Give where you live

When Betsy Brudos joined the board of GIFT Geneseo Community Foundation (GIFT), an affiliate of the Quad Cities Community Foundation, she didn’t expect to become board chair within a year. But her enthusiasm for the town she’s called home for 35 years, and a strong vision for its future, make her a natural fit for the role.

“I’ve always known this was a giving community,” Brudos said. “What’s impressed me most is just how involved people are. Folks here are enthusiastic about where they live, and that spirit shows up again and again. I’m proud to be in this position, and lucky to be working with so many amazing people.”

For Brudos and the board, the mission is simple but profound: to grow a legacy and ensure that charitable dollars and decisions stay local. “This foundation will always be for Geneseo,” she said. “The funds stay here, the projects stay here, and the people making the decisions are right here.”

That local commitment has sparked new energy. GIFT is growing its funds, expanding its social media presence, and refining its message so more residents recognize what the foundation stands for: lasting, community-driven impact. An in-depth strategic planning process—held in collaboration with other affiliates of the Quad Cities Community Foundation—has also played a big role in shaping progress. “It was extremely helpful and energizing. It really opened my eyes to what collaboration can look like,” Brudos said. “It fostered connections that are going to help us grow far into the future.”

That community pride fuels the work of GIFT, and the organization’s partnership with the Quad Cities Community Foundation helps connect local energy to powerful philanthropic tools and expertise.

“The work of Betsy and the board in Geneseo is a powerful example of community-focused giving,” said Kelly Thompson, vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. “It’s a privilege to work with them and all our affiliates to grow philanthropy across our region.”

That sense of collaboration and optimism carries through everything GIFT does. “There are so many ways to give and be part of our mission,” Brudos emphasized. “It’s about building something that lasts, something that reflects the generosity and care that define Geneseo. If you’re looking to leave a legacy in this small town, this is the place to build it. Long after we’re gone, it will still be here.”