We take immense pride in the impact of the initiatives and partnerships we have cultivated over the years.

Looking ahead, we anticipate further growth and investments in our focus areas, collaborating closely with both seasoned and prospective partners. We are embracing new avenues of support, particularly in areas such as gender equality, reduced inequalities, and climate action.

In the year 2023, Krause Group extended its philanthropic outreach by generously providing 134 charitable contributions to various causes and organizations.

Notable donations include:

In February 2023, Kyle and Sharon Krause were honored by Bravo Greater Des Moines for their significant contributions to arts and culture, which have positively impacted the Greater Des Moines community. This recognition, known as the Bravo Award, acknowledges their dedication and support.

Krause Group has garnered media attention multiple times for its backing of the LGBTQ+ community. Explore this article from Them, which highlights significant projects and partnerships in recent years. Krause Group is dedicated to collaborating with The Trevor Project amid a challenging political climate.

The 2023 United Way campaign, Doing Good in the Neighborhood, was a triumph as we exceeded our fundraising target, thanks to Associate contributions, the Krause Family match, and various other initiatives that raised both funds and awareness.

Krause Group contributed to Habitat for Humanity by volunteering at a build, supported Central Iowa Shelter & Services by providing nutritious meals for the unhoused, and helped hydrate participants of the IMT Des Moines Marathon.

The rooftop garden of the Krause Gateway Center hosted the 2023 North American Prairie Conference, the oldest and most celebrated native grassland conference in America. Over two dozen researchers, professors, students, landowners, and stewardship professionals visited the garden during a field day titled Prairie in the Sky. This six-story high rooftop prairie in downtown Des Moines, featuring nearly 17,000 plants from over 60 native species, was showcased for its innovative urban sustainable landscape design. Discussions covered soil medium, soil depth, irrigation, maintenance, plant selection, and design. The green roof promotes sustainability by reducing water runoff, sequestering carbon, cleaning the air, and improving insulation. Krause Group participated in knowledge sharing with academia and experts from various organizations, strengthening engagement with local sustainability efforts.

2023 Krause Group & Krause Family Foundation Gifts

African American Heritage Foundation, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Arts for the City Inc., Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Assumption Catholic Church, Average Everyday Miracles, Back to School Iowa, BOB Rewards Club, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Bravo Greater Des Moines, Brenton Arboretum, Brooklyn Combine for Progressive Action Inc., Can Play, Central Iowa Shelter & Services, ChildServe, Community Centers Inc. of Greenwich, Community First Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Dallas County Foundation, Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation, Des Moines Area Religious Council, Des Moines Area Sports Commission, Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines Community Playhouse, Des Moines Metro Opera, Des Moines Performing Arts, Des Moines Urban Experience, Des Moines Winefest, Diocese of Des Moines, Dowling Catholic High School, Drake University, Earlham Chicks with Checks, Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Foundation, EveryStep, Food Bank of Iowa, Food Bank for the Heartland, Friends of Lakeside Lab, Furry Friends Refuge, Germantown Friends School, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, Golden Buckle Home Foundation, Great Outdoors Foundation, Greater Des Moines Les Dames d’Escoffier, Guts Gear, Holy Family Catholic School Foundation, House of Mercy, Hoyt Sherman Place, International Committee of the Red Cross, Iowa Alliance for Arts Education, Iowa Architectural Foundation, Iowa Automotive Heritage Foundation, Iowa Catholic Radio, Iowa College Foundation, Iowa Great Lakes Foundation, Iowa Historical Foundation, Iowa Legal Aid Foundation, Iowa Public Health Association Foundation, Iowa Rivers Revival, Iowa Safe Schools, Iowa State University Foundation, Italian American Cultural Center of Iowa, Latina Leadership Initiative of Greater Des Moines, Latino Resources, LifeServe Blood Center, Meals from the Heartland, Midwest Art Conservation Center, Mind & Spirit Counseling Center, Museum of Modern Art, National Gallery of Art, Nature Conservancy in Iowa, New Horizons Adult Day Care, Newman Catholic Student Center, Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Okoboji Foundation, Okoboji Protective Association, Okoboji Summer Theatre, One Iowa, Our Lady of Victory, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Pearson Lakes Art Center, People for Pets, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Proteus, Regina Foundation, Riverbend Food Bank, Sacred Heart Church and School, Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, Sherman Hill Association, Sisters of Humility Homes and Services, St. Francis of Assisi Church and School, St. John Paul II Parish — Holy Spirit, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Luke’s Foundation, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Vincent de Paul of St. Louis, State University of Iowa, Transgender Law Center, Trees Forever, United Church of Christ, United Way of Central Iowa, UnityPoint Health Foundation, University of Iowa Center for Advancement, University of Iowa Foundation, University of Northern Iowa, U.S. Soccer Foundation, WesleyLife Foundation, Edgewater Retirement Facility, Good Samaritan Fund, Whiterock Conservancy, Youth and Shelter Services

Associate Boards & Committees

Personal giving by Associates is an important component of the Krause Group culture. In 2023, our Associates served on 55 boards and committees to contribute to their communities.

