15 May 2009

Grand Victoria Foundation Honored for Collaboration with Illinois Community Foundations and The Moline Community Foundation

By Linda Martin

A groundbreaking project to strengthen local philanthropies has received national recognition for its impact on Illinois communities.

Communityworks, a collaboration between Grand Victoria Foundation and seventeen Illinois community foundations, including the Moline Community Foundation,was honored with the Critical Impact Award from the Council on Foundations at its annual meeting this week in Atlanta.

From 2003-08 Grand Victoria Foundation invested $12 million in Communityworks, which sought to strengthen Illinois community foundations by building endowments, supporting high-performing operations, and encouraging collaboration with local leaders around important local priorities.  Over the past five years, the community foundations more than quadrupled their assets and created promising ventures in early childhood care and education, workforce development, and land use and protection.  The effort is continuing, with up to $42 million in new grants along with new collaborative initiatives announced last September.  The Moline Community Foundation is a partner is this second phase of initiatives as a leader in Rock Island County.

The initiative is one of four winners of this year's Critical Impact Award from the Council on Foundations based in the Washington, D.C. area.

"We believe community foundations can be the civic hubs of their communities, and through Communityworks, we supported them in taking that kind of leadership," said Grand Victoria Foundation Executive Director Nancy Fishman.  "We're delighted that the work has received this recognition from the Council, but even more we're encouraged about the partnerships and collaborative ventures created as a result of Communityworks."

Joy Boruff, Executive Director, The Moline Community Foundation said "Communityworks helped strengthen our role as community leadership as well as organizing statewide collaboration among the foundations."  Boruff noted that building relationships among other community foundations throughout Illinois has assisted in the development of the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations.

Boruff is the current President of the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations (http://site.allianceilcf.org)

Other participating Illinois community foundations in the Communityworks project include Community Foundation of Central Illinois (Peoria), the Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County (Decatur), DeKalb County Community Foundation (Sycamore), Community Foundation of East Central Illinois (Champaign), Community Foundation of Grundy County (Morris), Community Foundation of the Quincy Area, the DuPage Community Foundation (Wheaton), Evanston Community Foundation, McHenry County Community Foundation (Woodstock), The Moline Foundation, Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation (Effingham, formerly Effingham County Community Foundation and Mattoon Area Community Foundation), and Southern Illinois Community Foundation (Marion).

Founded in 1953, The Moline Foundation is a community-based, non-profit organization which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts, and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of the Quad City region. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and has a current endowment fund of approximately $13 million.  For more information contact Executive Director Joy Boruff at (309) 736-3800 or visit The Moline Foundation Web site at www.molinefoundation.org.

Grand Victoria Foundation provides strategic funding to Illinois organizations working for long-lasting economic, educational and environmental change. Since it was established in 1996 by the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, Illinois, the Foundation has provided more than $100 million in grants to help communities in Illinois. More information about the Foundation and Communityworks is on Grand Victoria Foundation's website, www.grandvictoriafdn.org.

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14 May 2009

Moline Foundation Elects New Chairman

By Linda Martin

Officers have recently been elected by the Moline Foundation Board to lead the local community foundation in their grantmaking and community activities. 

Jon Tunberg, Moline, Co-Owner Whitey's Ice Cream, has been elected Chairman of The Moline Foundation.  

Dr. Paula Arnell, Rock Island, Pathologist, Laboratory Director of Metropolitan Medical Laboratory, has been elected Vice Chairman. 

Jim McLaughlin, Moline, Vice President, Southeast National Bank, has been elected Secretary. 

The other members of the Moline Foundation Board include Peter Benson, Moline, Attorney, Lane & Waterman; Gene Blanc, Moline, CEO & Chairman of the Board, Midland Information Resources; Dennis Fox, Attorney, Califf & Harper; Sandra Kramer, Moline, Community Volunteer; Mary Lagerblade, Rock Island, Community Volunteer; and Dennis Schwartz, , Vice-President, Pension Investments, Deere & Company. 

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation and non-profit organization which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and has a current endowment of over $13 million. For more information, please refer to The Moline Foundation's web site at www. molinefoundation.org

The Moline Community Foundation offices are located at the Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline.

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11 May 2009

22nd ANNUAL "CRUISIN' FOR CAMP COURAGEOUS"

By Rick Martin
On Sunday, May 17, 2009 Camp Courageous of Iowa will hold the 22ndh annual "Cruisin' for Camp Courageous" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Presented by the Cedar Valley Street Rods, it is one of Iowa's largest charity Car Shows and features hundreds of show cars, racecars, and trucks.  This is a family event with a large silent and live auction, kid's games, food, music, and huge craft show.  Guests will enjoy the opportunity to watch Jim Hetzler and friends as they take part in the annual pinstriper panel jam. The indoor pool will be open and swimming will be included with admission fee along with rides on the new camp train!  Car enthusiasts from everywhere will want to attend this event with all proceeds going to Camp Courageous.

