Smart Home Initiative: Advancing Independence for Individuals with Disabilities Through Innovation

Empowering Abilities seeks funding to implement smart home technology in residential programs serving individuals with disabilities, utilizing adaptive tools like voice assistants, remote monitoring, and personalized environmental controls. This initiative aims to increase participant independence, reduce caregiver stress, enhance staff efficiency, and bridge service gaps in rural Scott County, ultimately creating lasting improvements in mental health, housing stability, and quality of life.

Endowment Consulting to improve the Figge's fundraising and financial management capabilities

Through a partnership with a professional consulting firm, the Figge will develop the tools and resources necessary to increase our fundraising capacity and secure long-term financial stability for the museum. By completing an Organizational and Board Readiness Assessment and creating a Campaign Case for Support with an outside consultant, the Figge will be well-suited to conduct a successful Endowment Campaign.

Upgrade to the Hilltop Campus Village Website to Better Deliver Services and Promote Neighborhood

In preparation for the Hilltop Campus Village's Master Plan, the HCV has identified the need to rebuild and upgrade our website. A new website will increase HCV's capacity in communicating to the public, increase our organization's ability to fundraise for future projects, and better deliver services to the community.

Contract Consulting to Sustain HSSC's Animal Services and Expand Community Programs

This project includes hiring a consultant to update all our government partner contracts, a critical step in securing sustainable revenue for Humane Society of Scott County's long-term outlook. Up-to-date and consistent service agreements can increase efficiency and essential services we provide to Scott County families and their pets beyond the basic services required by law.

Marketing Strategy and Outreach Expansion to Strengthen Community Engagement and Program Access

Lift Women's Foundation seeks funding to implement a comprehensive marketing plan to expand community engagement and increase access to its programs. This project will strengthen Lift's visibility through strategic messaging, digital outreach, and targeted engagement efforts. By improving awareness, Lift will connect more women entrepreneurs with mentorship, and opportunities for economic independence.

Strategic Planning, Website Upgrade, & Knowledge Management to strengthen MLK Center's effectiveness

We have several capacity strengthening needs currently. Our most recent strategic planning was in 2019, and much has changed since then. Our website software is out of date. And our growing staff and portfolio of programs has highlighted the need to put systems and practices in place to streamline & optimize knowledge management.

Strategic Planning and Fund Development to Strengthen Long-Term Sustainability

This project develops Mercado on Fifth's first organizational strategic and fund development plan to guide long-term sustainability as it prepares for its 10-year anniversary in 2026. The initiative will engage stakeholders, assess impact, and create a roadmap for growth and sustainability. Funding will also support the purchase of a computer essential for data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and fund development execution, ensuring the tools for the plans to translate into measurable action.

Strategic Planning & Professional Development to Strengthen Leadership and Organizational Growth

This project strengthens Nahant Marsh's leadership and strategic direction through professional development and strategic planning. Staff will engage in human resources and communication training using the Integrative Enneagram framework, enhancing team effectiveness and leadership skills. A consultant-led strategic planning process will define organizational priorities, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.

Assessing Technology/Software Needs & Processes to Improve Data Management & Fundraising Capacity

This project will advance our fundraising & data mgmt. capacity—& ultimately our ability to serve the QCA—by evaluating/enhancing our current tech infrastructure—focusing on software selection, workflow optimization, reporting/data management, & vendor communication. These solutions, to be implemented after the grant period, will significantly enhance operational efficiency & community engagement, helping to ensure long-term sustainability via optimized processes & integrated tech solutions.

New Software Solution for More Effective and Efficient River Bend Food Bank Warehouse Management

To keep more than 400 hunger relief partners across a 23-county service region supplied, River Bend Food Bank maintains 3 warehouses that collect, sort, store, package, and ship large volumes of food 365 days per year a massive logistical undertaking. In addition to making sure the right deliveries arrive at the correct feeding sites, we need to do everything quickly to minimize the spoilage of the 5 million pounds of fresh produce, meat, and dairy we distribute each year. SafetyCulture software system will allow us to train our staff and feeding partners to better track our regulatory inspection schedules, employee training and certifications, and operations workflows to ensure food distribution.

New Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program to Increase Program Capacity and Equitable Access

This project provides mandatory, specialized eating disorder consultation, training, and supervision for The Robert Young Center for Community Mental Health (RYC) to launch a new, "first in the QCs" Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Once launched, this IOP will expand RYC program reach and ensure equitable access for patients in need of a higher level of eating disorder clinical care than is currently available in our QC community.

Increasing Fundraising Capacity by developing an interactive campaign website

This project provides critical funding for SAU to develop an interactive and immersive campaign website, allowing their gift officers to utilize best practices when cultivating and closing gifts to reach the $50M campaign goal.

Professional Development to increase capacity to provide services for BIPOC maternal populations

This project provides critical professional development, training, and education to provide effective maternal health interventions, mental health support, and culturally responsive care for BIPOC mothers in the Quad Cities. As need increases in the community, we need to scale our postpartum care package program and introduce new services beyond the postpartum period for new mothers.

Consulting & technology to build fundraising and engagement capacity

This project provides consulting support to plan our annual events and strengthen future fundraising efforts, along with technology to equip our incoming Communications Specialist. Together, these activities will strengthen our internal fundraising infrastructure, reduce staff strain, and improve how we share our mission with the broader community. This new role will allow staff to focus on relationship-building and strategy. A new camera will allow our Communications Specialist to capture high-quality content, highlight community stories, and strengthen engagement across our digital platforms, allowing us to carry out our mission more fully.

Technology Upgrades to improve YWCA's Financial and Data Management Capacity

YWCA of the Quad Cities moved into our new facility in June 2024, doubling our square footage, childcare center, clientele, and staff. We now operate unique programs and services at three separate facilities, with separate databases for billing, client information, and revenue tracking. This project would allow the YWCA to increase our financial and data management capacity that will provide continuity and efficiency among all sites.