We strive to live out our mission of improving the lives of children throughout Iowa who are at risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs. Below are the direct and indirect ways we make a difference for these children. Please contact Alexa Lord, Variety’s director of programs, with any questions you may have.
Specialized Mobility Program
Variety gives children the chance to join in the life of their community by providing adaptive bicycles, gait trainers, mobile standers, specialized strollers, and more to families in need. Please work with your child’s physical or occupational therapist to fill out the mobility application.
Please send completed mobility applications to: mobility@varietyiowa.com.
Grant & Van Program for Nonprofits
Every year, children's nonprofits across Iowa can apply for grants to fund programs and tangible items that align with Variety’s mission of supporting children in need. Applications open in mid-March and close the Friday before Memorial Day.
Compassion Fund
The Compassion Fund allows frontline social workers to identify needs and distribute funds immediately, providing much-needed relief for families.
If you and your family are experiencing a long hospital stay with your critically ill child at: Blank Children's Hospital, ChildServe, Mary Greeley Medical Center, or MercyOne Des Moines in central Iowa, or Mercy Medical Center or UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's Hospital in eastern Iowa, please reach out to your social worker or nurse to have access to Variety’s Compassion Fund.
