Brissman grants now available to Milan area nonprofits

Projects and organizations that will improve the quality of life in Milan are invited to apply for the 2024 Grant W. Brissman & Virginia M. Brissman Foundation Grants.

Each year, the foundation awards grants of up to $10,000 to Milan area nonprofits. The Brissman Foundation is a private foundation administered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation. Applications are now open and can be found here.

Organizations can apply for up to $10,000 to support their work. Areas include youth development, community development, cultural activities, and the relief of suffering for underprivileged people. Nonprofits located outside of the Village of Milan may apply if they can demonstrate specific benefits to the village and its residents.

Last year, Brissman Foundation trustees awarded 27 organizations with a total of $131,000. It was the largest amount the foundation had ever awarded through its competitive grant cycle.

Brissman Milan pioneer

Grant Brissman was a graduate of Rock Island High School and the former Brown’s Business College. He was a pioneeri Milan business owner, opening Brissman’s Auto Supply in 1948. The business served Milan and the surrounding communities for almost 30 years before he retired in 1978. 

He also was a founding director and shareholder of Blackhawk State Bank in Milan, where he served on the board of directors for many years. 

Virginia Brissman worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company for 40 years before retiring in 1977. The couple had been married for 60 years when Mr. Brissman died at age 88 in 2004. Ms. Brissman died at the age of 94. 

The Brissman Foundation honors the couple’s legacy of generosity. The foundation was established through their estates, and the Quad Cities Community Foundation provides administrative and grant-making services for the Brissman Foundation.

The application deadline is Oct. 5. Interested organizations can learn more about the grants at www.qccommunityfoundation.org/brissmangrants.