Rock Island Community Foundation grant recipients for 2026:
2026 GRANT AWARDS: $109,120
:Alleman High School--$1,500—Chromebooks for incoming freshmen
Ballet Quad Cities--$2,500—Programs in Rock Island-Milan schools
Bethany for Children & Families--$2,000—”Give Kids a Smile” mobile dental van
Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities--$2,500—Therapy services for Rock Island children
Christian Care—$1,760—New lockers for homeless men
Christian Friendliness -Youth Hope—$3,000—Summer camp scholarships for Rock Island teens
Church of Peace—$1.500—Food Pantry
Clock, Inc.—$1,000—Clothing assistance for transgender youth
Community Caring Conference--$1,000—Program costs
Family Resources—$2,000—Flexible funds for victims of violent crimes in Rock Island
Figge Art Museum--$2,500—“Big Picture” program in Rock Island-Milan schools
Fresh Films--$1,500—Film and media workforce development for teens and young adults
Friends of Hauberg Civic Center--$1,000—Plant & art-based education for Rock Island-Milan students
Friendship Manor--$3,500—Charitable care needs for Rock Island seniors
Genesius Theatre Foundation--$1.000—Costuming for the 2026 season
Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois--$2,000—Girl Scouts leadership program in Rock Island
Heart of Hope Ministries--$1,500—Homework help and tutoring for Rock Island youth
Her Voice Media, Inc.—$1,500—Music equipment for performing arts program in Rock Island schools
Humility Homes & Services—$2,500—Financial assistance for persons in Rock Island with housing issues.
Humble Dwellings--$1,250—Bedroom dressers for needy families
Jordan Catholic Schools--$1,500—Literacy program
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois--$2,500—Services for children in Rock Island
Marriage & Family Counseling Services—$2,000—Services for Hispanic families in Rock Island
Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Center—$3,250—”Building community through connections”
NAMI—$1,500—Volunteer training & education to expand peer support
Nahant Marsh Education Center--$1,500—Promoting equitable environmental education for Rock Island students.
NEST Cafe—$1,750—Nourishing after-school snacks in three Rock Island schools
Nika Loves ChariPties—$750—Literacy supplies for Rock Island children
One Eighty—$1,000—Transportation for Rock Island clients
Planting Books—Seeds 4 a Better Future--$1,000—Books for 2nd graders in 3 Rock Island schools.
Polyrhythms—$1050—2027 Jazz Heritage Festival
Prairie State Legal Services--$2,500—Legal services for low-income Rock Island students
Pregnancy Resources--$2,110—Baby shower in a bag
Project NOW—$1,000—Cooling equipment for low-income Rock Island families
Putnam Museum & Science Center--$2,500—Putnam community access fund
Quad Cities Marathon “Shoes for Kids” --$500—Shoes for Rock Island children in need
Quad Cities Missing Persons Network—$500—Equipment expenses
Quad Cities Open Network—$2,000—Financial assistance for Rock Island children and families
Quad City Arts, Inc.--$2,500—Visiting Artists in the Rock Island schools.
Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association--$2,500—Music access and engagement in the Rock Island schools.
River Bend Food Bank--$2,500—School food pantry purchases for Rock Island schools.
Rock Island County Children’s Advocacy Center--$1,000— “It IS Your Business”: Grooming awareness training for child-serving professionals
Rock Island County 4-H Extension Program—$1,000—Head, Heart, Hand, and Health in Art
Rocky Resource Room--$12,000—Support for vulnerable students and their families
Sacred Heart Catholic Church --$2,000—Shelving for a new Food Pantry.
Safer Foundation--$2,500—Community development and employment services in Rock Island
SAL Community Services—$2,500—Culturally responsive food pantry
SBC Music Outreach Academy--$2,000—Learning through music and the arts
School Health Link—$1,500—Equipment for school-based clinic at RIHS
Serving Humanity Beyond Humility—$500—After-school program at Edison Junior High School
Soles for Children, Inc.--$1,000—Coats and shoes for low-income children in Rock Island
Special Olympics Illinois--$1,000—Regional bowling competition in Moline
Spring Forward Learning Center—$ 2,000—After-school tutoring & recreation program
STEAM on Wheels--$1,650— “Power Up”-Family electronics and coding workshop
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rock Island—$1,500—Food Pantry
Tapestry Farms--$2,000—Emergency family food for refugee families in Rock Island
Testimonies of Hope-Argrow’s House— $1,000—Therapeutic furniture for cli
The Third Place, Inc.--$2,000—Laundry vouchers for homeless persons
Two Rivers United Methodist Church—$1,500—Meal site operation
Two Rivers YMCA—$1,000—Nutritious food program for children
Understanding Works NFP--$750—Purses for refugees and Rock Island students in alternative schools during the holidays
Underwear Because We Care--$1,250—Providing underwear to those in need, the homeless, and veterans.
Unity House—$1,500—Substance abuse treatment for Rock Island residents
World Relief—$1,000—Educational assistance for English language learners
WVIK Public Radio--$1,500—APRIS-Augustana Public Radio Information System
Youth Service Bureau of Rock Island County--$2,200—Counseling for low-income children and families in Rock Island
YWCA of the Quad Cities—$2,000—360 Degree Reading Nook
FY’26 KEITH AND ROSEMARY WOODWARD CHARITABLE GIFT TRUST RECIPIENTS
Rosemary Woodward left a bequest of more than $2.1 million in her estate to be administered by the Rock Island Community Foundation. Mrs. Woodward’s will specified that eight organizations are eligible to receive grants from this Trust: Christian Care, Niabi Zoo, Quad City Botanical Center, Rock Island Library Foundation, Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation, Rock Island Parks De[artment, Unity Point VNA, and YWCA of the Quad Cities, These eight organizations have received a total of $522,489 since the first awards were made in 2020.
Christian Care—$30,000—Core operating support.
Niabi Zoo—$7,000—Zoo's public address system
Quad City Botanical Center—$10,000—3rd year of a 3-year pledge of $30,000 for “Plants on a Bus”
Rock Island Public Library Foundation—$16,500—3rd year of 3-year capital campaign pledge of $50,000
Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation—$24,000—Anatomage Table for Rock Island High School—(1st year of a 3-year pledge of $50,000
Rock Island Parks Department—$16,500—2nd year of a 3-year capital pledge of $50,000 for construction of the Saukie Clubhouse and renovation of the Stonehouse.
Unity Point VNA—$10,755—Therapy chairs for hospice patients
YWCA of the Quad Cities—$16,500—3rd year of a capital campaign pledge of $50,000
