Blog Post

Community Foundation Year-End Grants Bring 2020 Grantmaking Total to Record $2 Million

Nonprofits Benefiting from Designated Endowment Funds Receive Record Annual Distributions of more than $259,000

The year 2020 presented a host of challenges for nonprofits and communities. Fortunately, 58 local nonprofits benefit from an endowment fund at the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri and received a year-end grant. More than $259,000 was distributed from designated endowments in the form of annual grants to the nonprofits at the end of December. These year-end grants bring the Community Foundation’s 2020 grantmaking total to an annual record of more than $2.1 million. 

The year-end grants come from designated funds which support one or more specific organizations. The funds have been established by the organization itself or by donors to provide a permanent source of support for organizations they care about. This year’s designated fund grants range from $245 to more than $60,000 and represent an 8.4 percent increase from 2019 grants.

“This year has been especially challenging for our nonprofit community. Fortunately, thanks to forward-thinking donors and nonprofits, we are able to close 2020 by providing much-needed financial support to these nonprofit organizations,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “Because of endowment, nonprofits can count on this support year after year – no matter how taxing that year has been.”

Earnings provide an additional source of annual income for the nonprofit organizations. Each year, a portion of each organization’s fund growth is distributed through a grant and a portion is retained in each organization’s fund for continued growth. Depending on the donor’s intent, the grants will be used for much-needed operating support or a specific purpose.

“By establishing and growing an endowment, donors and nonprofits can prepare for the future needs, opportunities, and challenges that we cannot predict. Hopefully, the future holds more opportunity than need – regardless, endowment allows us to support our communities when and how it is needed,” said Meckes. “We are endlessly grateful to those who have established, and contributed to, endowment through the Community Foundation.”

The following organizations received grants from designated endowment funds:
• Alzheimer's Association - Illinois Chapter received a grant from the Alzheimer’s Association Endowment for use at the Quincy chapter.
• American Red Cross, Serving the Quad Cities and West Central Illinois received grants to be used in Adams County from the Adams County Red Cross Fund and the Herbert C. & Dorothy E. Everly Memorial Fund.
• Blessing Foundation, Inc. received a grant from the Lowell & Vickie Glas Designated Fund. 
• Boy Scouts of America, Mississippi Valley Council #141 received a grant from the Henry and Betty Brooks & Omer and Doris Walton Saukenauk Scout Reservation Fund.
• Brain Trauma Awareness Organization received a grant from the Brain Trauma Awareness Organization Quality of Life Fund.
• Chaddock received a grant from the Mohrman Family Endowment.
• Cheerful Home Child Care & Early Learning Center received a grant from the Cheerful Home Children’s Fund.
• Cornerstone: Foundations for Families received a grant from the Cornerstone: Foundations For Families Fund.
• Culver-Stockton College received a grant from the James T. Riley Fund.
• Friends of Dr. Richard Eells House received grants from the Dr. Richard Eells House Fund and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.
• Friends of the Castle received grants from the Friends of the Castle Fund and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.
• Friends of the Log Cabins received a grant from the Friends of the Log Cabins Fund.
• Friends of the Performing Arts received a grant from the Brink/Shih Fund for the Quincy Public Schools' Friends of the Performing Arts.
• Friends of Unit 4 received a grant from the Friends of Unit 4 Fund.
• Great River Recovery Resources received a grant from the Recovery Resources Fund.
• Griggsville/Perry CUSD #4 received a grant from the Betty Logan Fund and an Anonymous Fund.
• Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County received grants from the Historical Society Fund and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.
• Horizons Social Services received a grant from the Horizons Social Services Fund.
• Illinois 4-H Foundation received a grant from the Andrew Tenhouse Memorial Fund.
• Jackson-Lincoln Swimming Complex, Inc. received a grant from the Jackson-Lincoln Swimming Complex, Inc. Fund.
• John Wood Community College Foundation received a grant from the John Wood Community College Foundation Development Fund.
• Lewis County Historical Society received a grant from The Plank Memorial Fund.
• Mary Weems Barton Foundation for the Quincy Public Library received a grant from the Mary Weems Barton Foundation Fund for the Quincy Public Library.
• Mt. Sterling Community Center YMCA received a grant from the Mt. Sterling Community Center Fund.
• Pathway Health Clinic, Inc. received a grant from the Pathway Health Clinic Fund.
• Payson CUSD #1 received a grant from the Bud and Mary Scranton Endowment 
• Pikeland CUSD #10 received a grant from an Anonymous Fund. 
• Quincy Area Habitat for Humanity received grants from the Habitat for Humanity Housing Ministry Fund and the Donald P.W. Voth Fund.
• Quincy Art Center received grants from the Quincy Art Center Fund and the Jack W. Boge Fund.
• Quincy Civic Music Association received a grant from the Quincy Civic Music Association Fund.
• Quincy Community Theatre received grants from the BeeJay Adams Fund and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.
• Quincy Hospitality House through Blessing Hospital received a grant from the Quincy Hospitality House Fund.
• Quincy Humane Society received grants from the Quincy Humane Society Fund, the Bette J. Starnes Fund for Quincy Humane Society, and the Clifford H. Taylor Fund for the Quincy Humane Society.
• Quincy Museum, Inc. received grants from the Quincy Museum Fund and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.
• Quincy Notre Dame Foundation received a grant from the Quincy Notre Dame Foundation Capital and Improvement Fund.
• Quincy Park Band, Inc. received grants from the H. Dennis Everly Fund and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.
• Quincy Preserves received a grant from the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.
• Quincy Public Schools Foundation received a grant from the Quincy Public Schools Foundation Fund and from the Patricia M. Lawber Education Endowment Fund to be used for classroom curricula for third grade students.
• Quincy Service League received a grant from the Amelia E. Bauner, Frances A. Hall, and Walter J. Hall Charitable Fund.
• Quincy Society of Fine Arts/Arts Quincy received grants from the George M. Irwin ARTS Fund, the Jack W. Boge Fund, and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.
• Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association received a grant from the Quincy Symphony Fund.
• Quincy University received a grant from the Quincy University Endowment.
• Salvation Army of Quincy received a grant from the Herbert C. & Dorothy E. Everly Memorial Fund.
• St. Francis Solanus Church received grants from the Edward C. Hinkamper Fund for St. Francis Solanus School Students, the Lucille Hollender Memorial Fund, and the Mike Mason Fund for St. Francis School.
• St. James Evangelical Lutheran School received a grant from the George & Charlotte Spear Charitable Fund.
• St. John’s Cathedral received a grant from the St. John’s Anglican Music Fund.
• Sunset Home received grants from the Sunset Home Fund, the Lowell & Vickie Glas Designated Fund, and the Mohrman Family Endowment.
• The Well House received a grant from the Kaufmann Family Fund for Well House, Inc.
• Transitions of Western Illinois Foundation received a grant from the Transitions of Western Illinois Fund.
• United Way of Adams County, Inc. received a grant from the Adams County United Way Fund.
• United Way of Brown County received a grant from the United Way of Brown County Fund.
• West Central Illinois Agency on Aging received a grant from the Quincy Senior Citizens' Center Fund.
• West Central Illinois Case Coordination Unit received a grant from the Meals on Wheels Fund.
• YMCA of Quincy received grants from the 2nd Lt. Albert C. Warford, Jr. Fund and the Quincy Family YMCA Fund.
• YWCA of Quincy received grants from the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund and the YWCA – Quincy Fund.
• Zion Lutheran Church received a grant from the Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Endowment.

