Students in the Teens for Tomorrow program awarded $28,000 to seven nonprofits serving the Quad Cities, with funding focused on housing, food access, youth services and support for vulnerable populations.
High school students in the Quad Cities helped direct $28,000 in grants to seven local nonprofits through the Teens for Tomorrow program of the Quad Cities Community Foundation.
The program gives students a role in local philanthropy by involving them in grant review, nonprofit visits, community conversations and funding decisions. This year’s grants supported organizations working on housing insecurity, food access, youth services, refugee support and other community needs.
Teens for Tomorrow gives students a role in local grantmaking
Teens for Tomorrow is a youth philanthropy program from the Quad Cities Community Foundation.
For more than 20 years, the program has brought together high school students from across the region to learn about community needs and help direct funding to local nonprofits.
Participants review grant applications, meet with nonprofit leaders, discuss local challenges and work together to decide where funding can support the greatest need. The program also gives students experience in leadership, teamwork, communication and philanthropy.
Students in the program come from different schools and backgrounds across the Quad Cities. During the process, they learn how nonprofits operate, how grantmaking decisions are made and how funding can support direct services in the region.
Seven Quad Cities nonprofits received funding
This year, the students awarded $28,000 to seven nonprofits serving the Quad Cities.
- Tapestry Farms received $4,500 to employ refugee teens through its community-based work.
- Friendly House received $4,000 to support operations for youth services.
- NEST Café received $3,500 for general operations.
- Hope at the BRICK House, Inc. received $5,000 to support its 2026 summer program for underserved children.
- Bethany for Children & Families received $3,000 to support vital programs.
- Project NOW Inc. received $4,000 for a sheltering program for people without housing.
- Humility Homes and Services Inc. received $4,000 for a youth homelessness program.
The grants focused on housing, food access and youth support
The students focused their funding decisions on organizations addressing several community needs in the Quad Cities.
Those priorities included housing insecurity, food access and support services for vulnerable populations. Students also prioritized nonprofits working toward long-term community impact through direct support, advocacy and relationship-building.
The grant process included more than reviewing applications. Students met with nonprofit leaders and learned how local organizations work with people directly affected by housing, food, youth and family needs.
That direct contact helped students connect funding decisions with the people and programs behind each request.
Students also helped raise $18,000 for grantmaking
In addition to reviewing applications and awarding funds, Teens for Tomorrow participants worked with Quad Cities Community Foundation staff to connect with donors.
Those conversations focused on local needs, community values and opportunities for change. The effort helped raise an additional $18,000 to support grantmaking.
The program is designed to help students understand both sides of philanthropy: how funding is raised and how it is distributed.
Through that process, students learn how donors, nonprofits and community foundations can work together to support local organizations.
Local high school students can apply for the program
Teens for Tomorrow is open to high school students from Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois.
Members meet monthly from September through May to learn about community needs, nonprofit work and grantmaking. Students can receive service hours and build skills in leadership, communication, decision-making and collaboration.
The Quad Cities Community Foundation says applications are available each year by April 22 and are due by September 1.
Students selected for the program can serve up to two years if they apply again for a second term.
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