Celebrating seven transformational years

From left to right, Sherry Ristau, Kelly Thompson, Anne Calder, and Michelle Payne

As Sherry Ristau enters the final weeks of her tenure as president and CEO of the Quad Cities Community Foundation, one thing couldn’t be clearer to her: this is an organization that is ready to take its work to the next level.

“Over the past seven years, we’ve assembled a fantastic leadership team and staff who have been so instrumental in moving our work forward,” Ristau said. “As I look back on my time at the Community Foundation, I know that all the good that has happened is a result of our entire team—and the community—coming together to further generosity in the region.”  

For the leadership team, this moment of transition is a chance to reflect on the milestones achieved over the last seven years and how those accomplishments have positioned the Community Foundation to set its sights even higher going forward.

“We made some important strides in our organizational identity,” said Anne Calder, vice president of development, recalling that one of Ristau’s first priorities upon joining the Community Foundation in 2014 was to work with the board of directors to bring the community together around a new mission: to transform the region through the generosity of donors.

In addition to setting that north star, Ristau and her team undertook a rebranding effort, renaming the organization from the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend to the Quad Cities Community Foundation in order to strategically sharpen its regional focus. “This effort was crucial for the trajectory of our organization, building both awareness and an understanding of what we do, why we do it, and how our community can be part of it,” said Calder. “That’s meant growing not just our reputation but also our donor base and donor services. Donors can see our commitment to stewarding—and championing—generosity in the Quad Cities.”

Building on this foundation, the Community Foundation has also stepped up the scale and impact of its grantmaking in the region, according to Kelly Thompson, vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives. One notable development, she said, was Ristau’s introduction of annual Transformation Grants, grants of $100,000 or more to make a major investment in an effort that helps transform our region. Over $1 million has been granted to date to efforts expanding equitable economic development, laying groundwork for broadband internet access for students, reimagining of mental health and family service systems, and more. In addition, by twice activating the Disaster Recovery Fund in response to the 2019 Mississippi River flood and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Foundation was able to raise and grant out more than $2 million to support the community in crisis.

“In Sherry’s time, we’ve been able to award more grants in the community than ever before,” said Thompson. “To see our organization and our community rise to the occasion with such generosity and collaboration has been remarkable. It shows us just how much we’re capable of going forward.”

From vice president of finance Michelle Payne’s perspective, underpinning these pathbreaking developments has been Ristau’s close attention to the critical details that happen behind the scenes. For example, recently the Community Foundation revisited its investment structure, working alongside financial professionals from within the community to help lower expenses. This strategy results in an ongoing benefit for donors and local nonprofits alike as savings translate into additional grant dollars.

“We’ve really aligned our investment strategy with our mission and goals,” said Payne. “Donors feel confident knowing that their generosity is being managed in smart ways that maximize the impact in our community.”  

Considering the Community Foundation’s rich potential for achieving even more in the years to come, Ristau pointed to the people she has spent her time there working alongside. “One of the most important things effective leaders can do is to bring together great people—a team that is talented and passionate, greater than the sum of its parts,” she said. “I can’t wait to see how they take this organization and our community to new heights.”