A year of community-driven growth

by Sue Hafkemeyer
President and CEO

Every year, you make it clear that we live in a generous, caring region that recognizes the power of nonprofits in creating the community we all want to live in. 2024 was no different, and I’m particularly proud to share how our community stepped up their philanthropy in partnership with the Quad Cities Community Foundation.

Combining gifts, estate contributions, and interfund grants, Community Foundation donors generously gave $15 million in new contributions in 2024.

That is a staggering, record-breaking level of generosity. And the real power of this giving is that it is an investment in the future. These gifts are building endowments that support our community today and ensure that support will continue for many years to come.

And that is only the beginning of the growth we are celebrating. Last year, more than 800 nonprofit professionals and volunteers took advantage of training opportunities through our new Center for Nonprofit Excellence, a testament to both the need and the opportunity we have to invest in and champion the nonprofit sector and its leaders.

Additionally, nearly $9 million in grants and scholarships were awarded to local organizations and students. Our geographic affiliates—in Fulton, Geneseo, Morrison, and Mount Carroll, in Cedar and Van Buren Counties—also continue to steward and amplify generosity across the region. Our partners in these counties saw nearly $2.6 million in donations, sizeable growth over previous years for communities furthering rural philanthropy.

The numbers are exciting to see—and meaningful to share. However, I believe it is what we do with those dollars in the near and long term that will ensure generosity always, as our tagline says, lives here.

In the year ahead, you can expect to see more than $600,000 invested in scholarships for local students, millions of dollars granted through our various grantmaking programs, and a growing number of local businesses getting involved in philanthropy through our Corporate Philanthropy Program.

The best way to keep up the momentum? Make a contribution early in the year. There are many benefits to giving through your Community Foundation early in the year, especially for those making contributions from their Individual Retirement Accounts. And, this year, Illinois and Iowa taxpayers can take advantage of new endowment tax credits. These credits are in limited supply—to make sure your gift is eligible, give us a call today.