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Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams is By Degrees Foundation’s signature fundraising event, raising more than $1 million since 2006 to support Des Moines students. Started by a small circle of dedicated women, Sweet Dreams has grown into a gathering of more than 150 women and men from across the community committed to expanding opportunity through education.

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Through the generosity of attendees and supporters, funds raised at Sweet Dreams help By Degrees Foundation provide students with the guidance, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed beyond high school. Together, we're proving that when students thrive, our community thrives, too.

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Join us for the 20th Annual Sweet Dreams

​​​​​​​​Become a Sweet Dreams sponsor and stand with a community committed to opportunity, education, and student success.

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

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2025Supporters

Thank you to our 2025 Sweet Dreams Supporters

We have made every effort to accurately recognize the donors who supported Sweet Dreams in 2025. If you notice an error or omission, please contact us at info@bydegreesfoundation.org so we can correct it.

* denotes Support a Scholar donor during the 2024-25 school year

Andrea & Greg Abel*

Barb Adams

Ally Aden

Karin Ahrold

Sandra Alexander

Eva & Michael Anderson*

Karen Andrew*

Stephanie Asklof

Kelli Baker

Mary Alice Baker

Pamela Bass-Bookey & Harry Bookey*

Claudia Batesole*

Sally Beisser

Sara Bering

Meghan & David Blum

Margo Blumenthal

Connie Boesen

Nancy Bone*

Jennifer Braafhart

Annie Brandt*

Chloe Bratvold

Britt & Barron Bremner*

Lauren Burgeson

Patricia Buroker

Mary Buscher

Kelly Caldbeck

Marilyn Carroll

Nancy Cheeseman

Krisanne Colby

Connie Comfort

Martha Crist

Dana Davenport

Margie & Jay Davidson*

Melanie & Michael Dayton*

Genevieve Dean

Mindi Dickinson

Teresa Driscoll

Susan Dyer Risser

Amy Elbert

Marion Elmquist

Kathy Elsner

Karen Engman

Katey Farrell

Jenny Ferrari

Ann Flood

Jann Freed

Natalie Frierott

Scott Galenbeck & Leann Treloar*

Angela & Terry Gallagher*

Julie Ghrist

Priscilla Gilbert

Nancy Green

Alanna & Justin Greenwood*

Barbara Grefe

Linda Gulbrandson*

Kathryn Hamilton

Khanh Hamilton

​​Jane & David Hemminger

Karen Henderson

Danielle Hermann*

Dixie Hoekman*

Libby Holder

Lauren Holderness

Sara Hopkins*

Joan & Dan Houston*

Charlotte & Fred Hubbell*

Deborah Hubbell

Trudy Hurd*

Annick & Craig Ibsen*

Martha James*

Teresa Johnson

Susy & Bruce Kelley*

Anne Kelly

Mary & Dan Kelly*

Liz Lidgett

Julie Linn

Jennifer Lock Oman

Christina Lovern

Susan Low

Carolyn Lynner

Cory McAnelly*

Abby McConnaughhay-Munro

Linda & Ken McCullum*

Claudette McDonald

Ed McGill

Alissa McKinney

Susan & James Meimann*

Joan Middleton*

Everett Miles

Matt & Dana Moore*

Megan & Ryan Mortier*

Bernie Mouw

Erin Muchow*

Mary Katherine & Lucas Nelson*

Mary Louise Neugent

Maribeth Newman

Pauline Niebur

Barbara Nish

Tom Nucaro

Katie & Bryan O'Neill*

Sara Opie

Eliza Ovrom

Craig Owens

Diana & Dan Pelzer*

Derrick Prine

Keaton Pulver

Judy Quick

Mary Radia

Lauren & Chad Rasmussen*

Sri Reddy*

Ann Richards

Jackie Romp

Carolyn Ruan

Janis Ruan

Molly Ryan*

Sammons Financial Group*

Valerie Sandford

Ann Sarosi

Joan Scherle

Joseph Schneider*

Jessie Schulte

Karen Shaff

Mary Shetler

Cherie Shreck

Annie Sloterdyk Brandt

Lucreia & Mondale Smith*

Kelly Sparks

Meredith & Andrew Stahl*

Jenn State

Rachel Stauffer & James Lawson*

Beth Stelle Jones

Hallie Still Caris

Kathy & Ted Stuart*

Coreen Sweeney

Dianne Swieskowski

Cheryl Sypal

Nikki & Jay Syverson*

Marsha Ternus

Molly Thelen

Carrie Thrall

Dotty Thurston*

Kathleen Till Stange

Diane Todd Brown

Janel Tyler

Wicker Van Orsdel

Carolyn Vaughn

Deanna Ver Steeg*

Nancy Vernon

Teri Wahlig & Mark Feldmann*

Marie & Marvin Walker*

Linda Weidmaier

Todd & Teresa Weidmaier*

Angel West*

Linda Westergaard

Tracy Wheeler*

Meg & Patrick Whitty*

Michele & Steve Whitty*

Malinda Wiesner

Jean Williams

Kara Wilson

Janie Wine

Sue Wirtz

Linda Witte

Jim Work & Judith Eastburn

Karen Worth

Maribeth & William Wright*

Eleanor Zeff

Sabrina Zenor

Sweet Dreams Through the Years

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BY DEGREES FOUNDATION

PO Box 41070

Des Moines, IA 50311

515-650-8230 • info@bydegreesfoundation.org

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By Degrees Foundation has earned Candid’s 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency—the highest level of recognition offered by Candid, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. This designation is awarded only to nonprofits that demonstrate exceptional transparency through comprehensive public disclosures, accuracy, and frequent updates.

© 2026 by By Degrees Foundation

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