The Spring Forward organization will continue to offer education services. The One Eighty group will continue to help people battling addiction. Dress for Success Quad Cities will continue to offer clothing to women looking for a better career. Those are just a few of the groups receiving grant money from United Way Quad Cities to […]
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The Spring Forward organization will continue to offer education services. The One Eighty group will continue to help people battling addiction. Dress for Success Quad Cities will continue to offer clothing to women looking for a better career.
Those are just a few of the groups receiving grant money from United Way Quad Cities to help the organizations transform lives and create a “stronger, more vibrant community for all,” Rene Gellerman, United Way Quad Cities president and CEO, said Wednesday morning, July 12, at a news conference revealing its latest Community Impact Grants. The announcement was held at Birchwood Fields Learning Center, 4620 E. 53rd St., Davenport.
United Way Quad Cities is distributing $2.8 million in grants to 51 nonprofits – grassroots and community organizations – serving the residents of Scott and Rock Island counties. United Way’s Community Impact Grants help advance equity and improve education, financial stability and health outcomes for individuals and families in the Quad Cities.
“We are proud to support and partner with so many incredible nonprofits that are doing important and impactful work throughout our region,” Ms. Gellerman added. “They are a fundamental and a critical component aligned to drive progress toward our Rise United 2030 community goals, which include: more students are graduating high school prepared for success in college or career; more families are financially stable; and more of our neighbors are living longer, healthier lives.”
Several group representatives selected to receive the Community Impact Grant money said they are grateful to United Way. The money will help groups continue and expand their work of helping people. Also, the grants come with very flexible conditions, which means the money can be used in many different ways to help people.
For instance, Spring Forward, located at 2102 Sixth Ave., Rock Island, is one of those groups getting grant help. That group has supported thousands of students in kindergarten through sixth grade, helping them to increase literacy, academic, and social skills through fun and engaging out-of-school programming.
“What sets us apart is that we have certified teachers. … Our students are getting high-impact learning from these teachers,” Dan McNeil, executive director of Spring Forward, said during Wednesday’s brief news conference.
United Way’s competitive grant process was open to all nonprofits and grassroots groups serving Scott and Rock Island counties.
More than 70 funding applications were reviewed by a panel of 80 community leaders, subject-matter experts and United Way board members and staff. Panel recommendations were approved by the United Way Quad Cities’ Board of Directors.
“Five years ago, our United Way shifted significantly from an organization that was focused almost exclusively on raising and distributing funds to support worthy causes. Today, we are a social change organization that is focused on transformational impact,” said Caitlin Russell, United Way QC board chair and the president of Russell, headquartered in Davenport.
The grant funding comes as more children and families are facing the headwinds of inflation, leaving thousands of households unable to cover basic needs.
According to a recent United Way-funded study, 38% of households in Scott and Rock Island counties earn more than the federal poverty level, but not enough to afford the basics, which includes housing, childcare, food, transportation and health care. This makes those programs supported by United Way more crucial than ever, according to a statement from United Way.
Last year, 75,000 people from the QC region were helped through a range of United Way funded programs.
Those groups awarded Community Impact Grants include:
Education category: $1.140 millions in grants
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley
- Black Hawk College
- Boys & Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley
- Community Health Inc.
- Community Action of Eastern Iowa
- Davenport Community School District
- East Moline School District 37
- Everychild
- Family Resources
- Fresh Films
- Friendly House
- Hand in Hand
- Heart of Hope Ministries
- IJAG
- Junior Achievement of the Heartland
- Narratives QC
- One Eighty
- Project Renewal
- Safer Foundation
- SAL Community Services
- Spring Forward
- Steam on Wheels
- TMBC
- Two Rivers YMCA
- United Township High School District 30
- YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley
- YouthHope
- YWCA of the Quad Cities
- Alternatives for Older Adult
- Bethany for Children and Families
- Cafe on Vine
- Christian Care
- Dress for Success Quad Cities
- Family Resources
- Friendly House
- Heart of Hope Ministries
- Humility Homes and Services
- IJAG
- Iowa Legal Aid
- Narratives QC
- One Eighty
- Prairie State Legal Services
- Project NOW
- Quad Cities Open Network
- Safer Foundation
- St. Anthony Church
- The Arc of the Quad Cities
- The Salvation Army - Quad Cities
- YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley
- YWCA of the Quad Cities
- Bethany for Children and Families
- Boys & Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley
- CASI
- Center for Youth and Family Solutions
- Community Health Care
- Davenport Community School District
- EveryChild
- Friendly House
- Genesis Foundation
- GiGi’s Playhouse
- Hand in Hand
- Iowa Legal Aid
- Marriage and Family Counseling Service
- NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley
- One Eighty
- Pregnancy Resources
- Quad Cities Open Network
- Tapestry Farms
- The Arc of the Quad Cities Area
- The Project of the Quad Cities
- Two Rivers YMCA
- YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley
- Youth Service Bureau
- YWCA of the Quad Cities
