Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser

Tom Mahoney

Nominated by ChildServe 

Tom Mahoney has been one of Greater Des Moines’ most sought-after volunteer leaders and philanthropists for more than three decades. The retired CEO and chairman of ITA Group has been a key cog in organizations such as the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Central Iowa Water Trails, United Way of Central Iowa, Catch Des Moines, Dowling Catholic High School, the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa, Anawim Housing, and Wesley Life. Mahoney has also been a board member for ChildServe – an organization providing services for children with special health care needs – since 2015. In 2018, the organization launched an ambitious $10 million fundraising campaign called “Forward Together” and named Mahoney as chair of the effort.

Thanks to Mahoney’s leadership, the campaign was a remarkable success. “Forward Together” raised $10.6 million to expand signature programs in medical care, pediatric rehabilitation, and behavioral health. Not only did the campaign engage prominent Des Moines area philanthropists, but 97 of the 168 campaign donors were first-time contributors to a ChildServe campaign. His fellow ChildServe board members described his campaign leadership as focused, collaborative, and passionate.

A 1981 University of Iowa graduate, Mahoney is a past recipient of the A. Arthur Davis Distinguished Community Leadership Award (2016), United Way Tocqueville Society Award (2017), and the Catch Des Moines Community Champion Award (2019). He was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 2020.