The African American Leadership Society, a donor network of United Way Quad Cities, is seeking applications for one-time grants to address African American community needs with an emphasis on education, income and health, according to a news release.
The AALS will award a total of $100,000 in grants to nonprofits, grassroots organizations and social entrepreneurs serving Scott and Rock Island counties this December. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Grants will support United Way’s AALS donor network impact strategies. According to the release, they will:
- Provide timely, community-based academic supports that keep Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) K-12 students on track academically.
- Increase BIPOC student access to career exploration, activities and awareness.
- Provide BIPOC high school and college students with timely support and services to ensure college access, persistence and completion.
“As someone who once benefited from organizations like the ones encouraged to apply, it feels amazing being able to organize this grant for our African American community,” Ty Lewis, director of the African American Leadership Society, said in the release.
“In the Quad Cities, only 35% of Black students are reading on grade level by third grade, and only 37% of Black households earn a living wage,” he said. “The African American Leadership Society Strategic Grant will help close racial opportunity gaps by addressing these pressing community issues rooted in education.”
The AALS is a network of motivated advocates, donors and volunteers who are eager to support and enhance educational opportunities for all Quad Cities African American kids, according to the release. For more information about the grants or to apply, visit unitedwayqc.org/apply.
