In 2015, to honor our founder's legacy of giving, we launched the Gerry Rauenhorst Building Community Award along with the Opus Foundation®. Fueled by unwavering optimism, Gerry demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and a commitment to finding a better way to build a business, community and value-centered life. With an enduring belief that business has a responsibility to strengthen society, Gerry ensured giving back was a cornerstone of our organization.
This annual award is truly inspired by Gerry and our people. Associates nominate nonprofits, and then select a finalist for each of our eight markets. This year we did things a little differently with a three-round internal vote to select the Building Community Award winner. The winning nonprofit received a grant totaling $67,000 – $1,000 for each year since Gerry founded the company in 1953. In addition, the other seven finalists each receive $5,000 in recognition of the important contributions they are making to our communities.
Without further ado, the 2020 Building Community Award winner and recipient of a $67,000 Opus Foundation® grant is…
Creative Visions Human Development Institute of Des Moines!
Creative Visions provides resources to individuals who want to make a positive change in their life. Programming guides individuals and families toward sustainability and self-sufficiency through education, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
As their vision states, Creative Visions' breaks “the chain of poverty and hopelessness within vulnerable communities, by empowering the individuals from within them, to become prosperous and productive citizens, who contribute to and shape prosperous and productive communities."
Since their founding in 1996, they've helped thousands build stronger lives, families and communities.
2019 Finalists
Recognizing the important contributions of all the finalists, the remaining seven will each receive a $5,000 grant from the Opus Foundation®.
Center for Enriched Living (Chicago)
Include, achieve, enjoy: Goals for Center for Enriched Living's social, recreational, employment and educational programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Environmental Learning for Kids (Denver)
ELK is an inclusive organization that develops inspired and responsible leaders through science education and outdoor experiences for underserved, urban youth ages 5 – 25.
Indianapolis Parks Foundation (Indianapolis)
The Indianapolis Parks Foundation is committed to demonstrating the transformational power of parks by connecting resources to needs.
Giving the Basics (Kansas City)
Giving the Basics supports health and dignity by providing free hygiene and sanitation products for Kansas City's poor.
Lake Street Council (Minneapolis)
Lake Street Council is a business association serving hundreds of mostly small, immigrant-owned businesses near Lake Street in Minneapolis.
i.d.e.a. Museum (Phoenix)
i.d.e.a. Museum helps strengthen families and supports early education through art, creativity and imagination so that children flourish and thrive.
Building Futures (St. Louis)
Building Futures challenges young people to discover their unique path in the 21st century through invention, designing and building.