Quad Cities Community Foundation awards nearly half-million in grants to 27 nonprofits
Twenty-seven nonprofits were awarded just over $470,000 in grants from the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Coordinated Field of Interest Grant Program. The grant program includes awards from 10 funds made possible by donors at the Quad Cities Community Foundation.
Nine of the organizations received grants that will be awarded for two consecutive years.
“It is always a great day at the Quad Cities Community Foundation, especially when we get to see the tremendous impact donor contributions have on nonprofits in our region who are engaging in work—from the arts to basic human needs,” said Sherry Ristau, president and CEO. “The 27 organizations that make up grantees of our Coordinated Field of Interest Grant Program represent a cross-section of our community who are making lives better, one person at a time, one day at a time. They represent the power of what philanthropy can do—pairing donor generosity with critical funding for promising opportunities and critical needs.”
Dr. Raj Sekharan established the Sekharan Family Fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation, one of the funds that makes the Coordinated Field of Interest Grants possible. He and his late-wife Mari started the fund in 2014 to support homeless-serving and hospice care organizations. “We thought there was great need in both of those areas, and we trust the Community Foundation to make the best decisions about how our fund can support these two areas of need,” Dr. Sekharan said.
This year, the grant from his fund supported the general operating costs of Family Resources, which helps to strengthen children, families, and individuals by providing services that engage community resources for foster care and adoption, mental health, and survivor services.
Grant awards were also made from the Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund, the Basic Human Needs Fund, the Chip Sunderbruch Memorial Risk Management Fund, the CommunityWorks Endowment, the John J. Quail Fund, the Judith Berger Fund, the Nell C. Brennan Fund, and the Roy E. Murray Fund. Additional dollars this year were provided from the Quad Cities Community Impact Fund, the Community Foundation’s endowment, to offer additional grant support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund—supporting health, community development, youth development, education, and arts and cultural activities
- Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities: $10,000
- Family Resources, Inc.: $9,730
- Friendly House: $15,000
- Heart of Hope Ministries: $40,000
- Hope at the Brick House, Inc.: $4,600
- LivWell CARES: $6,400
- Moline Community Development Corporation: $10,000
- New Kingdom Trailriders: $15,000
- Quad Cities Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees: $35,000
- Quad City Arts: $2,450
- River Bend Foodbank: $19,500
- Rock Island Country Extension and 4-H Education Foundation: $5,000
- School Health LINK, Inc.: $20,000
- Tapestry Farms: $15,000
- Two Rivers YMCA: $15,000
- YMCA of the Quad Cities: $37,600
- YouthHope: $32,250
Basic Human Needs Fund Grant—supporting organizations supporting basic human needs:
- River Bend Foodbank: $500
Chip Sunderbruch Memorial Risk Management Fund Grant—focuses on risk management and safety issues:
- LivWell CARES: $3,600
CommunityWorks Endowment Fund Grant—focuses on childcare, land use protection, and workforce development:
- Testimonies of Hope: $12,000
- WVIK Quad Cities NPR: $6,600
John J. Quail Fund Grant—focuses on arts and culture:
- Quad City Arts: $2,550
Judith Berger Fund Grant—focuses on education, poverty, and children in need:
- YMCA of the Quad Cities: $2,400
Nell C. Brennan Fund Grant—focuses on educational opportunities for underserved children:
· Hope at the Brick House, Inc.: $400
Quad Cities Community Impact Fund—focuses on the most pressing needs and promising opportunities in the Quad Cities:
· 100 Black Men Quad Cities: $10,000
· Alternatives for the Older Adult: $40,000
· Augustana College: $17,100
· Ballet Quad Cities: $10,000
· Love Girls Magazine: $12,000
· Midwest Writing Center: $8,000
· River Music Experience: $10,000
· Trinity Medical Center: $30,000
· WVIK Quad Cities NPR: $5,400
Roy E. Murray Fund Grant—focuses on youth:
· YouthHope: $7,750
Sekharan Family Fund Grant—focuses on hospice care and homelessness:
· Family Resources, Inc.: $700
Grants are made available thanks to the generosity of donors in the region who have made endowment gifts to support communities in the Quad Cities area. These grants were awarded through the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Coordinated Field of Interest Fund Opportunity, allowing nonprofits to submit one application and be considered for many grant opportunities. For more information about starting a fund to support the region, or to apply for a grant, visit www.qccommunityfoundation.org.
