our purpose

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 participating in the Drake Relays Street Painting
          we communicate – via our website, email, and social media
          we collaborate – with other downtown entities, like the Downtown Community Alliance
          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 boundaries

The boundaries of the Downtown Neighborhood Association are: Ingersoll Avenue (West of 14th Street), High Street (between 14th Street and 6th Avenue) and Grand Avenue (East of 6th Avenue) on the North, the Raccoon River on the South, the Des Moines River on the East, and 18th Street on the West. View Map

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.

Today, the Downtown Neighborhood Association is one of the fifty-seven (57) neigbhorhoods represented within the City of Des Moines. Collectively these neighborhoods are part of the umbrella neighborhood association of Des Moines Neighbors.

our volunteers

in addition to our all volunteer board, there is also a social committee and membership committee. check out some of our volunteer opportunities currently available.

our membership levels

membership numbers of course change on a daily basis, but this is updated numbers as of the end of each quarter

click to expand and see recent membership numbers

Membership Type	Current Members	Membership List
Standard Resident Membership	77	354
Student Resident Membership	1	7
Senior Resident Membership	38	41
Couple Resident Membership	97	175
Total Resident Memberships	213	577
Non-Resident Memberships	22	86
Total Non-Business Memberships	235	663
Standard Business Memberships	48	112
Silver Level Business Memberships	13	27
Gold Level Business Memberships	1	2
Platinum Level Business Memberships	10	10
Not-for-Profit Business Memberships	9	13
Total Business Memberships	81	164
Complimentary Memberships	1	2
Total DNA Memberships	317	829
*Membership List contains both members that are current paid up in their dues and those that are behind in dues. Prior to 2011, Couple’s Memberships were called Household Memberships and may have included more than 2 members.

our online social media influence

we try to post regularly to both FaceBook and Twitter. do us a favor and follow us on twitter and like us on FaceBook!

DNA Business Sponsors

This is just a random sampling of four of our great business sponsors. Some of our Business Sponsors provide our members with great perks in addition to their sponsorship. Check out the complete list of perks and if you are not already a member join today!

about the downtown neighborhood association