Local nonprofits receive more than $100,000 in capacity building grants

The Quad Cities Community Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 to 10 local organizations to help them build their capacity. The Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants provide funding to local organizations for staff training, board development, strategic planning, technology, and critical equipment needs to help them transform their ability to carry out their mission.

“We continue to look for new ways to support our area’s nonprofits. One of the ways we have been able to do this consistently over the years is through our Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants, which provides funding that equips organizations with support—like technology and strategic planning—so they can strengthen their infrastructure and look to the future,” said Kelly Thompson, vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives. “The 10 organizations selected this year are taking big steps forward to serve our community in new and exciting ways.”

Grants are made from the Community Impact Fund, a permanent endowment at the Community Foundation that enables the Community Foundation to respond to high-priority needs and opportunities in the community as they arise.

The Community Foundation awards Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants in the spring and fall each year. Online letters of interest for 2018 spring grants will be accepted from February 1, 2018 through March 15, 2018 online.

This fall’s grantees include FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library, who will introduce a virtual reality system into their youth education initiatives, offering an innovative new way to engage young people into their programming. The virtual reality systems will be offered in a space where patrons can use them on a “walk-in” basis. The Creative Arts Academy—which is based at the Main Library—is also anticipating use of the new technology in their curriculum.

The following organizations were awarded Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants in fall 2017: