Outstanding Individual Philanthropist 
Nix and Virginia Lauridsen

Nominated by Sophia Ahmad, WesleyLife

Des Moines’ thriving arts and cultural organizations are a testament to the love and support of a generous philanthropic community, a leading force of which is Nix and Virginia Lauridsen. The Civic Music Association’s Great Piano Series and Des Moines Symphony’s Guest Conductor Series bear the Lauridsen name. In 2024, the family made a historic $3 million gift to Ballet Des Moines, and a 2016 $1 million leadership gift created the Lauridsen Opera Center and Endowment at Des Moines Metro Opera — elevating the organization to world-class status.

The Lauridsens’ commitment to classical music and opera is unsurprising given the fact that Virginia, a retired Simpson College professor, is a highly accomplished musician and was an original cast member in the first national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera.” But the Lauridsens’ generosity extends to many other causes, including education and youth development, health and human services, conservation, and the creation of parks and public spaces like the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, the Lauridsen Savanna at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and the Lauridsen Skate Park.

Nix is the retired CEO of Ankeny-based Lauridsen Group and a member of the Iowa Business Hall of Fame. He and Virginia are the parents of three adult children. They are proud today to devote their time and energy to their careers as philanthropists.

“Philanthropy feeds the soul,” Virginia says. “Your legacy isn’t formed by what you accomplish yourself, but by how much you affect others. When you give your money, time, skills and energy, you receive much more in return.”

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser 
Emily Webb

Nominated by Leslie Garmin, DMARC and Cary Douglas, Broadlawns

“It is nearly impossible to quantify,” writes Emily Webb’s nominator from the Des Moines Area Religious Council, “the total positive impact Emily has had on DMARC.” In dollars, it’s easily more than half a million. In families achieving food security, it’s thousands. In servant leadership and passion, she’s “simply tireless.”

Webb, a commercial attorney who currently serves as in-house counsel for Wiz, Inc., chaired DMARC’s capital campaign that raised more than $5 million during the pandemic and moved the organization into a new building. An eight-year DMARC board member, she has helped hire two executive directors and led fundraising for the organization’s signature event, Spring Greens.

Webb was also nominated by Broadlawns Medical Center for her service, which has included leading the organization’s executive search and serving on its board of trustees. The six-time Boston Marathon qualifier was also nominated by Girls on the Run of Central Iowa, where she has served as a participant sponsor and a “5K buddy,” as well as an advisory board member.

A graduate of Wartburg College, the University of Iowa and Creighton Law School, Webb has served on the boards of the Des Moines Planning and Zoning Commission, Conmigo Early Childhood Education, the After School Arts Program and others; she received the Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award, the Des Moines Business Record 40 Under 40 Award and the Girl Scouts Inspiring Women of Iowa Award, all in 2019. She and her husband, Nick, have a daughter, Maeve.

Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy 
Jacob Forney

Nominated by Janet Fisher, Blank Children’s Hospital

Jacob Forney was just 11 years old when he was inspired to use his musical talents for the benefit of Blank Children’s Hospital. In the last seven years, “Jacob’s Jams” has raised more than $11,000 as he has traveled to community events, most notably the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market, singing and playing the ukulele for tips that are donated to the hospital for programs such as Child Life and the Center for Advocacy and Outreach, as well as the Fire Safety Truck, which travels to elementary schools to teach children about safety.

Now a student and musician at the University of Iowa, Forney has developed a program called “Jacob Jams with Friends: the Next Generation,” which encourages other young musicians to join him and create their own fundraising goals.

Forney’s generosity and service led him to receive numerous honors, including the Valley High School Silver Cord for completing more than 200 hours of community service and the 2023 Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award, which recognized “Jacob’s Jams” as a testament to Forney’s work ethic, maturity, integrity and self-confidence.

“My ultimate dream is to continue to inspire other students to start their own jams and raise money for a great cause, like Blank Children’s Hospital,” Forney says. “I saw the benefit my own jams provided and know other kids can make just as important of a difference.”

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser  
Mark Vukovich  

Nominated by Julia Mason, YMCA of Greater Des Moines

Mark Vukovich is retired from his role as president and CEO of Blank Park Zoo, but his commitment to the organization and countless other Central Iowa nonprofits is far from coming to an end. Vukovich has devoted more than three decades to the Greater Des Moines YMCA where he helped raise more than $10 million while serving as chair for nine annual campaigns. He also provided 16 years of service to Variety, the Children’s Charity which raised $3.4 million during his board presidency in 2006.

Vukovich sold the family business, Dewey Ford, in 2007 and went on to devote 12 years of his career to the leadership of the zoo, during which he was proud to lead a seven-year capital campaign that raised more than $25 million. He remains actively involved with the zoo today as a board member and volunteer. In 2021, he became the board chair for the Ape Initiative and has remained in the role, helping raise funds for an outdoor classroom and STEM education in Iowa.

As a volunteer, Vukovich walks the walk and values the ability to give gifts of time in addition to treasure.

“Raising money that fulfills the needs of the community is its own reward,” Vukovich says. “However, it is not just about the money. The time invested when fitting a new bike helmet on a little friend or watching a wheelchair-bound child see the lions for the first time is as fulfilling.”

A graduate of Iowa State University, Vukovich and his wife, Char, are the parents of Kate.

Student Artists

Under the direction of Christian Vandehaar, Bondurant-Farrar High School art teacher, and with the support of the Community Foundation of Great Des Moines, these six students were selected to create this year’s National Philanthropy Day awards. Each piece is inspired by and embodies the philanthropic spirit of the recipient. This marks the fifth year Mr. Vandehaar’s students have created the artwork to celebrate philanthropy in the community, carrying on an over 20 year tradition. Thank you to Mr. Vandehaar and the students for providing such beautiful and unique pieces for this year’s celebration!
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