The Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund awards $286,000 in grants to local nonprofits

The Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund awarded $286,000 in grants to 22 area nonprofit organizations. 

The awards were announced during a grant reception April 22nd at the iWireless Center in Moline.

Amy’s father, Franz “Bud” Helpenstell, presented the grants to the groups. In addition, three nonprofit leaders shared the effect that will be made on their organizations and the people they serve through funding received from the foundation. 

Speaking on behalf of their organizations were Patrick Carlson, clinical director at The Center for Youth & Family Solutions;Sally O’Donnell, executive director of School Health LINK; and Amanda Dybek, executive director of Henry County Youth Services Bureau

Among the causes and organizations it supports, The Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund promotes awareness, understanding, diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders in the greater Quad Cities area.  Amy Helpenstell passed away in 2003 from complications related to an eating disorder. Ms. Helpenstell created the foundation through her estate to support causes related to health, education, youth development, community development and cultural activities within a 60-mile radius of Rock Island, where she lived and worked.

“Since 2005, Amy’s Foundation Fund has given more than $5 million back to causes that she cared deeply about,” said Bud Helpenstell, chair of The Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund. “The spring grants will impact community efforts to protect children from abuse, provide enrichment activities for individuals with disabilities, help local students attend college, and so much more. The results of the grantees’ important work will be felt in the lives of real people every day.” 

Spring grant recipients and the programs that received funding include:

  • Aldridge Early Learning Center – Parent Education, $1,500

  • Augustana College – Amy Helpenstell Foundation Student Interns Program, $20,000

  • Bethany for Children & Families – Housing for Chronically Homeless Families, $10,000

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley – One-to-One Youth Mentoring Expansion and Enhancement Initiative, $15,000

  • Black Hawk College Adult Education Program – Adult Education ESL Coordination, $20,000

  • Black Hawk College Foundation – Documentation at Point of Care for Nursing Students, $4,500

  • Boy & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley – After School Programs for At Risk Youth, $15,000

  • Child Abuse Council – Prevention Education Core Program Support, $10,000

  • Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities – Enhanced Feeding Therapy Program, $16,000

  • Gilda’s Club Quad Cities – Children in Need Continuation, $10,000

  • Hand-in-Hand – Inspiration Studio Art For Individuals With Disabilities, $2,000

  • Henry County Youth Services Bureau – Home-based, School-based, Individual, Group and Family Counseling, $10,000

  • Junior Achievement of the Heartland – Junior Achievement:  Empowering the Future, $15,000

  • New Kingdom Trailriders – Horse Care, $6,000

  • Rick’s House of Hope – Trauma and Loss Training Program, $4,000

  • Robert Young Center: Amy’s Gift – Amy's Gift: QC Eating Disorders Consortium, $50,000

  • School Health LINK Inc. – Behavioral Health Specialist, $15,000

  • Spring Forward Learning Center – After-School Tutoring and Mentoring Program, $15,000

  • St. Ambrose University – Amy Helpenstell Scholars Program, $10,000

  • The Center for Youth & Family Solutions – Crisis Intervention Service Enhancement, $5,000

  • Vera French Foundation – School Based Services Program Expansion, $20,000

  • YWCA of the Quad Cities – theplace2b, $12,000

For more information about The Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund, visit www.amyhelpenstell.org or call 563-326-2840.  The Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund is administered by the Community Foundation.

Melanie JonesNonprofits, Grant, Amy Helpenstell Foundation