Community Foundation Opens Applications for Youth Grantmaking Program

Community Foundation Announces 2026 Grant Program for Agricultural Education

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:02:45 GMT

Community Foundation Announces 2026 Grant Program

for Agricultural Education

Nonprofit educational institutions and organizations in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri are invited to apply for project funding to advance education and innovation in the field of production agriculture. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded through the Community Foundation program, “AgForward,” which is made possible by the Bob W. Richter Endowment for Agricultural Education and the Compeer Financial Rural Collaboration Project .

AgForward grants are designed to strengthen the future of agriculture throughout the Community Foundation’s service area by supporting hands-on learning, emerging technologies, and workforce development opportunities for learners of all ages, from youth exploring agriculture for the first time to adults building skills for today’s evolving industry.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of our region, and programs like AgForward help ensure its continued strength and sustainability,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “We are deeply grateful for the vision of the late Mr. Richter, whose generosity created a lasting endowment that allows us to invest in agricultural education and innovation for generations to come.”

Additional grant funding is supported through Compeer Financial’s Rural Collaboration Project, a regional initiative focused on strengthening rural vitality and supporting communities with a long-term vision for growth. Through the program, Compeer Financial has committed more than $1.4 million to 14 community and initiative foundations across Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, including the Community Foundation of West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri.

“As a rural lending cooperative, Compeer Financial understands the importance of empowering rural communities to be active, strong and economically vibrant,” said Karen Schieler, manager of Compeer Giving at Compeer Financial . “These qualities are essential to creating a high quality of life for rural residents, which helps retain and attract residents.”

This investment recognizes the critical role your community foundation plays in identifying local needs and directing resources to programs that strengthen agriculture, education, and workforce development in rural communities.

“When our communities are strong, our future is bright. This program will grow both local agriculture and local industry leaders. We thank Compeer Financial for their investment in the future of our region,” said Meckes.

Through the AgForward grant program, the Community Foundation encourages grant applications that will:

Advance the field of production agriculture in the Community Foundation’s 12-county service area;
Encourage or inspire agricultural careers and/or develop a skilled agricultural workforce;
Develop and train individuals in technologies and techniques that will enable agriculture to be more productive, efficient, and safe.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit educational institutions, primary through post-secondary, and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations located in Adams, Brown, Hancock, or Pike Counties (IL) and Clark, Lewis, Knox, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, Shelby, or Pike Counties (MO).

Applications will be accepted April 1 – May 15 and grants will be awarded by June 30.

Grantseekers are encouraged to review the Request for Proposal (RFP) prior to applying. The RFP and online application are available at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/grants .

Questions? Email Kent Embree at kembree@mycommunityfoundation.org or call 217-222-1237 .

Tax season debrief: Three common regrets

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:46:59 GMT

Tax season debrief: Three common regrets

If you’re like many donors, the weeks leading up to tax deadlines tend to bring charitable giving into sharper focus. You may have finalized contributions, gathered documentation, or had conversations with your CPA about how your philanthropy fits into your overall financial plan.

After the deadline has passed, it’s tempting to move on and not revisit these decisions until later in the year. But the weeks immediately following filing your tax return are actually one of the best times to take a step back and reflect—while the details are still fresh. This is especially important in 2026 because so many tax laws have changed. If you experienced any surprises this tax season, that’s especially worth discussing. Often, small adjustments made early in the year, rather than in December, can lead to better outcomes both financially and philanthropically.

Here are common regrets and how your community foundation can help for the 2026 tax year and beyond.

Giving cash instead of appreciated assets

Many donors regret using cash or credit cards to make large donations instead of gifting appreciated assets (such as stocks, mutual funds, or real estate) held for more than one year. The regret: Selling assets to donate the cash results in paying capital gains tax on the profit. The better move: By donating the asset directly to your fund at the community foundation or to another qualified charity, you may be able to avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation and deduct the full fair market value if you itemize.

Missing out on “bunching” to surpass the standard deduction

The standard deduction was increased under 2017 changes to the tax laws and has stayed high ever since. This can cause missed opportunities for charitable deductions. The regret: Spreading donations evenly across the years and not exceeding the standard deduction threshold. The better move: "Bunching" multiple years of donations into a single tax year by using a donor-advised fund at the community foundation to exceed the standard deduction and claim a tax deduction for that year.

Pro tip: Planning around tax rules is especially important for 2026 and future tax years because not only is the standard deduction still high, but also charitable deductions are now subject to a 0.5% “floor” and a 35% cap. Be sure to talk with your tax advisors early in the year to structure a plan that will work best for you.

Lack of proper documentation

Sadly, many donors fail to keep adequate records, leading to potential deductions being disallowed by the IRS.

The mistake: Failing to get written acknowledgment from the charity for donations over $250, or not having a bank record for smaller cash gifts. The problem: Without documentation, even genuine donations can be disallowed upon audit.

Beyond the “big three,” donors also report regrets such as:

– Overlooking IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). Taxpayers 70½ or older forget they can directly donate to charity from their IRAs, which can help satisfy RMD obligations without increasing their taxable income. (Note that changes may be coming that could allow you to use QCDs to fund your donor advised fund at the community foundation. Currently, QCDs can fund other types of funds at the community foundation, but not donor advised funds.)

– Donating to non-qualified entities. Giving to organizations that are not 501(c)(3) nonprofits, meaning that these donations are not tax-deductible. Working with the experienced team at the community foundation can help you avoid this pitfall.

– Overvaluing non-cash donations. Inflating the value of donated goods (such as clothing or used cars) rather than using their fair market value (thrift store value). This could come back to bite you in an audit!

Hoping to avoid tax season remorse next year? Please reach out to the team at the community foundation. We want to be your first call on all matters of charitable giving. Whether you established a fund at the community foundation years ago, recently became a fund holder, or are considering doing so this year, we are here for you!

Deepening your impact in times of need

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:35:21 GMT

Deepening your impact in times of need

Many people are not fully aware of the extent to which charitable organizations shape everyday life in our communities. From social services to education, healthcare, and the arts, nonprofits touch nearly every aspect of quality of life. Americans give hundreds of billions of dollars to charity each year, supporting roughly 1.9 million organizations nationwide. These organizations often become even more essential during periods of economic uncertainty, when demand for services tends to rise just as resources can feel more constrained.

That dynamic is especially relevant as many are watching the markets closely this spring. Even the possibility of a downturn can influence financial decisions, including charitable giving. It is natural to feel more cautious. At the same time, history shows that community needs often increase during challenging economic periods, making it all the more important to stay engaged in philanthropy.

As you think about your charitable giving this year, this may be a good moment to step back and consider not only where you give, but also how you structure your giving for long-term impact. In particular, it is important for donors and fund holders to consider expanding their portfolio of giving to include giving to the community foundation itself.

This can take several forms, each of which plays a meaningful role.

Operating support

Some donors choose to support the community foundation’s operations across generations. This type of support helps ensure that the foundation can continue serving as a trusted resource, connecting donors to causes, responding to emerging needs, and stewarding charitable funds with care and expertise well into the future. It is an investment not only in today’s giving, but also in the long-term strength of the philanthropic infrastructure in our community.

Support for grant programs

Other donors focus on increasing the community foundation’s grantmaking resources so that more money can flow from the community foundation to nonprofits that are helping those in need, especially when times are tough. Contributions to unrestricted or broadly focused funds allow the community foundation to respond quickly and thoughtfully to the most pressing challenges facing our region. During periods of economic strain, this flexibility can be especially powerful, enabling support to reach the people and organizations that need it most, at the moment it matters most.

A hybrid approach

In many cases, donors adopt a dual strategy: continuing to support favorite organizations directly or through the community foundation’s grant programs while also allocating a portion of their giving to the community foundation itself. This approach can help balance personal philanthropic interests with broader community impact, creating a more resilient and adaptable giving strategy.

The community foundation’s unique role is what makes any or all of these approaches so effective. As a perpetual institution governed by a local board of directors, the community foundation is designed to serve the community not just today, but across generations. Our team maintains deep knowledge of local needs, works closely with nonprofit partners, and is positioned to deploy resources where they can do the greatest good over time.

Especially in moments when the future feels uncertain, expanding your portfolio of giving in this way can provide an added layer of confidence. You can continue supporting the causes you care about while also strengthening the community foundation’s ability to lead, respond, and make a difference, now and in the years ahead. We are honored to work alongside you as you consider how your philanthropy can support both immediate needs and lasting impact for our entire community.

Roderick Family Fund For Scientific Research

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:29:06 GMT

Roderick Family Fund for Scientific Research

Provides scholarships to graduates of high schools within the Community Foundation’s service area who will be conducting university-sponsored research in the areas of biology, geology, zoology, or similar scientifically based studies.

Building your charitable plan, brick by brick

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:27:20 GMT

Building your charitable plan, brick by brick

When every decision feels permanent, it is natural to pause. Your Community Foundation can help you shift gears from intention to action. Here are three principles that guide our work with donors in this situation.

Take it one step at a time

One of the most helpful mental shifts is to think of charitable planning as a multi-step process rather than a single, all-or-nothing decision. In many cases, a tax planning need takes precedence because of concrete deadlines and tax year considerations. Our team understands! That’s why we are happy to help you establish a donor advised fund, for example, to meet an immediate tax planning need. With that time-sensitive box checked, we’ll move on to discussing how you’d like to deploy the fund’s resources, involve family members in the decision-making process, and adjust your giving as your interests evolve.

Keep it simple

Sometimes the hardest part of giving is not generosity, it is decision fatigue.

You might be asking yourself, “Where should I give?” Often, that’s not the best question to ask right out of the gate, especially if you are new to philanthropy. The team at the community foundation can help you work through key threshold questions including:

As I look back on my charitable giving, what areas of focus seem to jump out?
What specific charities have I supported over the years?
Why have I supported those charities?
Is there anything about my areas of focus that I’d like to change going forward?

As we explore these questions together, our team can provide research on local nonprofits, share insights about community needs, and facilitate family conversations about values and priorities.

Adopt long-term thinking

Community change does not happen overnight. You may find that your charitable intentions include not only providing annual support to favorite charities, but also making a meaningful difference over many years or even many decades that extend well beyond your lifetime.

The team at the Community Foundation can help you structure not only a donor advised fund to help organize your annual giving, but also other types of funds and a legacy plan. Many families, for example, complement their donor advised fund by also establishing a field of interest fund to support a particular cause with built-in flexibility as community needs change. Similarly, a designated fund can provide long-term support to specific organizations, and an unrestricted fund allows you to leverage the community foundation’s deep expertise and perpetual structure to address emerging community priorities for generations to come. You can name one or more of these funds as a beneficiary in your estate plan, whether through a gift in your will or trust or through a beneficiary designation on an IRA.

The bottom line is that we are here for you along your entire charitable giving journey. We’ll work together to build and implement your philanthropy plan brick by brick over the years to come, involving your tax advisors and family members at key junctures and always ensuring that your charitable intentions, even as they evolve over time, are fulfilled.

Why 2026 is different: Four tax-time reminders

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 19:56:34 GMT

Why 2026 is different: Four tax-time reminders

Here are four items to discuss with your CPA.

New rules for itemizing charitable deductions

As in prior years, charitable contributions are deductible only if you itemize your deductions. If your total itemized deductions do not exceed the standard deduction, your charitable gifts will not generate an additional tax benefit (with one exception discussed below).

What’s new for 2026 is a threshold for itemizers: charitable deductions are allowed only to the extent they exceed 0.5% of your adjusted gross income. In practical terms, this functions like a deductible. If your AGI is $200,000, for example, the first $1,000 of charitable contributions will not be deductible. Only amounts above that level are eligible, subject to existing percentage-of-income limits. For some people, this change may make it more appealing to “bundle” or “bunch” contributions into a single year, such as through a donor-advised fund at the community foundation, so that total giving comfortably exceeds both the standard deduction and the new AGI floor.

In addition, beginning in 2026, the value of itemized charitable deductions is capped at a 35% rate. So, even if you are in the 37% federal bracket, your charitable deduction will not offset income at your full marginal rate. While philanthropy is rarely motivated solely by taxes, this adjustment may influence the timing, structure, or asset selection for major gifts. Coordinating early with both your tax advisors and the community foundation team can help you evaluate the most efficient approach.

Finally, in a bit of good news, the long-standing rule allowing cash gifts to qualified public charities (such as your fund at the community foundation) to be deducted up to 60% of AGI has been made permanent (after clearing the new 0.5% AGI floor). Gifts of appreciated assets, such as stock or real estate, are generally deductible up to 30% of AGI.

New deduction for non-itemizers

Beginning in 2026, even if you do not itemize deductions on your tax return, you may claim an above-the-line charitable deduction of up to $1,000 for single filers or up to $2,000 for married couples filing jointly, for cash gifts to qualifying charities. Because this deduction reduces income before AGI is calculated, it can provide a meaningful benefit. It does not apply to non-cash gifts, and certain types of funds, such as donor advised funds, are not eligible for this particular deduction. Even so, this new rule creates planning opportunities for many households who previously saw no tax impact from their annual giving. Keep this in mind for young adult children who do not yet itemize and who would like to start getting involved in charitable giving.

Document your charitable deductions

Not surprisingly, documentation rules remain in place. Gifts over $250 require a written acknowledgment from the charity. (Your Community Foundation provides this for gifts into a fund or to the Community Foundation itself.) Non-cash gifts valued at $500 or more require IRS Form 8283, and qualified appraisals are required for donations over $5,000, such as closely held stock or real estate. If you organize your giving through a donor advised fund at the community foundation, you might consider structuring your annual giving so that you receive a single tax receipt for your annual contribution of cash, stock, or other assets to the fund. Your CPA won’t need separate receipts for each grant the fund distributes to your favorite charities. Many donors find this consolidated recordkeeping especially helpful at tax time.

If you are age 70 ½ or older, consider gifts from your IRAs

Qualified Charitable Distributions may be even more valuable under the new tax rules. If you are age 70 ½ or older, you can use a QCD to direct funds from your IRA to certain types of charitable funds at the community foundation and other public charities. The 2026 annual limit is $111,000 per taxpayer, allowing you to transfer significant amounts to charity without including the distribution in taxable income. QCDs can also satisfy required minimum distributions if you’ve reached the age where those apply. Importantly, QCDs are not affected by the new itemized deduction floor or deduction caps, making them an especially efficient strategy for many retirees. As a reminder, QCDs cannot be directed to donor advised funds, but they can support designated, field of interest, or unrestricted funds at the Community Foundation.

The charitable tax rules have always required thoughtful planning. In 2026, that planning is simply more nuanced. We encourage you to share this summary to your CPA or bring it to your next meeting. When you do, please keep us in the loop. It is our honor to work alongside your tax, legal, and financial advisors to help structure your giving in a way that aligns with both your philanthropic goals and your overall financial plan.

Please note that the information shared here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal or tax advice. We encourage donors to consult their professional advisors when considering charitable giving strategies.

Community Foundation’s 2026 Community Grant Program Opens

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:52:02 GMT

Community Foundation’s 2026 Community Grant Program Opens

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri invites nonprofits throughout its 12-county service area to apply for a grant of up to $7,500 through its annual Community Grant program.

Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations advancing arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services. The awards are made possible by more than 50 endowed funds at the Community Foundation, which were established by donors to support the communities and causes they care about.

The application opens March 1 and closes May 1 at 11:59 p.m. and can be accessed at https://mycommunityfoundation.org/community-grants

Charitable organizations who are new applicants and interested in seeking grant funds are encouraged to attend one of three informational workshops. These workshops will inform nonprofits of the community grant program’s funding priorities and updates to the application. Registration is required. More information and workshop registration can be found at https://www.mycommunityfoundation.org/community-grants .

Workshops will be held on the following days:

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Community Foundation, 621 Vermont Street, Quincy, IL 62301

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Noon – 1:00 PM
Zoom

Friday, March 6, 2026

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Northeast Power, 3705 N Business 61, Palmyra, MO 63401

Those who are unable to participate in a virtual workshop can schedule a one-on-one consultation with Community Foundation Program Officer, Kent Embree. Please contact Kent at kembree@mycommunityfoundation.org or 217-222-1237.

Grants are made for charitable purposes to organizations that have IRS 501(c)(3) classification or are government entities. Faith-based organizations and governmental entities are eligible for public, charitable projects that must serve one of the following counties: Illinois: Adams, Brown, Hancock, or Pike; Missouri: Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby, or Monroe.

What type of fund, or funds, is right for you?

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:13:13 GMT

What type of fund, or funds, is right for you?

At your community foundation, we know that charitable giving is deeply personal, and that choosing the right tools matters just as much as choosing the causes you care about.

Whether you are considering establishing your first fund with your community foundation or considering adding another fund to complement the ones you already have, it can be helpful to step back and look at how different options support different goals.

Donor Advised Fund

Donor advised funds are one of the most popular “baseline” charitable giving tools because they make it simple to support a wide range of nonprofits while maintaining a clear, organized approach to philanthropy. With a donor advised fund, you can make contributions of cash, stock, or other property at your convenience, and these gifts are eligible for a charitable tax deduction in the year of the gift. Separately, the donor-advised fund allows you to recommend grants to your favorite IRS-qualified charities over time. You can select a name for your donor-advised fund and, if you choose, limit how much personal information is shared with recipient organizations.

Designated Fund

Perhaps you are instead (or also) focused on making a lasting impact on a single organization that has played an important role in your life. In that case, a designated fund may be the right addition to your charitable portfolio. A designated fund provides ongoing, predictable support to a specific nonprofit, either through regular distributions or grants made as needed. Because your community foundation provides stewardship of the fund’s assets, a designated fund offers stability and continuity for the organization it benefits. This type of fund can be especially helpful if you want to “bunch” multiple years of giving into a single year for tax purposes while ensuring continued support for a favorite charity over time. Plus, if you are age 70 ½ or older, a designated fund (unlike a donor advised fund) can receive Qualified Charitable Distributions from your IRA.

