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Rock Island

Grant applications open for local nonprofits

By Charlie Roiland,

2025-02-04

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Local nonprofits can now apply for a grant through three community foundations.

The Doris and Victor Day Foundation, Rauch Family Foundation I & II, and the Rock Island Community Foundation opened their grant application period on Feb. 4 for funding in 2025.

Grant information and access to the shared grant portal can be accessed here (Day Foundation) and here (Rock Island Community Foundation).

Deadlines for applications are as follows:

  • Doris and Victor Day: May 31, 2025
  • Rauch Family Foundation I: July 31, 2025
  • Rauch Family Foundation II: April 30 or October 31, 2025
  • Rock Island Community Foundation: June 27, 2025


The Doris and Victor Day Foundation has been a steadfast pillar in our community since the office’s opening in 1987 supporting eligible nonprofits primarily located in Rock Island and Scott Counties. “We are committed to supporting impactful projects that address basic human needs in our community,”said Tyla Sherwin-Cole. “Grants are designed to empower organizations with the resources they need to make a real difference.”

Each year, for the past couple of years, the Day Foundation has carefully listened to grantees through feedback on how they can improve. They have implemented an elevator pitch in the grant application that gives grantees another way to tell their story in a memorable, informative, and persuasive way.

Videos allow board members to learn more about ideas and proposals quickly. It also will help create more accessibility to the availability of grants as well as help organizations better leverage their case.

They implemented a social media program that promotes organizations for their award. It is a cost-effective way to reach a larger audience, raise awareness about their cause, and engage potential supporters without a significant financial investment, allowing organizations to maximize their impact despite limited resources.

This year, they are incorporating a site visit program into their grantmaking process. Instead of a final report, they will decide on a mid-grant or post-site visit. The mid-grant will serve as an
opportunity to check in on the progress toward the grant objectives and outcomes, to course
correct for the remainder of the grant period, and/or to see dollars in action.

The post-grant visit will serve as an evaluation or process at the end of the grant period to collect feedback and create more opportunities to learn more about organizations and programs and for them to learn more about the Foundation, helping continue to build trust for more effective grant partnerships in the future.

Doris’ estate contributed $10 million to the Foundation’s office opening in 1987, and the board of directors worked diligently to fulfill the Days’ dream. With over $17 million in current assets, the Foundation has granted more than $26 million since its establishment.

The Rauch Family Foundation was established by brothers Albert and Less Rauch in the late 1980s with an initial principal of $1 million. Each grant from the Foundation is a testament to the commitment to the community and is designated explicitly for nonprofit organizations serving Rock Island City residents.

Since its inception in 1988, the Foundation has distributed over $1.3 million in grants.

The Rock Island Community Foundation, founded on April 16, 1967, began with contributions of $20 each from its eight founders. Since then, it has grown exponentially, distributing over $2.6 million to community groups, and grown to nearly $4 million in assets.

This remarkable growth, fueled by the annual contributions of board members and funding from local citizens and businesses, has inspired and enabled the assistance of 221 organizations, benefiting over 200,000 individuals in Rock Island.

For information about the application or process, please contact the office at 309-788-2300 or email tyla@dayfoundation.org or Gary Rowe at 309-786-8551 or gnrowe47@gmail.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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