The Regional Development Authority (RDA) has approved $1.94 million in grants as part of its Fall 2024 cycle to help fund community initiatives and programs aimed at improving the lives of Quad Citians.
At its meeting earlier this month, the RDA board approved grants totalling $1,943,820 including five multi-cycle grant payments totaling $425,000.
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 projects in economic development, arts/culture/education, and human services.
These QC recipients received the multi-cycle awards:
- Figge Art Museum: Evanescent Field, light sculpture, (5 of 10 payments) $100,000.
- City of Bettendorf: The Landing (waterpark, youth rec center, and permanent ice rink (4th of 10) $100,000.
- City of Davenport: Riverfront park lighting enhancement (3 of 5), $75,000.
- Vera French Foundation Carol’s Village Gardens affordable housing project (2 of 2), $75,000.
- Center for Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI) operations bridge (2 of 3), $75,000
In addition, the RDA awarded $1,518,820 total in its Fall Cycle 2024 to these organizations, and their projects and programs:
- Association of Fundraising Professionals, $2,500, for nonprofit professionals’ fundraising training.
- ASWAS, Inc (A System Within a System), $6,000, increase organizational development and sustainability.
- Azubuike African American Council for The Arts, $50,000, to build sustainable engagement and expanding arts for underserved youth.
- Bettendorf Public Library Foundation, $30,000, library outreach vehicle.
- Bix Beiderbecke Museum and World Archives Ltd., $25,000, relocating of collection.
- Buffalo Bill Museum, $20,000, exhibit renovations.
- Cafe On Vine, $5,606, floor scrubber for kitchen and dining room areas.
- Child Protection Response Center, $45,000, expansion of 2829 Brady St., Davenport.
- Common Chord, $30,000, Community concerts activating public spaces.
- Community Health Care, Inc., $75,000, improving community health with a Diabetes Care Program.
- Davenport Central Band Orchestra Parents Association, $20,997, marching band uniforms.
- Davenport Central Vocal Music Boosters, $7,500, Great River Show Choir Invitational.
- Empowering Abilities, $14,030, Pave the Way to Accessibility.
- EveryChild, $12,000, child abuse prevention education.
- Fresh Films, $12,500, media workforce development and career path program for Scott County youth.
- Friendly House, $9,000, ongoing remote IT support and threat abatement.
- Friends of Bettendorf Parks Foundation, $10,000, summer playgrounds program upgrades.
- Friends of the Quad Cities, $50,000, Driving QC growth: Attracting group business to fuel economic development.
- German American Heritage Center, $10,700, Unfolding Stories: Reviving, Recording, and Renewing.
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, $20,000, leadership and life skill development opportunities for girls in Scott County.
- Hand In Hand, $10,000, leadership training.
- Hilltop Campus Village Corporation, $20,000, master planning.
- Humble Dwellings, $20,000, to continue providing beds to people in need.
- Humility Homes and Services, Inc., $60,000, Pathways to Stability: Enhancing Housing
Support for Vulnerable Populations.
- Iowa Black Doula Collective, $43,410, expanding maternal health services for families in Scott County.
- Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, $4,500, “With You I Am Myself: The Friendship Exhibit.”
- Junior Achievement of the Heartland, $20,000, financial literacy instruction in Scott County schools.
- Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency, $13,175, AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) Device Project.
- Mississippi Valley Blues Society, $10,000, 40th anniversary celebration.
- Nahant Marsh Education Center, $40,000, restoring wetland habitats and ensuring financial sustainability.
- Narratives, $10,000, expanding resources for young adults in Scott County.
- NEST (Nourish Everyone Sustainably Together), $15,000, nourishing the QC.
- New Kingdom Trailriders, $9,708, upgrading critical equipment.
- Normaleah Ovarian Cancer Initiative, $16,000, strengthening its local presence.
- North and Central high schools, $5,000, After Prom Celebration.
- One Eighty, $25,190, engaging volunteers to enhance life skills.
- Opera Quad Cities, $5,000, Die Fledermaus.
- Pleasant Valley Community School District, $10,000, community robotics growth and sustainability.
- Putnam Museum and Science Center, $50,000, development capacity building.
- Quad Cities Chamber Foundation – Iowa, $25,000, Alternating Currents QC Festival.
- Quad Cities Community Broadcasting Group, Inc., $25,000, bridging the communication gap.
- Quad Cities Housing Council, $50,000, creation and preservation of affordable housing Units.
- Quad Cities Open Network (Salvation Army/Iowa Legal Aid), $150,000, Improving community outcomes through collaborative case management.
- Quad City Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees, $12,996, Improving QCAIR’s ability to assist immigrants and refugees.
- Quad City Arts, $25,000, Visiting Artist Series.
- Quad City Botanical Center, $15,000, ADA compliance improvements.
- Quad City Symphony Orchestra, $10,000, QCSO Symphony Day.
- Quad City Veterans Outreach Center, $5,000, Holiday turkeys/hams for veterans.
- River Bend Food Bank, $50,000, new strategies to address food insecurity in Scott County.
- Safer Foundation, $20,000, supporting regional access of YEP life skills services for students in need.
- SAL Family and Community Services, $49,920, (Multicycle: Fall 2024 and 2025), early childhood education apprenticeship pilot in Scott County.
- Scott Community College Foundation, $22,000, improving dental health education programs for Scott County students.
- St. Anthony Catholic Church, $7,500, credit at River Bend Food Bank.
- St. John Vianney Church, $5,000, Iowa Quad Cities Night To Shine 2025.
- STEAM on Wheels, $10,000, New STEAM programming for underserved Madison Elementary students.
- Tapestry Farms, $40,000, new staff position to build capacity and promote civic engagement.
- TMBC – Together Making A Better Community, $35,000, operational costs for growth.
- Underwear Because We Care, $7,000, underwear to those in need.
- United Way of the Quad Cities Area, $12,325, researching the Impact of Early Childhood Education on Long-Term Outcomes.
- Up With Families, $5,000, 2025 Annual Family Weekend Retreat.
- Vera French Foundation, $37,500, expanding the VF Clinic at Central Park.
- West End Alano Club, $6,763, capital improvements to better serve Quad Citizens impacted by addiction.
- Western Illinois University Foundation (WQPT Quad Cities PBS), $12,500, educational outreach services for children and lifelong learning.
- WVIK Public Radio Foundation (Augustana College), $12,500, Challenger’s Circle Incentive Funding.
