As every member of the Illowa Council knows, a Boy Scout always leaves his campsite in better shape than he found it. According to Mark Schwiebert, a former Eagle Scout and the founder of the Mark W. Schwiebert Fund for Environmental Studies at the Quad Cities Community Foundation, that principle extends across the planet we call home. “Ask yourself: what do you want to leave behind for those who come after you?” Schwiebert’s own answer to that question helped lead him to establish the Schwiebert Fund, which since 2016 has made annual grants to Quad Cities nonprofits that educate the community... Read More

Genesis Health System will help area students and families get back to normal when schools reopen. “Pack the Bus’’ debuted two years ago as part of the Genesis anniversary celebration of 150 years of health services. The needs are even greater as families continue to recover from COVID-19 disruptions. “The Genesis ‘Pack the Bus’ campaign will assist families and the schools again this year by providing the tools they need for learning,” said Shirley Gusta, director of the Genesis Business Intelligence Center, who is coordinating the Genesis volunteer effort. “There is never enough... Read More

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the largest, women-led providers of life insurance and annuities, has announced a $15,000 donation to Quad City area non-profit organizations struggling to meet increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The $15,000 donation comes on the heels of the nearly $100,000 Royal Neighbors has invested in its 170 local chapters nationwide so far this year. “During this challenging time, Royal Neighbors recognizes that many non‐profits, as well our community chapters, are experiencing significant challenges. While non-profits are seeing an influx of new clients... Read More

You can help make a child’s first day at school a lot more special by helping The First Day Project. Over 25,000 kids receive free or reduced lunches, and therefore they qualify for free school supplies through the project, which relies on the generosity of locals in the community to help out. The First Day Project used to partner with the Postal Service to collect the school supplies but three years ago they Postal Service stopped the program and United Way stepped in to help. “In the past, we worked mainly with our business community to collect the items but the need is too great... Read More

Transitions Mental Health Services is excited to announce that their 10th Annual Golf Outing, scheduled for July 24th, will continue as planned. As a precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all guidelines put forth by the Governor, as well as the recommendations from the CDC will be followed. Transitions also said this year’s golf outing will place high focus on unity, comradery, positivity and, of course, mental health. The event will take place at Highland Springs Golf Course, 9500 35th Street West, Rock Island, with sign-up beginning at 11:30am and start time scheduled for 1:00pm. Registration... Read More

The Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation has hit another milestone. More than $1 million has now been swiftly granted back out into the region to support eastern Iowa and western Illinois’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes an additional $400,000 announced this week to support nonprofits specifically in the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s service area of Rock Island County, as well as the service areas of three Geographic Affiliates in Carroll and Whiteside Counties. The $400,000 in funds were made available by the Illinois COVID-19 Response... Read More

A third round of grants have been awarded to Quad Cities-area nonprofits supporting the community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are made possible because Quad Citizens continue to donate to the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. The fund recently surpassed $1 million in contributions, and provides critical support for basic needs during the pandemic. Nonprofits in the Quad Cities region have requested more than $3 million in support since the fund was activated nearly two months ago. With this round, a total of $695,772 from the Disaster... Read More

Four years ago this month, Lindsay Thul was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer, at age 28. Less than 10 months later, she was dead. Lindsay’s mother, Diane Koster – owner of the Grape Life Wine Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave., Davenport – honors her life and aims to educate others in a new book, “Lindsay’s Legacy: A Mother’s Memories.” “It’s a story of hope and it’s a story of courage,” Koster said recently. “And it’s a story of a relationship between a mom and a daughter, and it’s very educational about that disease, the different steps... Read More

“Unite Quad Cities for COVID-19 Recovery,” a 24-hour giving event on Monday, April 6, will include a six-hour telethon hosted by KWQC-TV6’s Paula Sands at Davenport’s River Music Experience and Quad-Cities businesses, and a local family, have stepped up to offer a challenge match for it. The first $150,000 donated this Monday will be matched dollar-for-dollar. All contributions will support the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. The challenge match is made possible thanks to a $50,000 gift from First Midwest Bank, a $30,000 gift from Sears... Read More

Finally! Here’s some good news! Quad City Arts is pleased to announce the 2020 Arts Dollars grant awards to 24 nonprofit organizations, totaling just over $85,000. Since 1979, Quad City Arts grants have provided funding for local artists and non-profit organizations to enrich the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. Since 1990 alone, more than $1,000,000 has been awarded. Arts Dollars funds are generously provided by the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency. The Awards go to: Capacity-Building Grants: Quad Cities Woodturners Education... Read More