Rock Island Community Foundation grant recipients for 2025:
2025 GRANT AWARDS: $102,250
Alleman High School--$2,000—Library
Ballet Quad Cities--$2,500—Programs in Rock Island-Milan schools
Bethany for Children & Families--$2,500—Prevention/education services in the Rock Island-Milan schools
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley--$2,000—Middle school employment and career exploration
Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities--$2,500—Therapy services for Rock Island children
Community Caring Conference--$1,200—Block clubs
Dress for Success Quad Cities--$1,000— “First impressions”-Empowering young women and teens
Every Child--$2,00—Prevention/education services in Rock Island-Milan schools
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--$2,500—Girl Scouts leadership program in Rock Island
Hart of Hope Ministries--$2,000—Giving West End kids help and hope with homework.
Humble Dwellings--$1,000—Purchase new dressers for children.
Jordan Catholic Schools--$1,500—Literacy program
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois--$2,500—Services for children in Rock Island
Multi-generational speaker series--$1,000—Educational series about the service by Black soldiers
Nahant Marsh Education Center--$1,500—Promoting equitable environmental education for Rock Island students.
New Kingdom Trailriders--$1,000—"Equipped to empower.”
Planting Books—Seeds 4 a Better Future--$1,000—Supporting literacy for long-term impact for Rock Island students.
Prairie State Legal Services--$2,500—Legal services for low-income Rock Island students
Pregnancy Resources--$1,925—Baby shower in a bag
Putnam Museum & Science Center--$2,500—Putnam community access fund
QC Closet 2 Closet--$1,200—School supplies initiative
QC AIR--$1250—Community outreach
Quad Cities Marathon “Shoes for Kids” --$500—Shoes for Rock Island children in need
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 Action--$1.000—Safeguarding our investment in natural areas, pollination, and community health.
River Bend Food Bank--$2,500—School food pantry purchases for Rock Island schools.
Rock Island County Children’s Advocacy Center--$1,500— “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
Rock Island Milan Little League--$1,000—Operating support for youth baseball and softball
Rocky Resource Room--$1,500—Support for vulnerable students and their families
Sacred Heart Catholic Church--$2,000—Food pantry supplies for Rock Island families.
Safer Foundation--$2,500—Community development and employment services in Rock Island
SBC Music Outreach Academy--$2,000—Learning through music and the arts
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
STEAM on Wheels--$1,650— “Power Up”-Family electronics and coding workshop
Tapestry Farms--$1,950—Emergency family food for refugee families in Rock Island
The ARC of the Quad Cities--$1,250—Parking and recreation for people
The Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Center--$3,500—West End revitalization through High School clubs
The Third Place, Inc.--$2,500—Empower and connect: Charging stations and safe, secure storage to support stability.
Transitions Mental Health Services--$1,800—Staff wellness
Understanding Works NFP--$1.000—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.
World Relief—$2,000—Refugee family literacy support
WQPT Public Television--$1,000—First Book Club for Rock Island children
WVIK Public Radio--$1,500—APRIS-Augustana Public Radio Information System
Youth Service Bureau of Rock Island County--$3,500—Counseling for low-income children and families in Rock Island
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
