Children and families in need will get more services. People fighting addictions will get help. Military veterans will get computers to use.
The Rotary Club of Bettendorf is helping provide those services – and many others – through 15 grant awards to Quad Cities area nonprofit organizations.
The Rotary Club presented a total of $45,000 to 15 local groups Wednesday, Jan. 14, during its grant awards luncheon at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. The event was attended by more than 50 people.
In presenting the awards, Bettendorf Rotary Club President Penny McGimpsey and Grants Committee Chairman Joe Pacha thanked the grant-recipient groups for doing vital work to help many people in the community.
Among the nonprofit group representatives was Paige Sours, a supervisor with Family Resources in Davenport. That organization received $4,000 to support therapeutic programming.
Ms. Sours told the crowd how Family Resources often helps children who have suffered through horrible abuse situations. The grant money will help heal some of those emotional wounds.
“We want to give back to kiddos, give them a sense of normalcy … take them out to the community,” she said.
According to Mr. Pacha, most of the $45,000 awarded was raised through the club’s annual Lobsterfest which takes place each June. The club leadership thanked their Lobsterfest 2025 presenting sponsors, Abbey Carpet Gallery and TBK Bank. This year’s Lobsterfest will be Friday, June 12, and ticket sales open in April.
The grant process begins in the fall with the board of directors establishing money for the grant committee to utilize. Area nonprofits that meet the established deadline are then evaluated by each grant committee member. The committee’s recommendations are sent to the club’s board of directors for final approval.
This year’s grant recipients are:
- One Eighty, Davenport ($3,300 grant) – Meets the basic needs of people coming out of addiction, prison and/or homelessness to start their lives again.
- All Saints Lutheran Church, Davenport ($3,300 grant) – For its food pantry and clothing closet which is open daily for two hours.
- Argrow’s House, Davenport ($4,00 grant) – Argrow’s House supports women and children who have survived abuse.
- Bettendorf Library Foundation ($2,500 grant) – In support of the new Teen Zone, which welcomes teens and provides a space to thrive in.
- Camp Shalom of Maquoketa, Iowa ($4,000 grant) – This Jackson County camp on the shores of the Maquoketa River will complete its new retreat center.
- Every Child, Moline ($3,900 grant) – The nonprofit connects children and families with services that will help them thrive, providing child abuse prevention, education and treatment programs. This grant will support laptop upgrades.
- Heart of Hope, Rock Island ($3,000 grant) – Heart of Hope’s food pantry provides nutritious food to 22,000 Quad Cities neighbors each year.
- Hope at the BRICK House, Davenport ($3,500 grant) – This organization provides hope to individuals and families through spiritual, educational and community-based support. The grant will help purchase a 12-passenger van to transport at-risk students it serves.
- My Happy Place ($1,000 grant) – This nonprofit organization creates joyful spaces for the well-being of those with a serious health diagnosis. This grant will support a bedroom makeover for a QC child.
- New Kingdom Trail Riders of Sherrard, Illinois ($1,500 grant) – The grant will secure needed technology of the organization, which provides equine assisted therapy for individuals with physical, emotional, social or mental challenges.
- Quad Cities Night to Shine ($2,000 grant) – The grant will support this group’s unforgettable prom nights, which serve 150 Scott County individuals with special needs and their friends.
- Quad Cities Veterans Outreach of Davenport ($2,900 grant) – The group provides free services to veterans and their families including a food pantry, gift shop, library, social events and various veteran needs. The grant will help purchase new computers.
- Family Resources ($4,000 grant) – The agency, which serves children and families in the Quad Cities through direct services, support, education, outreach and advocacy, will use the grant to support therapeutic programming.
- Humility Homes and Services, Davenport ($4,000 grant) – The organization is committed to ending homelessness by offering housing opportunities and supportive services in the Quad Cities region.
- YWCA Quad Cities, Rock Island ($3,000 grant) – The YWCA’s grant will help reinforce its poverty alleviation work with female households.