Unrestricted Fund or Field of Interest Fund

Some donors are drawn to a different approach: addressing the community’s most pressing needs, both now and in the future, while relying on professional insight to guide that work. For these donors, an unrestricted fund offers powerful flexibility. Unrestricted funds allow the community foundation to direct resources where they are needed most as circumstances change, whether that means responding to a crisis, supporting emerging opportunities, or addressing long-term challenges. These funds play a critical role in the community’s ability to adapt and thrive, and they create a legacy of giving that remains relevant for generations. A field of interest is similar to an unrestricted fund, except that you can name a specific area of need, such as the arts, education, or emergency assistance, to receive support from the fund. If you are age 70 ½ or older, remember that both unrestricted and field of interest funds are eligible recipients of Qualified Charitable Distributions.

Adopt a portfolio approach

Many donors choose to establish more than one type of fund over time, building a thoughtful and diversified approach to philanthropy that reflects both their values and their evolving priorities. Wherever you are along your charitable giving journey, the community foundation is here to help. It is our privilege to partner with you, provide guidance, and support your generosity in ways that strengthen the community we all care about. Please reach out an ytime, we would love to talk with you.

Celebrating Samantha Otte’s Spirit Through Support for Local Youth

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:51:52 GMT

Celebrating Samantha Otte’s Spirit Through Support for Local Youth

In honor of Samantha Otte, twenty-nine local nonprofit organizations received grants to support programs that will positively influence the lives of hundreds of area youth through creative, leadership-focused, and humanitarian initiatives.

A total of $79,500 was awarded this year from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund, managed by the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. The grant presentation took place at the Quincy YMCA, a 2026 grant recipient. Founded in late 2000, the fund continues to carry forward Samantha’s legacy and reached a meaningful milestone this year, marking 25 years of grantmaking.

“On behalf of the Sammy Fund group, along with our family and friends, we are deeply grateful to all of the organizations here today working with at-risk children,” said June Otte, Samantha’s mother. “These blessings are only possible because of the amazing efforts of so many incredible supporters, including the Sammy Fund board, Gem City Breakfast Kiwanis and countless individuals and businesses who have generously supported our mission.”

The Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund was created to celebrate the life and legacy of Samantha Otte by empowering children in our community to reach their fullest potential. Samantha, who passed away in March 2000 at 10 years old following a liver transplant made necessary by cystic fibrosis, left a lasting impact on those who knew her.

Established by her parents, Chuck and June Otte, the fund was the Community Foundation’s first donor advised fund and continues to reflect Samantha’s spirit by supporting programs that inspire growth, artistry, and hope for area youth.

“We are privileged to be able to work with the Ottes and the youth-serving non-profits in our region to see the effects of the grants from Samantha’s fund. We are so pleased to be able to honor her memory in this way, serving other children through the variety of programs and services offered by dedicated organizations that make a difference in their lives, each and every day,” said Kent Embree, Program Officer of the Community Foundation.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations for the following projects:

1. Bella Ease

Wrap around services for students

2. Birthday Blessings

Birthday bags, care packages and bedding for Missouri foster kids

3. Chaddock Children's Foundation

Equestrian Therapy funding through QUEST Stables of Quincy

4. CHART Teen Task Force

Puberty, Periods and Growing Up

5. Cornerstone Foundations for Families

Cornerstone's Comprehensive Youth Services

6. Covered Bottoms Diaper Bank

Bridging the Diaper Gap in West Central Illinois

7. Douglass Community Services

Kids in Motion Program5000

8. Embrace Children and Families

Youth Scholarship Programs

9. Girl Scouts of Central Illinois

Powering Girls' Potential - Direct Assistance for Adams County Girl Scouts

10. Horizons Social Services of Adams County

KidzPacks Weekend Food - Spring 2026

11. John Wood Community College Foundation

FY26 College for Life Scholarships

12. John Wood Community College Foundation

FY26 JDub Academy Scholarships

13. Pike County Creative Arts Center

Spring 2026 K-12 Semester courses

14. Quincy Art Center

Art Education in the Schools

15. Quincy Children's Museum

Maker Space Improvements

16. Quincy Community Theatre

Student Theatre Support

17. Quincy Museum

Educational Classes Support

18. Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association

Support for Quincy Area Youth Chorus & Youth Orchestra

19. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois

HSHS St. John's Hospitality Cart

20. Salvation Army of Quincy

Pathway of Hope Family Activities

21. St. Dominic School

Hands on art lessons with Becky Hoskins

22. The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri

Child Abuse Prevention Education in Rural Schools

23. The Legacy Theater Foundation

Youth Education and Enrichment Program

24. Transitions of Western Illinois

New Swing Frame for the Transitions School

25. United Way of Adams County, Inc.

Unmet Needs Support for Children

26. University of Illinois Extension - Adams Co Branch Office

Youth and Outdoor Education

27. West Central Child Care Connection

Born Learning Project

28. YWCA of Quincy

YWCA Quincy move-in kits for families

29. YMCA of West Central Illinois - Quincy Family YMCA

The Butterfly Effect: Empowering Youth to RISE

Teens Active in Grantmaking (TAG) Awards First-Ever Grant Following Santa in the Park Fundraiser

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:45:38 GMT

Teens Active in Grantmaking (TAG) Awards First-Ever Grant Following Santa in the Park Fundraiser
$250 awarded to Bella Ease; spring grant cycle to open with $20,000 available

Photo, from left to right: Lori DeVerger (Bella Ease), Abigail MacDonough, Xavier Richardson, Caroline Seaman, Ava Geisendorfer, Medha Pujar, Gloria Miles, Gabrielle Esselman (Bella Ease)

Teens Active in Grantmaking (TAG) is proud to announce the awarding of its first-ever TAG grant, made possible through proceeds from its hot cocoa and baked goods fundraiser held during Santa in the Park with The District. The event raised $250, which TAG students decided to award to Bella Ease, a local organization making a meaningful impact on young people in the community. The funds that TAG donated arrived during Bella Ease’s yearend “You Matter” campaign, meaning that the impact was doubled. The funds will go toward program support. Bella Ease works with individuals, children, adults, and families to make real life changes.

Bailee Duesterhaus, Program Manager at the Community Foundation, shared, “This moment represents exactly what TAG is designed to do. We connected students with community needs and gave them a voice in philanthropy. We’re incredibly proud of the students for taking this first step.”

TAG is a youth-led philanthropy program that empowers students to learn about charitable giving, community needs, and grantmaking by putting real dollars to work for causes they care about.

Teens Active in Grantmaking (TAG) is a youth philanthropy initiative of The Community Foundation, in partnership with Tracy Family Foundation, that educates students on community impact, nonprofit work, and grantmaking. Through fundraising and guided decision-making, TAG members award grants to organizations making a difference in their community.

Callie Niederhauser, Program Manager at Tracy Family Foundation, added, “TAG is shaping the next generation of community leaders by giving them hands-on experience in intentional giving. I am impressed by these students and excited to see the positive impact they will continue to make in our community.”

Looking ahead, TAG will open its first full grant application cycle this spring. During this cycle, TAG students will review applications and award a total of $20,000 to nonprofit organizations and causes they are passionate about supporting.

Nonprofit organizations and eligible community organizations dedicated to community and youth in the Quincy area are invited to apply for a TAG Grant (up to $2,500) for programs and projects that impact youth in the Quincy area. Grant applications open February 1, 2026, and are due March 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Applicants will be notified about awards in April 2026, and a grant presentation will follow in May.

For more information and full eligibility details about the TAG grant and to apply, visit www.mycommunityfoundation.org/tag or contact Bailee Duesterhaus at bduesterhaus@mycommunityfoundation.org.

Community Foundation Celebrates Shelby County Grant Recipients

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:27:06 GMT

Community Foundation Celebrates Shelby County Grant Recipients

The Community Foundation proudly celebrated the Shelby County recipient of the Community Foundation’s 2025 Community Grant program, funded in part by the Shelby County Endowment Fund. These grants support nonprofit organizations that strengthen the community and improve the lives of local residents.

The 2025 grant recipient is:

• Shelby County Cares – Feed the Farmer Project

Farmers and farm families experience high stress during harvest, often leading to anxiety, depression, and isolation, known risk factors for suicide. In Shelby County and the broader Northeast Missouri region, this burden affects farmers, their families, and other supporters in caregiving roles.

The Feed the Farmer Project responds to this need by delivering hot meals and printed mental health and suicide prevention resource packets directly to farms, offering practical relief and emotional support. By promoting early awareness of mental health concerns and connecting families to help before crisis occurs, this initiative contributes to suicide prevention while strengthening resilience in Missouri’s rural agricultural communities. As Certified FarmResponse providers, Shelby County Cares is committed to delivering evidence-based, culturally relevant outreach.

“We are honored to support Shelby County Cares and their vital mission of suicide prevention,” said Nathan Hillard, Shelby County Fund Council chair. “This grant will help strengthen our community’s resilience. We hope we can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and show that there are many of us here who care about everyone.”

“The Shelby County Endowment Fund allows local generosity to create lasting impact,” said Kent Embree, Program Officer at the Community Foundation. “Supporting projects like Feed the Farmer shows how we can work together to care for our neighbors today while building a stronger tomorrow for Shelby County.”

The Shelby County Endowment Fund is a permanently endowed charitable fund exclusively for the benefit of Shelby County. Gifts made to the fund are invested for growth and grants are made from the interest earned. Anyone can make a gift to grow the Shelby County Endowment Fund at any time. Gifts to the Community Foundation for the Shelby County Endowment Fund are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Community Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.

About the Shelby County Endowment Fund

In July 2023, volunteer members of the Shelby County Fund Council announced an opportunity to build a charitable endowment and receive a $15,000 match from the Community Foundation. The fundraising goal was met in March 2024, and the fund’s first grants were awarded in August 2024. A local, volunteer County Fund Council reviews grant applications and recommends grant funding.

The Shelby County Endowment Fund is a way to secure local assets to support charitable needs and opportunities in Shelby County permanently. It promotes community-based philanthropy and generates resources that advance the quality of life for current and future generations in Shelby County.

Community Foundation Celebrates Lewis County Grant Recipients

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:22:51 GMT

Community Foundation Celebrates Lewis County Grant Recipients

The Community Foundation proudly announced the recipients of its 2025 Lewis County Community Grants during a celebration highlighting the power of local giving and the impact of endowment philanthropy. These grants, made possible in part through the Lewis County Endowment Fund, support nonprofit organizations that strengthen the community and improve the lives of local residents.

This year’s grant recipients include:

• Birthday Blessings – Healthy Sleep for Kids Experiencing Foster Care

• Culver-Stockton College – Supplies for Student STEAM Days

• Heartland Resources, Inc. – Meals for Seniors

• Lewis County Food Pantry Inc. – Hunger in Lewis County

• Lewis County Health Department – Advance The Preventive Health of Lewis County, MO Residents

• The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, Inc. – Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education in Rural Schools

The Lewis County Fund Council, a panel of local representatives, evaluated applications submitted by nonprofit organizations as part of the Community Foundation’s community grant program. Based on their assessments, the Council made thoughtful recommendations for the allocation of grants, with the goal of addressing the most pressing needs and promising opportunities within Lewis County.

“The Lewis County Endowment Fund is pleased to present six grants this year to organizations that directly benefit Lewis County residents,” said Virgil Welker, Lewis County Endowment Fund Council Chair. “This fund provides donors the ability to impact well-deserving nonprofit organizations in Lewis County through their charitable giving for many years to come and truly make a difference in our community.”

The Lewis County Endowment Fund is a permanently endowed charitable fund exclusively for the benefit of Lewis County. Gifts made to the fund are strategically invested to encourage growth, and grants are awarded from the accrued interest. Since its establishment, the fund has continued to grow through donor support, creating a lasting impact for Lewis County. Led by a local advisory council, the fund provides annual grants in the areas of arts & education, health & human services, and community betterment.

“The Lewis County Endowment Fund continues to be a consistent source of support for the good works of nonprofits in Lewis County. This year’s grantees are important to the stability of the county, providing services for educational opportunities, at-risk youth, seniors, and those facing health and food insecurity,” said Kent Embree, Community Foundation Program Officer. “We are grateful for the volunteers and donors who are dedicated to making a strong impact in Lewis County by annually supporting and fundraising for the endowment.”

Gifts to the Community Foundation for the Lewis County Endowment Fund are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Community Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.

Community Foundation Celebrates Hancock County Grant Recipients

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:21:26 GMT

Community Foundation Celebrates Hancock County Grant Recipients

The Community Foundation and the Hancock Endowment Fund Council proudly announced the recipients of the Community Grant Program in Hancock County. Together, they recognized the impact of local generosity and the power of endowment philanthropy. These grants, made possible in part through the Hancock County Endowment Fund, support nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life for residents and strengthen the community as a whole. This year’s grant recipients include:

• Carl Sandburg College – Carthage Campus – Nursing Skills & Simulation Lab Update

• Food for Thoughts Hancock County – Week-End Meal Program

• Memorial Hospital – Bringing Lead Testing Home: Enhancing Rural Pediatric Care

The Hancock County Fund Council, a group of local representatives, carefully reviewed applications submitted by nonprofit organizations as part of the Community Foundation’s community grant program. After thoughtful evaluation, the Council made recommendations for funding to address key needs and opportunities throughout Hancock County.

“The Hancock County Endowment Fund is proud to support organizations that are working hard to improve the well-being of our residents,” said Amy Graham, Chair of the Hancock County Endowment Fund Council. “These grants represent the collective generosity of donors who care deeply about our communities and want to ensure Hancock County continues to thrive for generations to come.”

The Hancock County Endowment Fund is a permanently endowed charitable fund created exclusively for the benefit of Hancock County. Contributions to the fund are invested to grow over time, with grants awarded annually from the fund’s earnings. Since its establishment, the fund has continued to expand thanks to local donors, providing a lasting source of support for Hancock County. Guided by a local advisory council, the fund awards grants each year in areas such as arts and education, health and human services, and community betterment.

“The Hancock County Endowment Fund is an inspiring example of how endowment philanthropy can create lasting impact close to home,” said Kent Embree, Community Foundation Program Officer. “We’re grateful for the residents, volunteers, and donors who continue to invest in Hancock County’s future by giving to and advocating for this fund.”

Gifts to the Community Foundation for the Hancock County Endowment Fund are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Community Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.

Ty Rylander Fund Brings New Toddler Play Equipment to Lowry Park

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:59:02 GMT

Ty Rylander Fund Brings New Toddler Play Equipment to Lowry Park

Families in Pittsfield will soon enjoy enhanced play opportunities at Lowry Park thanks to a grant supporting the installation of toddler play equipment. The project, funded by the Ty Rylander Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri, will provide a safe, engaging space designed specifically for the youngest park visitors.

Established in memory of Ty Rylander, the fund honors his spirit of generosity by supporting projects that enrich the lives of local youth in Ty’s beloved hometown community of Pike County, Illinois. The installation of toddler play equipment at Lowry Park reflects the fund’s mission of giving back to the community in meaningful and lasting ways.

“Ty and his three sisters spent many hours playing at beautiful Lowry Park. Our grandchildren are now enjoying these facilities as well,” said Gina Rylander, Ty’s mother. “Our family is grateful to the Lowry family for their generous donation of this land to build this wonderful community park. It is our hope we can help to provide some funding for toddler play equipment at this amazing place.”

The Pittsfield Park Board/District is working in partnership with the City of Pittsfield to bring the project to life, with the new play area expected to serve generations of families.

“Ty’s spirit lives on through each child in Pike County who benefits from his fund,” said Catherine Meckes, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation. “Because the fund is endowed, it will continue to invest in youth opportunities in Pike County for generations, building a legacy of caring and community for Ty.”

The Ty Rylander Memorial Fund is one of more than 200 charitable funds managed by the Community Foundation, which works with donors to create permanent endowments that benefit local communities for generations.

For more information about the Ty Rylander Fund and how it continues to support local projects, visit: https://www.mycommunityfoundation.org/ty-rylander-fund

Community Foundation Awards Grants to Advance Local Agricultural Education

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 21:16:52 GMT

Community Foundation Awards Grants to Advance Local
Agricultural Education

Thirteen local organizations have received a total of $75,000 from the Community Foundation to strengthen their agricultural education programs. The grants result from the inaugural AgForward grant program, which is made possible by the Bob W. Richter Endowment for Agricultural Education and the Compeer Financial Rural Collaboration Project.

The AgForward program aims to advance education and innovation in the field of production agriculture. The initiative prioritizes projects that build career awareness, develop skills, and foster innovation within agriculture, a vital sector of the region's economy.

“AgForward is an investment in the future of our region’s students, workforce, and economy,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “We are grateful to the late Mr. Richter’s vision and generosity which will sustain agricultural education for generations, and Compeer Financial’s Rural Collaboration Project, which amplifies this impact across our communities.”

The Community Foundation is one of 13 community foundations that received funding from Compeer Financial’s Rural Collaboration Project to build active, resilient rural communities and support thriving local economies. This year’s AgForward grants reflect that mission, with funding awarded to a range of projects across West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri that foster agricultural innovation and prepares individuals for careers in the industry.

