Rooted in the longstanding family conviction of "to whom much is given, much is expected," Nicole Boyington, Partner and Executive Director of Storey Kenworthy I Workspace Foundation for the Iowa-based dealership Storey Kenworthy and its sister company Workspace, serves as a dedicated champion for strategic business charitable giving within her organizations. That passion and commitment to community betterment align seamlessly with the businesses’ core values and stated purpose of “Empowering and inspiring people to work and live better.” 

"We wholeheartedly believe it's our duty to share our successes with our community," says Boyington. “By working together and demonstrating our values of integrity, growth, dependability, continuous improvement, and a positive attitude, we can enhance the communities we are a part of to help everyone enjoy a better quality of life and reach their full potential."

Storey Kenworthy and Workspace’s journey into philanthropy began in 1994 with their involvement with the United Way, where they matched employee donations to non-profits, making a positive impact in the Des Moines Metro area. Over the years, this initial step evolved into a well-organized, purpose-driven giving strategy that extends far beyond matching employee financial contributions.

The Storey Kenworthy I Workspace Foundation now partners with and houses their donation dollars with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, which provides valuable insights into community needs and allows them to support non-profits more consistently. A structured approach involving annual contributions based on profitability creates a fund that remains resilient even during challenging financial times, such as when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

"It’s during these challenging times when people really need help,” Boyington explains. “Yet, this is also when companies face the most financial constraints. Our partnership with the Community Foundation gives us the flexibility to provide consistent support, no matter how the market or our industry is doing. This way, our charitable contributions stay steady, providing help when it's needed most."

In 2015, the Storey Kenworthy I Workspace Foundation began involving employees in the decision-making process, establishing their Community Engagement Committee (CEC), which allows employees to voice their preferences and direct contributions to causes close to their hearts. The current charitable giving focus areas— mental health, abuse and violence prevention, children and education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives —reflect the collective values of the organization.

The Storey Kenworthy I Workspace Foundation's giving approach now involves a variety of initiatives, including monthly contributions and sponsorships of up to $1,000 to nominated nonprofits, a quarterly Featured Non-Profit Program involving matching the support given by customers and suppliers, and an annual $25,000 Grant Program offering five $5,000 grants to five different organizations. Shareholders also vote on using available funds to back capital campaigns for large-scale community projects. Non- profit recipients for 2023 included organizations such as Special Olympics, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, Children’s Cancer Connection, Paralyzed Veterans of America Iowa Chapter, Shalom Community Impact Center, the Wesley Life Meals on Wheels facility, Dorothy’s House, By Degrees, and Ellipsis Iowa, to name a few.

Employee engagement remains a cornerstone of the program. Surveys are conducted every four years to determine focus areas, ensuring that the giving strategy always remains aligned with employees' values. Furthermore, Storey Kenworthy and Workspace actively support formal volunteer events, encouraging employee involvement by annually providing eight hours of Volunteer Time Off (VTO).

The Storey Kenworthy I Workspace Foundation's holistic business approach to corporate social responsibility has profoundly impacted its community, as numerous non-profits can attest. Says Boyington, “Our passion for giving where we live and our strategic approach to charitable funding highlights how purposeful giving can be a powerful driver for lasting change.”