Ashley Hicks has spent her whole professional career in banking, but she’s cashed in her experience on and off the job, and is investing it into a major nonprofit – as the new Women United director for United Way Quad Cities. She and her boss already are seeing it reap profitable rewards. “I have watched Ashley from afar, in all of her involvement in the community and her passion. She wears it on her sleeve,” United Way president/CEO Rene Gellerman said Thursday. “Plus, her energy and excitement. She’s very well-known in the community and that’s a great asset for us. Her passion for... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: United Way Quad Cities on Tuesday announced it issued $2.9 million in grants to 54 local nonprofits, grassroots organizations and others serving the residents of Scott and Rock Island counties. The Strategic Impact Grants are being awarded to advance equity and improve education, income and health outcomes in the Quad-Cities. The grant total covers a two-year period beginning July 1, 2021. “These investments will support not only basic needs, but also the building blocks of academic success, career preparation, and behavioral and mental health, so that more of our students graduate... Read More

At Deere & Company’s world headquarters in Moline Thursday morning, Dr. LaDrina Wilson recalled the wisdom and importance of the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” That’s a key concept behind the new “Rise United 2030” campaign launched Thursday by United Way Quad Cities. Wilson, the founder/CEO of Iman Consulting, is one of three chairs for United Way’s 2021 Community Campaign, with Caitlin Russell, Senior Vice President at Russell, and Chad Everitt, Managing Director at Deloitte. The campaign tri-chairs will formally kick off fundraising efforts in August,... Read More

A year into the pandemic, United Way Quad Cities has awarded $109,528 to 11 local nonprofits helping to meet residents’ emerging and evolving needs related to their education, income and health. The third distribution of United Way’s Covid-19 Rebuilding Fund grants provides resources for families to receive mental health support, women to find stable employment after a Covid-related layoff, and students and at-risk youth to receive remote learning support or mentoring. “In one way or another, this pandemic has impacted everyone — and even a year in, many Quad Citizens are struggling to... Read More

United Way Quad Cities is accepting applications for its Strategic Impact Grants from nonprofits, grassroots organizations and others serving the residents in Scott and Rock Island counties. Grants will be awarded to organizations working to improve education, income and health outcomes in the Quad-Cities. “We know there is still uncertainty given the pandemic heading into this year, but the long-term future of our region is bright,” said Rene Gellerman, president and CEO of United Way Quad Cities. “For 50 years, our United Way has been proud to be the stewards of our community’s collective... Read More

Two local nonprofit institutions – the Figge Art Museum and United Way Quad Cities – are holding unique online auctions. The Figge (225 W. 2nd St., Davenport) is having its first “Art Off the Wall” auction, aiming to raise $15,000 for the museum and its mission “to bring art and people together through the healing power of art.” It first provided member-only access (Dec. 7-10) to bid on the 86 donated pieces of painting, sculpture, jewelry and other beautiful objects, and the public auction online will go through Sunday, said Tessa Pozzi, membership and database manager. All bidding... Read More

This has undoubtedly been a bear of a year. No joke, 2020 has been brutal. And it’s still hanging in there being surly. BUT… there IS good news in the Quad-Cities! And every month, we at QuadCities.com, in partnership with our friends at KWQC-TV6 and “Paula Sands Live,” present you with What’s The Good News? a column on some of the positive things happening in and around the area. So, what’s the good news for December? Glad you asked… Local Author Jason Platt Honored For Young Adult Series Jason Platt, an author/illustrator from Davenport, has once again... Read More

United Way Quad Cities is accepting applications for its new United for Equity Fund grants, with up to $200,000 to distribute — supported by local business and industry leaders as well as individual gifts. Applications will be accepted through United Way’s website until noon Jan. 8. The ideas of 450 Quad Citizens, brought up during 29 small-group conversations at the Quad-Cities Equity Summit in October, have informed and inspired the framework for United Way’s United for Equity initiative, aimed to reduce and prevent racial disparities affecting the education, income and health in the... Read More

In the wake of the Covid pandemic, Quad-Cities students need more help than ever before to succeed in school – and life, and United Way Quad Cities has teamed with local colleges to fill the need. They are providing the new QC Tutor Connection to area K-12 students. “Parents are struggling with keeping their kids are on track and need some assistance with home-based learning,” said Rene Gellerman, president/CEO of United Way Quad Cities. “We’re being proactive in reimaging how we ensure all our kids succeed in school. Education has been and will continue to be the best investment in the... Read More

The Quad Cities Community Foundation is targeting the persistent racial disparities that impact the social and economic well-being of Quad Citizens of color with a $50,000 Transformation Grant to United Way. The grant will bolster efforts to reduce inequities across education, income and health systems in the Quad Cities. “We know that strong communities are ones that embrace increased diversity and the powerful assets that diversity brings,” said Sherry Ristau, president and CEO of the Quad Cities Community Foundation. “The Quad Cities is a wonderful place to live, and like other cities,... Read More