Every day, nonprofits are working to improve the Quad Cities region and as they grow, they require additional support to increase their capacity and expand their efforts.
To assist these groups in their vital work, the Quad Cities Community Foundation previously created its Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants. In its latest grant round, the foundation has announced eight local nonprofits have received a total of $141,836 to build and strengthen the systems, structures, cultures, skills, resources, and power that they need to serve their communities.
Five organizations were awarded the maximum grant of $20,000, and all eight are being awarded the full amount for which they applied.
The spring 2023 Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants recipients and their awards are:
- Community Health Care, Inc., for critical equipment and program delivery improvement, $20,000.
- School Health LINK, Inc., for technology upgrades and critical equipment, $16,336.
- Gilda’s Club Quad Cities, for website redesign and program delivery improvement, $20,000.
- Family Resources, Inc., for continued improvement of operating systems, $20,000.
- Together Making A Better Community (TMBC), for leadership development and improved operating model, $15,000.
- One Eighty, for leadership and technology upgrades, $20,000.
- Transitions NFP, for strategic plan and executive coaching services, $10,500.
- Young Lions Roar, for professional development and improved data Management, $20,000.
This cycle’s grantees represent a broad range of organizations and focus areas, from arts and culture to healthcare that all share a dedicated vision for the future and the goal to build their capacity to advance their mission.
“This grant is going to allow us to do so much,” Aubrey Barnes, executive director of Young Lions Roar, said in a foundation news release announcing the awards. Young Lions Roar provides creative writing workshops to school-age children and teenagers.
“We’re going to be able to share the creative experience more broadly,” she added. “Now we can bring our program to more schools and more students, and we’re going to be able to offer some of our workshops virtually to expand that accessibility.”
With the grant, the year-old Young Lions Roar can continue its growth by deploying staff training and new technology that will lead to adding team members, improving data management, and reaching more students.
“It’s about sharing art through our students to improve the community as a whole,” Ms. Barnes said.
“The Community Foundation is proud to be working with these organizations and helping them grow,” said Kaleigh Trammell, the foundation’s grantmaking specialist. “It’s especially exciting to see newer nonprofits take advantage of these grants and capitalize on the momentum they’re experiencing.”
“You can’t do it by yourself,” Ms. Barnes added. “The Community Foundation and their outreach to individuals and the community is instrumental. I applaud that.”
The foundation said its Nonprofit Capacity Building grants are made possible from the Quad Cities Community Impact Fund, a permanent fund started by donors in the community so that the Community Foundation can respond to high-priority needs and opportunities in the Quad Cities as they arise.
To support the fund, donors can give online or contact Anne Calder, vice president of development. To learn more, visit here.
The foundation now is accepting interest forms through Friday, Sept. 1, for the next round of Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants to be awarded in the fall.
