Mark W. Schwiebert Fund for Environmental Studies Grant

The Mark W. Schwiebert Fund for Environmental Studies Grant is a private philanthropic opportunity administered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation. Established in 2016 by Mark Schwiebert, former mayor of Rock Island, Illinois, the fund was created to support efforts that address the critical environmental issues of climate change and natural resource depletion. The fund honors Schwiebert’s long-standing environmental advocacy and is designed to bolster projects that either educate the public about environmental issues or advance research in sustainable technologies and conservation strategies. The foundation emphasizes the urgency of climate-related challenges and the importance of empowering local and regional entities to create informed, actionable responses through educational or research-based programming. The purpose of the grant is twofold: to raise awareness through public education and to catalyze innovative solutions through environmental research. Projects funded under this initiative are expected to have a direct impact on the understanding of, or response to, environmental challenges, particularly those that promote sustainability, conservation, or the development of synergistic applications. For example, prior grants have supported the work of expert speakers in sustainable practices and funded scientific investigations into alternative energy usage or ecological preservation in the Upper Mississippi watershed. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, and government entities. The fund places a geographic priority on projects that serve specific counties within Illinois and Iowa: Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island in Illinois, and Clinton, Muscatine, and Scott in Iowa. Compliance with the Quad Cities Community Foundation's Diversity and Non-Discrimination Policy is mandatory. Organizations without 501(c)(3) or 170(b)(1)(A) status may still apply, provided they use a fiscal sponsor or agree to the foundation’s expenditure responsibility procedures. This inclusive approach broadens access to the grant while maintaining fiscal accountability. Applications are accepted via the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s online portal, with the 2026 cycle opening on February 15 and closing on April 30 at 11:59 PM. There are no pre-application requirements such as a letter of intent. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the fund’s evaluation criteria, which include clarity of project purpose, feasibility, financial viability, and expected return on investment in terms of environmental outcomes. Prior experience in the project domain is also considered in the evaluation process. The grant provides a maximum award of $3,000 per application, with a total of $17,900 available for disbursement in 2026. Successful applicants will be notified of their funding status on June 5, 2026. While the performance period is not explicitly stated, projects should be designed to demonstrate meaningful progress or completion within a reasonable timeframe, typically within a year of funding. The fund operates on an annual cycle, with similar dates expected in subsequent years, barring changes announced by the Foundation. For additional information, applicants are encouraged to contact Jennie White at the Quad Cities Community Foundation via phone at (563) 326-2840 or by email (not provided in the source). The foundation also offers online resources for guidance, including application previews and general grant eligibility policies. This grant is an ideal opportunity for regional organizations to contribute meaningfully to environmental awareness and innovation.

Focus on feasibility, past experience, and return on environmental impact; ensure geographic preference alignment and compliance with diversity policy.