American Heart Association, Ankeny Community Schools, Ankeny Police Department, Ballet Des Moines, Beaverdale Fall Festival, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, Bishop’s Council, Boone Township Trustee, Bravo, Bricker-Price Block Restoration Corporation, Can Play, Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa, Central Iowa Water Trails, City of Waukee, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Corn for a Cause, Dallas County Closet, Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines Diocese, Des Moines Public Art Foundation, Diocese of Des Moines, DMARC, Dowling Catholic Volleyball Club, Downtown Community Alliance, Easterseals, Everybody Wins Iowa, First Tee of Central Iowa, GDMP Inclusion Council, Goodwill of Central Iowa, Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Habitat for Humanity, Hire Heroes, In Harmony Farm, Iowa Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Iowa Joint Voluntary Agency, Iowa LGBTQ Chamber Board, Iowa Organics Advisory Council, Iowa Stage Theatre, Lead DSM, Mother’s Choice – Italy, MercyOne Foundation, National Gallery of Art, Oakridge Neighborhood, Regional Food Systems Working Group, Richard Deming Cancer Center Committee, United Service Organizations (USO), United Way of Central Iowa, WDM Chamber Black and Brown Business summit, West Des Moines Chamber DEI Committee, Westover School, Winefest Des Moines, Young Women’s Resource Center

In 2023, Krause Group maintained its unwavering commitment to the well-being of our Associates, both within the workplace and beyond.

We understand that true well-being encompasses more than just financial compensation – it’s about feeling supported, valued, and empowered in every aspect of life. To this end, we implemented a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at nurturing the holistic quality of life of our team members.

A major focus of our efforts in 2023 was ensuring fair compensation for our Associates. We conducted annual salary benchmarks to guarantee that everyone receives competitive pay, recognizing and rewarding the contributions of each individual. Additionally, we bolstered our benefits package to include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid parental leave, providing our Associates with security and peace of mind for their future.

Beyond financial security, we understand the importance of financial planning. That’s why we introduced programs like our KG 401(k) plan and reimbursement for personal and family financial planning programs, empowering our Associates to plan for their futures with confidence. We also placed a strong emphasis on physical health, launching initiatives like the “Move More, Eat Better” program and ensuring ample time off for our Associates to recharge and connect with their loved ones.

Our dedication to our Associates extends beyond individual initiatives to foster a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. From monthly company chats to team-building events and discounted memberships to local attractions, we strive to create a vibrant and engaging environment where every Associate feels valued, connected, and motivated. Our weekly internal newsletter serves to keep everyone informed and engaged, promoting transparency and nurturing a sense of community.

We continue to explore innovative ways to support our Associates because we believe that when our team thrives, so does our company. By nurturing a community that values and empowers every individual, we create a workplace where everyone can truly flourish.

While many companies retreated from their embrace of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in 2023, Krause Group decided to lean into its efforts to embed a DEI lens for our Associates and across our business verticals.

Understanding diverse perspectives and experiences deepens our worldview. We engaged key storytellers and shared their narratives with our communities whenever feasible. We will spotlight three notable collaborations of 2023.

Briana Scurry, the renowned United States goalkeeper and two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion, visited Des Moines for three days. She recounted her journey to our leaders, the business community, coaches, medical professionals, high school and college players, and community members. Scurry made history as the first openly gay African American goalkeeper for the U.S. National team. After a career-ending concussion, she demonstrated tremendous resilience in seeking medical treatment while confronting mental health challenges, and her appearance sparked discussions on how to fully support athletes.

Andrė Wright spent time at the Krause Gateway Center, as highlighted in the section Art at Krause Group. Wright shared his documentary, Humanize My Hoodie: Road to New York Fashion Week, which features Mr. Wright’s and Jason Sole’s journey to create the Humanize My Hoodie Movement. The documentary sparked conversation among our Associates and community members about their life experiences in Iowa. Krause Group also collaborated with Mr. Wright on a limited-edition hoodie featuring the phrase “Globalize my Hoodie.” Taking this time to understand personal experiences and impacts is critical to moving toward a better, more inclusive culture.

To further develop a DEI lens, senior leaders, along with 200 Associates and community members, participated in the American Dream Game experience. Participants are asked to assume new identities and engage in a gamified simulation of real-world scenarios to foster empathy and understanding. This training broadens players’ perspectives on inclusivity, illustrating the influence of perceived identities and cultural norms in various aspects of life.

2023 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Highlights

In 2023, we participated in community gatherings, conferences, cultural events, and philanthropic initiatives focused on DEI. Krause Group attended the launch of Iowa’s LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, the African American Museum of Iowa’s 30th anniversary celebration, and the NAACP Iowa Summit on Justice & Disparities. Additionally, the company partnered with the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce on their TREK Days program, facilitated an American Dream Game session for their Leadership Academy, attended the Des Moines Art Center’s Fingerman Lecture, and supported the Transgender Law Center SPARK Gala. These efforts allow Krause Group to continue advancing DEI, both internally and within the broader community.

To further support inclusivity and raise awareness, Krause Group participated in various community events. This included involvement in Can Play’s 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament to raise funds and awareness for programming across all abilities, and participation in the Capital City Pride Gala and Parade to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.

In addition to community engagement, Krause Group prioritized internal education and development. The company provided Associates with resources and opportunities for growth, such as an internal tool to assist Associates during gender transitions on the job. The company also hosted various educational events, including the Women Lead Change Conference and Gender Equality & Reduced Inequality Kick-Off sessions for U.S. and Italy Associates.

In 2023, Krause Group actively promoted DEI through community engagement, including participation in the 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast and establishing a formal partnership with Iowa Jobs for American Graduates (iJAG) at East High School, to expand future employment opportunities for local students. Internally, Krause Group took significant steps to advance DEI efforts, such as developing and implementing a customized training, “Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” via Workday. In-person training sessions like “Remember Sometimes We Think of Ourselves as Grasshoppers, Yet the World Sees Us as Locusts” fostered employee reflection.