The Quad Cities Community Foundation Tuesday announced the recipients of more than $111,000 in its spring 2021 Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants. With up to $15,000 in funding available for each project, the grants provide powerful support for investments in equipment and technology, training for staff and board members, and strategic planning work, among other areas. This cycle’s grantees represent an equally broad range of industries, from arts and culture to workforce development. What unites them all is a strong vision for the future—both of their individual organizations and of the community... Read More

The Quad Cities Community Foundation Monday announced the recipients of nearly half a million dollars in new scholarship awards. With scholarships ranging from $500 to $11,000 going to 49 students, including nine receiving more than one award, the funding — and the opportunities it can unlock — are significant. “Throughout the pandemic, these students have remained focused and resilient, keeping their eyes on the future,” said Sherry Ristau, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. “As they go out into the world and continue to learn, grow, and go after their dreams, I can’t wait... Read More

Two dozen Quad-Cities high-school recently learned many important things about their community and made decisions on grants that help serve those needs. Through the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Teens for Tomorrow (T4T) program, the youth philanthropy group of students announced six recipients of the total of $10,000 in annual grants. They are: Dress for Success Quad Cities’ HireHER program, to support women on the job search — $1,300 Project Renewal Inc.’s Summer Youth Program 2021, to support positive educational, recreational, and social-emotional activities — $2,500 Tapestry... Read More

Following the meticulous, painstaking preservation of a former one-room school in Bettendorf — completed in September 2019, after more than seven years — the project supporters envisioned reopening as a museum in early 2020. Then Covid happened. The 1873 Forest Grove No. 5 School – refurbished to its 1920s appearance at a cost of $250,000 — is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Regular hours beyond Saturday mornings will be expanded as docents become trained. Volunteer docent training will be taking place on Monday, May 3 at 10 a.m. at the... Read More

Isabel Dawson, a 2020 Augustana College graduate, wears many hats – which each reflect her many skills in theater and business. The bright, enthusiastic 23-year-old, who did a lot of theater in high school in Normal, Ill., is the new assistant executive director for Genesius Guild and is helping assemble this summer’s abridged schedule of three productions outside in Rock Island’s Lincoln Park. Doug Tschopp has been executive director for about 15 years, involved in Genesius for 25 years, and worked closely with Dawson at Augie, where she majored in theater and business management. “I just... Read More

Sharon Glassman is fondly remembered as a quiet, thoughtful person who worked at the International Harvester Plant in East Moline. She possessed a cheerful, kind-hearted sensibility that shone through whenever she spoke. Her husband, Kenneth Glassman, was a welder at Johnson Sheet Metal whose iron-clad work ethic instilled within him a sense of duty and purpose. Together, the Glassmans found their passion in helping individuals and families better themselves however they could — they each worked hard throughout their lives, and eventually amassed a modest estate through prudence. Before they... Read More

Last week, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new law mandating schools offer 100% in-person education, and on Friday morning, three Iowa Quad-Cities superintendents discussed that impact – as well as other school changes in an online forum hosted by the Quad Cities Chamber. The United Township district superintendent also participated in the webinar on Iowa and Illinois priorities in education. Bettendorf students will return to 100% in person (from a hybrid model) on Tuesday, Feb. 16, said district superintendent Michelle Morse. A recent parent survey showed 83 percent supported returning their... Read More

Improving equity is a major priority on the national and local level, and the Quad Cities Community Foundation continues to make big strides in the effort. It recently awarded two $100,000 transformation grants to help bring equitable solutions to the bi-state region, and the nonprofit’s new board chair is focusing on aiding minorities and disenfranchised populations in the Q-C. The East Moline and United Township School Districts, and Humility Homes and Services, will each receive $100,000 transformation grants from the Quad Cities Community Impact Fund at the Community Foundation. “The past... Read More

Many cities nationwide are grappling with systemic issues of racial equity, justice and inclusion — and the Quad-Cities made a major step Thursday in its own multi-pronged effort. Led by United Way Quad Cities, over 300 people participated in the Zoom event, Courageous Conversations: Equity in Action. It included a community report from United Way’s Oct. 15 Equity Summit, addressing key issues, strategies and priorities identified during last month’s small-group conversations. Thursday also  introduced United Way’s Equity Investment Panel, which will oversee distribution of up to $200,000... Read More

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... Read More