The Rock Island Community Foundation has awarded $102,250 in grants to 55 nonprofit organizations that serve the Rock Island community.
“Grants must be consistent with our mission, which is ‘To enhance the lives of the citizens of Rock Island,’” Foundation Executive Director Gary Rowe said.
Grant recipients in 2025 included programs that serve children, teens, families, the elderly; education and mentoring programs; health care and the arts. The foundation’s nine-member board of directors reviewed and approved the grant applications.
The Rock Island Community Foundation was founded in 1967 by eight community leaders who each contributed $20 to start an organization that would benefit Rock Island.
The foundation made its first and only grant in 1968, for $125. Today, with assets of more than $4 million, the Rock Island Community Foundation has made grants totaling more than $2.9 million to 261 different organizations.
“We are grateful to the many generous individuals and organizations who have contributed to programs that serve so many in Rock Island,” Mr. Rowe said.
For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at www.rockislandcommunityfoundation.org.
The 55 grant recipients
This year’s 55 recipients, the grant amounts they were awarded and the purpose for those funds are:
- Alleman High School, $ 2,000, school library.
- Ballet Quad Cities, $2,500, ballet-based social and educational enrichment for RI students.
- Bethany for Children & Families, $2,500, prevention-education program for Rock Island schools.
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley, $2,000, middle school employment exploration initiative.
- Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities, $2,500, therapy for Rock Island children unable to afford the cost.
- Christian Friendliness Association/Youth Hope, $4,000, camperships for Rock Island teens.
- Community Caring Conference, $1,250, from block clubs to a broader community.
- Dress for Success Quad Cities, $1,000, “First impressions” empowering young women and teens.
- Every Child, $2,000, prevention/education program for Rock Island schools.
- Figge Art Museum, $2,500, “Big Picture” art education for Rock Island students.
- Fresh Films, $1,500, film & media workforce development for teens and young adults.
- Friends of Hauberg Civic Center, $1,000, plant- and art-based education using the Hauberg gardens.
- Friendship Manor, $3,500, charitable care needs for Rock Island seniors.
- Genesius Theatre Foundation, $1,000, costuming for the 2026 season.
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois, $2,500, program supplies and financial support for Rock Island Girl Scout programs.
- Heart of Hope Ministries, $2,000, giving West End kids hope and help with homework.
- Humble Dwellings, $1,000, purchase new dressers for clients.
- Humility Homes & Services, $4,000, “Uplift Rock Island.”
- Jordan Catholic Schools, $1,500, literacy program.
- Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, $2,500, Rock Island children’s services
- Multi-generational speaker series, $1,000, educational series about the service of Black soldiers.
- Nahant Marsh Education Center, $1,500, promoting equitable environmental education for Rock Island students.
- New Kingdom Trailriders, $1,000, Equipped to Empower.
- Planting Books – Seeds for a Better Future, $1,000, supporting literacy for long-term impact.
- Prairie State Legal Services, $2,500, 2025 Rock Island services for vulnerable populations.
- Pregnancy Resources, $1,925, baby shower in a bag.
- Putnam Museum & Science Center, $2,500, Putnam community access fund.
- QC Closet 2 Closet, $1,200, school supplies initiative.
- QCAIR, $1,250, community outreach.
- Quad Cities Marathon’s Shoes for Kids, $500, shoes for Rock Island children in need.
- Quad City Arts, Inc., $2,500, 2025-2026 Visiting Artists in Rock Island schools.
- Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association, $2,500, music access and engagement in the Rock Island schools.
- River Action, $1,000, safeguarding our investment in natural areas, pollination, and community health.
- River Bend Food Bank, $2,500, school pantry purchase for Rock Island schools.
- Rock Island County Children’s Advocacy Center, $1,500, “It IS Your Business” – grooming awareness training for child-serving professionals.
- Rock Island County 4-H Extension Program, $1,000, Head, Heart, Hand, and Health in Art.
- Rock Island-Milan Little League, $1,000, operating support for youth baseball and softball.
- Rocky Resource Room, $1,500, support for vulnerable students and their families.
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church, $2,000, food pantry purchases for Rock Island students.
- Safer Foundation, $2,500, community development through employment services in Rock Island.
- SBC Music Outreach Academy, $2,000, learning through music and the arts.
- Soles for Children, Inc., $1,000, coats and shoes giveaway for low-income children in Rock Island.
- Special Olympics Illinois, $1,000, regional bowling competition in Moline.
- STEAM on Wheels, $1,650, Power Up: Family Electronics and Coding workshop.
- Tapestry Farms, $1,950; emergency healthy food for Rock Island refugee families.
- The Arc of the Quad Cities, $1,250, parking and recreation.
- Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Center, $3,500, West End Revitalization high school clubs.
- The Third Place QC, Inc., $2,500, Empower & Connect: changing stations and secure storage to support stability.
- Transitions Mental Health Services, $1,000, staff wellness.
- Understanding Works NFP, $1,000, purses for refugees and Rock Island alternative school during the holidays.
- Underwear Because We Care, $1,250, providing underwear to those in need, homeless, and veterans.
- WQPT Public Television – $1,000, First Book Club.
- World Relief, $2,000, refugee family literacy services support.
- WVIK Public Radio, $1,500, APRIS (Augustana Public Radio Information System).
Youth Service Bureau of Rock Island County, $3,500, counseling for low-income children and families.
