09-05-2025
Teens for Tomorrow awards $37,500 to QC nonprofits
The Quad Cities Community Foundation's Teens for Tomorrow program has given teenagers an opportunity to direct philanthropy and create grants for local nonprofits for over 20 years. This year's group of students from area high schools has awarded $37,500 to 12 local nonprofits, including $27,500 that the students raised through their direct work with donors. The Teens for Tomorrow program has granted over $295,000 to local nonprofits.
'The Teens for Tomorrow Program gives young people the tools and support to create meaningful, lasting change in their own communities,' said Sue Hafkemeyer, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. 'This year's members showed remarkable dedication. They did the research, asked the tough questions, and made strategic choices that reflect both their values and our region's most pressing needs.'
Members focus on four key granting areas, based on their research and after speaking with local donors and nonprofit leaders:
affordable education and childcare,
food insecurity,
immigration support, and
supportive housing.
They also prioritized providing unrestricted, operational funding; these are resources that give nonprofits the flexibility to meet real-time challenges and invest in long-term solutions.
'The focus areas the students chose are also an important indicator for all of us on what matters most to our community's young people,' Hafkemeyer said.
The students reviewed dozens of grant applications, took leadership and public speaking training and worked with Community Foundation staff to hone their storytelling and fundraising skills. They met one-on-one with donors to talk about their Teens for Tomorrow experience. These efforts and donor generosity helped students raise $27,500 to support their grantmaking budget.
'This group was focused, driven and unafraid to lead,' said Kaleigh Trammell, director of grantmaking and community initiatives. 'They didn't just meet expectations—they redefined what youth philanthropy can look like when young people are trusted with real responsibility and supported every step of the way.'
Applications are now being accepted for next year's T4T program. Teens who want to learn about philanthropy and creating positive change in their community and donors who would like to support the program's continued operations can learn more here.
These nonprofits received funding from Teens for Tomorrow this year:
Black Hawk College—Program support for 'Hawk 4 Hygiene'— $500
Christian Care—General Operating Support for Community Meal Site— $2,500
Hope at the BRICK House, Inc.—Hope at the BRICK House 2025 Summer Program for At-Risk Children— $7,500
One Eighty—Supportive Housing for Women in Recovery— $2,000
Project NOW, Inc.—Project NOW Seniors Home Delivered Meals program support— $2,000
Project Renewal Inc.—Summer Youth Program 2025— $3,000
Spring Forward Learning Center—Spring Forward general operating support— $2,500
St. Anthony Church—McAnthony Window program support— $3,000
Tapestry Farms—Tapestry Farms Operational Support— $5,000
Testimonies of Hope—Healing Home for Women and Children Domestic Violence Survivors general operating support— $2,500
World Relief Quad Cities—Refugee Family Literacy— $5,000
YWCA of the Quad Cities—Food and Survival Kit Distribution Program— $2,000
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