Admission is $5.00 for adults.  Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.  This fee will admit you to all events including the car show, entertainment, and much more.

Camp Courageous of Iowa is a year-round camp for individuals with special needs and is run on donations, without government assistance, formal sponsorship, or paid fundraisers. In 2008 over 5,000 campers were served.

For more information contact Camp Courageous of Iowa at (319) 465-5916.

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05 May 2009

Church Basement Ladies' Bake Sale

By C.U.Q.C.
Quad Cities Largest "Church Basement Ladies" bake sale will be held on May 9th from 9am until 1pm in front of Circa '21 in Rock Island. Delicious baked goods, beverages, cookbooks will be avalable for purchase.  Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item for the Churches United food pantries.
05 May 2009

Big Brothers Big Sisters Plant Sale

By qcbbs.org
Join us in support of the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Plant Sale to be held this  Saturday and Sundy, May 9th and 10th, at Northwest Bank in Davenport and Bettendorf.  Call 563-323-8006 or visit www.qcbbs.org for more information.
20 Apr 2009

Moline Foundation announces new fund to honor Karen Getz

By Linda Martin

The Moline Foundation has a new grant opportunity through a fund called Karen's Summertime FUNd in honor of Karen Getz. Through the Karen's Summertime FUNd, The Moline Foundation is offering mini-grants between $300 and $1,000. The object of this special opportunity is to provide non-profit organizations extra funds to develop creative, educational, and fun-filled activities for kids during the summer months. Non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply if they serve the citizens of Moline and the surrounding region, including the Quad Cities.

Karen's Summertime FUNd grants are made possible by Tom Getz, the Getz family and friends and many generous donors to The Moline Foundation. In establishing Karen's Summertime FUNd program, the Moline Foundation honors the life of a woman who gave to so many others. This special program will help us remember the many ways Karen Getz reached out to children with her sparkling personality and tireless spirit.

All materials necessary to receive funds are due in The Moline Foundation offices by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2009 or must be postmarked by or on Friday, May 1, 2009. Please call The Moline Foundation at (309) 764-4193 to request a Grant Application.

Any child oriented non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, including those who have never received Moline Foundation funding in the past, is welcome to apply.

The Moline Community Foundation offices are located at the Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline.

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts and other charitable organizations. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts for the benefit of citizens in Scott County, Iowa and Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, Warren, Henderson, and McDonough counties in Illinois.

17 Apr 2009

Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall and German Elderhostels

By Kathryn Davis

Native born German woman to give talk at the German American Heritage Center.

Don't miss this eye opening program on the history, politics, and emotions behind the Berlin Wall by a native born German, Anette Isaacs, and her work with Elderhostels on Sunday,April 26th at 1:00 p.m.

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Hear an exciting lecture that presents a historical and political overview of this very painful, but also miraculous period in Berlin's captivating history. Also find out about the world's largest non-profit educational travel organization for adults, Elderhostels.

Instructor: German born and raised, Anette Isaacs did her graduate work at Emory University, Georgia, the University of Vienna and at the Free University in Berlin. She holds a Master´s Degree in American Studies, Political Science, and History. Her vast knowledge about her native country's history, culture, society, and politics will undoubtedly be insightful for anyone interested in Germany.

15 Apr 2009

QC Leadership Alumni United Accepting Grant Applications

By Donyelle DeVore

Bettendorf, Iowa (April 14, 2009) - Quad Cities Leadership Alumni United would like to announce the opening of the grant application process for 2009. QCLAU will provide up to $1000 Quality of Life grants for programs or projects in Rock Island or Scott counties that support the group's mission: Quad Cities Leadership Alumni United will work to improve life in the Quad Cities by eliminating barriers and providing access. This year's focus will be on programs that support education or employment readiness.

The Quad Cities Leadership Alumni United is made up of graduates from local leadership programs in both Iowa and Illinois.

The three grant recipients from 2008 included: $750 to Boys/Girls Club of Mississippi Valley for Power Hour, $750 to Transitions Mental Health Rehabilitation for Youth Education & Employment Readiness Project, and $500 to Rock Island County 4-H Extension for QC Teen Reality World.

Proposals for the 2009 granting cycle will be accepted between April 1 and June 1. Application packets may be requested by emailing qcleadership@gmail.com. Checks will be awarded at the organization's September 10th fall event - "A Night at the Ballpark" - at Modern Woodmen Park.

