News & Blog

  • The Great Outdoors Foundation Conservation Fund

    In October, we launched our newest fundraising mechanism, the Great Outdoors Foundation Conservation Fund. This strategic, environmentally-focused investment tool is designed to [...]

  • GOF Awards First Conservation Grant

    RELEASE: Great Outdoors Foundation Awards First Conservation Fund Grant

    DES MOINES, IA (Jan. 10, 2024) – The Great Outdoors Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded Polk County Public [...]

  • Close up image of crops growing

    Let’s Change the Landscape, For Good

    When I began my role with the Great Outdoors Foundation (GOF) in 2015, I was inspired by our board’s vision. After operating [...]

  • Beautiful sky view with clouds and trees

    3 Reasons to Support the Great Outdoors Foundation with Your Year-End Giving

    Today is GivingTuesday, the unofficial start of the giving season, and it's no surprise that the next month is incredibly vital for [...]

  • IPR: Could Whitewater Trails in Downtown Des Moines Help Change the State’s Course on Water Quality?

    A plan to make whitewater trails on the rivers in downtown Des Moines is about more than tourism. Supporters of the project [...]

  • Record Wild Prairie Showdown

    A Record-Breaking Wild Prairie Showdown

    The third annual Wild Prairie Showdown was a smashing success, raising more than $120,000 for the Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water [...]

  • Business Record: Local Competitors Raise More Than $120,000 During Wild Prairie Showdown

    The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails announced that the third annual Wild Prairie Showdown on Oct. 12, presented by Bolton [...]

  • Business Record: Great Outdoors Foundation to Boost Water Quality Projects with New Conservation Fund

    The Great Outdoors Foundation is ramping up its water quality efforts with a new conservation fund that will directly provide money for [...]

  • Beautiful park in the midwest

    RELEASE: Great Outdoors Foundation Announces Conservation Fund, Investment from Athene USA

    DES MOINES, IA (Oct. 13, 2023) – The Great Outdoors Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its brand-new fundraising mechanism [...]

  • fall recreation in Iowa

    Fall Outdoor Recreation in Central Iowa

    Some say fall is the best time of the year, and we tend to agree. This is when the true beauty of [...]

  • Business Record: Learn About This Year’s Best of Des Moines Winners

    As we do each year, we asked our readers to cast votes for what Des Moines has to offer in a variety [...]

  • 2023 Wild Prairie Showdown Competitors

    Meet the 2023 Wild Prairie Showdown Competitors

    Over the next eight weeks, these esteemed individuals will be using their outdoor prowess to raise awareness, support, and capital for the [...]