Melinda “Missy” Gowey, CEO of the Better Health Foundation, talks about BHF at a news conference on Monday, Dec. 16,. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A new organization set up to help improve local community health efforts continues to make “game-changing” grants, according to its leader. The Better Health Foundation (BHF) recently awarded $900,000 in grants to 20 nonprofit organizations, and $200,000 to a new project that could transform how area nonprofit organizations operate, relate and collaborate to better serve […]
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A new organization set up to help improve local community health efforts continues to make “game-changing” grants, according to its leader.The Better Health Foundation (BHF) recently awarded $900,000 in grants to 20 nonprofit organizations, and $200,000 to a new project that could transform how area nonprofit organizations operate, relate and collaborate to better serve families in need. (In just over a year, the foundation has awarded more than $2.9 million to nonprofit organizations seeking to improve the region.)Dr. Bill Langley, president of the Better Health Foundation Board of Directors, speaks during a Monday, Dec. 16, news conference about BHF’s work. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSONThat new project – called Project Potential – is in the feasibility assessment stage and is seeking the “voice of the nonprofit community,” said BHF CEO Melinda “Missy” Gowey during a Monday morning, Dec. 16, news conference to outline much of BHF’s work since the foundation formed less than two years ago. That news conference, which attracted about a dozen people from the community, was held at Modern Woodmen Park in downtown Davenport.Project Potential is led by three nonprofit organizations: Family Resources, Hand in Hand and Empower House. These groups are working to unite local nonprofits under one roof to solve community challenges, foster collaboration and enhance efficiency to help the community,“Project Potential is an exciting initiative aimed at creating a shared human services center in the Quad Cities,” said Family Resources CEO Nicole Cisne Durbin.Ms. Gowey called the project a potential “game-changer” for the region that will reduce costs for nonprofits and increase access to services for people in need.Project Potential received a $200,000 BHF Innovation grant to explore shared physical space and services among nonprofit organizations.
Funding aids development
Ms. Cisne Durbin said the funding provided by the Better Health Foundation is enabling the research and development phase of the initiative. During this phase, the collaborative team is focused on gathering input and data to ensure the project aligns with the needs and aspirations of the local nonprofit sector.“We are incredibly grateful to the Better Health Foundation for their support,” said Angie Kendall, CEO of Hand in Hand. “This funding allows us to take the crucial first steps toward turning this vision into reality, and we are excited about the potential this shared center has to transform how nonprofits work together in our community.”The project will consist of forming an advisory council of community leaders and hosting a town hall of nonprofit experts. Also, the team has launched a comprehensive survey designed to gather feedback and insights from local nonprofit organizations to guide the development of Project Potential.The survey invites nonprofit leaders and staff to share their interest in being involved and contribute ideas to shape the future of this collaborative effort.“We believe this must be a community-driven project,” said Claire Motto Steil, Executive Director of Empower House. “Hearing from our nonprofit colleagues is critical to creating a center that truly reflects the needs and opportunities in the Quad Cities. We’re asking everyone in the sector to join us in shaping this exciting vision.”For more information about Project Potential or to participate in the survey is closing on Dec. 23, contact Alexis Bowman at [email protected].
20 receive grants
In addition to helping Project Potential, BHF recently awarded Capacity Building and Service Support Grants. Those grants were awarded to:
$35,000 to Archway of the Quad Cities to support men on the journey to addiction recovery as they prepare to reenter the community.
$14,000 to Augustana College to support student researchers and interns to expand Heart of Hope (HOH) Community Resource Center (CRC) services to West End Rock Island residents. Programs will focus on diabetes patients and the health of mothers and children.
$18,500 to Christian Care to provide weekly health care and daily nutritious meals free of charge to anyone in need at their Community Meal Site. With regular health care and nutrition, low-income individuals and families are empowered to lead healthier, higher-quality lives.
$75,000 to EveryChild to support ongoing and expanded services provided by the Medical director at the Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center. Timely exams, completed after a child discloses abuse, help build successful investigations against the perpetrator and, most importantly, mitigate the long-term impact of trauma by connecting families with resources.
$30,000 to Family Resources to underwrite the cost of the organization’s first full-time Chief Development Officer (CDO).
$25,000 to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center to support the continued growth of the organization and position the center to partner with other organizations and projects.
$80,000 to MercyOne Genesis Foundation to expand the Genesis Family Connects program to include Genesis patients in Rock Island County. This program provides visiting nurse support for families within the first days of a child’s life.
$35,000 to NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley Inc. to provide staff hours and outreach, utilizing its public-health informed work with diverse populations.
$20,000 to Narratives for programs that eliminate disparities experienced by young adults seeking mental health support because of socioeconomic factors and multidimensional poverty.
$27,040 to NEST Café to hire a staff member to lead the Nourishment Beyond the NEST programs, including a new Take & Bake program and fresh-made, nutrient-dense afterschool snacks for elementary students.
$55,825 to One Eighty to assist people in overcoming addiction, homelessness, or incarceration, and connect them to community resources such as health and mental health services, food assistance, and legal aid.
$16,635 to Rediscover Recovery Community Center to implement the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting Program for Families in Substance Use Treatment and Recovery. The goal is to create healthier, more resilient family units and help break the cycle of generational addiction.
$75,000 to SAL Community Services to hire a development associate to enhance fundraising efforts and ensure sustainability through diversifying funding sources.
$25,000 to STEAM on Wheels to expand “Kitchen Creations” camp for kids ages 5-18, focusing on healthier food choices and STEAM concepts, including home gardening to address food deserts in our communities.
$45,000 to Tapestry Farms to increase Community Navigator staffing and purchase food for Tapestry’s culturally specific food pantry, Karibu Market.
$65,000 to Arc of the Quad Cities to hire a My25 coordinator to elevate engagement in a healthy place for people with disabilities.
$33,000 to The Center to support a peer specialist, trained by the director of The Center in WRAP-wellness recovery action plans.
$75,000 to Transitions Mental Health Services to provide a coordinator to train, coach and consult in the education, criminal justice, health and human services systems sectors leading to trauma-informed services in these sectors and better community health outcomes
$75,000 to Youth Service Bureau (YSB) of Rock Island County that will allow YSB to provide quality mental and behavioral health counseling to low-income, at-risk children and families in Rock Island County who otherwise could not access or afford services.
$75,000 to YWCA of the Quad Cities to support a full-time mental health specialist to provide immediate services to youths in Rock Island County at ThePlace2B, a unique drop-in center for at-risk youth, serving both sides of the river.
Next grant opportunity
The next opportunity for nonprofit organizations to apply for BHF funding begins with letters of inquiry for Innovation grants, open Jan. 15, 2025. The Innovation grants will range in size from $100,000 to $200,000 for programs and services aligned with the foundation’s current funding priorities: mental and behavioral health, maternal and child health, and risk reduction of obesity and diabetes.Go here for information on the BHF grants.
