Today, we at United Way QC announced $2.8 million in grant awards to 51 nonprofits and grassroots organizations working to bring opportunity to more students and families in Scott and Rock Island counties.
The Community Impact Grants, made possible thanks to the generosity of United Way donors, volunteers and corporate partners, will fund solutions to our community’s most pervasive challenges in education, income and health.
Including these grants, United Way investments support families with affordable quality child care, parent engagement programs and strengthen youth literacy capacity.
“We are proud to support and partner with so many incredible nonprofits that are doing important and impactful work throughout our region,” said Rene Gellerman, United Way Quad Cities president and CEO. “They are a fundamental and a critical component aligned to drive progress toward our Rise United 2030 community goals, which include: more students are graduating high school prepared for success in college or career, more families are financially stable and more of our neighbors are living longer, healthier lives.”
A Community-led Investment
The organization’s competitive grant process was open to all nonprofits and grassroots organizations serving Scott and Rock Island counties, which submitted funding proposals aligned to United Way Quad Cities’ impact agenda and strategies for its Rise United 2030 plan.
More than 70 funding applications were reviewed by panels of 80 community members, subject-matter experts, United Way board members and staff who ensured greatest alignment, impact and viability for achieving the aspirations of Rise United 2030.
Panel recommendations were approved by United Way Quad Cities’ Board of Directors.
“Five years ago, our United Way shifted significantly from an organization that was focused almost exclusively on raising and distributing funds to support worthy causes,” said Caitlin Russell, United Way QC board chairperson and Russell president. “Today, we are a social change organization that is focused on transformational impact.”
Russell added, “Together as partners, we’re leveraging our collective strength and resources. United Way and these 51 organizations are united behind common goals, strategies and outcomes to achieve measurable, lasting results.”
Local Support, Local Impact
The grant funding comes as more children and families are facing the headwinds of inflation, leaving thousands of households, many working, unable to cover their basic needs. According to a recent United Way-funded study, more than 1 in 3 (or 38%) of households in Scott and Rock Island counties earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford the basics, which include housing, child care, food, transportation and health care. This makes those programs supported by United Way funds more crucial than ever.
Last year, 75,000 people across the Quad Cities were helped through a range of United Way funded programs, partnerships and initiatives. This impact is made possible by a community of more than 8,000 Quad Cities individual donors, 230 corporate, union and Foundation partners.
Community Impact Grant Recipients
Nonprofits and agencies receiving United Way QC’s Community Impact Grants in 2023 include:
Education
(Early Childhood; Academic Success, Success After High School. $1,140,765)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley
- Black Hawk College
- Boys & Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley
- Community Health Care, Inc.
- Community Action of Eastern Iowa
- Davenport Community School District
- East Moline School District 37
- EveryChild
- Family Resources
- Fresh Films
- Friendly House
- Hand in Hand
- Heart of Hope Ministries
- iJAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates)
- Junior Achievement of the Heartland
- Narratives QC
- One Eighty
- Project Renewal
- Safer Foundation
- SAL Community Services
- Spring Forward
- STEAM ON WHEELS
- TMBC
- Two Rivers YMCA
- United Township High School Dist. 30
- YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley
- YouthHope
- YWCA of the Quad Cities
Income
(Financial Stability & Basic Needs; Career Pathways; Financial Capability. $855,574)
- Alternatives (for the Older Adult, Inc.)
- Bethany for Children & Families
- Café On Vine
- Christian Care
- Dress for Success Quad Cities
- Family Resources
- Friendly House
- Heart of Hope Ministries
- Humility Homes and Services
- iJAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates
- Iowa Legal Aid
- Narratives QC
- One Eighty
- Prairie State Legal Services Inc.
- Project NOW, Inc.
- Quad Cities Open Network
- Safer Foundation
- St. Anthony Church
- The Arc of the Quad Cities Area
- The Salvation Army – Quad Cities
- YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley
- YWCA of the Quad Cities
Health
(Behavioral and Mental Health; Health Promotion. $855,574)
- Bethany for Children & Families
- Boys & Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley
- CASI
- Center for Youth & Family Solutions
- Community Health Care, Inc.
- Davenport Community School District
- EveryChild
- Friendly House
- Genesis Foundation
- GiGi’s Playhouse
- Hand in Hand
- Iowa Legal Aid
- Marriage and Family Counseling Service
- NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley
- One Eighty
- Pregnancy Resources
- Quad Cities Open Network
- Tapestry Farms
- The Arc of the Quad Cities Area
- The Project of the Quad Cities
- Two Rivers YMCA
- YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley
- Youth Service Bureau
- YWCA of the Quad Cities
