DMACC Selects Lutheran Services in Iowa to Operate the Evelyn K. Davis Center

The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Board of Directors has approved the selection of Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) as the new operating entity for the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families (EKDC), marking a significant milestone in the Center's continued impact and long-term future serving working families in Central Iowa.

Since opening in 2012, the Evelyn K. Davis Center has been a trusted and deeply valued community resource, providing coordinated employment, financial, and educational support through the nationally recognized Center for Working Families model. In late 2025, DMACC initiated a comprehensive search for a new operating entity to steward the Center into its next chapter while honoring its mission, values, and legacy.

DMACC emphasized four key criteria in its decision: long-term sustainability, financial stability, operational viability, and programmatic alignment.

A Community-Informed Process

Recognizing the strong interest, engagement, and commitment across the community for the Center's success, DMACC partnered with the Center's Community Advisory Committee and engaged stakeholders throughout the process. That collaboration produced a formal Request for Proposals (RFP), which DMACC released in December.

The RFP emphasized DMACC's four key criteria. It was shaped by extensive feedback from stakeholders and funders, which centered on the importance of a seamless experience for those served by the Center, continuity and support for staff, and the long-term stability required to sustain and expand its impact.

Three entities applied by the February 28 RFP deadline, one of which withdrew. The remaining two applicants were part of an intensive evaluation period throughout March, which included proposal reviews, financial analysis, in-person interviews, and a public Community Conversation to gather insights and perspectives.

In early April, a panel comprised of DMACC leadership and others with close ties to EKDC weighed the evaluation's comprehensive findings against the four key criteria to formulate the final recommendation to the Board for consideration.

"This was a rigorous and transparent process by design," said Dr. Kyle Collins, DMACC Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. "From the development of the RFP to financial review, interviews, and opportunities for community input, each step was intentionally structured to ensure accountability, clarity, and thoughtful decision making.

"This process was successful because so many gave so much of themselves. On behalf of DMACC, I want to thank our dedicated committee members and the countless members of the community who offered input."

A Strong Successor

Lutheran Services in Iowa is a longstanding nonprofit organization with experience managing complex, multi-program environments and delivering workforce programs, family, and stabilization services to all those in need. It is a longtime collaborator with the Evelyn K. Davis Center whose work is in direct alignment with the Center's mission. Its diversified funding streams, established compliance and reporting systems, and organizational infrastructure position it to provide continuity and stability as the Center moves forward.

"Our goal was to identify the steward best equipped to guide the Evelyn K. Davis Center into its next chapter," Collins said. "We are confident in LSI's ability to provide a smooth transition and bring the leadership, stability, and vision needed to carry the Center forward, preserving what works today while building for what comes next."

"Lutheran Services in Iowa is honored to be selected as the next operating entity for the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families," said Renee Hardman, President and CEO of Lutheran Services in Iowa. "We have deep respect for the Center's history, its staff, and the community it serves. Our commitment is to preserve what makes EKDC special while providing the operational support and stability needed to ensure its impact for years to come. We are excited to work with DMACC on this transition and partner with the community in this important work."

Next Steps

The transition from DMACC to LSI will begin immediately, with expected completion by July 1, 2026. The Center will continue to carry the name of Evelyn K. Davis, the tireless community advocate for the underserved who died in 2001. The Center will also remain in its current location at 1171 7th Street in Des Moines.

As EKDC enters this next chapter, DMACC and LSI are committed to maintaining strong local partnerships and a seamless continuity of services to the community. Both remain focused on preserving the Center's legacy while building on its strong foundation to expand opportunity and impact to individuals and families in need.

About The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families

From its location in the heart of Des Moines, the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families serves thousands of Central Iowans each year, helping them realize their educational and career dreams. In the caring spirit of its namesake, Evelyn Davis, a longtime community and family advocate, this first-of-its-kind resource center opened its doors in 2013. Since then, it has worked to provide solutions to five crucial needs identified by residents: workforce training, employment supports, personal financial and small business coaching, and youth development programming.

About Lutheran Services in Iowa

LSI is one of Iowa's largest human services agencies and impacts thousands of Iowans annually through child abuse prevention, services for children and families, services for people with disabilities, and immigrant and refugee services for over the past 160 years. LSI is nationally accredited and proudly serves people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. To learn more, visit LSIowa.org. Join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/LSI.iowa and on Instagram at @lsi_iowa.

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