Homegrown Giving

As Larry and Sharee Den Herder prepared for retirement, they knew creating community was essential in this next, exciting phase of life. “Years ago, as we began to discuss our plan to retire to the Okoboji area, a friend said we should get involved with the Okoboji Foundation,” shares Larry. “Doing so has provided us with an opportunity to give back to the community we now call home, while getting to know our new neighbors.”

Upon Larry’s retirement in 2016, the couple was interested in marking the milestone by ensuring they could support causes they care about throughout their lifetimes. “Sharee was a special education teacher and I led a business in Sioux Center. Through our professional experiences we saw first-hand the needs of our neighbors, and became committed to reinvesting in the community,” says Larry. Thanks to the Okoboji Foundation’s relationship as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the Den Herders had the opportunity to make a gift of stock in Larry’s company to support the couple’s charitable giving funds at the Community Foundation. After accepting the gift of C-corporation stock, the Community Foundation sold the shares back to the company at market value.

Since beginning their partnership with the Community Foundation, the Den Herders are also finding opportunities to involve their entire family in charitable conversations. “Sharee and I believe that giving is taught. Granting from our charitable giving funds has become an important family decision and provides us with plenty of teachable moments. We have been blessed and have a responsibility to give back; the Community Foundation is a great resource for our family.”


“Making a gift of C-Corp stock to the Community Foundation gave us the latitude for ongoing giving to causes, while realizing maximum tax savings. This gift made good sense for our giving now and into the future.” - Larry Den Herder