Great Iowa Treasure Hunt Hits Milestone of Paying One Million Properties to Past and Present Iowans

DES MOINES, Iowa – A West Des Moines non-profit was the 1 millionth owner reunited with funds in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. Today, State Treasurer Roby Smith presented a check to the recipient, Can Play. “During our National Unclaimed Property Day celebration on February 1, thousands of Iowans and businesses searched their name on our website,” said Smith. “And it paid off! The awareness from this campaign helped Great Iowa Treasure Hunt hit an exciting milestone; since the program’s beginning, a total of 1 million owners have been reunited with their unclaimed property. I am thrilled the millionth property returned was to Can Play in West Des Moines!”

“Can Play was founded through a merger of two other non-profit organizations. After the merger we learned that we would be unable to recover some of the funds raised to support our mission to bring adapted and no-cost sports and recreational programs to our community. Fortunately, our board treasurer, Jay Syverson, suggested that we check the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt and submit a claim once these funds were sent to the State,” said Dylan DeClerck, co-founder of Can Play. “We appreciate the Treasurer’s help recovering these funds, which will allow us to continue to offer programming throughout the state.”

Through Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, the Treasurer’s Office works to reunite owners with their lost property. “We work to get the word out about unclaimed property through Iowa media, newspapers, letters, events, social media and our website, but word of mouth is one of our best tools when it comes to raising awareness,” concluded Smith. “Currently, my office is safekeeping more than $533 million that is waiting to be claimed. Tell your family, friends and neighbors to search for their name at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov. Searching is fast, free and easy!”

Great Iowa Treasure Hunt has returned over $361 million in unclaimed property to past and present Iowans. To see if you have unclaimed property in Iowa, visit GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov. Connect with the Treasurer on Facebook, Instagram and X to stay up-to-date on all areas of the office.

About Great Iowa Treasure Hunt

Every year, millions of dollars are turned over to the State Treasurer’s Office as unclaimed property, which refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions, businesses and organizations that have lost contact with the owner for a specific period of time. Common forms of unclaimed property include dormant checking and saving accounts, uncashed checks, lost stocks, life insurance policies, utility deposits and contents of safe deposit boxes.

About Can Play

Can Play provides adapted recreational sports and skills programs designed to meet the unique requirements of individuals with disabilities, including physical, cognitive, emotional, developmental and neurodiverse conditions, as well as those utilizing wheelchairs or walkers. Using sports and recreation programs, Can Play brings people and communities together to play as one, ensuring everyone has access to play through their Opportunity and Courage Programs. With a mission to decrease the participation gap in sports and recreation that affects underprivileged youth, not just physically, but also on a social, emotional and developmental level, Can Play serves approximately 15,000 participants a year.