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Quad Cities Community Foundation

EIN 42-6122716 · Bettendorf, IA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TRANSFORMING OUR REGION THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF OUR DONORS

Income
$25.3 million
Spending
$12.4 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
23
Volunteers
183
Highest pay
$255,914, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 51% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 70% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $6.1 million spent. UNRESTRICTED AND DESIGNATED GRANTS - GRANTS ARE ALLOCATED THROUGH BOTH RESPONSIVE AND PROACTIVE METHODS. A COMMITTEE MADE UP OF BOTH BOARD AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS MEETS TWICE EACH YEAR TO REVIEW GRANT APPLICATIONS AND AWARD RESPONSIVE GRANTS. A BOARD COMMITTEE FOR STRATEGIC GRANTMAKING REVIEWS CURRENT COMMUNITY ISSUES TO IDENTIFY LARGER SCALE PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS. STAFF PROVIDES COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND FACILITATES CONVENING OF NATURAL STAKEHOLDERS TO ADDRESS BOARD IDENTIFIED PRIORITIES. LARGER MULTI-YEAR GRANTS ARE CONSIDERED AND AWARDED BY THE BOARD APPOINTED COMMITTEE AND MONITORED FOR IMPACT. THE MAJOR ISSUES CURRENTLY BEING ADDRESSED ARE BASED ON OUR COMMUNITIES' REGIONAL VISION PLAN THAT INCLUDES ICONIC NATURAL ASSETS SUCH AS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, CULTURAL AMENITIES, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, CRADLE - CAREER DEVELOPMENT, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $2.9 million spent. DONOR ADVISED GRANTS - THE QUAD CITIES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (THE FOUNDATION) OPERATES DONOR ADVISED FUNDS TO FULFILL ITS MISSION OF "TRANSFORMING OUR REGION THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF OUR DONORS." DONORS ADVISE STAFF OF REQUESTED GRANTS, AND STAFF PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE ON SUCH REQUESTS. IF THE GRANT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY STAFF IT IS AWARDED. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS GIVEN A LIST AT EACH BOARD MEETING FOR APPROVAL. EXPENSES IN EXCESS OF GRANTS INCLUDE DISTRIBUTIONS TO NON-CHARITABLE ENTITIES FOR A CHARITABLE PURPOSE. FOR EXAMPLE, PAYING A RETAILER DIRECTLY FOR THE LUMBER TO BUILD PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT RATHER THAN PAYING A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO GO PURCHASE THE LUMBER OR TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO A MEMBERSHIP SERVICE ORGANIZATION FOR A CHARITABLE PROJECT. THE FOUNDATION ADHERES TO EXPENDITURE RESPONSIBILITY RULES WHEN NECESSARY.
  3. $675,943 spent. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - THIS SUPPORT CONSISTS OF PROCESSING ALL GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS INCLUDING PERFORMING DUE DILIGENCE, SUPPORTING THE GRANTS COMMITTEE, PREPARING THE CHECKS AND ANY REQUIRED FOLLOW UP. THIS ALSO INCLUDES STAFF TIME FOR CONVENING KEY COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS FOR DISCUSSION ON LARGER, MORE STRATEGIC COMMUNITY ISSUES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.