2025 AgForward Grant Recipients

• Adams County Farm Bureau Foundation – Traveling Ag in the Classroom Models

• Brown County Health Department – Stop the Bleed Equipment for FIELD Ag Safety Program

• Hannibal School District #60 – Hannibal Career and Technical Center Agriculture Education Program

• John Wood Community College Foundation – Precision Ag Drone

• Lewis County C-1 School District – Equipment for Food Science and Development Lab

• Monroe County Extension Foundation – 4-H Embryology Program in Monroe County

• North Shelby School District – Plant Science & Greenhouse Equipment for North Shelby FFA Program

• Palmyra R-1 School District – Agricultural Power and Agricultural Construction/Structures Curriculum

• Pike County R-III School District – Clopton Agricultural Mechanics Education Program

• Pleasant Hill CUSD #3 – Plant Science Greenhouse Facility Enhancements

• Quincy Public Schools District #172 – Quincy FFA Ag Days Program

• UFC Foundation/Ursa Farmers Cooperative – Experiential Agricultural Industry Education

• Western CUSD #12 – Ag Career Development

“These grants demonstrate that our agricultural educators and leaders are not thinking only of today, they’re committed to the future,” Meckes added. “Thanks to the foresight of Mr. Richter, who shared in this dedication to the future, we have funds that will advance local agriculture for generations to come. We are proud to award these grants in his memory, knowing that each one is an expression of his legacy.”

Community Foundation Awards More than $300,000 to Local Nonprofits

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:02:03 GMT

Community Foundation Awards More than $300,000
to Local Nonprofits

Local nonprofits received a total of $305,881.67 in grant funding from the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri today at an awards presentation at The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Quincy.

Supported by 70 permanent endowment funds, these grants will make a lasting difference for nonprofit organizations serving our region in the areas of arts and culture, community improvement, education, health, and human services. Funding will assist with program delivery, the purchase of vital equipment and supplies, and the everyday operational needs that keep these organizations running strong.

“We are really pleased to be able to offer additional funding to the Community Grant Program this year thanks to the generosity of our donors,” said Kent Embree, Program Officer. “This generosity has enabled us to exceed $300,000 in support to nonprofits, every dollar of which will be put to work to improve our communities. The Community Grant program is our longest-running program and we continue to advance it with the help of our dedicated volunteers to do our best to meet the needs of our applicants. Our goal is that the program not only helps our nonprofit community financially, but also provides them knowledge and resources to pursue grants from other funding sources.”

The Community Foundation’s Community Grant program is designed to support and strengthen nonprofit efforts that improve quality of life across our 12-county region. Each year, the Community Foundation invites nonprofit organizations to apply for funding, and a dedicated committee of regional volunteers reviews the applications to determine grant awards based on funds available.

These grants are made possible by the power of endowment. Generous donors partner with the Community Foundation to create permanent charitable funds that reflect their philanthropic goals and respond to local needs. Some funds are unrestricted while others are for a specific cause or community. The Community Foundation invests and grows these funds, and each year a portion of the fund's earnings are distributed as grants, while the principal remains intact.

“Nonprofits bring ideas to life and meet real needs in our communities,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation. “We are humbled for the opportunity to connect resources to these opportunities. Because of our generous endowment donors, we’re able to invest in that important work not just today, but every year moving forward. That kind of long-term impact is limitless.”

The following funds supported the 2025 community grant program:

Community Endowment Funds, support grants for arts and culture, community betterment, education, health and human services in the Community Foundation’s 12-county service area:

• Anonymous Funds (2)

• Angie (Fusselman) Mayes & Evelyn J. Fusselman Fund

• Bette J. Starnes Endowment

• B'nai Sholom Endowment

• Carl, Althea & Cathy Wiskirchen Endowment

• Carl & Gladys Koehser Family Fund

• Charles A. & Nancy Scholz Charitable Fund

• Dorothy L. Swallow Fund

• Dr. & Mrs. Merle F. Crossland Family Fund

• Earl & Irene Oliver Family Fund

• Grant L. and K. Georgann Sturhahn Fund

• Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Endowment

• Harry Channon Eaton Family Endowment Fund

• Harry J. & Bernice M. Wissman Heidbreder Fund

• James R. and Katherine H. Williams Fund

• Jeffrey G. & Theresa L. Spear Fund

• Karl H. & Bobbi Bowles Family and Quincy Farm & Home Supply Company Fund

• Kirk Family Fund-Houston, Carolyn & Carson

• Margaret J. Sinnock Fund

• Mrs. Arthur O. Lindsay Fund

• Robert A. & Anne M. Mays Fund

• Russell and Annette Goehl Endowment

• Robert G. and Melva Campbell Riley Fund

• William E. and Margaret E. Durall Family Endowment

Funds for Adams County, support any charitable need or opportunity in Adams County, Illinois:

• Paul H. & Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

• HOMEBANK of Quincy Fund

• William & Sheila Menke Endowment

• Alan L. Stiegemeier and Mary Ellen Stiegemeier

Field of Interest Funds, support a specific cause or community as determined by the donor:

• Ben & Helen Bumbry Educational Assistance Endowment

• Bill and Lynda Keller Fund

• Blessing Hospital Community Health Fund

• City of Refuge Fund

• CommunityWorks Endowment

• Cory Didriksen Lovelace Fund

• Dr. Robert & Shirley Murphy Endowment for Music Education

• G. Arthur (Art) Keller, Jr. Fund

• Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

• Heart of the Community Fund

• Holzgrafe Family Fund

• HOMEBANK Fund

• Irwin Family Fund

• James L. & Dorothy W. Rouner Fund

• Jane's Kids' Fund

• Jayne & Leroy Boeckelman Fund for Young Musicians

• Jerry and Linley Bartell Endowment

• Jon's Home Center Associates Fund

• Katherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts

• Kaye & Norman Kemner Education Fund

• Quincy Recycle Fund

• The Quincy Foundation Fund

• The Wood Endowment

• United States Founding Fathers Fund

County Endowment Funds, support nonprofit organizations in a specific county:

• Brown County Endowment Fund (IL)

• Hancock County Endowment Fund (IL)

• Lewis County Endowment Fund (MO)

• Marion County Endowment Fund (MO)

• Monroe County Endowment Fund (MO)

• Pike County Endowment Fund (IL)

• Ralls County Endowment Fund (MO)[KE4.1]

• Shelby County Endowment Fund (MO)

Donor Advised Funds, allow a fund advisor to recommend grant recipients. Donor advisors may recommend grants at any time throughout the year, but are encouraged to consider grants in support of Community Grant requests:

• Ralph Oakley Family Fund

• Jim Drozdz Memorial Fund

• Palmyra Chamber of Commerce Prosperity Fund

• Joe & Denette Kuhlman Family Fund

• Betty Schmidt Endowment

These are among the 230+ funds at the Community Foundation that support arts and culture, community betterment, education, health or human services, include eight new funds contributing grant dollars for the 2025 program.

This year’s grant recipients include:

Adams County Bicentennial Commission - Adams County Bicentennial Legacy Project-Adams County Courthouse Timeline; Funded by Funds for Adams County, United States Founding Fathers Fund, Betty Schmidt Endowment

Adams County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff's Work Alternative Program Trailer Project; Funded by Funds for Adams County, Jim Drozdz Memorial Fund

Barry Food Pantry - General Support of the Barry Food Pantry; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Pike County Endowment Fund

Bella Ease - Outdoor Storage for Community Activities; Funded by Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Birthday Blessings - Healthy Sleep for Kids Experiencing Foster Care; Funded by Lewis County Endowment Fund

Bluff City Theater - Building Creative Culture One Seat at a Time; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Bright Futures Bowling Green - General Support of Bright Futures Bowling Green; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Bright Futures Knox County - General Support of BFKC – Prosocial Bonding Events/Mitigate Risk Factors; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Brown County Early Learning Center - NFP General Operating Support; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Canton Public Library - A Mighty Girl Book Club; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Carl Sandburg College - Nursing Skills & Simulation lab update; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Chaddock Children's Foundation Chaddock - Puppet Troupe Expansion; Funded by Jerry and Linley Bartell Endowment, Holzgrafe Family Fund

CHADS Coalition for Mental Health - Signs of Suicide; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

CHART Teen Task Force - Sexuality Education in Northeast Missouri Schools; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Marion County Endowment Fund

City of Louisiana - City of Louisiana Pickleball and Trash Cans; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

City of Palmyra, Missouri - Green Space Concept Planning; Funded by Heart of the Community Fund, Palmyra Chamber of Commerce Prosperity Fund

Clark County Council on Aging - Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Funds; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Community for Christ Assistance Center - Families in Need (Food Pantry); Funded by Funds for Adams County

Connect Child and Family Solutions - General support of Connect Child and Family Solutions; Funded by Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Cornerstone Foundations for Families - Adoption Support and Preservation Groups; Funded by Jane's Kids' Fund, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, Funds for Adams County, Joe & Denette Kuhlman Family Fund

Covered Bottoms Diaper Bank, Inc. - Bridging the Diaper Gap in West Central Illinois; Funded by Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Culver-Stockton College - Supplies for Student STEAM Days; Funded by Lewis County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Douglass Community Services, Inc. - Kids in Motion 2026 Program; Funded by Jon's Home Center Associates Fund, Marion County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Downtown Monroe City Revitalization - Monroe City; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Monroe County Endowment Fund

Embrace Children and Families - General Support of Embrace Children & Families; Funded by Marion County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Food For Thoughts Hancock County - Week-End Meal Program; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Friends of the Castle - General Support for Friends of the Castle; Funded by The Quincy Foundation Fund

Friends of the Trails - Bill Klingner Trail Phase 5 Construction; Funded by Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Great Commission Broadcasting Corporation - WGCA-FM - Area Betterment Through Promoting Local Nonprofits; Funded by Funds for Adams County

Hancock County Senior and Childcare Services - The Maple Grove Project; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Hannibal Arts Council - General support of Hannibal Arts Council; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Marion County Endowment Fund

Harvest Outreach Ministries - General Support of Harvest Outreach Ministries; Funded by Marion County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Heartland Resources, Inc. - Meals for Seniors; - Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Lewis County Endowment Fund

Hearts of Hancock Humane Society - Outdoor Cat Shelter Improvement; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County - Origin History Wall and Student Interaction; Funded by County Community Endowment Funds, The Quincy Foundation Fund

Horizons Social Services of Adams County, Inc. - Horizons Box Truck, Funded by Funds for Adams County

Ilasco Area Historical Preservation Society - General support of IAHPS, Community Endowment Funds

Jackson-Lincoln Swimming Complex, Inc. - General Support of Jackson-Lincoln Swimming Complex; Funded by Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Jensen Camp Foundation - 2026 Summer Camp Scholarships; Funded by Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds

Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis - Junior Achievement 2025 Expenses; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Funds for Adams County

Kairos Hope Inc. - General Support Of Kairos Hope; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Learning Opportunities Quality Works Inc. - Leadership Influencers Group; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Lewis County Food Pantry Inc. - Hunger in Lewis County; Funded by Lewis County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Lewis County Health Department - Advance The Preventative Health of Lewis County, MO Residents; Funded by Lewis County Endowment Fund

Liberty CUSD #2 - 2025 Math Manipulatives and Student Engagement, Funded by Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, Betty Schmidt Endowment

Marion County Health Department - Immunization Assistance; Funded by Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Memorial Hospital - Bringing Lead Testing Home: Enhancing Rural Pediatric Care; Funded by The Wood Endowment, Community Endowment Funds, Blessing Hospital Community Health Fund

Muddy River Opera Company - Premiere Program 2025; Funded by Jayne & Leroy Boeckelman Fund for Young Musicians, Dr. Robert & Shirley Murphy Endowment for Music Education, Irwin Family Fund, Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds, The Quincy Foundation Fund, Cory Didriksen Lovelace Fund

Parent & Child Together (PACT) for West Central Illinois - Classroom Materials; Funded by Communityworks Endowment Fund

Pike County Senior Citizens Council - General support of the Pike County Senior Citizens Center; Funded by Pike County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Pike County Unmet Needs Incorporated - General Support of Pike County Unmet Needs FY 2025 - 2026; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Pike County Endowment Fund

Pleasant Hill Senior Citizens Council - General Support of Pleasant Hill Senior Citizen's Center; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Pike County Endowment Fund

Quincy Art Center Artist in Residence FY26 Irwin Family Fund

Quincy Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry 2025 Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, Funds for Adams County

Quincy Children's Museum - General Support of Quincy Children's Museum; Funded by Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds

Quincy Civic Music Association - Supporting music education with the Canadian Brass; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, The Quincy Foundation Fund, Katherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts

Quincy Community Theatre - General Operating Support; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, The Quincy Foundation Fund, Ben & Helen Bumbry Educational Assistance Endowment

Quincy Concert Band - General Support of Quincy Concert Band; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Quincy Juneteenth Organization - Quincy Youth Initiative Program; Funded by Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Quincy Public Library - LEGO Learners: STEM in Action; Funded by Bill and Lynda Keller Fund, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, Joe & Denette Kuhlman Family Fund

Quincy Public Schools Foundation - Quincy Public Schools Foundation General Operating Support; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Funds for Adams County

Quincy Society of Fine Arts - Instant Arts Classroom Program; Funded by Noma Meyers Eaton Fund, Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds

Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association - General Support of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association; Funded by Katherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts, Funds for Adams County

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois - General Support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois; Funded by Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds

Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ - Loads of Love Ministry; Funded by Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, City of Refuge Fund

Salvation Army of Quincy - Hannibal Salvation Army LEAP; Community Endowment Funds

Saving KidSight - KidSight Vision Screenings; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Science Coach - STEM Teacher Professional Development; Funded by Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

Scouting America - Great Rivers Council - Youth Membership Support; Funded by Jon's Home Center Associates Fund

Shelby County Cares - Feed the Farmer Initiative; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Shelby County Endowment Fund

Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Community Bed Build IL-Liberty 2025; Funded by Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Special Olympics Illinois - Region H - Expanding Athlete Opportunities in Adams, Pike and Brown Counties; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Funds for Adams County

Special Olympics Missouri - General Support of Special Olympics Missouri; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, Inc. - Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education in Rural Schools; Funded by HOMEBANK Fund, Lewis County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri - General Support for Food Assistance in Monroe County, Missouri; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

The Pittsfield Community Center , Inc. - Pittsfield Community Center Rehabilitation Project-Interior; Pike County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Transitions of Western Illinois - SMART Boards for Transitions School; Funded by Bill and Lynda Keller Fund, Community Endowment Funds, G. Arthur (Art) Keller, Jr. Fund, Jerry and Linley Bartell Endowment, Quincy Recycle Fund

Tri-Township Fire Protection District - P25 Voice Pagers; Funded by Jim Drozdz Memorial Fund, Funds for Adams County

Twin Pike Family YMCA - General Support of Twin Pike Family YMCA; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Two Rivers Resource Conservation & Development - Feed the Hungry Deer Donation Program for Pike County; Funded by Community Endowment Funds, Pike County Endowment Fund

United Way of Adams County, Inc. - Dolly Parton Imagination Library; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

University of Missouri Extension - Knox County Knox County - 4-H/FFA Fairgrounds Restrooms Project; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

University of Missouri Extension - Shelby, Monroe, and Audrain Counties - Gift of Aging Conference; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Versailles Township - General Support of Versailles Community Building; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Village of Versailles - Project Support for Parks; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

VOYCE - General Support of VOYCE; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Warsaw Public Library - General Support of the Warsaw Public Library; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

West Central Child Care Connection - Born Learning Project; Funded by Funds for Adams County, Jon's Home Center Associates Fund, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

West Central Illinois Nutrition Project, Inc. - Meals for Seniors; Funded by Funds for Adams County, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

YMCA of Hannibal - General support of the YMCA of Hannibal scholarship program; Funded by Community Endowment Funds

Local Students Receive Scholarships Totaling More Than $90,000 from the Community Foundation

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 19:10:18 GMT

Local Students Receive Scholarships Totaling More Than $90,000 from the Community Foundation

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri has awarded more than $91,400 in scholarships and recognition awards to 30 area students and one local educator pursuing higher education and excellence in the classroom.

The scholarships, most of which are from permanently endowed funds, will support recipients as they attend accredited post-secondary institutions during the 2025-2026 academic year. Each scholarship is guided by the unique legacy or interests of the donor who established it.

“Each of these scholarships tells a story, but the common thread is an investment into the future,” said Catherine Meckes, CEO of the Community Foundation. “Whether the scholarship fund was established to honor a loved one, encourage local young people, or celebrate a milestone, each award carries forth that story. Our donors believe in education, and they believe in the young people of our communities. We’re proud to help their legacies live on through these awards.”

This year’s scholarships and their respective recipients include:

• Abby Chamberlain , a graduate of Pikeland CUSD #10 High School, received the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship. Chamberlain will attend John Wood Community College and will study ag business management.

• Anna Venvertloh , a graduate of Quincy High School, received the Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship. Venvertloh will attend the University of Notre Dame and study in the fields of science and math.

• Aubrey Trowbridge , a graduate of Quincy High School, received the F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship. Trowbridge will attend Illinois State University to study education.

• Augustine Mahsman received her fourth-year renewal from the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund.

• Austin Garnett , a student of Quincy University, received the Amelia E. Bauner, Frances A. Hall, and Walter J. Hall Scholarship. Garnett will continue to study education.

• Benjamin Kaylor , a graduate of Canton High School, received the Ben C. & Etta Plank Memorial Scholarship. Kaylor will attend State Technical College of Missouri and will study agriculture.

• Braxton Forshey , a graduate of Pikeland CUSD #10 High School, received the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship. Forshey will attend Illinois State University to study Agriculture Education.

• Brayden Hill , a graduate of Hannibal High School, received the Hannibal High School Class of 1955 Scholarship. Braydon Hill is a graduate of Hannibal High School. Hill will attend Missouri Science and Technology to study geophysics and geological engineering.

