Our process
Built to support you from the start—no polished pitch required.
Contact our partners at the Quad Cities Community Foundation for a meeting. They’ll talk through the process and provide a code so you can access the online application system. They’re here on our behalf to walk alongside you through all these steps.
Contact Michaela Gryzlo at 563-326-2840 or michaelagryzlo@qccommunityfoundation.org.
Pre-application
Complete a brief form with basic information about your organization and the strategic campaign you’re considering. Share what you know at this stage; full details are not required.
1
Member discussion
Meet one-on-one with a Contributors Council member to discuss your idea, campaign readiness, and timing, and to explore ways to strengthen your approach. This step is optional – we hope you’ll take advantage as we hope to build relationships and knowledge across the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
2
Full application
When you’re ready, submit the full application with updated campaign details. This may happen days, weeks, or months after the pre-application – it’s up to you. If there are areas where information is still developing, provide what you do know and tell us when you’ll know more.
3
Review meeting
A professional reviewer conducts an on-site visit with your leadership team to clarify details and prepare a summary for Council review. This typically occurs within two weeks of application submission.
4
Council consideration
At their next meeting, Contributors Council members review applications using consistent, transparent criteria focused on community benefit, campaign priority and timing, and organizational stability.
5
Decision & feedback
Organizations receive a formal decision along with constructive guidance, including an endorsement letter (if applicable), a private feedback letter, and any individual invitations to apply.
6
2026 Application Schedule
| Application Deadlines | Notification Dates |
| March 1, 2026 | May 1, 2026 |
| June 1, 2026 | August 1, 2026 |
| September 1, 2026 | November 1, 2026 |
| December 1, 2026 | February 1, 2027 |
Evaluation criteria
The current evaluation criteria the Council use when reviewing strategic campaigns are:
Project Benefit to the Quad Cities
Demonstrates a meaningful, positive impact on a significant community need or opportunity, based on who will benefit, how, and how much.
Aligns clearly with the organization's mission, campaign purpose, and regional priorities.
Enhances or increases a coordinated network of resources for the Quad Cities and its people.
Campaign Priority and Timing
Establishes the campaign as a clear priority within the organization.
Sets realistic fundraising and project goals and dedicates sufficient resources to achieve them.
Provides a compelling case why the campaign should proceed at this time.
Organization Stability and Project Sustainability
Demonstrates financial and operational stability, ensuring the capacity to undertake the campaign.
Maintains a strong track record of stability in staffing, volunteer engagement, programs, and financial health.
Provides a plan for sustaining the project's outcomes and long-term impact.
Identifies risks and barriers, and how it plans to address them.
Readiness Self-Assessment
This optional tool is designed to help you determine your organization’s readiness, consider key questions with your team, and help you gather the information needed for a project and campaign. You may use it at any time, and you do not need to complete or submit it as part of this process. The information gathered will be useful when meeting with a volunteer QCCC member and completing the QCCC application.