Moline’s Mercado on Fifth Receives $50,000 Grant From U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Foundation today announced a $1 million investment to 20 nonprofit organizations, including Moline-based Mercado on 5th Inc. – “driven by a diverse group of exceptional emerging leaders who are focused on creating effective community-led solutions toward the
Rocha was hired in March 2021 as new executive director for Mercado, which Wednesday announced a $50,000 grant from U.S. Bank Foundation.
increasing economic disparities,” according to a Wednesday release from Mercado.
Organizations are in both rural and metro communities and are focused on support for entrepreneurs and small business owners, workforce development programs and financial inclusion efforts for individuals and families as solutions to wealth building.
Specifically, this $50,000 grant to Mercado on Fifth will help to provide office space, bilingual small business workshops, one-on-one technical assistance and mentorship, the release said. The organization is led by emerging leader Anamaria Rocha, executive director. Rocha, who grew up in Moline’s Floreciente neighborhood, joined Mercado in March and brings with her years of community outreach, assistance and support experience from working for the City of Moline’s Planning and Development Department and the Community Economic Development Department for the City of Rock Island.
Anamaria Rocha is executive director of Mercado on Fifth, Inc.
“Minority business owners have come to rely on Mercado’s community-leveraged entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Rocha. “U.S. Bank’s grant award to us will greatly expand Mercado’s capacity to provide technical assistance and education as well as strengthen our partnerships with our community economic development partners.”
Since Mercado on Fifth launched in 2016, the organization has served as a platform for more than 100 small businesses and nonprofits, she noted. It offers family-friendly open air markets every Friday night (through early October) at Moline’s 5th Avenue and 12th Street, and the second Saturday of the month at downtown Davenport’s Quinlan Court (on River Drive between Brady and Perry streets).
“As a trusted resource to a very engaged network of vendors and patrons, we will continue to be the bridge to new and existing economic development partners and business service providers,” said Rocha.
“We are dedicated to empowering our communities by listening to those with lived experience and supporting their ideas on how to address
In 2020, the U.S. Bank Foundation donated $67 million nationwide to causes that strengthen communities, and July 28 announced $1 million in new grants.
racial and economic inequities and creating lasting change,” said Jeanne Miller, community affairs manager for the greater Minnesota area at U.S. Bank. “In addition to the funding, we are exploring ways to support these leaders and organizations by creating points of connection and access as well as opportunities to build their networks. We look forward to learning from these leaders as we continue to work to break down traditional power dynamics in philanthropy.”
U.S. Bancorp, with nearly 70,000 employees and $559 billion in assets as of June 30, 2021, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. U.S. Bank has four branches in Davenport, and one in Moline, at 4701 22nd Ave. The foundation nationwide donated $67 million and U.S. Bank employees gave over $12 million in 2020 to causes that strengthen communities, according to the company.
For more information on Mercado, visit www.mercadoonfifth.org.