• Carter Jones , a graduate of Pleasant Hill CUSD #3 High School, received the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship. Jones will attend Lake Land College to study agriculture technology.

• Dennis Hedges , a graduate of Highland High School, received the Ben C. and Etta M. Plank Scholarship. Hedges will attend the Moberly Area Community College and study agriculture.

• Dorothy Renae Billups , a graduate of Palmyra High School, received the Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship. Billups will attend Columbia College to study business management.

• Emmalee Drebes received her third-year renewal from the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund.

• Flint Kirk , a graduate of Griggsville-Perry High School, received the Robert L. Adams Memorial Education Scholarship. Kirk will attend Ozark Technical College to study electrical distribution systems.

• Grace Fessenden received her second-year renewal from the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund.

• Hannah Hodges , a graduate of Western CUSD #12 High School, received the Dorothy J. Motley Memorial Scholarship. Hodges will attend Black Hills State University.

• Kayla Maguire received a second-year renewal award from the F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship Fund. Maguire attends Quincy University and studies education.

• Keyarri Holder , a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the Becky Swisher Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund. Holder will attend Drake University and will study acting and K-6 Education.

• Lane Lipcaman , a graduate of Griggsville-Perry High School, received the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship. Lipcaman will attend Iowa State University to study agriculture.

• Logan Fencik , a graduate of Griggsville-Perry High School, received the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship. Fencik will attend Iowa State University to study agronomy.

• Lydia Fisher received a second-year scholarship from the F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship Fund.

• Lynton Bock , a graduate of Palmyra High School, received the Alton A. Vannice FF Leadership Scholarship. Bock will attend the University of Missouri to study agriculture education and agriculture business.

• Macy Behrens , a graduate of Hannibal High School, received the Clifford H. Ahrens Scholarship Fund. Behrens will attend the University of Missouri-Columbia to study law.

• Madison Burse , a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School, received the Virginia Kaye Leinweber Leeds Scholarship Fund. Burse will attend Culver-Stockton College to study nursing.

• Mallory Blessing , a graduate of Canton High School, received the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund Student Award. Blessing will attend the University of Northern Iowa to study early childhood education.

• Mariah Dunham , a graduate of Pikeland CUSD #10 High School, received the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship. Dunham will attend John Wood Community College to study agriculture.

• Miles Lorton , a graduate of Calhoun District #40 High School, received the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship. Lorton is a graduate of Calhoun District 40 High School and attends Lincoln Land Community College to study agricultural business.

• Olivia Brodbeck , a graduate of Brussels CUSD #42 High School, received the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship. Brodbeck will attend Western Illinois University to study precision agriculture and agronomy.

• Taylor Richie received a renewal from the F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship Fund.

• Wyatt Lipcaman , a graduate of Griggsville-Perry, received the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship. Lipcaman attends Iowa State University to study agronomy.

• Wyatt McClintock , a graduate of Pikeland CUSD #10 High School and current student of John Wood Community College studying agriculture science, received the Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship.

Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund – Palmyra High School

In 2012, Alton Vannice’s wife, Joyce, and their family, decided to honor Alton's legacy of agricultural leadership by establishing the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund. The family endowed a scholarship for the further education of Palmyra FFA students who show outstanding leadership qualities and seek to enter agricultural careers. Alton Vannice was a 10th generation farmer who learned the skills of leadership through his experiences in the Palmyra FFA Chapter. Alton's beliefs in his community and in agriculture were expressed as he served on numerous committees and boards throughout his farming career. He gladly served in these capacities and others because he believed in the values expressed in the FFA creed: leadership, respect, the ability to work efficiently and think clearly, and in the promise of better days through better ways.

Becky Swisher Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund - Quincy (IL) Senior High School

The Becky Swisher Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship at an accredited two-year or four-year institution for a Quincy High School senior intending to pursue a degree in education. Becky Swisher Crowe taught at Quincy Junior High School and Quincy Senior High School. She was killed March 9, 1979 in an automobile accident on her way to work. Her colleagues immediately set up a scholarship in her name. “Becky loved kids and teaching,” said her best friend Karen Bottorff. “Whenever she was around, it was a happier place.” In 2006, the scholarship was transferred to the Community Foundation to ensure Becky’s name and legacy endured.

Ben C. & Etta M. Plank Memorial Fund - Canton High School and Highland High School

Dorothy Plank established the Ben C. and Etta M. Plank Memorial Fund, in honor of her parents, through her trust. The scholarship is for students graduating from Canton High School or Highland High School (Lewis County, Missouri) to help fund college tuition. The endowed fund will continue to provide support for students continuing their education for years to come.

Dorothy Plank was a modest person who did not draw attention to herself. She thought long and hard about what she wanted to do to benefit others. A longtime friend and her attorney both agreed that while living she would not have wanted people to know her estate plans. They also agree that what Miss Plank did serves as an example for others to consider when planning for charitable causes.

Clifford H. Ahrens Scholarship – Hannibal (MO) High School

The Clifford H. Ahrens scholarship was established in memory of the late Honorable Clifford H. Ahrens, who dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, serving the citizens of Missouri as a well-respected attorney and judge. The scholarship will annually provide support to a Hannibal High School graduate who intends to study law.

Delford M. & Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship – Pike and Calhoun County (IL) High Schools

With a goal to support future farmers and share their dedication to community, Delford and Portia Richter gifted a 234-acre farm to the Community Foundation in December of 2024 to establish an endowed scholarship fund.

This scholarship will annually provide support to graduates of high schools in Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, who will study agriculture and related areas at an accredited postsecondary educational or nonprofit technical institution located in Illinois, Missouri, or Iowa.

Dorothy Motley Memorial Scholarship Fund – Barry (IL) High School

The Dorothy J. Motley Memorial Scholarship Fund was established as part of Mrs. Motley’s will to assist a Barry High School student attending college. “Mrs. Motley was very quaint and lived quietly,” said Debbie Harshman, owner of The Paper in Barry. “She made (people) feel so special. That quality is priceless...making others feel special.” The scholarship for a graduate of the former Barry, now Western High School, helps with expenses for attending an accredited post-secondary institution.

F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship Fund – Quincy (IL) Senior High School

The F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2021 in honor of Joan’s dedication to education. Joan spent 39 years as an elementary teacher in Wisconsin, Singapore, and Quincy, Illinois.

The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Quincy Senior High School who intends to pursue a teaching career at an accredited two-year or four-year post-secondary institution, with a preference for elementary education. Based on academic achievement, merit, financial need, and good citizenship, the scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years.

Hannibal High School Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund - Hannibal (MO) High School

The Hannibal High School Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship to a Hannibal High School graduate who will be attending an accredited post-secondary institution for tuition, room and board, fees and/or books, and related expenses.

At its 50th reunion, two members of the Hannibal High School Class of 1955 challenged others to establish a scholarship to give back to the community and school that were so important to them during their formative years. Forty-six members made founding gifts to establish this scholarship fund in 2005.

Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship Fund - Quincy (IL) Senior High School

The scholarship was initiated with a gift from Dr. John E. Sallstrom to commemorate the 50th Reunion of the QHS Class of 1957. “The scholarship fund should help the recipients continue their chosen career paths and motivate them to strive for excellence in their lives,” says Dr. Sallstrom. “If it encourages other individuals and classes to do something similar in the future, the whole community will be enriched.” The Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship Fund provides one or more scholarships to a Quincy High School graduate who will be attending an accredited, four-year post-secondary institution for tuition, room and board, fees, and/or books, and related expenses.

Robert L. Adams Memorial Education Scholarship Fund – Griggsville-Perry High School (IL)

The Robert L. Adams Memorial Education Scholarship Fund was established in memory of dedicated educator Robert Adams. The fund seeks to support graduates of Griggsville-Perry High School who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution to pursue a career in education or a technical trade.

Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund – Palmyra (MO) High School

The Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund was established with memorials and donations made following Teresa’s death in May 2004. The scholarship assists a Palmyra R-1 High School student attending a post-secondary school. Teresa’s roots were in Palmyra. She had many family and friends there. She spent her life’s work in radio. Her ability to work and deal with people earned her great respect, according to her employer and friend, Bud Janes, former owner of Bick Broadcasting.

Tom and Judy Zenge Fund - Canton (MO) R-V High School

The student scholarship recipient recommends the selection of the Key Teacher award recipient. The primary consideration is for the teacher who has been most influential in helping the student to achieve academic success. Mrs. Brittany Welker is an art teacher at Canton R-V High School. With the award, Mrs. Welker hopes to buy cameras to improve the quality of supplies for the students involved in Yearbook and Photography.

The Zenges established their fund in 2006 with the Community Foundation to provide annual scholarships and teacher recognition awards at Canton R-V High School. The scholarship provided by the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund encourages the best and brightest young men and women to enter technical careers, whether engineering, research, teaching, manufacturing or other related fields. The teacher award recognizes a teacher who continues to make learning a lifelong passion.

Virginia Kay Leinweber Leeds Scholarship – Pleasant Hill High School

The family of Virginia ‘Ginger’ Leeds established the fund as a tribute to the health care professionals who took care of Ginger when hospitalized. Although Ginger was confined to a wheelchair at age 33, she kept her enthusiasm for life and sense of humor. She returned to college at age 43, where she completed her bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees.

The Virginia Kaye Leinweber Leeds Scholarship Fund provides a scholarship to Pleasant Hill High School graduates interested in pursuing the field of nursing. “Mom loved young people and wanted to see everyone have the opportunity to go to college,” says her daughter, Leah Erke. “I chose the field of nursing as a way to honor all of the nurses who cared for her.”

For a comprehensive list of scholarships and detailed application information, please visit the Community Foundation's official website at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/scholarships.

The Community Foundation is committed to supporting the educational aspirations of students in our region. We encourage all eligible students to apply and take advantage of these opportunities to further their education and contribute positively to their communities.

Community Foundation Opens Applications for Youth Grantmaking Program

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:24:15 GMT

Community Foundation Opens Applications for Youth Grantmaking Program

The Community Foundation is seeking applications from high school students for a new youth philanthropy program, TAG: Teens Active in Grantmaking. Designed to introduce philanthropy to Quincy teens, TAG members will step into the role of grantmakers, helping to shape the future of their community by awarding charitable funds to causes that matter.

Through TAG, students will gain real-world experience learning about local nonprofits, evaluating grant proposals, exploring community challenges, and making decisions that lead to direct local impact. The program also focuses on leadership development, encouraging collaboration, critical thinking, and civic engagement.

“Teens know the issues they and their peers encounter, and TAG gives them the chance to be part of meaningful change,” said Bailee Duesterhaus, Program Manager. “This launch is just the beginning of what youth can accomplish when they’re empowered and heard.”

Applications for the 2025 TAG cohort opened July 1 and will be accepted through Sept. 1. TAG members will meet monthly throughout the year to engage in discussions about local issues, learn from nonprofit leaders, and make informed grant decisions. Applicants should review the program calendar before applying to ensure availability to attend meetings.

For more information about TAG and to apply, visit www.mycommunityfoundation.org/tag or contact Bailee Duesterhaus at bduesterhaus@mycommunityfoundation.org .

Clark County Endowment Fund Launched to Support Community for Generations to Come

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:19:12 GMT

Clark County Endowment Fund Launched to Support Community for Generations to Come

A new effort is underway to ensure lasting support for Clark County, with the formation of the Clark County Endowment Fund, a permanently endowed charitable fund created through the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri.

The Clark County Endowment Fund is designed to serve as a long-term source of funding to meet local needs, now and in the future. Gifts to the endowment are invested, and the earnings will be used to support nonprofit efforts, community improvements, and charitable projects in Clark County for years to come.

Thanks to a generous $5,000 contribution from Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative (Northeast Power), the Fund is already one-third of the way toward its initial $15,000 goal.

“All gifts to the Clark County Endowment Fund stay local and help build a stronger, more resilient community,” said Allie Bennett, a member of the Clark County Endowment Fund Council and Community Foundation board member. “By establishing the Clark County Endowment through our Community Foundation, we're not just investing in today, but building a legacy of support, opportunity, and resilience for generations to come.”

Once the fundraising goal is met, the Clark County Endowment Fund will benefit local charitable and public projects, programs, and organizations. As an endowment, it will continue to grow and generate new funds in perpetuity. Each year, the fund council will make recommendations for grants from the fund to strengthen communities in Clark County.

A local advisory council is made up of Clark County residents who are passionate about making a difference. The group is currently seeking additional council members who are interested in playing an active role in shaping the future of their community.

Gifts to the Community Foundation for the Clark County Endowment Fund are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri, is a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.

To learn more about the Clark County Endowment Fund, become a council member, or make a gift, visit www.mycommunityfoundation.org/clark-county-endowment-fund .

New Program Aims to Empower Teens to Make a Difference

Thu, 15 May 2025 17:01:39 GMT

New Program Aims to Empower Teens to Make a Difference

Quincy teens will soon have the opportunity to experience philanthropy first-hand through a new program offered by the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri and supported by the Tracy Family Foundation. Through TAG – Teens Active in Grantmaking – high school students will learn about their community, the issues that impact their peers, and the nonprofits that address those issues before leading a grant program.

The program will launch its inaugural program year for the 2025-2026 school year and seeks to “educate and empower teens to make a difference through grantmaking, philanthropy, and community impact.” It will achieve this through monthly meetings, volunteer opportunities, and by funding nonprofit projects that are uplifting local young people.

“TAG is all about putting the power of philanthropy in the hands of the next generation. We’re here to help young leaders learn the ropes of grantmaking, understand how nonprofits change the world, and discover the incredible opportunities in the world of giving,” said Bailee Duesterhaus, Community Foundation Program Manager and TAG coordinator. “We like to think of TAG as a backstage pass to making a real impact in the community!”

TAG will provide high school students with experiences that strengthen their leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. Participants will learn about community engagement, nonprofit organizations, and grantmaking, preparing them for future roles as civic-minded leaders.

“Youth can – and should – have a voice in improving their community,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “Teens will see first-hand the issues and opportunities that they and their peers are faced with. TAG gives them the tools and resources to make a difference.”

The effort is made possible thanks to support and partnership from the Tracy Family Foundation.

“Through our Youth Focus Area, we aim to nurture strong, healthy, resilient youth throughout West Central Illinois by connecting them with a variety of resources, opportunities, and experiences,” said Megan Costigan, Tracy Family Foundation Program Manager and Chair of the TAG Advisory Committee. “We are excited to partner with the Community Foundation to support TAG. This new program is an excellent chance for high school students in Adams County to learn about philanthropy and make a meaningful impact in our community.”

The TAG program is open to Quincy, IL high school students aged 14-18. Applications will open July 1 and will be accepted through Sept. 1. Selected participants will be notified in early September and monthly meetings will take place September through May.

Applications for the TAG program will be available online at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/tag. Individuals interested in participating can submit an interest form at the same link to be notified of TAG program updates and when the application opens.

Questions? Email tag@mycommunityfoundation.org or call 217-222-1237.

Eugene and Marcine Leighty Fund

epridemore@mycommunityfoundation.org (Emily Pridemore) — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:37:01 GMT

Eugene and Marcine Leighty Fund

For decades, Eugene and Marcine Leighty were fixtures at Quincy University basketball games. Tucked into their floor seats, they cheered on the Hawks with the same devotion they poured into their lives together. Their love for QU basketball and the sport itself was also about the people, the community, and the moments that made it all unforgettable.

Eugene, who grew up on a farm near Macomb, and Marcine, a Kahoka, Missouri native, met at Gem City Business College. It was in the study hall where Eugene first saw Marcine, sparking a conversation that would lead to a lifetime together.

As much as they built a life together, they also built memories in the stands of Pepsi Arena. They traveled far and wide to support QU – even hopping on the QU fan bus all the way to Owensboro, Kentucky, for a triple-overtime thriller. They arrived back home at 4 a.m., but never regretted a second of it.

Their dedication to the team didn’t go unnoticed. Identical twins Kate and Julia, standout QU players, always spotted the Leightys in the crowd and one day asked for their names. That simple exchange turned into something special. The Leighty’s took the twins out to dinner, eventually meeting their parents at a later date, forming a bond that lasted well beyond the final buzzer.

So much so that when Marcine passed, the twins came to pay their respects, a testament to the deep connections the Leightys fostered through basketball.

Eugene remains a devoted fan, continuing the tradition by attending games alongside the daughter he and Marcine shared. To honor their memories in a lasting way and to continue their impact and legacy, the Eugene and Marcine Leighty Fund supports QU men’s and women’s basketball. With their fund, the hope is that the program continues to flourish, just as they watched it do for so many years.

The people, the friendships, and the community made every game feel like home. And thanks to their support, that spirit lives on.

Ranger Power Boosts Ralls County Endowment with $5,000 Contribution

epridemore@mycommunityfoundation.org (Emily Pridemore) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 19:27:14 GMT

Ranger Power Boosts Ralls County Endowment with $5,000 Contribution

The Ralls County Endowment Fund has reached an important milestone thanks to a generous $5,000 donation from Ranger Power. This contribution brings the Ralls County Endowment Fund, which is dedicated to growing the county’s resources and future, close to their fundraising goal of $15,000.

Upon reaching this goal, the fund will become permanently endowed, earn a match of $15,000 from the Community Foundation, and begin providing annual grants to nonprofit organizations in Ralls County this summer.

“Ranger Power, the developer of the Express Solar project, is honored to be a member of the Ralls County Endowment Founder’s Circle. By contributing to the Ralls County Endowment Fund in its infancy, we hope to help usher in a long-lasting financial impact designed to address economic opportunities throughout the County,” said Oliver Chag, Development Manager at Ranger Power. “It is important to Ranger Power to contribute to organizations like the Ralls County Endowment Fund, which provide lasting resources to the communities in which we work; it's not only a responsibility, but a privilege. As we continue our development of the Express Solar project, Ranger Power looks forward to watching this fund build on this early momentum and make a meaningful contribution to the Ralls County community for years to come.”

