How generous donors transformed our region in 2023

In 2023, the Quad Cities Community Foundation granted $9.3 million to the Quad Cities regional community and nonprofits. This staggering figure is made possible by the generous donors who support the Community Foundation’s mission.

“Our mission is to transform the region we call home, and that’s only possible with the support of generous donors,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, the Community Foundation’s president and CEO. “Donors drive everything we do, and their contributions and charitable grants in 2023 are already making an impact in our community.”

Most donor contributions are given for endowment, meaning they are invested in perpetuity to benefit our community today and for generations to come. The Community Foundation invests and administers these funds. Each year, grants from more than 1,000 separate charitable funds at the Community Foundation support the organizations and programs that are addressing the community’s greatest needs and most promising opportunities.

The $9.3 million granted in 2023 means that since its inception in 1964, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $125 million in charitable grants. What a way to celebrate 60 years of generosity!

2023 grants awarded to support the community

  • Arts, Culture and Museums: $0.8 million

  • Health and Human Services: $3 million

  • Community Improvement and Development: $1.4 million

  • Education, Research and Scholarships: $1.9 million

  • Philanthropy and Voluntarism: $1.1 million

  • Religion and Spiritual Development: $0.9 million

  • Environment and Animal Welfare: $0.2 million

TOTAL: $9.3 million

 

Included in last year’s grant totals, Community Foundation grant committee volunteers and leadership administered more than $2.5 million in grants from the Quad Cities Community Impact Endowment Fund and other charitable gifts directed toward one or more fields of charitable interest. These gifts provide flexible, responsive, strategic, and broad support for the region.

2023 total charitable assets

  • Donor designated endowments: $100.5 million

  • Quad Cities Community Impact Fund (unrestricted endowment): $14.7 million

  • Donor advised endowments: $24.4 million

  • Nonprofit endowments: $11 million

  • Non-endowed donor advised funds: $23.6 million

  • Trusts, properties, and other funds: $17.3 million

TOTAL: $191.5 million

Together, these figures show the incredible drive and generosity of donors in the Quad Cities region. At the Community Foundation, the majority of grantmaking decisions are made by donors. Their interests and passions determine how funding is distributed. The Community Exists to provide the resources and community connections that help donors make decisions and ensure their generosity has as much impact as possible.

Thanks to donors, 2023 was an amazing year. In 2024, the Community Foundation is celebrating its 60th year in the community, and these achievements are thanks to the commitment and continued spirit of generosity in the Quad Cities region.  

Will Van Camp