The audience sees graceful movement, beautiful costumes and standing ovations. What they don’t see is the two organizations with a shared mission helping girls and women find their strength and confidence, on the ballet stage and off.
Ballet Quad Cities and the nonprofit Royal Neighbors of America have followed starkly different paths to uplifting women. The professional women-led ballet company, helmed by Joedy Cook, started 30 years ago with just $25,000, one paid dancer, a dedicated board of directors, and a dream of helping young people discover what they are capable of achieving.
Royal Neighbors got its start in 1895 when nine determined community members realized that women’s lack of access to purchasing life insurance stood in the way of attaining financial independence. Today, Royal Neighbors has created a one-of-a-kind nonprofit model it calls Insurance with a DifferenceSM, providing tailored life insurance and annuity products1 along with opportunities for members to give back in their communities and access to member programs2 that help support financial and personal well-being.
Now, through a $20,000 Nation of NeighborsSM Empowerment Grant, Royal Neighbors of America is helping Ballet Quad Cities take their work further, expanding access to the arts and creating new opportunities for women, girls, and families throughout the Quad Cities.
Ballet Quad Cities “started with women — young, talented women,” Cook said. “It’s about working with young women to instill confidence and vision and what is possible. And yes, you can do this.”
Powered by an all-female staff, today Ballet Quad Cities attracts professional dancers from across the country. More than 300 dancers applied last year alone for the opportunity to join the company.
For Cook, developing a dancer means developing the woman within.
“They have to feel confident. They have to know the power within them,” she said. “They have to be able to go out on that stage and show everybody who they are.”
Taking that confidence into the community
The Nation of Neighbors grant from Royal Neighbors will allow Ballet Quad Cities to expand partnerships with organizations serving women, girls, and families. New programs are already taking shape, including a collaboration with a Rock Island library presenting Giraffes Can’t Dance, where families can enjoy this 30-minute performance for free.
The ballet organization is also developing new programming with the YWCA and a local childcare organization. Funding will support instructors, program development, space, and transportation, helping remove barriers that can prevent community organizations and families from accessing professional arts experiences.
“Ballet Quad Cities shows how the arts can open doors and strengthen communities,” said Amy Jones, senior director of social impact for Royal Neighbors of America. “Joedy has built an organization where women lead, artists mentor the next generation, and the impact extends far beyond the stage.”
Richmond’s shared view
Richmond’s thriving arts scene offers young people opportunities to discover their creativity through dance and performance. For girls especially, these experiences can foster teamwork, self-expression and the confidence to pursue new possibilities.
Insurance with a larger purpose
Supporting organizations like Ballet Quad Cities reflects a mission Royal Neighbors has carried for more than a century.
More than 130 years after it began providing much-needed life insurance to women, Royal Neighbors continues its work as a nonprofit fraternal benefit society built around its mission of Insuring Lives, Supporting Women, and Serving Communities.
Life insurance and annuity products remain fundamental to the organization. But Royal Neighbors is designed to do more than provide financial protection. Its insurance organization also helps support a broader mission of social good through philanthropic programs, member-led volunteerism and community investments such as the Nation of Neighbors program.
“Royal Neighbors has always believed that when women have the opportunity to discover their strengths, pursue their dreams, and lift others along the way, entire communities become stronger,” said Zarifa Brown Reynolds, CEO and president of Royal Neighbors of America. “That is the power of our Nation of Neighbors program, and it is why we are proud to support Ballet Quad Cities as they expand access to the arts and create more opportunities for women and girls to discover what is possible.”
Royal Neighbors of America and Ballet Quad Cities share a belief that when women and girls have the opportunity, resources and encouragement to discover their potential, entire communities grow stronger. Through the arts, financial protection and community support, both organizations are creating opportunities for women and girls to build confidence, pursue their dreams and inspire others to do the same. Because sometimes, all it takes is the opportunity to believe, “I can do that.” Through life insurance, annuity products and community-focused programs, Royal Neighbors of America helps members protect their financial futures while making a difference in their communities. Learn more at royalneighbors.org.
Underwritten by Royal Neighbors of America® (NAIC #57657), a Rock Island, Illinois fraternal benefit society that is licensed in all states and the District of Columbia, except AL, AK, HI, LA, MA, NH, NY. Not all products are available in all states. Contractual provisions and limitations may vary by state. Membership and qualification required to purchase. Guarantees based on financial strength and claims‑paying ability of Royal Neighbors of America. Intended to be held long term. May be subject to a contestable period, suicide provision, market value adjustments, and surrender charges.
Member and Philanthropy Programs are provided at the discretion of Royal Neighbors of America, are not available in all states, and are subject to change without notice. They are not part of any insurance or annuity contract and are not guaranteed. Insurance or annuity products should not be purchased for eligibility or maintenance of nonguaranteed Member Programs. These products should only be purchased if they meet the financial needs of the applicant. Member Programs are available at no extra cost. Approval is not guaranteed.
