Witnessing generosity
During the week of November 11, the Quad Cities Community Foundation joins nearly 800 community foundations across United States celebrating Community Foundation Week. For 30 years, the effort has raised awareness about the increasingly important role of these philanthropic organizations in fostering local collaboration and innovation to address persistent civic and economic challenges.
“Our team has the lucky distinction of being witness to extraordinary acts of generosity every single day,” said Sherry Ristau, president and CEO. “As we celebrate this week, each of us have taken time to reflect on the acts of generosity we have seen play out over the past year.”
“Our volunteer grants committee did a fantastic job reviewing and awarding grants for our inaugural Coordinated Field of Interest Fund Grant. They had tough decisions, but were generous with their time, thought, and open-mindedness. They were able to make decisions and award grants that will amplify goodness in our community and make an impact on the organizations receiving them. ”
“What I have witnessed has nothing to do with dollars, but with time and expertise. Our Investment and Finance Committees of our Board of Directors have given their time and expertise to the ‘nth’ degree this year. Our local expertise is extraordinary.”
“I loved seeing that Tapestry Farms was able to use a Q2030 Grant to employ refugees at a community garden. This really touched me and made me proud to have been a part of it.”
“With preparation and foresight for an upcoming disaster, we were uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in the flood recovery process. It was amazing to watch both the internal process and external impact of this unique act of generosity.”
“I loved volunteering at the KWQC-TV6 station to collect flood recovery donations. It was incredible to see so many drive up and give what they could. It was awesome to witness firsthand Quad Citizens giving during a great time of need.”
“I love how our community rallied to support their neighbors in need through the Disaster Recovery Fund. From thousands of individual donations, to the partnerships with KWQC, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Walcott Bank and Trust, and so many group donations from company employees and “fun” fundraising events, people stepped up to help bring our community to wholeness again. It’s truly inspiring and a joy to count myself a Quad Citizen.”
“This year I’ve seen the amazing strength and generosity our donors share with the Quad Cities community when their families have just faced a heartbreaking loss. Out of difficult times comes a strong desire to talk about the difference their loved one made and how they want that feeling of good to ripple throughout the Quad Cities. What an honor it is to tell their story.”
“It was amazing to see the culmination of the multiyear grant commitments that Ascentra Credit Union Foundation provided from their endowment to several nonprofits whose missions align with theirs. Nonprofits were able to demonstrate leaps forward in their work because of this flexible, reliable support and the relationships that Ascentra leaders have intentionally cultivated.”
“Earlier this year, Portillo’s invited us talk about our work with hundreds of people for their grand opening and give diners the chance to give to the unrestricted Quad Cities Community Impact Fund. The generous gifts and Portillo’s matching gift raised $10,000 for the Community Impact Fund in one day!”
“It was so amazing to see everyone work together during the historic flood this year—it was a devastating time, but the community really came together.”
“I love that the Community Foundation can celebrate with other charitable organizations to help our community thrive. The United Way Quad Cities’ Kickoff Event was very impactful to me because the stories and experiences shared displayed how often adversity is overcome.”
“One of our donor advisors recently issued a grant to their granddaughter’s local high school to support the Student Hunger Drive. It is a great way for the family to be engaged together in generosity.”