Passion for Catholic schools drives capital campaign co-chairs

June 14, 2022

Catholic education has long been a big priority for Sharon and Kyle Krause and their family. 

In addition to their philanthropic support, they have invested a considerable amount of their time and leadership to ensure that Catholic schools in the Diocese of Des Moines continue to thrive. 

So when Bishop William Joensen asked them to serve as General Co-Chairs for the Ignite! Campaign, it was an easy “yes.” 

“All five of our children went to Catholic schools, and our daughter taught in one, so we were closely following the strategic planning process for the schools,” said Sharon. “The resulting vision for the future not only aligns with our values but will ensure that the schools in our Diocese will be able to flourish. We want future generations of kids to have the same opportunity that ours had, so this was a natural fit for us.”

As General Co-Chairs, the Krauses played a critical role in leading a successful silent phase for the Ignite! Campaign, helping to secure over $12 million in lead gifts and providing momentum for the diocesan-wide effort currently underway.

“Starting with Kyle’s father, Bill, our family has been very involved at Holy Family School. In volunteering his time at the school, he witnessed firsthand how much the kids and their families valued the gift of an outstanding Catholic education. Without the support of the Catholic community, that opportunity would not be available. The endowment for tuition assistance established through the Ignite! Campaign is going to help many more families across our 16 diocesan Catholic schools realize that dream. With the blessings we’ve received, it is an honor to do as much as we can to help.”

This spirit of gratitude has led Sharon and Kyle to invest their considerable energy and talents into similar endeavors that align with their Catholic values. Sharon is owner of Dalla Terra Ranch, Iowa’s only organically certified sheep ranch in Booneville, which recently gifted 70 acres of the ranch to establish a new non-profit called In Harmony Farm. The farm provides land access to socially disadvantaged farmers so they can build regenerative farming and business skills, scale operations to support themselves and their families, and build wealth in their underserved communities. The farmers come from all over the world where farming was once their livelihood.

“I believe the work we are doing at In Harmony Farm closely aligns with Catholic teachings,” said Sharon. “When Pope John Paul II visited Iowa in 1979, he said ‘You are stewards of some of the most important resources God has given to the world. Therefore, conserve the land well, so that your children’s children and generations after them will inherit an even richer land than was entrusted to you.’ “There are so many parallels but, the main takeaway is that it is our responsibility to use our gifts to make things better for those who follow. We hope and pray that many will see the Ignite! Campaign in the same way.”