Harriet & Locke Macomber - Forever Friends of Orchard Place
Today the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines announced that it facilitated the largest gift in its history thanks to the generosity and foresight of Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber.
“Harriet and Locke were longtime patrons and participants of philanthropic causes and the arts in Greater Des Moines,” said Kristi Knous, President of the Community Foundation. “Upon Harriet’s passing in 2020, our community lost not only a committed volunteer but an intentional and strategic charitable spirit. Her careful planning and astute investing ensured her and Locke’s impact would continue.”
Their estate includes an anticipated $5 million legacy gift to establish an endowment benefiting Orchard Place. The Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber Orchard Place Fund will be administered by the Community Foundation. The Fund’s purpose is to initiate innovative programs to impact children’s mental health in Central Iowa.
“This is the single largest gift in our 135-year history,” said Orchard Place CEO Anne Starr. “It is fitting that Harriet and Locke who, during their lifetimes, cared so deeply about the youth and families we serve, will continue their lifegiving impact on our mission of developing strong futures for youth facing mental, emotional, and behavioral health challenges.”
“Locke first joined the Orchard Place Board in 1969,” said Chief Financial Officer Val Saltsgaver, “He became president in 1979 and played an instrumental role in expanding Orchard Place Campus to 10 acres. After Locke’s Board service ended in 1983, he and Harriet continued to give generously to many Orchard Place projects.”
“Their family’s loyal and generous giving history with Orchard Place spans more than 50 years,” added Starr, “Thanks to their planned gift, their legacy will live on forever. We are forever grateful.”
Orchard Place is home to Iowa’s experts in children’s mental health.
In 2021, Orchard Place cared for 6,771 youth through inpatient, outpatient, and community-based programs.
Media Resource:
Erin Hurley Smith
(515) 868-0194
eesmith@orchardplace.org