The Regional Development Authority (RDA) approved more than $2 million in grants as part of its Spring 2024 cycle to help fund various initiatives and programs aimed at improving the lives of Quad Citians.
At a meeting Thursday, May 9, the RDA board approved 68 grants worth a total of $1,420,930 along with seven multi-cycle grant payments totaling $598,750.
RDA is the license holder for Rhythm City Casino Resort, Davenport, which also is the sole source of grant funds. Typically, RDA allocates one-third of the available funds to each of these categories: economic development; arts/culture/education; and human services.
Grants are made from the casino’s current income and the amount available for grants is tied to the casino gaming receipts.
These recipients received the multi-cycle awards:
- Figge Art Museum, $100,000 for its Evanescent Field (light sculpture), fourth of 10 payments.
- City of Bettendorf, $100,000 for The Landing water park and skating rink, third of 10 payments.
- WVIK, $48,750 – the final payment of two for the launch of WVIK News and WVIK Classical.
- Quad Cities Community Foundation, $125,000, second of three payments for its startup of the Nonprofit Center of Excellence Initiative.
- City of Davenport, $75,000 for riverfront park lighting, second of five payments.
- Vera French Foundation, $75,000 each for its Duck Creek Office Renovation and Carol’s Village Gardens (affordable housing).
Other major grant awards included: Friends of the Quad Cities, Securing QC Meeting and Sports Event Future; $50,000; Nahant Marsh Education center, Bridging the Gap to Financial Sustainability, $50,000; One Eighty, new Dream Manager position, $54,700; Quad Cities Housing Council, creation and preservation of affordable housing, $75,000; Quad Cities Open Network, improving community outcomes through collaborative case management, $150,000; and River Bend Food Bank, sustainable model to fee Scott County residents, $50,000.
Key projects presented
Present for the announcement at Rhythm City were three organizations set to receive funding who presented their projects:
- Living Lands & Waters, Mississippi River Institute Floating ClassroomEd; Dan Breidenstein, LL&W vice president; $15,000 grant.
- Quad Cities Open Network, QC Zero Suicide Initiative; Cecelia Bailey, QC Open Network, $25,000 grant.
- STEAM on Wheels, capacity building to support STEAM on Wheels growth and sustainability; Samuel McCullum, executive director, $45,000.
The next deadline for RDA grant applications will be Sept. 30. The Fall 2024 application will be posted by July 15 at www.rdauthority.org Living
