The first grants from the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund to support the community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been awarded. Since opening the grant program last week, nearly 70 nonprofits have requested upwards of $2.5 million in support.
As of Friday, the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund had raised just over $580,000.
“There is tremendous need, and with tremendous need comes tremendous opportunity,” said Sherry Ristau, president and CEO of the Quad Cities Community Foundation, who together with the United Way of the Quad Cities and the Regional Development Authority, is leading the community's effort to raise dollars that will support vulnerable community members during the pandemic.
“Every day – and sometimes every hour – we are receiving critical grant requests,” Ristau said. “Every gift from a Quad Citizen will go to organizations supporting other Quad Citizens during these remarkable times. It will take every one of us to consider how we can support our neighbors and community in these difficult times. Whether it is $5 or $5,000, every dollar truly makes a difference."
Last week, United Way Board Chairperson Linda Bowers matched every gift to the fund, up to $50,000. The fund received $50,000 in additional support on Friday. Now, Jeff and Reggie Goldstein have agreed to match the next $25,000 donated to the fund.
Gifts to the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund can be made online at www.QCCommunityFoundation.org or www.unitedwayqc.org, or by mailing a check to the Community Foundation at 852 Middle Road, Suite 100, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722.
The first round of grants were awarded to organizations focused on efforts to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 infections in the region by helping the community follow public health recommendations and helping to address the financial impact of following those recommendations. The grantees are providing critical support to children, youth, seniors, healthcare services, emergency housing, and other needs of the most vulnerable and affected by this pandemic disaster. A total of $350,402 – nearly all the cash in the fund at this time – was granted in this first round to 19 organizations:
Alternatives for the Older Adult, to expand emergency assistance for individuals and families, $30,000.
Center for Active Seniors, to provide crisis advocacy for seniors, $35,000.
Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities, to continue critical children’s therapy provision. $10,000
Community Action of Eastern Iowa, to expand food provision for Quad Cities, $15,000.
Community Health Care, Inc., to cover curbside care costs, $30,402.
Family Resources, Inc., to continue critical services to children and families, $35,000.
Friendship Manor, to maintain critical services to keep seniors safe, $20,000.
Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities, to continue essential services in housing, $10,000.
Hand in Hand, to continue critical services to people with disabilities, $5,000.
Handicapped Development Center, to continue critical services to people with disabilities, $22,000.
Heart of Hope Ministries, to expand feeding of households in need, $5,000.
Humility Homes & Services, Inc., to continue housing homeless individuals and families, $30,000.
Nahant Marsh Education Center, to continue critical land management for flood protection, $5,000.
QC Haven of Hope, to continue housing homeless families, $2,500.
River Bend Foodbank, to expand food provision for Quad Cities, $30,000.
Safer Foundation, to support technologies for remote learning in the Youth Empowerment Program. $6,500.
SAL Family and Community Services, to support Emergency Child Care for Illinois Essential Workforce, $25,000.
The Salvation Army, Quad Cities, to expand sheltering options for homeless individuals and families, $30,000.
World Relief Moline, to continue critical services to refugee families, $4,000.