BRONZE2024

FREESTORE

Helping Families Start Over

aka FreeStore, Inc   |   West Des Moines, IA   |  http://www.thefreestore.org/

Mission

We support children and families who have escaped domestic violence situations and those suffering from some other form of trauma including natural disaster and criminal assault. We provide donated furniture and household goods as these families begin new independent, productive lives in safe environments.

Notes from the nonprofit

The FreeStore is a volunteer run nonprofit organization with no paid employees. Data collection includes number of clients served annually by type (domestic violence, homelessness, veterans, teens aging out of foster care, etc.) number of volunteers and volunteer hours worked, volume and value of furniture and household good given to clients.

Ruling year info

2005

Board Chair

Ms Diane Munns

Board Member

Marty Rathje

Main address

1020 24TH St % Jean D. Smith

West Des Moines, IA 50266 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

20-2732304

NTEE code info

Public, Society Benefit - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C. (W99)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2022, 2021 and 2020.
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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

The FreeStore was started in 2001 to provide furniture to women leaving the domestic violence shelter in Des Moines, Iowa, helping families start over. As the community learned of our mission, it responded generously, and we were able to expand services to referrals from all area DV agencies, and other Des Moines human services agencies, schools, and churches. The first year, 2001, we gave furniture to 7 families. Now we serve over 250 families annually with over 200 tons of furniture. Through our 2023-2024 long range planning process, we have identified the following words that best describe our organization: Before: Engaged/Cautious/Proactive/Clear After: Engaged/Collaborative/Impact/Innovative The FreeStore seeks to have a long-term positive impact on its community and those they interact with.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Project Clean Start

Women leaving domestic abuse shelters often move into apartments that need cleaning. Cleaning supplies are expensive and a cost to these women who are on limited incomes. 
We want to offer each woman a bucket filled with cleaning supplies and a clothes basket with laundry supplies. Additionally, we seldom have vacuums and would like to offer vacuums to those who need one (estimated 200 per year) and finally we always need pots and pans and would like to purchase some sets of new ones.

Population(s) Served
Families
Victims and oppressed people

We provide furniture and household goods to victims of domestic violence coming out of domestic violence shelters

Population(s) Served
Victims and oppressed people
Single parents

Where we work

Videos

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

For 2024-2026:

1. Diversify and expand volunteer base, strategic partnerships, and organizational capacity.
2. Maintain and grow organizational infrastructure.
3. Enhance the sustainability of the FreeStore.

1A:
- Leverage Board skills and external network
- Work with area employers regarding volunteer opportunities at the FreeStore
- Cultivate next generation of volunteers
1B:
- Better balance operations of the organization for individual volunteers
- Lower barriers to participation for new volunteers and provide onboarding program
- Define key roles and responsibilities for volunteer positions
- Formalize committee structure and volunteer leadership
2A:
- Determine future warehouse needs and location
- Determine need for expansion of the organizational footprint/services
- Evaluate and provide additional enhancements to technology/website
-Assess if capital campaign or other large scale resource development effort is needed
3A:
- Expand network of strategic collaborators, agencies, partners
- Be present in our communities/raise awareness of the organization/provide more group engagement activities
- Promote FreeStore marketing, public relations, and enhance storytelling
- Focus on strengths, frequency, and unique purpose of communication
3B.
- Determine means of maintaining individual donors/reaching new donors
- Develop and implement resource development strategies to broaden donor base
- Secure CRM system for better donor tracking
Continue to explore our major donor grant opportunities in multiple areas of need

Financials

FREESTORE
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

FREESTORE

Board of directors
as of 03/05/2024
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Ms. Diane Munns

No Affiliation.

Term: 2020 - 2026

Lawrence R. Anderson

No affiliation

Jean D. Smith

No Affiliation.

Michael H. Smith

No Affiliation.

Diane Munns

No Affiliation

Harold J Swanson

No affiliation

Marty Rathje

No affiliation

Rachel McGrew

No affiliation

Christopher Dean

No affiliation

Gloria Gray

No affiliation

Patrick McDermott

No affliation

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Not applicable
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Not applicable
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 3/5/2024
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

Transgender Identity

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 03/05/2024

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Policies and processes
  • We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.