What United Way Quad Cities does

United Way Quad Cities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1936 and headquartered in Bettendorf, Iowa, serving Scott County (Iowa) and Rock Island County (Illinois). The organization functions as a regional community-impact backbone, mobilizing individual donors, corporate partners, and institutional foundations to fund a portfolio of programs across three pillars: education, financial security, and health. Its largest program, United for Schools, operates as a community-school partnership in five Title I elementary schools (serving nearly 2,000 students) and was expanded in 2024 through a national partnership with Communities In Schools supported by a $1 million challenge grant. Other programs include Read United (volunteer literacy in 25+ schools), Vision To Learn (in-school vision screenings, exams, and glasses), Books & Barbers and Girls on Fire (mentorship), Born Learning Academies and Start Smart Quad Cities (early childhood), the VITA free tax-preparation program, and supply/book drives (Write Start, QC Reading Week Book Drive).

United Way Quad Cities generates revenue through four streams: individual donations (one-time, monthly Core Givers at $25/month minimum, and planned giving via the Tocqueville Society), corporate partnerships (workplace giving, event sponsorships, and payroll deduction with employers such as John Deere, Arconic, MidAmerican Energy, Quad City Bank & Trust, and Estes Construction), foundation grants (Ballmer Group, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, Arconic Foundation, Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation, and others), and government grants. In its most recent disclosed cycle, the organization ran a $5.75 million Call to Rise United campaign and distributed $2.9 million in grants to 54 local nonprofits. The organization employs 35 staff and is governed by a local Board of Directors. Technology infrastructure is minimal: a PCI-compliant and WCAG 2.1 AA-targeted website and donation platform underpin donor transactions; the substantive technical asset is the Quad Cities Educational Data Exchange, a bi-state student-outcomes data warehouse launched with St. Ambrose University in 2013 that tracks impact across approximately 19,000 students. The Rise United 2030 ten-year blueprint commits to 55% targets across third-grade reading proficiency, young adults earning living wages, and routine health care access. Leadership is in transition: Rene Gellerman is stepping down as President & CEO after eight years, with Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow named as successor effective 2026.

Name

United Way Quad Cities

Legal name

United Way Quad Cities

Website

https://unitedwayqc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Way Quad Cities is a 501(c)(3) community-impact nonprofit founded in 1936, serving Scott County (Iowa) and Rock Island County (Illinois) through education, financial-security, and health programs delivered via 75+ partner nonprofits, five Title I schools, and structured donor networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Impact Nonprofit / Human Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Community impact programs
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Community school partnerships
• Grant administration
• Volunteer coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Bettendorf

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations (Core Giver program), and planned giving. The organization operates primarily through donor contributions at various levels including Tocqueville Society for major donors.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Local businesses provide financial support through corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and workplace giving campaigns. Companies like Arconic, John Deere, MidAmerican Energy, and others sponsor events and programs.
3. Foundation Grants: The organization receives grants from foundations including Ballmer Group ($1 million challenge grant), Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, Arconic Foundation, and others to fund specific programs like United for Schools.
4. Government Grants: Grants from government sources support community programs and initiatives in Scott and Rock Island counties.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Way Quad Cities is a 501(c)(3) community impact nonprofit that mobilizes charitable donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources, then reinvests those funds into local programs focused on education, financial security, and health across Scott and Rock Island counties. Its core offerings include United for Schools (integrated student supports in five Title I elementary schools), Read United (volunteer literacy tutoring), Vision To Learn (free vision screenings, exams, and glasses), VITA free tax preparation, Born Learning Academies/Start Smart Quad Cities (early childhood), Books & Barbers and Girls on Fire (mentorship), plus Write Start school supplies and Reading Day/QC Reading Week literacy drives.

Product overview

United Way Quad Cities operates as a community impact organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on education, financial security, and health. The core programs include United for Schools (a community school partnership model), Read United (volunteer literacy program), Vision To Learn (vision care), Books & Barbers (mentorship), and Girls on Fire (girls mentorship), along with Born Learning Academies and Start Smart Quad Cities for early childhood development. Additional programs include VITA free tax preparation, Reading Day, Write Start school supply drives, and QC Reading Week book drives. The organization also maintains an online donation platform with secure payment processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• United for Schools: Community school partnership initiative addressing opportunity gaps in Title I elementary schools, providing integrated student supports including school-based support, targeted services, and individualized services
• Read United
• Rise United 2030
• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
• Vision To Learn
• Write Start Quad Cities
• Born Learning
• Women United
• Tocqueville Society
• African American Leadership Society
• Emerging Leaders