The Ralls County Endowment Fund, administered by the Community Foundation, is dedicated to creating sustainable financial resources that will benefit local initiatives and nonprofit organizations. Through the Community Foundation’s County Endowment Program, any county within its service area can create a volunteer council to raise $15,000 and receive a $15,000 matching contribution to create a permanently endowed fund that will support needs and opportunities in the county forever.

With the support of businesses and individuals, the fund aims to drive community development and enrichment across the county. If the fund reaches $15,000 by April 2025, the fund’s first grants will be awarded this summer.

Anyone can contribute any amount to help the Ralls County Endowment reach its goal. The Ralls County Endowment is a collaborative charitable fund by and for citizens of Ralls County. Gifts to the Ralls County Endowment are combined and invested for long-term growth, and earnings from the fund are used for grants – creating a permanent, sustainable source of funding for Ralls County needs and opportunities.

For more information on the Ralls County Endowment Fund and ways to contribute, visit: www.mycommunityfoundation.org/ralls-county-endowment-fund.

Delford M. and Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship

epridemore@mycommunityfoundation.org (Emily Pridemore) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:07:19 GMT

Delford M. and Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship

For those who have built a life around farming, their land represents more than a job or a place. It’s a legacy, a source of pride, and a living symbol of their values. For Delford and Portia Richter, it also represents an opportunity to do good.

With a goal to support future farmers and share their dedication to community, Delford and Portia Richter gifted a 234 acre farm to the Community Foundation in December of 2024 to establish an endowed scholarship fund. The Delford M. and Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship Fund ensures that students pursuing careers in agriculture have financial support to pursue their goals — and hopefully contribute their skills back to the community — for generations to come.

Starting in the spring of 2025, this fund will plant seeds of opportunity for the future of farming, awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors from Pike and Calhoun Counties in Illinois. These students will have the chance to grow their skills at accredited institutions in Illinois, Missouri, or Iowa. Preference will be given to students focusing on production agriculture — the lifeblood of rural communities. This scholarship honors those ready to carry forward the traditions, innovations, and hard work that keep our fields thriving and our communities strong.

Farming wasn’t just work for Delford, it was a sunrise-to-sunset pursuit and passion. Now, the Richters’ values and legacy takes root in the next generation, cultivating dreams and sowing success through students in Pike and Calhoun Counties.

Applications for the Delford M. and Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship, along with additional Community Foundation scholarships, are available at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/scholarships.

Delford M. and Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship

epridemore@mycommunityfoundation.org (Emily Pridemore) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:01:14 GMT

Delford M. and Portia K. Richter Agriculture Scholarship
Established to Encourage Young Farmers

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri has announced a new scholarship fund that will provide financial support to Pike and Calhoun County, Illinois students who are pursuing education and training in agriculture.

The Delford M. and Portia K. Richter Scholarship Fund seeks to encourage young people in Pike and Calhoun Counties to pursue agricultural careers and contribute their knowledge and skills back to their communities.

The endowed fund, which was established through a gift of farmland from the Richters, will award its first scholarships in the spring of 2025. Up to twelve scholarships of $4,000 each will be awarded. Because the fund is endowed, it will continue to grow and award scholarships in perpetuity.

“Agriculture is the heart of our region, and encouraging the next generation of farmers is important. This gift represents the Richters’ values of hard work, dedication to the community, and commitment to the land,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “By donating their farm to establish a scholarship fund, their agricultural legacy will live on through the countless students that benefit from their forward-thinking generosity. We are honored to help the Richters achieve their philanthropic goal, which will benefit our region for generations.”

Eligible recipients are students graduating from high schools in Pike or Calhoun Counties in Illinois who are pursuing education or training in agriculture at an accredited postsecondary educational or nonprofit technical institution located in Illinois, Missouri, or Iowa. Preference will be given to students who are studying or training in production agriculture.

Information about and applications for the Delford M. and Portia K. Richter Scholarship, and 17 additional Community Foundation scholarships, are available online at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/scholarships. For more information about Community Foundation scholarships, call 217-222-1237 or email scholarships@mycommunityfoundation.org.

The Community Foundation’s Farmland for Good program allows landowners to contribute farmland to support their community for generations. Donors work with the Community Foundation to plan what cause their gift will support, then make an outright gift of land or plan a bequest to the Community Foundation. If desired, the Community Foundation can retain the land and keep it in production. Proceeds or income from the farm is then used to support the charitable wishes of the donor. For more information about the Farmland for Good program, call 217-222-1237 or email cmeckes@mycommunityfoundation.org.

Marion County Endowment Fund Launches "Five For The Future" Campaign to Create Lasting Community Impact

epridemore@mycommunityfoundation.org (Emily Pridemore) — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 20:56:34 GMT

The Marion County Endowment Fund is launching a new initiative, "Five for the Future," encouraging community members to invest in the future of local nonprofits through a simple, yet powerful commitment — just $5 per week.

As a permanent charitable fund, the Marion County Endowment Fund exists solely to support local nonprofit organizations, focusing on children, families, and community betterment. Since 2015, the fund has awarded over $31,000 in grants to 21 nonprofits, making a tangible difference in the lives of Marion County residents.

Through "Five for the Future," individuals can commit to donating $5 per week or $65 quarterly. If just 400 people participate, the campaign could generate an additional $104,000 annually, significantly expanding support for local arts, education, health services, and more.

“This isn’t just a donation — it’s an investment in the future of Marion County,” said Marilyn Hall, Chair of the Marion County Fund Council. “By giving a small amount consistently, we can ensure that vital community programs continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Ways to Give:

• Set up automatic online donations (monthly, quarterly, yearly)

• Give directly through your bank

• Send a check payable to the Community Foundation for the Marion County Endowment Fund

• Make a one-time gift of any amount

• For retirees, a donation directly from an IRA is non-taxable

Community members interested in joining the “Five for the Future” initiative can visit www.mycommunityfoundation.org/marion-county-endowment-fund to initiate their one-time or recurring gift.

The Marion County Endowment Fund is a permanent charitable resource dedicated to supporting nonprofits that serve the residents of Marion County, MO. Ledby a local advisory council, the fund provides annual grants in the areas of arts & education, health & human services, and community betterment, ensuring lasting impact through sustainable philanthropy.

Previous recipients include the following local organizations:

2024

• CHART Teen Task Force – $1,100

• Coyote Hill – $1,100

• Douglass Community Services, Inc. (Kids in Motion) – $1,182.62

• NorthEast Independent Living Services – $1,100

2023

• Birthday Blessings – $621.38

• Hannibal-LaGrange University – $1,000

• Coyote Hill – $1,000

• The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, Inc. – $1,000

2022

• Birthday Blessings – $1,400

• Bluff City Theater – $1,400

• FACT: Families and Communities Together – $1,400

• Salvation Army – $2,500

2021

• CHART Teen Task Force – $677.47

• Hannibal Alliance for Youth Services – $1,000

• Salvation Army – $1,200

This list reflects just a portion of the impact made possible through community support and continued investments in the Marion County Endowment Fund!

For more information about the match, contact Marilyn Hall at (573) 231-5383 or hmarilyn266@gmail.com or the Community Foundation at (217) 222-1237, epridemore@mycommunityfoundation.org.

Eldred and Evelyn Whitmore Scholarship Fund

epridemore@mycommunityfoundation.org (Emily Pridemore) — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 19:56:31 GMT

Eldred and Evelyn Whitmore Scholarship

Eldred and Evelyn Whitmore built a life grounded in hard work, unwavering faith, and a deep commitment to family. From humble beginnings, they created a legacy that now extends to future generations through the Eldred and Evelyn Whitmore Scholarship Fund.

Married for 71 years, Eldred and Evelyn’s story was one of grit and perseverance. Eldred learned the meaning of hard work early, guiding a one-horse plow at just eight years old. Together, the couple worked tirelessly on their family farm near Perry, Illinois, raising crops and livestock — hogs, pigs, cows, sheep, horses, and chickens. While their farm grew, so did their family, rooted in strong values. Evelyn was equally dedicated, spending countless hours tending to their large garden and nurturing their home with love.

Their dedication paid off. Over the years, they accumulated land through steadfast effort. After Eldred and Evelyn’s passing, the family sold the farm. Choosing to honor Eldred and Evelyn’s legacy, their daughter Annelle Kirk and her husband, Don Kirk, established a scholarship to benefit students who too can create a legacy of hard work and family values. “When I’ve been blessed, I need to bless others," said Annelle Kirk.

The scholarship supports a graduating senior from Griggsville-Perry High School, with preference given to those pursuing careers in agriculture, teaching, or technical trades. It can be applied toward tuition, room, board, fees, books, and related educational expenses.

For Eldred and Evelyn’s daughter, Annelle, and her husband, Don, this fund represents more than financial assistance. It’s a tribute to a hardworking couple who believed in giving back.

Through the Eldred and Evelyn Whitmore Scholarship Fund, the Whitmore family's legacy of diligence, generosity, and faith will live on — one student, one opportunity, one future at a time.

Pike County Endowment Fund’s "Quarter Million Challenge" Continues: Matching Campaign Deadline Extended as Goal Nears Completion

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:37:02 GMT

Pike County Endowment Fund’s "Quarter Million Challenge" Continues: Matching Campaign Deadline Extended as Goal Nears Completion

The Pike County (IL) Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation has been offered the opportunity to grow by up to $50,000 through a dollar-for-dollar matching donation challenge. If successful, the Pike County Endowment Fund will reach a balance of $250,000 – generating and sustaining $10,000 in grants annually.

Through the “Double Down 2.0” effort, every gift made to the Pike County Endowment Fund, now extended until March 15, 2025, will be doubled by an anonymous donor.

More than $16,000 has been contributed towards the match since the announcement of the campaign. With $8,535.52 left to raise to reach the goal of $25,000, the Pike County Endowment Fund Council is excited to rally the community for this final push, ensuring that together we can maximize the match opportunity and create an even greater impact for charitable needs in Pike County.

In addition to having their gift match, donors can also take advantage of the new “Illinois Gives” tax credit, which offers a 25% State of Illinois income tax credit for gifts to endowed funds at qualified community foundations.

“Nonprofits are the heart of our communities, and we’re proud to support these organizations as they work tirelessly to lift up our neighbors and our county,” said Iftner. “By contributing to the Double Down 2.0 Challenge, you help us increase the amount that we can give to our nonprofits every year. It’s truly a gift that keeps giving.”

Established in 2008 by Pike County residents, the fund serves as a lasting resource to support the county’s charitable needs and opportunities. By pooling and investing local assets, the fund has made a significant impact, awarding over $37,000 in grants to more than a dozen local nonprofits — all made possible through the generosity of over 100 individuals, organizations, and businesses. Because the fund is endowed, gifts are invested for growth with grants made annually from the earnings.

“The Pike County Endowment Fund is by and for all of us in Pike County. If you love Pike County, it has been good to you, and you want it to be even better for future generations, you should consider giving to the Pike County Endowment Fund,” said Iftner. “And, right now, your gift will be doubled – there is no better time than now to invest in Pike County.”

The Illinois Gives Tax Credit began Jan. 1 and allows Illinois taxpayers to be eligible to receive a 25% State of Illinois income tax credit, up to $100,000 for individuals or $200,000 for couples, for gifts to endowed funds at qualified Illinois community foundations, including the Pike County Endowment Fund. Please contact the Community Foundation for more information on how to take advantage of this opportunity.

Gifts towards this effort need to be made to the Community Foundation, noting that they are for the Pike County Endowment Fund. The Community Foundation accepts a variety of gifts including cash, stocks, grain, livestock, IRA distributions, and other assets.

Gifts can be mailed to the Community Foundation at 621 Vermont, Quincy, IL 62301 noting that they are for Pike County. Gifts can also be made online at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/pike-county. To discuss gifts of stock or other assets, or the Illinois Gives opportunity, contact the Community Foundation at 217-222-1237.

For more information about the match, contact Iftner at (201) 314-3624 or kiftner@gmail.com or the Community Foundation at (217) 222-1237, epridemore@mycommunityfoundation.org.

Youth grants in memory of Samantha Otte awards local nonprofits for the 25th year

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:16:06 GMT

Honoring Samantha Otte: Grants Awarded to Support
Local Youth Programs

Twenty-three local nonprofit organizations have been awarded grants in memory of Samantha Otte, supporting initiatives that will positively impact hundreds of area youth through programs focused on creativity, leadership, and humanitarian initiatives.

This year, over $50,000 in grants were distributed from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund, managed by the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri. The presentation took place at Bella Ease, one of this year’s grant recipients. The fund was established in late 2000 and has continued Samantha’s legacy of empowering and inspiring young people.

“Twenty-five years of annual Sammy golfing events. Ten years of the Breakfast Kiwanis putting on fun-filled tournaments. 87 grants of over $629,000 allowing all area children to access opportunities every child needs. Ten years and two months of life with our precious Samantha. Countless times we have witnessed the goodness the Community Foundation grants bestow on local children needing a boost,” said June Otte, Samantha’s mother. “Still, we struggle to find words adequate to convey our deep gratitude. Saying thank you is simply not enough. We have witnessed the power of a most generous, loving community.”

In her memory, her parents, Chuck and June Otte, established this fund at the Community Foundation. As the Foundation’s first donor advised fund, it continues to honor Samantha’s spirit by supporting opportunities that inspire growth, artistry and hope for area youth.

“It is truly humbling to watch Samantha’s impact and legacy grow year after year through grants from her fund” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “Her spirit lives on through each child who benefits. The community is a better place because of Sammy and her family.”

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Bella Ease
Birthday Blessings
Chaddock Children's Foundation
CHART Teen Task Force
Cheerful Home Child Care & Early Learning Center
Cornerstone Foundations for Families
Covered Bottoms Diaper Bank, Inc.
Embrace Children and Families
Friends of Bailey Park
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
Horizons Social Services of Adams County, Inc.
Jackson-Lincoln Swimming Complex, Inc.
John Wood Community College Foundation
John Wood Community College Foundation
Muddy River Opera Company
Quincy Art Center
Quincy Children's Museum
Quincy Community Theatre
Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois
St. Dominic School
Transitions of Western Illinois
United Way of Adams County, Inc.
West Central Child Care Connection

The Community Foundation is grateful to the Gem City Kiwanis Club for continuing to support the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund through its annual Sammy & Kids Golf Outing.

Community Foundation distributes more than $370,000 in grants

epridemore@mycommunityfoundation.org (Emily Pridemore) — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:08:05 GMT

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri awarded more than $370,000 Friday to 62 local nonprofit organizations that benefit from their endowment fund.

The grants were awarded from designated funds, which support one or more specific organizations. The funds have been established by the nonprofit itself or by donors to provide a permanent source of support for organizations they care about. This year’s designated fund grants range from about $250 to more than $66,000.

Endowments provide an additional, dependable source of annual income for the nonprofit organizations. Gifts to endowment are invested for growth, and each year, a portion of the earnings are distributed as a grant. Depending on the donor’s intent, the grants will be used for much-needed operating support or for a specific purpose.

“While we can’t predict the future, through endowment, we can prepare for it and ensure local nonprofits have the resources they need to fuel their mission,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “We are grateful to the forward-thinking donors and nonprofits who join us in growing local philanthropy not only for today, but for tomorrow.”

One of the nonprofits that received grants was Horizons Social Services, which benefits from two endowed funds.

“The permanency of endowment provides us with a profound sense of security and hope, ensuring that our feeding programs will continue to nourish and uplift our neighbors for generations to come,” said Sarah Stephens, Horizons Executive Director. “It empowers us to focus fully on our mission, knowing that the future of our mission is steadfastly supported.”

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.
Appanoose Faith Presbyterian Church received a grant from the Clarence Ziegler, Etoile Ziegler, and Vickie Ziegler Thompson Endowment.
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 Scouting Forever Endowment and 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.
Canton Public Library received a grant from the Canton Public Library 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 the Trails received a grant from the Friends of the Trails Endowment.
Friends of Unit 4 received a grant from the Friends of Unit 4 Fund.
Preferred Family Healthcare dba Clarity Healthcar e received a grant from the Recovery Resources Fund.
Griggsville/Perry CUSD #4 received a grant from an Anonymous Fund and the Betty Logan Fund.
Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County received grants from the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County Fund and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.
Horizons Social Services received grants from the B’nai Sholom Endowment for Horizons Social Services, the Mary Wilson Endowment, and the Horizons Social Services Fund.
Mary Weems Barton Foundation for the Quincy Public Library received a grant from the Mary Wilson Endowment and the Mary Weems Barton Foundation Fund for the Quincy Public Library.
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.
Lutheran Hours Ministries received a grant from the Carl Drebes and Herbert Drebes 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 grants from an Anonymous Fund and from the Dr. Paul & Doris Rosene Band 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 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.
Southeastern CUSD #337 received a grant from the Jimmie (Jim) Hiland Memorial Fund.
St. Francis Solanus Church received grants from the Edward C. Hinkamper Fund for St. Francis Solanus Church, the Edward C. Hinkamper Fund for St. Francis School Students, the Lucille Hollender Memorial Fund, the Mike Mason Fund for St. Francis School, and the Rick & Judy Haugh Endowment Fund for its Community Assistance Ministry.
St. James Lutheran Elementary 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 Senior Living received grants from the Sunset Home Fund, the Lowell & Vickie Glas Designated Fund, and the Mohrman Family Endowment.
Teresa Adams House through Blessing Hospital received a grant from the Teresa Adams House Fund.
The Well House received a grant from the Kaufmann Family Fund for Well House, Inc.
Transitions of Western Illinois received a grant from the Transitions of Western Illinois Fund.
United Way of Adams County, Inc. received a grant from the Adams United Legacy 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 YWCA – Quincy Fund and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.
Zion Lutheran Church received grants from the Carl Drebes and Herbert Drebes Memorial Fund and from the Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Endowment.

