QUAD CITIES, Iowa / Illinois—The Quad Cities Community Foundation has awarded a $300,000 Transformation Grant—the largest single grant award it funds each year—to Tapestry Farms.
 
The three-year grant will ensure that Tapestry Farms’ visionary mission can sustainably grow as they take on the intertwined challenges of food insecurity and supporting refugee families who make the Quad Cities region a thriving, beautiful community. 
 
Tapestry Farms is a nonprofit urban farm system that invests in the lives of refugees who resettle in the Quad Cities.   
 
“The Transformation Grant is designed for organizations that are ready to take a big step forward in their work,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, the Community Foundation’s President and CEO. “Tapestry Farms is driven by compassion, creativity, and boundless community spirit. They are making the Quad Cities a more beautiful and equitable place, and we can’t wait to see what they do next.”  
 
Transformation Grants are funded each year through donor contributions to the Quad Cities Community Impact Fund.
 
Founded in 2017, Tapestry Farms provides a robust welcome to refugees, connecting them with nutritious and culturally appropriate food, individual support, employment, and other vital resources. To date, Tapestry Farms has served approximately 500 people in more than 100 families. They provide what is known as a “long welcome,” support that ensures new families continue to thrive as they begin their new lives and enrich the entire Quad Cities community.
 
“We imagine a Quad Cities where any refugee or immigrant can find home again, access the services they need, and grow or access the nutritious food that’s foundational to health and full community engagement,” said Ann McGlynn, Founder and Executive Director of Tapestry Farms. “We’re not always perfect, but we always learn and listen. We walk with the families we serve, and we learn from our partnering organizations—that spirit of collaboration is how we’re going to continue to grow.” 
 
That growth mission extends beyond the garden. Tapestry Farms works and advocates to create strong “welcoming infrastructure” for all people, including refugees. This promotes civic engagement, opens doors to immigrants participating in the local economy, creates educational opportunities for the community, and makes the region safer for all residents. 
 
Research is clear that limited access to healthy foods can lead to serious physical health complications such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity, among others. Children at risk of hunger will more likely struggle in school and experience poor physical, mental, and emotional health. Tapestry Farms is working to reduce these challenges to benefit local health, economic, and educational outcomes.
 
“The need for food, opportunities, and connection to resources continues to grow,” said McGlynn. “Ten years ago, our community resettled between 200 and 225 refugees annually. In 2024, 670 refugees became part of our community, all seeking safety and hope for a better future. Because of the meaningful investment made by Community Foundation donors, we are positioned to grow, meet this need, and better support the families who make the Quad Cities thrive.”
 
Over the next three years, the Transformation Grant will enable Tapestry Farms to nearly triple the pounds of food grown and more than double the families served by their culturally specific food pantry. Additionally, the organization will move into a new, larger operational space, retain full-time staff, and explore new resources for refugees. Planned programming includes community English language classes, navigation of legal services, and courses to encourage neighbors to grow food in their own backyard.
 
“Tapestry Farms has created a unique and multifaceted approach that meets the needs of a vulnerable population and improves the lives of everyone who lives in our community,” said Kelly Thompson, Vice President of Grantmaking and Community Initiatives at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. “Their mission represents a united and hopeful vision for the Quad Cities. Together with our board and donors, we are proud to be a dedicated partner in that work.”