Purpose & History

We exist to involve neighbors in a collective effort to enhance and celebrate the quality of residential life in downtown Des Moines.

  • We socialize – enjoying camaraderie with our neighbors.
  • We participate – in local activities, like the downtown farmer’s market, National Night Out, and the Iowa State Fair Parade.
  • We educate – through monthly listening sessions with speakers on local issues.
  • We communicate – via our website, email, and social media.
  • We collaborate – with other downtown entities, like Downtown DSM: Future Forward.
  • We advocate – for the neighborhood, working with governmental agencies and elected officials.
  • We preserve – the rich heritage of downtown Des Moines.
  • We are philanthropic – giving to deserving charities and institutions that support downtown Des Moines.

Our History

A small group of early downtown residents got together in June 2002 to begin the process of establishing our neighborhood association. The City of Des Moines officially recognized the Downtown Des Moines Neighborhood Association, today known as the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Des Moines or simply the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) in September 2002. Our first board meetings and members joined in October 2002. Our first annual meeting and election of a board of directors occurred in January 2003. We went online with our first version of desmoinesdna.com on January 16, 2003.

On March 13, 2014, the Downtown Neighborhood Association was recognized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)4 of the Internal Revenue Code. We were granted a retroactive exemption with an effective date of March 15, 2010.

Today, the Downtown Neighborhood Association is one of the neighborhoods represented within the City of Des Moines.