings. There are never any questions asked. The board has also been extremely grateful—and impressed—with the annual board member donation NCMIC makes!
Anthea Rotter
Big Brothers Big Sisters
I love children and I recognized that there was a need for mentorship. NCMIC brought BBBS here and that is when I decided to become a part of the organization (I started with workplace mentoring and then moved to community based).
NCMIC does a match of my time/their money which means that every hour I spend with Mary, NCMIC is giving back to BBBS monetarily which helps support the kids.
Do you have a volunteer story or information about a special non-profit that you’d like to share? Tell us about it! Email Jody Gifford and you could be featured in a future issue of The Insider.
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Some of the organizations that have benefitted from the generosity of our workforce include (among so many others):
Make-a-Wish Foundation of Iowa
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa
Junior Achievement of Central Iowa
Des Moines Public Library Foundation
Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
Iowa Asian Alliance Foundation