Products and services

• United for Schools A community school partnership initiative that bridges public resource gaps in Title I elementary schools by mobilizing community partnerships to meet students' academic and nonacademic needs through school-based support, targeted services, and individualized services.
• Read United A volunteer-powered literacy initiative that pairs adult volunteers with pre-kindergarten through third-grade students to read together for 30 minutes a week throughout the school year, helping struggling readers develop literacy skills.
• Vision To Learn An in-school program that provides vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to students at Title I schools at no cost, helping students see clearly to succeed academically.
• Books & Barbers A mentorship program that provides free haircuts, mentoring, and books to students at Title I elementary schools to encourage self-care, social-emotional wellness, and inspire a love of reading.
• Girls on Fire A girls mentorship program partnering with Madison and Washington Elementary schools to create a safe and supportive space where girls can connect, share stories, and build community through storytelling and leadership opportunities.
• Born Learning Academies Parent workshops that provide instruction, resources, and skills to help parents support their young children's development and school readiness.
• Start Smart Quad Cities A text-based service that provides parents with tools and tips to help their young children learn anywhere, supporting early childhood development.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Free tax preparation services for Quad Cities families, helping low-income individuals file their taxes accurately and claim eligible credits at no cost.
• Reading Day An annual community-driven event that inspires hundreds of Quad Cities students with a love of reading by connecting volunteers with classrooms to read aloud and promote early literacy.
• Write Start Quad Cities Annual school supply drive providing essential school supplies to local students in need, helping them start the school year prepared for academic success.
• QC Reading Week Book Drive Annual community book drive collecting age-appropriate books for K-3rd grade students to promote early literacy and ensure underserved children have access to reading materials at home.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of students who participated in reading programming improved their literacy skills
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Communities In SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partnership bringing Communities In Schools' evidence-based model to the Quad Cities for the first time in Iowa and Western Illinois. CIS is contributing a $1,000,000 challenge grant payable over three years to help United for Schools reach nearly 2,000 students by the 2025-2026 school year, more than doubling its current reach.
• Vision To LearncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to students in Title I schools at no cost. United Way coordinates local operations with school districts. Provided 1,906 vision screenings, 547 exams, and 515 students with two pairs of glasses during 2023-24 school year.
• John DeerecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor corporate partner with Inspire program at Washington Elementary, Top Workplace Partner, QC Dividend Founding Member. John Deere Foundation's Pat Barnes serves as Vice Chair of United Way's Education Council. Partnership includes both financial investment and employee volunteers.
• MidAmerican Energy CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign Associate Leadership Program Partner and corporate supporter of United Way initiatives.
• Estes ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQC Dividend Founding Member and supporter of United Way Quad Cities.
• Love Girls MagazinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Madison and Washington Elementary schools for Girls On Fire program creating safe spaces for girls to connect, share stories, and build community through storytelling and leadership.
• Group OmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate Community Liaison at Group O, Maria Ontiveros, helped present Read United QC initiative. Partnership supports youth literacy programs.
• Quad-City TimesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner supporting Read United QC campaign for childhood literacy.
• National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Stamp Out Hunger food drive along with Quad City Federation of Labor (QCFL) and U.S. Postal Service locations.
• Quad City Federation of Labor (QCFL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union federation partner in Stamp Out Hunger food drive and community initiatives.
• McCarthy-BushmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor for QC Reading Week and community events.
• Hy-VeemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDrop-off location partner for book drives and community events, with stores in Scott and Rock Island counties.
• UAW Local 434majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union partner supporting United for Schools and community initiatives.
• UAW Local 865majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union partner supporting United for Schools and community initiatives.
• IATSE Local 85majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor union partner supporting United for Schools initiative.
• Local Union 25 Plumbers & PipefittersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkilled trades union partner on Education Council and supporting United for Schools.
• St. Ambrose UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in launching Quad Cities Educational Data Exchange in 2013 and ongoing education initiatives. Education Council member.
• Crawford CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor for Write Start Quad Cities school supply drive, providing essential supplies to 8,500 kids.
• WQADmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for Write Start Quad Cities school supply drive.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development organization operating in the Quad Cities region. Comparable community development focus with similar corporate and foundation partnerships, addressing education and economic mobility in underserved neighborhoods.
• United Way of Metropolitan Chicago: One of the largest regional United Way chapters in the country. Operates with similar education, income, and health focus areas, similar community impact strategy, and similar corporate partnership model at much larger scale.
• United Way Worldwide: National umbrella organization for the United Way network. United Way Quad Cities operates as an affiliate chapter, sharing branding, donor network structures, and the community impact framework while maintaining local governance.

Regional players

• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley: Local youth development organization serving Quad Cities youth. Comparable target population (youth in same region), similar Title I school partnerships, and similar corporate funding model through John Deere, Arconic, and other shared corporate donors.
• Big Shoulders Fund: Chicago-based nonprofit supporting K-12 schools in underserved communities through integrated student supports and corporate partnerships. Comparable K-12 school support model with corporate partnership-driven funding and measurable academic outcomes focus.
• Quad Cities Community Foundation: Local community foundation serving the same Quad Cities region. Operates with similar grant-making model to local nonprofits, similar donor networks, and overlapping corporate and foundation partners - making it a directly comparable community foundation peer.
• United Way of Central Iowa: Regional United Way chapter serving the Des Moines metro area. Operates with similar structure as a community impact organization funding local nonprofits, running education initiatives, and partnering with corporate donors in a comparable Midwestern market.

Direct peers

• Communities In Schools: National nonprofit organization providing integrated student supports in schools. United Way Quad Cities' United for Schools program adopted the CIS evidence-based model, and CIS is providing a $1M challenge grant - making CIS both a partner and a direct mission-comparable organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UWQC
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedwayqc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitedwayquadcities
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwayquadcities

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Way Quad Cities