In addition to these organizations, the Community Foundation received a grant distribution from 25 endowment funds designated to support its work and sustainability, including:
• Adams Telephone Co-Operative Friends of the Foundation Fund
• ADM Friend of the Foundation Fund 
• Missouri & Illinois Ayers Oil Companies Fund 
• Blessing Hospital Friend of the Foundation Fund
• Karl H. & Bobbi Bowles Family and Quincy Farm & Home Supply Company Friends of the Foundation Fund   
• D. Reaugh Broemmel Founding Executive Director Fund
• Mike & Jean Buckley Family Friends of the Foundation Fund
• E. Marilyn Clark Friend of the Foundation Fund
• Matthew G. & Rebecca A. Dickinson Friends of the Foundation Fund                
• DISTek Integration, Inc. Friend of the Foundation Fund 
• H. Dennis Everly Friend of the Foundation Fund
• Friends of the Foundation Endowment
• Lawrence & Irene Huegel Endowment Fund for Administrative Salary
• JK Creative Friends of the Foundation Fund
• Knapheide Family Friends of the Foundation Fund 
• Kohl Wholesale Friends of the Foundation Fund
• Quincy Media, Inc. Friends of the Foundation Fund
• Refreshment Services Pepsi Friends of the Foundation Fund
• S. Dean & Mary Jane Sims Friends of the Foundation Fund
• Sprague's Kinderhook Lodge & Sprague Farms, Inc. Friends of the Foundation Fund
• State Street Bank & Trust Company Friends of the Foundation Fund 
• John G. and Carolyn H. Stevenson Friends of the Foundation Fund
• Vecchie Family Friends of the Foundation Fund
• Dennis R. Williams Friend of the Foundation Fund 
• Carl, Althea & Cathy Wiskirchen Friends of the Foundation Fund

Grants distributed by the Community Foundation in the entire year of 2020 ranged from $150 to $150,000 and were awarded to 191 not-for-profits in West Central Illinois, Northeast Missouri, and beyond. The grants come from more than 200 funds, primarily endowments, established by individuals, families, and businesses to support arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services.

Grants are distributed through a variety of programs throughout the year, depending on each fund’s charitable purpose and focus. This year, grants included more than $400,000 in COVID-19 relief, providing nonprofits with funds to provide critical needs to families and communities and with operating support to help with ongoing costs in a year when fundraisers and income-generating services were forced to be canceled or scaled-down.

Endowments serve as a steady resource for support, as an avenue for accepting complex gifts, and to provide protection of assets. Anyone may make a gift of any amount to a fund at any time. Gifts to the Community Foundation are also tax deductible at the highest levels allowed. 

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The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri builds permanent charitable funds to assist area nonprofits and communities. 

Its mission, “connecting people who care with causes that matter,” is achieved by gathering funds, growing them through investments, then granting to nonprofit organizations, causes or communities that mean the most to its donors.   

Since 1997, the Community Foundation has made more than $10 million in grants. It serves 12-counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock and Pike in Illinois and Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby and Monroe in Missouri.  

The Community Foundation has IRS 501(c)(3) status, and contributions made to the Community Foundation generally qualify for the maximum allowable deductions for income and estate tax purposes.  

For more information, call 217-222-1237, email info@mycommunityfoundation.org or go to mycommunityfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/mycommunityfoundation.

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