DMACC has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a mission-aligned Operating Entity to assume operational leadership of the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families (EKDC) into its next chapter.
Since opening in 2012, EKDC has become one of Central Iowa’s most treasured community assets, an anchor of stability, opportunity, and hope for thousands of individuals and families. Built through collaboration and rooted in the legacy of civil rights trailblazer Evelyn K. Davis, the Center is known for its impact, trusted relationships, and community-centered approach. In 2024 alone, EKDC recorded more than 11,000 client visits, underscoring its role as a welcoming and relied-upon hub for families seeking employment, education, and financial stability.
This RFP and the process supporting it were shaped through the leadership of the EKDC Community Advisory Committee, following community conversations held earlier this fall. The EKDC Advisory Committee, comprised of community members, partners, service providers, funders, and DMACC representatives, has met regularly over the past several months to translate community priorities into a clear, feasible, and values-driven RFP. Their guidance helped establish the structure, expectations, and timeline for the process, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
“The Evelyn K. Davis Center has been a trusted and important resource for our community for more than a decade,” said Kyle Collins, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at DMACC. “We are grateful to the EKDC Community Advisory Committee for the leadership they brought to shaping this process, and we are focused on identifying the next operating partner, one that understands the responsibility of leading this work and is committed to building on what serves the community well.”
Proposals are due February 28, 2026, with an anticipated decision and transition beginning in April 2026 and full operations under the new Operating Entity expected by July 2026. The full RFP and additional information are available on the Evelyn K. Davis Center's website at this link.
More details about the review process and upcoming opportunities for community engagement will be shared after the first of the year.
About The Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families
From its location in the heart of Des Moines, the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families serves thousands of Central Iowans each year, helping them realize their educational and career dreams. In the caring spirit of its namesake, Evelyn Davis, a longtime community and family advocate, this first-of-its-kind resource center opened its doors in 2013. Since then, it has worked to provide solutions to five crucial needs identified by residents: workforce training, employment supports, personal financial and small business coaching, and youth development programming.