Applicants must have 501(c)3 or non-profit status.

07 Apr 2009

Modern Woodmen of America challenges Americans to add purpose to family fun

By Kim Woodward

(Rock Island, Ill.) - Planning a family gathering can be stressful and time consuming. Adding extra meaning to your event may seem downright impossible - until now. Rock Island's Modern Woodmen of America has created Gatherings.info's Gatherings with Purpose tool. With a little forethought, any get-together can touch lives beyond the guest list.

"Helping people achieve quality family life and give back to their community is at the core of everything Modern Woodmen does," said Jill Lain Weaver, manager of corporate communications at Modern Woodmen, a fraternal financial services organization. "Our members gather with purpose through local camp (chapter) and youth service club activities across the U.S. Gatherings with Purpose is designed to help people add a touch of goodwill to their own get-togethers."


The trend toward volunteering in the United States has taken off, and more people are taking time out to help. In 2008, approximately 61.8 million Americans (26.4 percent) volunteered through or for an organization, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Gatherings.info now offers Gatherings with Purpose as a resource to help families add a touch of charity to their festivities.


  Site visitors can also ease the stress of planning a gathering by navigating through tips, ideas and checklists. The site provides recipes, themes, and location and travel advice, as well as family reunion planning steps. With only a few clicks, the site's Quick Planner will compile a complete shopping list of the supplies needed for party recipes and more.


  To further enhance family gatherings, Modern Woodmen invites Gatherings.info visitors to register for its monthly Gatherings Giveaway. Register to win one of these great family prizes worth $350: a Sony camcorder, an Apple iPod Classic with docking station, or an outdoor, family prize pack from Coleman® and Omaha Steaks®. Registrants will also receive a monthly electronic newsletter, full of ideas for great gatherings. To be eligible for the Gatherings Giveaway, entrants must be legal residents of the United States and be 18 years or older.


  Gatherings.info is developed and sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America. Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

06 Apr 2009

Iowa Public Radio presents "An Evening in Celebration of Wine & Tulips"

By Rick Martin
(Cedar Falls) - Savor the flavor of wines from around the world as Iowa Public Radio presents the 24th annual "An Evening in Celebration of Wine & Tulips" in partnership with the Friends of KUNI/KHKE. This year's celebration will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Park Place Event Centre in Cedar Falls.

Wine enthusiasts and discriminating palates alike - from all over Iowa and beyond - have enjoyed this premier wine event. Good wine, good food and good friends, as well as the ambience of classical and jazz music, make this a very popular and enjoyable experience.

More than two hundred domestic and imported wines are expected to be available for sampling during our celebration, including some unique and lesser known wines from our very own vineyards in Iowa. Reds, whites, blushes, dessert and sparkling wines will be well-represented. Wines from the vineyards of California, Washington, Italy, France, Australia, and Spain are also among those expected to be poured. Also available for sampling is a variety of Midwestern cheeses, plus breads and fruits to cleanse the palate.

Limited edition collectible "Wine & Tulips" posters signed by internationally acclaimed Cedar Falls artist Gary Kelley will be on sale at the event. One lucky individual will also walk away with Kelley's original artwork for this year's poster in our "Wine & Tulips" auction. The silent auction is held in conjunction with the event and will offer a wide variety of gift and art items including special wines, wine accessories, and a whole lot more.

Attendance at the event is limited to 800 guests and tickets are available in advance for $35 per person. Tickets are available for purchase by phone at 800-772-2440, ext. 0 and online at www.iowapublicradio.org. Tickets purchased at the event are $45 per person. The ticket price includes an etched souvenir wine glass and a detailed wine guide. Advance tickets are also available at Indulgence (305 Main St.) and Roots Market (2021 Main St.) in Cedar Falls.

Patron support levels for "An Evening in Celebration of Wine & Tulips" are also available for $150 per couple ($75 for single) and include early admission to the event for a "meet the distributors" pre-party, plus special patron door prizes. Call 800-772-2440, ext. 0 to purchase tickets at a patron level.

Financial support is provided by First National Bank (Cedar Falls); EyeCare Associates (Cedar Falls, Waterloo); UBS Financial Services (Waterloo); Flowerama (Cedar Falls, Waterloo); Sandy Benak, State Farm Insurance (Cedar Falls); Wingate Inn (Cedar Falls) and the Friends of KUNI/KHKE.
  • Iowa Public Radio informs, enriches and engages Iowans through radio programming and other media. Iowa Public Radio includes the WOI Radio Group (Iowa State University, Ames), KUNI-KHKE (University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls), and KSUI-WSUI (University of Iowa, Iowa City).

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