Always more to learn: A Q&A with new grantmaking specialist Steve Gottcent

Ask Steve Gottcent how he’s seen the Quad Cities change and he’ll tell you instead how his own relationship with his community has evolved. Relocating from the Chicago area in 2005 with his family for a job in college ministry, he moved on to roles in admissions and human resources at Augustana College before finding his way to the social services sector, first as a community outreach coordinator at Christian Care and then in resource development at Friendly House.

“Each time I worked in those different arenas, it exposed me to whole new groups of people and opportunities to understand what’s going on in our region,” said Gottcent. “It’s not that I was ignorant of the issues the Quad Cities faces, but there’s always so much more to learn about our community.”

Opening a new chapter as a grantmaking specialist at the Quad Cities Community Foundation, Gottcent shares how he hopes to continue learning about—and making an impact on—his community.

We’re so happy to have you, Steve. What makes you excited to be here?

I’ve spent the last six years helping people get to know and asking them to support individual organizations. That’s valuable and necessary work, but something I’m excited about is the chance to see dollars go out and to hear all the amazing stories about the impact they make.

Two of my primary areas of focus will be working with donor-advised funds and our scholarship program. At Christian Care and Friendly House, I saw grants from donor-advised funds come in to support those organizations’ missions, and I personally saw the difference that funding made.  

I’ll also be working with some of our Geographic Affiliate Funds beyond the Quad Cities. It will be great to get to know these communities, learn the impact they want to have, and then help it play out. 

Tell us about your first weeks on the job.

Years from now, I’ll remember how supportive my colleagues were. They don’t mind me asking a million questions, and they’re quick to jump in and help. The Community Foundation is a collaborative and unified organization. We’re all working for the same mission.

What does that mission mean to you?  

I’m excited to see transformation in action on a broad scale. It’s wonderful to be part of an organization that recognizes that we can’t solve homelessness or hunger or social inequity on our own, but we can partner with and empower people and nonprofits to make a difference.

I loved seeing the most recent Transformation Grant for the Quad Cities Housing Council. I got to be part of that group when those conversations were first happening, and I actually remember a few meetings at the Community Foundation office. That was the first time I ever stepped foot inside this building! Now to see how my former—and current—colleagues took it the rest of the way, it’s incredible. There’s a lot of work to do, but it’s going to make a huge difference.

What are you hoping to learn next about the Quad Cities through your work at the Community Foundation?  

I’m looking forward to learning more about those areas of need that are present but don’t have a loud voice. There are issues that are critical to our community, but the nonprofits and people who are trying to do something about them need more help.  

Now, instead of focusing narrowly on “This is my organization” or “This is my cause,” I’m able to broaden that to “This is my community.” We’re going to shed light on areas that are currently dark to raise awareness and bring resources to them so they can get the care they need.

Interested in joining the Community Foundation team? Check out our exciting career opportunities here.