The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend seeks to be a responsive and proactive community partner that works strategically to address existing and emerging community issues. The Foundation distributes funds annually from its endowment earnings to support a wide variety of nonprofit organizations in eastern Iowa and western Illinois.

Many organizations, unknown to the broad community, are small agencies dealing with the greatest need. The Community Impact Fund allows the Foundation to receive and consider funding hundreds of proposals each year.

What is the Community Impact Fund?
The Community Impact Fund is a permanent endowment fund that allows the Community Foundation the flexibility to respond to unmet needs in the community, as they arise and vary from year to year.  Grants from this fund may be awarded to any organization recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a government entity, or a charitable program. Organization working in the field(s) of health and human services, education, the arts, the environment, youth services, social services and any other charitable field are eligible to receive grants from the Community Impact Fund.

The corpus of this fund is invested in accordance with the Community Foundation's investment policy.  The earnings generated from this fund provide grants generation after generation.  In that respect, the Community Impact Fund is the social capital for the future of the nonprofit organizations in our community. 

Who Makes Decisions on Grants From the Community Impact Fund?
The Community Grants Committee, made up of local residents who live and work in the region, review grant proposals for funding from the Community Impact Fund. The Committee then makes grant recommendations to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors based upon the region’s greatest needs. 

Gifts Continue into the Future
The Community Foundation is a vehicle through which donors provide annual support to charitable organizations and areas of interest.  Gifts to the Community Impact Fund have, and will continue to provide support for local charitable organizations for years to come.  Even after you are no longer able to contribute, earnings from your gifts will continue to provide support for the community forever.  Remember, no gift is too small.