Applications are now open for organizations seeking funding from the Doris and Victor Day Foundation, Rauch Family Foundation I & II, and the Rock Island Community Foundation.
Grant information and access to the shared grant portal, which opened Monday, Feb. 3, can be found here and here.
Due dates for each foundation’s grant applications are:
- Doris and Victor Day Foundation, May 31.
- Rauch Family Foundation I, July 31.
- Rauch Family Foundation II, April 30 or Oct. 31.
- Rock Island Community Foundation, June 27.
Since it was created in 1987, the Doris and Victor Day Foundation has been a pillar in the community, supporting primarily Rock Island and Scott counties, an organization news release said.
“We are committed to supporting impactful projects that address basic human needs in our community, “ Day Foundation Executive Director Tyla Sherwin-Cole said. “Grants are designed to empower organizations with the resources they need to make a real difference.”
For several years, Day Foundation leaders said they have listened to grantees to get feedback about how the organization can improve and to help make changes in the process.
Elevator pitch added
Among them is giving nonprofits the opportunity to present an elevator pitch about their project to the board in order to give “grantees another way to tell their story in a memorable, informative, and persuasive way,” the release said.
Applicants also can submit videos to share with board members about their ideas and proposals. Those changes are “aimed at creating more accessibly to grants as well as help organizations better leverage their case,” the foundations said.
Today, the foundation also promotes award-winning organizations through its social media program.
“It is a cost-effective way to reach a larger audience, raise awareness about their cause, and engage potential supporters without a significant financial investment, allowing organizations to maximize their impact despite limited resources,” the release said.
This year, the board also is incorporating a site visit into the grantmaking process. And, instead of a final report, the foundation and grantees will set up a mid-grant visit to check on the progress toward the nonprofit’s grant objectives and offer feedback. Grantors will follow up with a post-grant visit to the nonprofit to collect feedback, share more about the organizations, their programs and the foundation in order “to build trust for more effective grant partnerships in the future.”
Foundations At A Glance
- Doris Day’s estate contributed $10 million to open the Doris & Victor Day’s office in 1987. Since then, the board of directors has worked to fulfill the Days’ Dream. With more than $17 million in current assets, it has granted more than $26 million since its establishment.
- The Rauch Family Foundation was established in 1988 by brothers Albert and Less Rauch with an initial principal of $1 million. Since then, it has distributed more than $1.3 million in grants, which are designated explicitly for nonprofit organizations serving City of Rock Island residents.
- The Rock Island Community Foundation, founded on April 16, 1967, began with contributions of $20 each from its eight founders. It has grown exponentially, distributing more than $2.6 million to community groups, and grown to nearly $4 million in assets. That growth, fueled by annual contributions of board members and funding from local citizens and businesses has assisted 221 organizations, benefiting more than 200,000 individuals in Rock Island.
- For information about the application or process, call (309) 788-2300 or email [email protected] or Gary Rowe at (309) 786-8551 or [email protected].