In addition to these organizations, the Community Foundation received grants from 24 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

Administrative Endowment

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

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

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. Friend of the Foundation Fund

State Street Bank & Trust Company Friend of the Foundation Fund

John G. and Carolyn H. Stevenson Friends of the Foundation Fund

Vecchie Family Friend of the Foundation Fund

Dennis R. Williams Friend of the Foundation Fund

Carl, Althea & Cathy Wiskirchen Friends of the Foundation Fund

Grants from the Community Foundation come from more than 240 funds, primarily endowments, established by individuals, families, and businesses to support arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services.

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.

Pittsfield High School awarded grant for FFA program in memory of Ty Rylander

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:55:07 GMT

As a devoted agricultural student, Ty Rylander’s dedication to nurturing growth — both in the land and in the lives of others — made a lasting impact on everyone he encountered. Although Ty’s life ended far too soon, his legacy continues to shine through the Ty Rylander Fund. The Community Foundation, along with Ty’s Family, are proud to honor his memory by awarding $500 to Pittsfield High School (PHS) to support the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.

"Ty loved being involved in the FFA program at Pittsfield High School. Because of so many generous donations from supporters of the Ty Run and Ty Rylander Fund, we’re excited to be able to make this additional donation this year to the PHS FFA program,” said Erin Verbeck, Ty’s sister.

Pittsfield High School Agriculture teacher Emily Friese received the grant on behalf of the PHS FFA program. Through FFA, students gain valuable skills in leadership, teamwork, and agricultural science, preparing them for careers in farming, agribusiness, and beyond. This program empowers the next generation to carry forward the same passion and commitment to agriculture that Ty exemplified.

Funding through the Community Foundation ensures that Ty’s love of agriculture and community continues to inspire and make a difference for future generations. For more information about the Ty Rylander fund or how you can support a legacy, contact the Community Foundation at 217-222-1237.

Community Foundation welcomes Development Officer

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:50:49 GMT

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri welcomes Emily Pridemore as the organization’s Development Officer.

In her role, Pridemore will support the Community Foundation’s donor engagement and communication strategies, helping donors fulfill their charitable goals and communicating Community Foundation news, impact and opportunities.

“On behalf of the Community Foundation Board of Directors and staff, we are thrilled to welcome Emily to our team as we continue to deepen our mission and grow our impact,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “Emily brings with her enthusiasm and a love for community. Her demonstrated experience and eye for opportunity aligns with the Community Foundation’s goals to strengthen our service so we can support even more nonprofits and programs in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri.”

In 2023, the Community Foundation’s charitable assets grew to more than $62 million held in more than 230 funds, fueling annual grantmaking of $6 million. These funds, primarily endowed, are established by forward-thinking donors to provide sustainable annual grants that directly support local nonprofits.

Pridemore comes with experience in charitable programs and healthcare administration including positions as Donor Relations Manager at the Chaddock Children’s Foundation and as Project Support Specialist serving the senior management team at Quincy Medical Group.

“I deeply admire the dedication of those who have invested their lives in the communities we serve and committed themselves to its betterment, as well as the strong leadership at the Community Foundation. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this growth and am truly honored to take on these responsibilities,” Pridemore said.

Community Foundation Awards More than $284,000 to Local Nonprofits

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:16:08 GMT

Local nonprofits received a total of $284,311 in grant funding from the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri today at an awards presentation at the Knowledge Center at Chaddock.

These grants, which are made possible by 65 permanently endowed charitable funds, will play an important role in assisting nonprofit organizations dedicated to arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services in our region. The grants will support various programs, help with the purchase of essential equipment and supplies, and contribute to much-needed operational expenses.

"Over the last three years, we have experienced a 60 percent increase in the number of applications. This demonstrates the growing need in our community as well as the demand for services that our nonprofit organizations experience in their daily work," said Community Foundation Program Officer Kent Embree. "Thanks to endowment, we’re able to fulfill more of this need each year. We are proud to offer a program that is accessible to so many charitable organizations and causes, and we are looking forward to seeing the great work they will do this year."

Through the Community Grant program, the Community Foundation strives to strengthen nonprofit programs that enhance the quality of life throughout our region. The Community Foundation annually accepts applications for funding from nonprofit organizations in its 12-county region. A grant committee, comprised of board members and volunteers from throughout the region, evaluates each application to determine the awards.

The funding for these Community Grants is made possible through earnings from endowment funds. Generous donors collaborate with the Community Foundation to establish permanent charitable funds that align with their philanthropic goals and the needs of the community. The Community Foundation invests and grows these funds, and each year a portion of the fund's earnings are distributed as grants, while the principal remains intact.

“Nonprofits are vital for enhancing the quality of life in our communities,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer. “We are grateful to the donors who have established endowments that will continue to grow and provide more funding each and every year. The impact is unlimited.”

The following funds supported the 2024 community grant program:

Community Endowment Funds, support grants for arts and culture, community betterment, education, health and human services in the Community Foundation’s 12-county service area:

• Anonymous Funds (2)

• B’nai Shalom Endowment

• Karl H. & Bobbi Bowles Family and Quincy Farm & Home Supply Company Fund

• Dr. & Mrs. Merle F. Crossland Family Fund

• Harry Channon Eaton Family Endowment Fund

• Angie (Fusselman) Mayes & Evelyn J. Fusselman Fund

• Harry J. & Bernice M. Wissman Heidbreder Fund

• Kirk Family Fund – Houston, Carolyn & Carson

• Carl and Gladys Koehser Family Fund

• Mrs. Arthur O. Lindsay Fund

• Robert A. & Anne M. Mays Fund

• Earl and Irene Oliver Family Fund

• Robert G. and Melva Campbell Riley Fund

• Charles A. & Nancy Scholz Charitable Fund

• Margaret J. Sinnock Fund

• Bette J. Starnes Endowment

• Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Endowment

• Jeffrey G. & Theresa L. Spear Fund

• Grant L. and K. Georgann Sturhahn Fund

• Dorothy L. Swallow Fund

• Community Endowment Fund

• James R. and Katherine H. Williams Fund

• Carl, Althea & Cathy Wiskirchen Endowment

Funds for Adams County, support any charitable need or opportunity in Adams County, Illinois:

• Adams County Endowment Fund

• Alan L. Stiegemeier and Mary Ellen Stiegemeier Charitable Fund

• HOMEBANK of Quincy Fund

• Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

• William and Sheila Menke Endowment

Field of Interest Funds, support a specific cause or community as determined by the donor:

• Jerry & Linley Bartell Endowment

• Blessing Hospital Community Health Fund

• Ben and Helen Bumbry Educational Assistance Endowment

• Jayne & Leroy Boeckelman Fund for Young Musicians

• Katherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts

• City of Refuge Fund

• Noma Meyers Eaton Fund

• Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

• HOMEBANK Fund

• Jane's Kids' Fund

• Jon’s Home Center Associates Fund

• G. Arthur (Art) Keller, Jr. Fund

• Irwin Family Fund

• Cory Didriksen Lovelace Fund

• Dr. Robert and Shirley Murphy Endowment for Music

• The Quincy Foundation Fund

• Quincy Recycle Fund

• James L. & Dorothy W. Rouner Fund

• The Wood Endowment

County Endowment Funds, support nonprofit organizations in a specific county:

• Brown County Endowment Fund (IL)

• Hancock County Endowment Fund (IL)

• Lewis County Endowment Fund (MO)

• Marion County Endowment Fund (MO)

• Monroe County Endowment Fund (MO)

• Pike County Endowment Fund (IL)

• Shelby County Endowment Fund (MO)

• Sarah Christine Birsic Memorial Fund

• Green-Humphrey Family Fund for Music

• Diane Nielsen Gossard Memorial Fund

• Joe and Denette Kuhlman Family Fund

• T. C. & Mary S. Oakley Descendants Fund

• Ralph Oakley Family Fund

• Optimist Club of Quincy Friend of Youth Fund

• Palmyra Chamber of Commerce Prosperity Fund

• Betty Schmidt Endowment

• The Zechariah Fund

This year’s grant recipients include:

Adams County Bicentennial Adams County Historical Timeline Monument

Betty Schmidt Endowment, Funds for Adams County, United States Founding Fathers Fund

Adams County Sheriff Sheriff Work Alternative Program Improvement

Project Funds for Adams County

Advocacy Network for Children General Support

Community Endowment Funds

Bella Ease Funding CARES 2024 youth after-school program

Jerry and Linley Bartell Endowment, Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds, Optimist Club of Quincy Friend of Youth Fund

Bluff City Theater Building the Next Generation of Theater Audience

Noma Meyers Eaton Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Boy Scouts of America - Mississippi Valley Council #141 Financial Assistance for Youth in Adams, Pike, Brown, Hancock, and Clark Community Endowment Funds

Bright Futures Knox County General Support of Bright Futures Knox County

Community Endowment Funds, G. Arthur (Art) Keller, Jr. Fund

Brown County Early Learning Center NFP General Support

Jon's Home Center Associates Fund

Canton Main Street Association Historical Preservation - Exterior Facade Grantmaking

Lewis County Endowment Fund

Carthage Park District Creating An Outdoor Space that will Create Lasting Memories

Community Endowment Funds

Chaddock Children's Foundation Kids On The Block Puppetry materials for educational awareness

Funds for Adams County, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

CHART Teen Task Force Sexuality Education in Northeast Missouri Schools

Marion County Endowment Fund

Cheerful Home Child Care & Early Learning Center Arts in the Outdoors

Jon's Home Center Associates Fund

Clark County Council on Aging, Inc. Operating Funds

Community Endowment Funds

Community for Christ Assistance Center Utilities and Food for Families in Need

Funds for Adams County, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

Connect Child and Family Solutions General Support

Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, Funds for Adams County

Cornerstone Foundations for Families Comprehensive Youth Services

Ralph Oakley Family Fund

County of Ralls Missouri

Fort Mason Monument Project Community Endowment Funds

Covered Bottoms Diaper Bank, Inc. Bridging the Diaper Gap in West Central IL

Blessing Hospital Community Health Fund, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

Coyote Hill Coyote Hill Foster Family Community Groups

Marion County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Culver-Stockton College: Tri-State Development Community Project Support for Entrepreneurship

Community Endowment Funds

Douglass Community Services, Inc. Kids in Motion - Youth development and leadership program, housing services

Jon's Home Center Associates Fund, Community Endowment Funds, Marion County Endowment Fund, Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Downtown Monroe City Revitalization Leadership Enhancement

Monroe County Endowment Fund

MC Rec Center General Support

Community Endowment Funds

First Chance for Children Bab Bags Diaper Bank

Community Endowment Funds

Food For Thoughts Hancock County Week-End Meal Program

Community Endowment Funds, Hancock County Endowment Fund

Friends of the Castle General Support

Community Endowment Funds, Funds for Adams County

Friends of the Performing Arts/Quincy Public Schools Quincy Junior High School Tubas

Funds for Adams County, Green-Humphrey Family Fund for Music, Ben & Helen Bumbry Educational Assistance Endowment

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Girl Scout Leadership Experience - Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike Counties

Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Great Commission Broadcasting Corporation - WGCA-FM

Area betterment through promoting local nonprofits Funds for Adams County

Hancock County Senior and Childcare Services Striving to Meet the Childcare Needs of Hancock County

Hancock County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds, G. Arthur (Art) Keller, Jr. Fund

Hannibal Arts Council Hannibal Operating Support

Community Endowment Funds

Heartland Resources, Inc. General Support

Lewis County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County Lighting Upgrade for Visitors Center Collection Storage Area

Funds for Adams County, The Quincy Foundation Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Horizons Social Services of Adams County, Inc. KidzPacks 2024-2025 Fruit Initiative

Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Impact Global General Support

Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Jensen Camp Foundation Superior Sleep for Summer Stays

Community Endowment Funds

Jim's Journey: the Huck Finn Freedom Center General Support Museum artifact/documents Replacement

Community Endowment Funds

Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis General Support

Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

Kairo’s Hope General support of residential program for survivors of sexual trauma

Sarah Christine Birsic Memorial Fund

Lewis County Food Pantry Ending Hunger 2024

Lewis County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Lewis County Health Department Enhancing Preventative Health Screenings in Lewis County, MO

Lewis County Endowment Fund, Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Memorial Hospital Expanding and Enhancing Emergency Preparedness in Hancock County

Community Endowment Funds, The Wood Endowment

Muddy River Opera Company Premiere Program-Providing the Community with Opera Experience

The Quincy Foundation Fund

NECAC - North East Community Action Corporation Empower Successful Students

Community Endowment Funds

NorthEast Independent Living Services Durable Medical Equipment

Community Endowment Funds, Marion County Endowment Fund

Northeast Missouri Humane Society General Support

Community Endowment Funds

OATS Inc. Enhance transit experience for North East Missouri communities

Community Endowment Funds

Palmyra Christian Academy Playground Construction

HOMEBANK Fund

Pike County Government / Pike County Liaison Committee Support for the Pike County Animal Shelter TNR Program (Trap-Neuter-Return)

Community Endowment Funds, Pike County Endowment Fund

Pike County Senior Citizen's Council General Support

Pike County Endowment Fund

Pike County Unmet Needs Provide individuals in the Pike County, IL assistance with basic needs and services

Community Endowment Funds, Pike County Endowment Fund

Pleasant Hill Senior Citizens Council General Support

Pike County Endowment Fund

QUEST Stables-Quincy Equestrian Services and Therapy NFP Scholarships for Equine Therapy Sessions for Area Special Needs Students

The Zechariah Fund

Quincy Art Center Quincy Art Center Starting with Art Initiative FY25

The Quincy Foundation Fund, Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds

Quincy Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry 2024

Community Endowment Funds

Quincy Children's Museum Museums for All Funds for Adams County, Joe & Denette Kuhlman Family Fund

Quincy Children's Museum Ready. Set. GROW.

Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds

Quincy Community Theatre General support of Quincy Community Theatre

Katherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts

Quincy Concert Band General support of Quincy Concert Band

Katherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts, Funds for Adams County

Quincy Humane Society Pet Food and Supplies Pantry Program 2024

Funds for Adams County

Quincy Museum, Inc. Quincy Museum Education Revitalization Project

Funds for Adams County, The Quincy Foundation Fund, Community Endowment Funds

Quincy Public Library Quincy Public Library Big Read 2024

Funds for Adams County

Quincy Public Schools Foundation General Support

Funds for Adams County

Quincy Society of Fine Arts Instant Arts Classrooms + Full School Arts Field Trips

Irwin Family Fund, Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds

Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association Four Quincy Community Symphony Youth Program

Jayne & Leroy Boeckelman Fund for Young Musicians, Dr. Robert & Shirley Murphy Endowment for Music Education, Cory Didriksen Lovelace Fund, Funds for Adams County

Quincy University LiveU Solo Pro Equipment

T. C. & Mary S. Oakley Descendants Fund

Ralls County Health Department Portable Vital Signs Monitors

Community Endowment Funds

Salvation Army of Quincy Emergency Shelter Bedding

Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Salvation Army of Quincy Food Boxes for Veterans

Diane Nielsen Gossard Memorial Fund

Salvation Army of Quincy Furniture & Toys for Child Watch

Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

Special Olympics Illinois - Region H General Support o

James L. & Dorothy W. Rouner Fund, Community Endowment Funds

St. Dominic School Hands On Arts Experiences

Funds for Adams County

Teresa Adams House General Operating Funds

Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds

The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, Inc. Program Expansion - Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education

Community Endowment Funds

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri Lewis County Mobile Food Pantry

Lewis County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri Food Aid for Children in Monroe County, Missouri

Community Endowment Funds

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri Food Aid for Shelby County, MO

Shelby County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri Supporting Veterans in Knox County, MO

Community Endowment Funds

The Heritage Seekers, Inc. High School Student Volunteer Awards

Palmyra Chamber of Commerce Prosperity Fund

The Legacy Theater Foundation General Support

Community Endowment Funds

Transitions of Western Illinois Opportunities for Adults Who Have an Intellectual/Developmental Disability

Funds for Adams County

Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials SNAP to Success Matching Vocational Training Funds

Pike County Endowment Fund

United Way of the Great River Region Emergency Food Kit Program

Hancock County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

University of Illinois Extension Youth Leadership Academy

Betty Schmidt Endowment Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds

Versailles Growth Committee Versailles Park Ballfield

Community Endowment Funds

Versailles Township Community Building Ceiling

Brown County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds

West Central Child Care Connection Born Learning Project

Funds for Adams County, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

West Central Illinois Agency on Aging Sound System for the Quincy Senior Center Programs/Events

Funds for Adams County

Western Illinois University Foundation Autism Center of Excellence, Program Support

Jane's Kids' Fund, Community Endowment Funds

YMCA of West Central Illinois - Quincy Family YMCA Capital Planning Study

Funds for Adams County

YWCA of Quincy YWCA Quincy Permanent Supportive Housing

Ralph Oakley Family Fund, Funds for Adams County, City of Refuge Fund

In addition to today’s presentation, County Fund Councils will present grants from County Endowment Funds. Participating counties include Brown, Hancock, and Pike in Illinois and Lewis, Marion, Monroe, and Shelby in Missouri. Fund councils from each county reviewed applications from local, eligible organizations and made recommendations on grants to be awarded to best serve each county’s needs and opportunities. Grants from the remaining County Endowment Funds will be presented at County Endowment awards presentations in each county.

