Community Foundation doubles awards for Community Impact Fund 2017 Challenge Grant

This summer, to celebrate and encourage the strength of Quad Cities nonprofits that serve our community while navigating an ever-evolving funding landscape, the Quad Cities Community Foundation announced a challenge grant opportunity to ignite charitable giving to area organizations.

The 2017 Community Impact Fund Challenge Grants provide flexible funds that support nonprofits in Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois. Initially, the plan was for five organizations from the pool of applicants to be selected to take on the challenge. Each would earn a $10,000 grant by raising an additional $10,000 through new or increased giving from other sources by December 31, 2017.

“But then the applications started pouring in,” said Kelly Thompson, vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives at the Community Foundation. “The response to this challenge was overwhelmingly positive from applicants and donors alike.

“Reviewing the applications, we were not just encouraged—but genuinely moved—by the variety and excellence of the work happening across the community,” she added. “In fact, our board found so many of the applications compelling that they decided to expand the challenge. Each organization is using thoughtful and innovative approaches to adapt to the changing funding landscape so they can realize their mission.”

This week, the Community Foundation board of directors voted to double the dollars that would be granted from $50,000 to $100,000, allowing the Community Foundation to award challenges to 10 organizations rather than five. 

“This is the largest pool of challenge grants we’ve ever offered,” Thompson said. “It is a testament to the incredible work happening in the Quad Cities, and I hope it encourages donors to know that there are so many great nonprofits who are ready to take up the challenge.”

The ten organizations represent a wide variety of efforts, including human services, cultural, health, education, and the environment.  They serve newborns to seniors, range in size from small to large, and nearly all serve the entire Quad Cities region.

The Community Foundation Community Impact Fund 2017 Challenge Grant recipients are: 

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley

  • Center for Active Seniors

  • Child Abuse Council

  • Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities

  • Dress for Success Quad Cities

  • Family Resources

  • German American Heritage Center

  • River Action

  • Robert Young Center

  • WVIK Quad Cities NPR

Grants awarded through this program are made possible by the Community Impact Fund. This endowed fund has grown to over $13 million thanks to the generosity of donors across the region. The fund allows the Community Foundation the flexibility to respond to the greatest needs and the most promising opportunities in the community—like this challenge grant—as they arise and vary from year to year.

The gifts donors have made to the Community Foundation’s Community Impact Fund will now inspire additional charitable gifts, and have a total impact of $200,000 on the 10 organizations participating in the challenge. 

Melanie JonesNonprofits, Donors, Grant