Over $150,000 awarded to 10 Quad Cities nonprofits for capacity building

The Quad Cities Community Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of $155,956 in fall 2022 Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants. Representing a wide range of mission focus areas, from the arts to affordable housing, the 10 nonprofits receiving grants will use the funding for time-limited projects that strengthen their core systems and operations.

“Capacity-building can take many shapes, but every nonprofit needs a strong, well-supported infrastructure to effectively advance its mission,” said Kelly Thompson, the Community Foundation’s vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives. “Whether organizations are focused on staff training, strategic planning, or technology upgrades, we see investments in capacity building as critical investments in the impact of our nonprofit sector on our community.”

Awarded twice a year, Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants are made possible by the generosity of donors to the Quad Cities Community Impact Fund, which provides annual grant support for the most pressing needs and promising opportunities in the Quad Cities region.  

The following nonprofits received fall 2022 Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants:

  • Azubuike African American Council for the Arts, for strategic planning and board training to improve mission, resource allocation, and sustainability—$20,000

  • Fresh Films - Dreaming Tree Foundation, for equipment to improve program delivery and organizational capacity—$19,998

  • Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG), for planning for strategic advancement to grow and sustain programming for underserved youth—$12,500

  • Living Proof Exhibit, for staff training and marketing to improve communication, diversity, fund development, and program delivery—$9,254

  • Putnam Museum and Science Center, for advancing equity through effective accessible communications technology and equipment—$15,000

  • River Bend Food Bank, for serving growing numbers of food-insecure individuals with updated technology—$20,000

  • Safer Foundation Quad Cities, for expanding Safer’s usage of evidence-based practices with individuals served through staff training—$4,100

  • STEAM on Wheels, for board training and strategic planning to improve fundraising and governance capacity—$18,800

  • Vera French Foundation, for improving operations and tenant relationships by upgrading affordable housing management software—$19,804

  • World Relief Quad Cities, for increased capacity for safe program delivery through technology upgrades—$16,500

Earlier this year, the Community Foundation evaluated the Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant program. Based on the evaluation’s findings on the impact and effectiveness of the program, its annual budget was increased from $215,000 to $300,000, with grants of up to $20,000 now available.

Even with a larger budget, however, the Community Foundation receives more worthy applications than it can fund. This winter, from December 1 to January 15, donors have the opportunity to explore unfunded proposals through the Community Foundation’s Giving Catalog and help make them a reality with gifts of any size.

 “No one knows better what our community’s nonprofits need to succeed than those nonprofits themselves,” said Anne Calder, vice president of development. “Our Giving Catalog is a great way for donors to learn more about those needs and then make a truly meaningful impact.”  

Explore capacity-building projects and make a gift to move them forward here.

Eric McDowellNonprofit Capacity Building Grant