United Way of the Quad Cities will try to raise $17 million in the next two years, in part to continue to fund non-profit agencies and schools throughout the area.
The organization changed its distribution formula this year, making its application process public. In May, a volunteer committee promised three years of funding to about 38 out of 80 applicants.
On Monday, campaign co-chair Bryan Dixon announced the organization will need to raise about $17 million more to fulfill the three-year commitment.
"The plan means big results for our community. It will mean fewer struggling to pay for basic needs, more third graders reading at grade-level, and more access to mental health services."
United Way of the Quad Cities has raised about $8.3 million already, $3 million of which went to providing funding for the first round of grants. The rest of that money went to operating costs and "internal initiatives" according to United Way President Scott Crane.
Crane says about 17 percent of the money raised each year goes to operating costs, while the remaining funds are used for grants, internal projects, and funding for other agencies that work with United Way.
Last year, about 40 percent of the organization's budget went to grants for the 38 chosen organizations.
If grant funding remains at the 2016 level for the next two years, about $6 million of the $17 million would be awarded to the same 38 organizations.
United Way expects to raise the remaining $17 million by the summer of 2019 -- which is the next time the organization will consider applications for funding.
In the past, the organization would choose from an existing pool of about 45 partners, and grant awards one year at a time.