To shine a spotlight on the critical work that the region’s nonprofits do everyday, the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal is launching a new Giving Guide publication along with a Connect for a Cause reception and awards program.
The QCBJ, a publication of the Corridor Media Group based in North Liberty, Iowa, will publish a full-color Giving Guide magazine featuring Quad Cities nonprofits and their achievements.
“We are thrilled to bring this to the Quad Cities, an area deep in its dedication to supporting nonprofit work throughout Iowa and Illinois,” said Andrea Rhoades, Corridor Media Group’s chief operating officer and group publisher.
The QCBJ Giving Guide will include dozens of individual profiles on area nonprofits – large and small – making a difference in our community. Each profile will outline details such as the nonprofit’s contact information, key services, ways to help, volunteer opportunities and major fundraising events. All information must be supplied by the nonprofit. It is open to all nonprofits across the Quad Cities region.
The inaugural Giving Guide is being underwritten by business sponsorships, including the Corporate Sponsor, John Deere. Thanks to the generosity of Moline-based Deere & Co. and other sponsors, area nonprofits are invited to market their organization at little to no cost, Ms. Rhoades said.
These Quad Cities companies also stepped up to be involved in underwriting of the Giving Guide: Huiskamp Collins Investments LLC, Platinum Sponsor; Ascentra Credit Union, Quad Cities Community Foundation and Royal Neighbors of America, Gold Sponsors.
To learn more about the Giving Guide and to have your nonprofit featured, contact Dayle Hall, QCBJ media consultant, at dayle@quadcitiesbusiness.com. A questionnaire for nonprofits can be found at quadcitiesbusiness.com/giving-guide-non-profit-questionnaire/.
In addition to the guide, John Deere is the sole Corporate Sponsor of a Connect for a Cause reception and awards planned in May at which the new Connect for a Cause awards will be announced and the Giving Guides will be distributed.
The QCBJ now is accepting nominations for its 2023 Connect for a Cause awards. These awards recognize companies and leaders who have supported nonprofit organizations as well as the nonprofits and their leaders who all make the Quad Cities a better place to live, work and play.
The award categories include:
- Corporate Citizen of the Year – This award recognizes a for-profit organization for its impact on a single nonprofit organization or multiple nonprofits through financial contributions and collective efforts to promote, encourage and organize fundraising efforts and company-sponsored programs.
- Partnership Award – Small Business (1-99 employees) – This award is presented to a for-profit organization that can best articulate a successful, measurable business outcome from their community service efforts and exemplify the principle that doing good is also good business.
- Partnership Award – Large Business (100+employees) – This award is presented to a for-profit organization that can best articulate a successful, measurable business outcome from their community service efforts and exemplify the principle that doing good is also good business.
- Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year – The award recognizes a collaborative project that engages relationships with multiple nonprofit organizations and multiple shareholders within the community that helps solve a community problem or issue.
Organizations or individuals are invited to nominate on behalf of themselves or others and may enter multiple categories. Entries must highlight achievements made during the past 12 months.
Each nomination must include a summary of the nominees’ work and examples of why they deserve the honor.
The winners will be selected by an independent panel of judges.
The deadline for award nominations is Friday, March 24. Visit quadcitiesbusiness.com/event/connect-for-a-cause to make a nomination.
The Giving Guide traces its roots to the QCBJ’s sister publication, Corridor Business Journal, (CBJ) which first launched the publication in 2016. “Our goal was to find ways to connect businesses committed to philanthropic work with nonprofit organizations in the regions we serve,” said Ms. Rhoades, who first joined the Corridor Media Group in 2008.
She recalled how she quickly learned “part of the DNA of our company is supporting nonprofits in measurable ways that have a direct impact in reporting their missions and contributing financially to their bottom line.”
The Connect for a Cause reception is designed to provide an opportunity for nonprofit and business leaders to network and connect.
Nonprofits, business leaders and the public are invited to attend the reception and awards ceremony, which will be from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, at the Mississippi River Distilling Company’s Celebration Center in LeClaire.
Tickets to the Connect for a Cause reception are $40 each with $5 of every ticket sold being donated to a local nonprofit in attendance. The total donations will be split among several nonprofits.
For more information on Connect for a Cause, visit quadcitiesbusiness.com or contact Jenni Hatz at jenni@quadcitiesbusiness.com.
