Second Transformation Grant awarded to United Way to increase equity across the region
The Quad Cities Community Foundation has awarded an additional $50,000 Transformation Grant for the United for Equity Fund at United Way Quad Cities in an effort to further advance equity across the region.
The additional grant brings the Community Foundation’s total support of the United for Equity Fund to $100,000, with hopes of it having a profound impact on the social and economic wellbeing of people of color in the Quad Cities.
“This second Transformation Grant to the United Way is a natural step for us. The grantees awarded dollars from the fund are doing incredible work to target and dissolve persistent racial disparities in our region, and finding solutions that address the systemic challenges that people of color experience on a daily basis,” said Sherry Ristau, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We are grateful to the donors of the Community Foundation who make it possible to support this community effort.”
United Way works to increase awareness of local racial inequities and creates solutions to those issues. Established to achieve three equity initiatives—strengthening families, empowering future generations, and educating and equipping the community—the United for Equity Fund will use the additional Transformation Grant to award more grassroots programs within the region that are dedicated to advancing those initiatives.
“Awarding this grant reminds me of how proud I am to work for an employer who believes in diversity and inclusion. It goes to show that we’re truly reflecting as a community on what we can do better,” said Tameka Toney, accounting associate at the Community Foundation and a member of the volunteer committee guiding the United for Equity Fund. “Our goal is for these funds to continue opening doors for individuals and organizations, and inspire them to develop their initiatives to the fullest extent possible,” she added.
Among the many organizations and programs that will receive support from the United for Equity Fund are the Boys and Girls Club, the Putnam Museum and Science Center, a local mentoring program for young Black men, and, as a way to avoid students’ learning being slowed by technological mishaps during a time in which they are heavily dependent on technology, a program to fix cracked screens and replace missing chargers.
“We’re funding people and programs with fresh ideas, with the potential to change our community for the better,” said Toney. “I sincerely hope, and believe, that this fund will spark more visibility across the Quad Cities about the opportunities available. I also believe the fund will inspire people to give, and ultimately allow for a continuous circle of giving and helping others,” she added.
The $100,000 investment in the United for Equity Fund has allowed it to reach a total of $275,000—a number that far surpass its original goal of $200,000. The fund will directly help 25 nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and social entrepreneurs that are working to tackle systemic issues of inequity.
To see the full list of recipients, check out the announcement on KWQC-TV6’s website here.