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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 grants totaling more than $15 million in the 12-county service area of 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

Community Foundation Welcomes Bailee Duesterhaus as Program Manager

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 20:17:52 GMT

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri has welcomed Bailee Duesterhaus to the Community Foundation team as the organization’s first Program Manager.

Bailee joins Program Officer Kent Embree in administering the Community Foundation’s grant programs. As Program Manager, Bailee will manage grant processes, coordinate the Foundation’s annual scholarship program, and support program evaluation and development.

“As the Community Foundation’s grantmaking has grown, so has our need to ensure that our grant programs are efficient, effective, and impactful. We are fortunate that this growth has led us to create the Program Manager position,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “Bailee’s keen organizational skills, coupled with her nonprofit experience and passion for community, will serve our grantees, donors, and mission well.”

In 2023, grants from the Community Foundation exceeded $5 million and include the annual Community Grant program, scholarships, donor advised fund grants, and strategic grants targeting childcare, workforce development, nonprofit capacity building, and literacy. Additionally, the Community Foundation manages endowment funds and grants that benefit specific local nonprofit agencies.

Duesterhaus comes to the Community Foundation with experience in community engagement and grant administration including positions as an Academic Advisor for the TRiO grant at John Wood Community College and, most recently, as an Account Manager at the Knowledge Center at Chaddock.

Duesterhaus has prioritized community involvement both in her career and as a volunteer, working with the Unit 4 School District in Ursa and Mendon.

“I am excited to use my experience with grant administration and nonprofit management to work for an organization that is making an impact across West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. It has always been important to me to engage in my community, and joining the Community Foundation team provides a unique opportunity to do that.”

Local Students Receive Scholarships Totaling More Than $40,000 from the Community Foundation

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 15:55:31 GMT

Seventeen area students pursuing higher education and a local teacher have been awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships and recognition awards from the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri.

Recipients of the scholarships, most of which come from permanently endowed funds at the Community Foundation, will receive financial support towards the accredited post-secondary institution they are attending in the 2024-2025 school year. One fund also provides a teacher recognition award and grant to provide classroom resources.

Each scholarship fund has its own criteria representing the donor’s or honoree’s interests or legacy.

Most of the scholarships are endowed, which means a portion of the earnings of each fund is reinvested for continued growth, providing future scholarships and awards to deserving students.

This year’s recipients include:

• Jansen Lawson, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the Becky Swisher Crowe Memorial Scholarship.

• Noah Krisko, a graduate of Hannibal High School, received the Hannibal High School Class of 1955 Scholarship.

• Taylor Richie, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship. Lydia Fisher, a 2023 graduate of Quincy Senior High School and student at John Wood Community College renewed the scholarship for her sophomore year. Kayla Maguire, a 2022 graduate of Quincy Senior High School and student at John Wood Community College renewed the scholarship for her junior year.

• Brady Althoff, a graduate of Payson-Seymour High School, received the Krutmeier Scholarship.

• Hannah Hill, a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School, received the Virginia Kaye Leinweber Leeds Scholarship.

• Emily Depke, a graduate of Western High School, received the Marvin J Likes & Thomas Leo Likes Math Scholarship.

• Trevor Biggerstaff, graduate of Canton High School, and Macy Hamlin and Kaley Payton, graduates of Highland High School, received scholarships from the Ben C. and Etta M. Plank Memorial Fund.

• Morgan Kim, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship.

• Jacob Michael Barnes, a graduate of Palmyra Senior High School, received a scholarship from the Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

• Grace Fessenden, a graduate of Palmyra Senior High School, received a scholarship from the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund. Emmalee Drebes and Jacob Webster, past graduates of Palmyra Senior High School, renewed scholarships.

• Macie Fisher, a graduate of Canton R-V High School, received the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund Scholarship.

• Brittany Welker, a teacher at Canton R-V High School, received the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund Key Teacher Award.

Becky Swisher Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund - Quincy (IL) Senior High School

Jansen Lawson is a graduate of Quincy Senior High School. He is the son of Kelly and Rick Lawson of Quincy. Jansen will attend John Wood Community College.

Hannibal High School Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund - Hannibal (MO) High School

Noah Krisko is a graduate of Hannibal High School and is the son of Julie Downing of Hannibal. Noah will attend Northwest Missouri State University to study music education.

F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship Fund – Quincy (IL) Senior High School

Taylor Richie is a graduate of Quincy Senior High School and is the daughter of Nicole Ihnen. Taylor will attend Missouri State University to study elementary education.

Lydia Fisher, a 2023 graduate of Quincy Senior High School, attends Central College in Pella, Iowa and majors in elementary music education. Lydia received her second year of the renewable scholarship.

Kayla Maguire, a 2022 graduate of Quincy Senior High School, attended John Wood Community College and will attend Quincy University to major in elementary education. Kayla received her third year of the renewable scholarship.

The scholarship will be awarded to a Quincy Senior High School graduating senior who intends to pursue a teaching career, through an accredited two-year or four-year post-secondary institution, with a preference for elementary education. Based on academic achievement, merit, financial need, and good citizenship, the scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years.

Krutmeier Scholarship Fund – Payson – Seymour High School

Brady Althoff is a graduate of Payson – Seymour High School. Brady is the son of Preston and Megan Althoff of Plainville. Brady will attend John Wood Community College to study ag business.

The Krutmeier Scholarship Fund was established in 2021in memory of Robert and Rodney Krutmeier. Robert and Rodney had many passions in life, but together they shared an enthusiasm for farming, family and their community.

The scholarship will be awarded to a Payson High School graduate who is pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field.

Virginia Kay Leinweber Leeds Scholarship – Pleasant Hill High School

Hannah Hill is a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School and is the daughter of Leigh Anna Hill of Pleasant Hill. She will be attending Culver-Stockton College to study nursing.

The family of Virginia ‘Ginger’ Leeds established the fund as a tribute to the health care professionals who took care of Ginger when hospitalized. Although Ginger was confined to a wheelchair at age 33, she kept her enthusiasm for life and sense of humor. She returned to college at age 43 where she completed her bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees.

Marvin J Likes and Thomas Leo Likes Math Scholarship - Western High School

Emily Depke is a graduate of Western High School and is the daughter of Daniel and Tamera Depke of Hull. Emily will be attending the University of Illinois to study neural engineering.

The Marvin J Likes & Thomas Leo Likes Math Scholarship honors the memories of Marvin J Likes and Thomas Leo Likes. The Marvin J Likes and Thomas Leo Likes Math Scholarship reflect the two men’s standards. “Both were an inspiration and encouragement for young people to better themselves,” said Ralph Garner, who was a long-time employee of Likes Land Surveyors, Inc., Barry, Illinois.

Pat Likes established this scholarship in memory of her husband Marvin and their son Tom. Marvin requested the scholarship be set up because he saw a need to encourage young people to go into math professions.

The scholarship ensures they will continue to make a positive impact in the lives of young people.

Ben C. & Etta M. Plank Memorial Fund - Canton High School and Highland High School

Trevor Biggerstaff is a graduate of Canton High School and is the son of Scott and Susie Biggerstaff of Canton.

Macy Hamlin is a graduate of Highland High School and is the daughter of Ronnie and Angie Hamlin of Ewing.

Kaley Payton is a graduate of Highland High School is the daughter of Kevin and Jessica Payton of Ewing.

Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship Fund - Quincy (IL) Senior High School

Morgan Kim, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, is the recipient of the Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship. She will attend the University of Missouri and major in biological sciences, health leadership and policy. She is the daughter of Suzan Neely – Kim of Quincy.

Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund – Palmyra (MO) High School

Jacob Michael Barnes is a graduate of Palmyra R-1 High School.

The Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund was established with memorials and donations made following Teresa’s death in May 2004.

The scholarship assists a Palmyra R-1 High School student attending a post-secondary school. Teresa’s roots were in Palmyra. She had many family and friends there.

She spent her life’s work in radio. Her ability to work and deal with people earned her great respect, according to her employer and friend, Bud Janes, former owner of Bick Broadcasting.

Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund – Palmyra High School

Grace Fessenden is a graduate of Palmyra High School.

Emmalee Drebes, a 2023 graduate of Palmyra High School, attends Truman State University and majors in nursing. Emmalee received her second year of the renewable scholarship.

Jacob Webster, a 2021 graduate of Palmyra R-I High School, attends University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Jacob received his fourth year of the renewable scholarship.

Tom and Judy Zenge Fund - Canton (MO) R-V High School

Macie Fisher is a graduate of Canton R-V High School. Macie will attend Kirkwood Community College to study early childhood education. Macie is the daughter of Hank and Kellie Fisher of Canton.

The student scholarship recipient recommends selection of the Key Teacher award recipient. The primary consideration is for the teacher who has been most influential in helping the student to achieve academic success. Mrs. Brittany Welker is an art teacher at Canton R-V High School. With the award, Mrs. Welker hopes to purchase a new camera for her yearbook and photography classes.

The Zenges established their fund in 2006 with the Community Foundation to provide annual scholarship and teacher recognition awards at Canton R-V High School. The scholarship provided by the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund encourages the best and brightest young men and women to enter technical careers, whether engineering, research, teaching, manufacturing or other related fields. The teacher award recognizes a teacher that continues to make learning a lifelong passion.

New Charitable Resource Announced for Ralls County

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 19:35:41 GMT

Ralls County Endowment Fund will receive a $15,000 match upon reaching fundraising goal

An opportunity to establish a charitable endowment fund for Ralls County, and receive a $15,000 matching gift, was announced Monday morning by community leaders at the Ralls County Courthouse in New London.

The Ralls County Endowment Fund , held at the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri, will serve as a permanent source of support for local needs and opportunities.

“We have formed a fund council made up of Ralls County residents,” explained Ralls County Fund Council Member Connie Ketsenburg. “If we raise $15,000 in three years, the Community Foundation will provide a $15,000 match to root this Fund as a resource that will grow and support Ralls County for generations to come.”

Once the fundraising goal is met, the Ralls County Endowment Fund will benefit local charitable and public projects, programs, and organizations. As an endowment, it will continue to grow and generate new funds in perpetuity. Each year, the fund council will make recommendations for grants from the fund to strengthen communities in Ralls County.

"The Ralls County Endowment Fund is a way to ‘keep local money working for local causes,’” said Community Foundation CEO Catherine Meckes. “It’s a vehicle to preserve wealth in and for Ralls County. If everyone in Ralls County contributed just 5% of their wealth through their will to the Ralls County Endowment Fund, in 10 years it would generate grants totaling more than $520,000 each and every year. Imagine what that could achieve in Ralls County!”

In addition to Ketsenburg, fund council members include Allie Bennett and Daren Dowell, both from Monroe City. The fund council is seeking additional members to help with fundraising and future grant making. Residents interested in joining the fund council are encouraged to contact any of the current council members.

“If Ralls County has been good to you, why not pay it forward for future generations?” said Ketsenburg. “The Ralls County Endowment Fund will help us keep our communities a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.”

To date, eight of the twelve counties that the Community Foundation serves have established their own County Endowment Funds. Those funds are currently growing and granting to nonprofits doing good work within their own communities.

Anyone can make a gift of any amount to help the Fund reach its $15,000 fundraising goal and receive the $15,000 match.

Gifts to the Community Foundation for the Ralls County Endowment Fund are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri, is a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.

Adams County Bicentennial Fund

Thu, 09 May 2024 14:15:15 GMT

2025 will mark the 200th anniversary of Adams County, Illinois! To honor Adams County’s Bicentennial our goal is to welcome our whole community of residents and create awareness of our history over the last 200 years. Whether you are born and raised in Adams County, a newcomer, boomerang, or moved away, we celebrate with all those who have called Adams County home.

In the coming year the Adams County Bicentennial Commission, alongside community members, aim to create, execute, and support events and activities that celebrate the stories of Adams County people, places, and commemorate our community from creation in 1825 through today. Learn more about the Adams County Bicentennial by clicking, here.

In 2025, we look forward to presenting a year-long celebration of the many different aspects of our County’s collective history, while also taking this opportunity to reaffirm the foundations of our future. Throughout the 2025 calendar year, the Bicentennial Commission will invest in education, engage with our community, celebrate all areas of the County, encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore and appreciate our past. Your generous gift will help us Celebrate, Commemorate and Educate our community with welcoming events and activities for everyone in Adams County.

Partnership Offers Support to Local Child Care Providers

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 14:05:59 GMT

Child care programs in Adams County received a boost of $50,000 last month as part of a joint effort to support local child care providers.

The Community Foundation, Kohl Wholesale, West Central Child Care Connection, and a private funder partnered to provide Kohl Cash & Carry gift cards to child care providers to help offset food costs for their programs. A total of 87 gift cards were delivered by West Central Child Care Connection staff as part of a gift basket designed to show appreciation and encouragement to local providers. The gift cards ranged from $450 to $1,350 per provider, depending on the number of children enrolled.

“At Kohl Wholesale, we're incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in this fabulous program. Child care providers play a vital role in our communities, nurturing and educating the future generation as well as supporting the local employers in our area,” said Matt Ehrhart, Kohl Wholesale. “We understand the dedication and hard work that goes into creating a safe and stimulating environment for our youngest citizens. We hope the gift cards show our appreciation and can be used to purchase additional resources or supplies that benefit the children in their care.”

To receive a gift card, providers were asked to submit a brief survey. Response to the program was positive with 88 percent of providers responding to the survey.

“I have been doing this for a long time and some days I wonder if I should be doing something else that pays better. This goodie bag and gift card is a reminder that what I do is important and my community sees and appreciates me! Thank you so much,” said one child care provider.

Data shows that child care is a challenge in Adams County and beyond. In 2019, there were 148 licensed family child care providers in Adams County with 1,362 slots for children. Currently, there are 99 licensed family child care providers offering a total of 877 slots.

“Local support is critical to help keep adequate child care capacity in rural communities,” said Marla Willard, director of West Central Child Care Connection. “Child Care is in our name and we continually look for ways to partner with foundations, social service organizations and businesses to help elevate and value the child care workforce. Kohl Wholesale’s investment is one of many ways that business owners and corporations can step up to invest in local child care. You never know what might come of a committed grassroots effort. Since the height of the pandemic, five child care centers have opened their doors in this region of Illinois, because community leaders and businesses knew their community’s well-being and economy was tied to having adequate child care options for working families.”

The program was developed as part of a task force focused on sharing resources and collaborating to address the local child care workforce shortage. High-quality early care and education has long-lasting impacts on youth development, increasing children’s readiness for school and preparing them for success into adulthood.1

“Quality child care – and enough of it – is vital to the well-being of our community today and in the future,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “Child care is an important job. Children are our community’s most precious resources, and we are grateful to passionate individuals who dedicate themselves to nurturing the next generation.”

Funding through the Community Foundation came from the Communityworks Endowment Fund, which is dedicated to advancing early childhood education and workforce development in Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike Counties. Additional support was provided by a Donor Advised Fund administered through the Community Foundation.

For more information about this effort or the Communityworks Endowment, please contact the Community Foundation at 217-222-1237. For more information about finding or providing child care, contact West Central Child Care Connection 217-222-2550.

More than $210,000 Available in Grants from Community Foundation’s 2024 Community Grant Program

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:23:28 GMT

Grant applications open March 1, close May 1

Grants totaling more than $210,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations advancing arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services. The awards are made possible by more than 50 endowed funds at the Community Foundation, which were established by donors to support the communities and causes they care about.

The application opens March 1 and closes May 1 at 11:59 p.m. and can be accessed at www.mycommunityfoundation.org.

Charitable organizations interested in seeking grant funds are encouraged to attend one of three informational workshops. These workshops will inform nonprofits of the community grant program’s funding priorities and updates to the application. More information and workshop registration can be found at https://www.mycommunityfoundation.org/community-grants.

Workshops will be held on the following days:

Wednesday, March 6

• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Quincy Salvation Army Kroc Center

Thursday, March 7

• Noon – 1:00 PM

• Zoom

Friday, March 8

• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Hannibal LaGrange University

Grants are made for charitable purposes to organizations that have IRS 501(c)(3) classification or are government entities. Organizations must be located in one of the following counties: Illinois: Adams, Brown, Hancock, or Pike; Missouri: Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby, or Monroe.

Grants Awarded for Youth in Samantha Otte’s Memory

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 17:56:59 GMT

Twenty-eight local nonprofit organizations received grants in Samantha Otte’s memory that will benefit hundreds of area youth for a rtistic, leadership, and humanitarian efforts.

The grants, totaling more than $55,000 were distributed from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund with the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri at PHAST Tracks, one of this year’s grant recipients. Since the fund was established in late 2000, more than $578,000 has been distributed through grants to support kids in Samantha’s memory.

"This distribution from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund is the largest amount given in any single year -- over $55,000,” said June Otte, Samantha’s mother. “It's wonderful to see all the goodness happening in Samantha's memory. From all of Samantha’s family and friends, we are deeply grateful to all who have made this possible."

The Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund honors the life and legacy of Samantha Otte by helping area children reach their full potential. Samantha passed away in March 2000 at age 10 after a liver transplant necessitated by cystic fibrosis. Shortly after, Samantha’s parents, Chuck and June Otte, decided to start a fund in their daughter’s memory at the Community Foundation. The Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund was the Foundation’s first donor advised fund.

“Children are our future, and by supporting local kids, we grow our community’s potential,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “It is an honor to award these grants in Sammy’s memory, knowing that her spark and spirit lives on through each child who benefits. We are grateful to the Ottes, their friends and family, and the continued contributions of the Gem City Kiwanis for this meaningful gift to our region.”

