Hubbell-Waterman Foundation Grant Program

The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that supports nonprofit initiatives within Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois. The foundation focuses its funding on strengthening the regional community through investments in culture and the arts, education, and social welfare. Its mission emphasizes enhancing quality of life through support of innovative programs, landmark institutions, and essential services that benefit diverse populations, particularly those who are underserved or at risk. The primary purpose of this grant program is to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations undertaking projects aligned with the foundation’s three core priority areas. In culture and the arts, funding supports both the development of artistic programming and the preservation or enhancement of cultural institutions. In education, the foundation targets pre-K through 12 initiatives including after-school programs, career readiness, environmental education, and mental health services. In social welfare, the focus includes food security, housing stability, healthcare access, and support for immigrant and refugee communities. Funding is available for capital campaigns, operational support tied to capital projects, and programmatic initiatives. Capital funding may include construction, renovation, or acquisition projects, while program grants may extend up to three years and can include general operating expenses. The foundation applies structured funding limits, such as covering up to 30 percent of large capital campaigns or varying percentages for program and operational budgets depending on total request size. Multi-year funding follows a declining structure across years. Certain uses are explicitly prohibited, including debt repayment, political or religious advocacy, individual support, and research activities. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations operating within the specified geographic regions. Organizations must demonstrate inclusive practices and may not discriminate based on protected characteristics except when serving historically disadvantaged groups. Additional eligibility conditions include restrictions on submitting overlapping applications within the same funding category and limitations on reapplying after denial until the next cycle. For large capital campaigns exceeding one million dollars, applicants must first apply through the Quad Cities Contributors Council. The application process is conducted entirely online through the Quad Cities Community Foundation grant portal. Organizations must register if they are first-time applicants or log in using existing credentials if they have applied since 2018. Applicants complete and submit their application through the portal, with the ability to save progress before final submission. Required documents must be uploaded in accepted formats such as .doc, .docx, or .pdf. Upon submission, applicants receive confirmation via email. Incomplete or late applications are not accepted and must wait until the next annual cycle. The annual timeline begins with applications opening on May 15 and closing on August 15. Following submission, the foundation may conduct meetings or site visits during the third week of October as part of the evaluation process. Final funding decisions are communicated by November 15, and successful applicants must submit acknowledgement forms by December 1. Grant payments are typically distributed in January of the following year, although some non-capital grants may be paid through an alternative charitable program during the summer. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle with consistent deadlines and review procedures.

Ensure applications are complete and submitted before deadline; align proposal clearly with one of the three priority areas; demonstrate community impact and inclusivity; follow funding percentage guidelines carefully