Impact

O’Donnell & Friends Charities has been able to provide funds to many Des Moines area nonprofit organizations throughout the years.  Below are recipients of fundraising efforts from the O’Donnell & Friends Open, and is not inclusive of all organizations that have been supported outside of this main event:

1994 – Lincoln Railettes, $300.00

1995 – Lincoln Railettes, $300.00

1996 – Hospice of Central Iowa,  $500.00

1997 – American Diabetes, $1,200.00

1998 – Ronald McDonald House, $4,200.00

1999 – Special Olympics of Iowa, $7,445.00

2000 – Camp Sunnyside/Easter Seals, $10,244.00

2001 – Hospice of Central Iowa, $18,765.00

2002 – Link Associates, $29,193.00

2003 – Orchard Place, $46,385.00

2004 – Susan G. Komen Central Iowa Chapter, $60,000.00

2005 – Childserve, $51,012.00

2006 – Alzheimers Association, $55,500.00

2007 – Variety Club, $63,240.00

2008 – Wildwood Hills Ranch, $34,500.00   /   The Homestead, $32,832.00

2009 – Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa, $30,000.00   /   Shoes That Fit, $30,000.00

2010 – Food Bank of Iowa, $57,500.00

2011 – Amanda the Panda, $61,384.00

2012 – APDA, $80,000.00

2013 – HCI/Kavanagh House, $91,260.00

2014 – Youth Homes of Mid America, $81,893.00

2015 – Link Associates, $91,027.00

2016 – Mentor Iowa, $103,198.00

2017 – On with Life, $50,831.00   /   Courage League Sports $50,831.00

2018 – Community Youth Concepts, $68,417.00

2019 – UCAN, $50,000.00   /   Link Associates $20,000.00   /   Opportunity on Deck, $10,000.00 

2020 – Children’s Cancer Connection, $50,000.00   /   EveryStep, $20,000.00   /   Healthy Birth Day (Count the Kicks), $10,000.00   /   American Brawn $5,000.00

2021 – Family Cancer Network, $50,000.00  /  Link Associates, $20,000.00  /  CanPlay,  $10,000.00

2022 – Dorothy’s House – $30,000   /   Sleep in Heavenly Peace – $20,000   /   GiGi‘s Playhouse – $10,000   /   Greater Outdoors Foundation/Easter Lake Project – $10,000   /   Iowa Center for Children’s Justice – $10,000   /   Girls on the Run – $5,000
 
2023 – Families Forward (formally known as Bidwell Riverside) – $30,000   /   Catholic Charities Diocese of Des Moines – $25,000   /   Can Do Cancer – $20,000   /   Orchard Place – $20,000   /   Mindspring Mental Health Alliance – $5,000
 
2024 – Meals from the Heartland – $25,000   /   New Horizons Adult Day Center – $20,000   /   Special Olympics of Iowa – $15,000   /   Job Rides – $10,000   /   Heart of Hazel – $5,000  /  Des Moines Police Activities League – $5,000  /  The Little White Schoolhouse – $5,000
 
 
 

Additionally, O’Donnell & Friends Charities has awarded dozens of college scholarships through the Dan & Dee O’Donnell Memorial Scholarship.

If your nonprofit organization would like to be considered for potential program or project funding, download the Funding Request Application and return it to funding-request@odonnellcharities.org.

We are now accepting Funding Request Applications for the 33rd Annual O’Donnell & Friends Open.

Applications are due January 31, 2026.