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Bella Ease: CARES after-school program for at-risk 3rd and 4th grade Quincy students

Birthday Blessings: To fill the funding gap between the needs of foster children and government funding in Northeast Missouri

Bluff City Theater: To help fund the restart of the youth theater program

Chart Teen Task Force: To allow for an expansion of current sexuality education in schools to address the topic of menstrual periods with youth girls

Clayton Public Library: Support for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) program for children 8 to 12 years of age

Cornerstone: Foundations for Families: Comprehensive Youth Services program providing mental health counseling and advocacy services

Covered Bottoms Diaper Bank: Diapers for low income families/children

Embrace Children and Families: To allow for the purchase of two sewing machines for use in teaching foster children sewing skills

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois: Membership assistance and camperships for girls in need of financial assistance

Horizons Social Services of Adams County: Weekend meals for 50 low-income children for the Spring 2024 semester through the Kidz Pack program

Jackson – Lincoln Swimming Complex, Inc.: Purchase inflatable target practice wall and water toys for the pool

John Wood Community College Foundation: Support for JDub Academy Summer Youth program by subsidizing transportation of students to and from program activities

John Wood Community College Foundation: Purchase instructional supplies for students enrolled in the College for Life program

Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis: To bring the Junior Achievement program to Lincoln Douglas students age kindergarten through 2nd grade

Liberty CUSD #2: For enhanced scientific education opportunities for students at Liberty School District through The Travelling Science Center

Penny Denise Lewis Foundation: To purchase benches and basketball netting for the basketball courts of Frederick Ball Complex

Quincy Art Center: For visual arts education for Grade K – 3rd students in Adams County through the stARTing with Art Program

Quincy Children’s Museum: Assist in funding the Ready Set Grow program for Adams County children and families

Quincy Community Theatre: Financial assistance for students participating in Triple Threat Boot Camp and student theater programs

QUEST Stables: To provide therapeutic horse-riding scholarships for children with cognitive, mental, and physical challenges and/or limitations

Quincy Public Library: To provide laptops and iPads for the Mobile Library

Quincy Public Schools: Water therapy services for QPS special education/Cross Cat students

Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association: Tuition scholarship for low-income participants in Youth Choir and Youth Orchestra and for the purchase of printed music

Salvation Army Kroc Center of Quincy: Purchase materials for new classes for children, including Kids Art Days, Kids STEM project activities, Toddler Sensory open play times, etc.

The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, Inc.: Support child abuse prevention and awareness programs through school based and community education

The PHAST Foundation: For building materials and labor costs for a new indoor bike park in downtown Quincy

Transitions of Western Illinois: Purchase new rocking chairs for use by autistic students in the high school classroom of Transitions School

United Way of Adams County: Utility assistance for low-income families with children

YMCA of West Central Illinois: Assist in funding the Kids Fit program

Fr. Dustin Hall Fund For Anglican Religious Education

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 15:51:25 GMT

Five years ago, I began my journey to the priesthood. During that time, I was blessed with the financial independence to move from my corporate career in the broadcast media industry and begin attending seminary full-time. Unfortunately, not all clergy are able to have that same experience. Most must keep their jobs and sometimes pick up second jobs to help pay for their education. Even after ordination to the priesthood, some priests must work a second job to help pay for their tuition debt and at times for liturgical items at the local parish or mission.

The Fr. Dustin Hall Fund for Anglican Religious Education is designed for clergy, ordinands, and lay leaders who desire to serve in the Anglican tradition. The Fund for Anglican Religious Education advocates excellence and diversity in pastoral and theological studies for clergy, ordinands to Holy Orders, and lay leaders who would like to continue their religious studies.

Through the fund, you support leaders working with Anglican Churches in the Diocese of Quincy. Your dollars go only to projects that have been desired, developed, and designed by the advisors of the Fund.

Local Nonprofits Receive Grants Totaling More than $400,000 from Community Foundation

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 20:30:29 GMT

Nonprofits Benefiting from Designated Endowment Funds
Receive Annual Grant Distribution

More than $400,000 was granted to 60 local nonprofit organizations that benefit from an endowment fund at the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri. These year-end grants bring the Community Foundation’s 2023 grantmaking total to more than $4 million.

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

“For organizations and communities to thrive, it takes careful planning, investment, and vision,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “Donors and nonprofits who establish designated endowments have an eye towards the future. These funds and their grants will continue to grow our region for generations to come, and we are incredibly grateful for their foresight.”

Pilar Brumbaugh, executive director of the Quincy Humane Society, expressed gratitude for the forward-thinking dedication of animal enthusiasts and supporters who established funds years ago, ensuring the organization’s ongoing ability to positively impact the lives of both people and pets in the community.

“Each year, our yearly distribution from the Community Foundation helps us to continue our operations – taking in animals looking for a second chance at love, providing them with the proper care they need, keeping them until they can be placed in a loving home and of course offering services to owned animals in our community at a reduced cost,” said Brumbaugh.

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 the Trail received a grant from the Friends of the Trails Endowment.

• Friends of Unit 4 received a grant from the Friends of Unit 4 Fund.

• Preferred Family Healthcare dba Clarity Healthcare received a grant from the Recovery Resources Fund.

• Griggsville/Perry CUSD #4 received a grant from an Anonymous Fund and the Betty Logan Fund.

• Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County received grants from the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County Fund and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.

• Horizons Social Services received grants from the B’nai Sholom Endowment for Horizons Social Services and 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.

• Lutheran Hours Ministries received a grant from the Carl Drebes and Herbert Drebes 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 grants from an Anonymous Fund and from the Dr. Paul & Doris Rosene Band 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.

• Teresa Adams House through Blessing Hospital received a grant from the Teresa Adams 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.

• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois received a grant from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central IL Fund.

• Salvation Army of Quincy received a grant from the Herbert C. & Dorothy E. Everly Memorial Fund.

• Southeastern CUSD #337 received a grant from the Jimmie (Jim) Hiland Memorial Fund.

• St. Francis Solanus Church received grants from the Edward C. Hinkamper Fund for St. Francis Solanus Church, the Edward C. Hinkamper Fund for St. Francis School Students, the Lucille Hollender Memorial Fund, the Mike Mason Fund for St. Francis School, and the Rick & Judy Haugh Endowment Fund for its Community Assistance Ministry.

• St. James Lutheran Elementary 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 Senior Living 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 United Legacy 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 YWCA – Quincy Fund and the Dorothy J. Plank Memorial Fund.

• Zion Lutheran Church received grants from the Carl Drebes and Herbert Drebes Memorial Fund and from the Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Endowment.

In addition to these organizations, the Community Foundation received grants from 24 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

• Administrative Endowment

• 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

• 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

• 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. Friend of the Foundation Fund

• State Street Bank & Trust Company Friend of the Foundation Fund

• John G. and Carolyn H. Stevenson Friends of the Foundation Fund

• Vecchie Family Friend of the Foundation Fund

• Dennis R. Williams Friend of the Foundation Fund

• Carl, Althea & Cathy Wiskirchen Friends of the Foundation Fund

Grants from the Community Foundation come from more than 230 funds, primarily endowments, established by individuals, families, and businesses to support arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services.

Pike County Endowment Fund Launches ‘Invest in Pike County’ Initiative to Foster Long-Term Community Impact

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:58:20 GMT

The Pike County Endowment Fund , in collaboration with the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri, is excited to introduce the ‘Invest in Pike County’ campaign. This initiative encourages residents to make a lasting investment in the Pike County community, promoting sustainable growth and development.

Residents, families, and businesses opting to ‘Invest in Pike County’ by December 31, 2023, will receive special recognition. This acknowledgment will be prominently featured in the grants awarded from the fund in 2024. Additionally, participants will be highlighted in a media release showcasing the grant recipients and will receive an invite to next year’s grant presentation in Pike County.

Established in 2008 by Pike County residents, the Pike County Endowment Fund aims to secure local assets to perpetually support charitable needs and opportunities in the region. Over the years, the fund has generously granted to more than a dozen local nonprofits, thanks to the contributions of over 100 individuals, organizations, and businesses.

The ‘Invest in Pike County’ campaign seeks to amplify this impact. As a permanently endowed fund, gifts are strategically invested for growth, with annual grants distributed from a portion of the earnings. This approach creates a consistent, renewable source of charitable resources.

Kathy Iftner, Pike County Endowment Fund Chair, expressed enthusiasm about the campaign's potential impact, stating, "What the 'Invest in Pike County' opportunity provides is a way to grow these resources and increase these grants not just for today, but for generations."

Notable past grant recipients from the Pike County Endowment Fund include:

• Barry Food Pantry

• Barry Public Library

• Pike County Senior Citizen’s Council

• Two Rivers Resource Conservation & Development

• Western Community Center YMCA

To contribute to the ‘Invest in Pike County’ campaign, donations should be directed to the Community Foundation, specifying their allocation to the Pike County Endowment Fund. The Community Foundation accepts a variety of gifts, including cash, stocks, grain, livestock, IRA distributions, and other assets.

For more information, contact Iftner at (201) 314-3624 or kiftner@gmail.com or the Community Foundation at (217) 222-1237, kmcfarland@mycommunityfoundation.org.

Community Foundation Marks 26th Anniversary with $1.1 Million Bequest and New Downtown Office

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT

At its annual Friends of Philanthropy event on November 16 at Dick Brothers Brewery, the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri celebrated the individuals and organizations that help philanthropy grow in the region.

Since its establishment in 1997, the Community Foundation has distributed more than $18 million in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. These grants are made possible by more than 230 charitable funds, most of them endowed, that help donors meet their own personal charitable goals, create a legacy of philanthropy, and give back to their community in perpetuity.

During remarks at the Friends of Philanthropy event, Community Foundation CEO Catherine Meckes shared two significant updates. First, news was shared of a $1.1 million bequest to support grantmaking throughout the region. Additionally, Meckes announced that the Community Foundation will relocate to its office at 621 Vermont Street starting in the upcoming year.

$1.1 Million Gifted to Community Endowment Fund

Commencing the Community Foundation’s Friends of Philanthropy Celebration, CEO Catherine Meckes announced a $1.1 million bequest from the late Barbara L. McLean. The gift was planned through her Individual Retirement Account (IRA), with additional support forthcoming through her Trust.

Those who knew Barb described her as an extraordinary, smart woman with a heart of gold who was full of stories about her unique life.

An animal lover, she enjoyed horseback riding and caring for her beloved dachshund, Brandi Boo. She also enjoyed antiques, local arts events, and the St. Louis Cardinals. She was dedicated to her family farm, managing the day-to-day business and assisting her father in showing his Angus cattle – including their prize Angus Bull, O’Bardoliermere. Most of all, she loved her community.

As Barb began making preparations for her estate, she met with her trusted professional advisors and legal counsel to discuss how she could make a difference.

While Barb had many interests, the common thread was the community which she and her family loved and built success in. With her advisors’ help, she named the Community Foundation as a beneficiary to her IRA and Trust.

Barb’s bequest to the Community Foundation will support the Community Endowment Fund, our region’s civic endowment. The Community Endowment Fund is a permanent, charitable fund that supports needs and opportunities in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri through grants and proactive programs like the Nonprofit Excellence Initiative, which aims to build the effectiveness of local nonprofits.

“To give broadly, like Barbara, is powerful and grand,” said Meckes. “Her gift is not just to the Community Foundation, but to our entire region. Donors to our Community Endowment Fund are selfless and visionary. Through this gift, and with every grant made from it, that is how Barbara will forever be remembered.”

Through her forward-thinking gift, Barb’s legacy is permanent and will support the community that mattered to her for generations to come.

Community Foundation Invests in Downtown Quincy with Office Purchase

The new year will bring new opportunities for the Community Foundation as it prepares to relocate to a permanent office location at 621 Vermont Street in downtown Quincy.

“This strategic investment underscores the Community Foundation's dedication to fostering growth, embracing innovation, and making a lasting impact on the region,” said Community Foundation Board Chair Lance Grady. “This move aligns with the Foundation’s mission, and we anticipate that the enhanced facilities will enable us to better serve our partners. I am fully confident that this move will not only meet our current needs but will allow for future expansion as our organization continues to thrive.”

The Community Foundation’s new office will feature a collaborative workspace and meeting area, conference room, and consultation room, in addition to staff offices all on one level for full accessibility.

“The purchase of 621 Vermont represents not only an investment in the Community Foundation’s mission, but in our community,” said Meckes. “Our vision is a trusted space to convene community partners, support nonprofits, and host important philanthropic conversations in. We are excited for the opportunity to plant roots in Quincy’s civic hub to further our commitment to growing philanthropy in our region. We are grateful to all those who have made this milestone possible.”

Operations will continue at the Community Foundation’s current office at 4531 Maine Street through December 29 and transition to 621 Vermont thereafter, with an official open date planned for January, upon completion of minor renovations. Any mail sent after December 26 should be addressed to 621 Vermont Street. Those who wish to schedule appointments or drop off materials after December 29 should call 217-222-1237 to coordinate.

Community Foundation Invites Community to Celebrate Local Philanthropy

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 15:45:15 GMT

Annual Friends of Philanthropy Celebration Held During
National Community Foundation Week

Beginning November 12, Community Foundations across the country will join together to celebrate National Community Foundation Week and the impact of place-based philanthropy. Locally, the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri will host its annual “Friends of Philanthropy” celebration on November 16 to honor and appreciate the individuals and organizations that help philanthropy grow in our region.

National Community Foundation Week spotlights the vital role that community foundations play in promoting local collaboration and innovation to address ongoing civic challenges and opportunities. For more than a century, community foundations across America have been at the forefront of philanthropic efforts, supporting and nurturing the communities they serve. They are independent, public entities entrusted with managing and distributing charitable resources from both institutional and individual donors to local nonprofit organizations, which are the lifeblood of thriving communities.

The Community Foundation is proud to champion this form of philanthropy and grow charitable resources for the 12-counties it serves in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. Since 1997, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $15 million in grants to support local nonprofits, making a substantial impact on the region's development and growth.

The Community Foundation’s Friends of Philanthropy Celebration will take place on November 16th beginning at 5 p.m. at the Dick Brothers Brewery Museum Room in Quincy.

“November is an exciting month for our Community Foundation, and not only because of National Community Foundation Week. We also celebrate the anniversary of our founding and National Philanthropy Day,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “However, it is the gratitude we feel for our donors, volunteers, partners, and nonprofits that makes it truly special in this season of Thanksgiving. These individuals are the heart of our work, and we look forward to celebrating their important role at our annual event.”

In 1989, former President George H.W. Bush established Community Foundation Week to acknowledge the valuable work undertaken by community foundations throughout the United States. Their dedication to enhancing the quality of life in their regions and their ability to unite diverse sectors in the pursuit of common goals is a testament to their unwavering commitment.

To learn more about the Community Foundation, its mission, and the importance of philanthropy in the community, please join us at the Friends of Philanthropy Celebration on November 16th. We look forward to celebrating with you as we continue to make a difference together.

_____________________

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

The Community Foundation has IRS 501(c)(3) status, and contributions made to the Community Foundation qualify for the maximum allowable deductions for income and estate tax purposes. For more information, call 217-222-1237, go to www.mycommunityfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/mycommunityfoundation.

Meckes Joins Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations Board of Directors

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 19:49:07 GMT

Catherine Bocke Meckes, CEO of the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations at its annual meeting in Galesburg in September.

The Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations (AICF) is a statewide collaborative organization formed in 2005 to strengthen and support community foundations serving the state of Illinois. Community foundations are grantmaking public charities that are dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined geographic area. There are 33 community foundation members of the Alliance.

“Community foundations play a unique role in advancing local philanthropy. While each member of the Alliance is dedicated to improving the quality of life in their own backyard, we share common goals of strengthening local nonprofits and ultimately, building thriving communities throughout Illinois,” said Meckes. “I am honored to represent West Central Illinois as the Alliance works together to create a more prosperous future for our State.”

Meckes joined the Community Foundation in 2015 and assumed the role of CEO in 2019. She works with donors, nonprofits, and community partners to grow our region’s charitable endowment, deploy impactful grants, and advance local opportunities through collaboration.

“I am thrilled that Catherine accepted the invitation to join the AICF Board. The longstanding good work at Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri has long been known throughout the state,” said Josh Gibb, Chair, AICF Board of Directors. “Under Catherine’s leadership that work continues and progresses, providing examples and models of how philanthropy enables rural communities to be their very best. Catherine’s insights and leadership will shape the work of our association but also influence the work of our members throughout the state.”

Meckes joins Dan Templin, DeKalb County Community Foundation; John Stremsterfer, Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln; Josh Gibb, Galesburg Community Foundation; Scott Witzig, Morton Community Foundation; Nicole Smolkovich, Community Foundation of the Kankakee River Valley; Tony Martinez, Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation; and Anne Calder, Quad Cities Community Foundation on the AICF Board of Directors.

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About the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations

The Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations is a professional, collaborative network dedicated to strengthening and promoting organized philanthropy in the State of Illinois. By working together with publicly supported community foundations and stakeholders, the Alliance aims to educate, support, and facilitate effective philanthropic grantmaking, ultimately making a positive impact on communities throughout the state. Learn more at www.allianceilcf.org.

About the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri

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 local nonprofit organizations and causes. Since 1997, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $15 million in grants to improve the quality of life throughout the 12-county region it serves.

61 Local Nonprofits Receive Financial Boost Totaling $238,000

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 20:54:34 GMT

More than $238,000 awarded from the Community Foundation’s community grant program

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri proudly announces the successful distribution of $238,673 in grant funding to 61 area nonprofits through its community grant program. The grants, totaling 68 in number, have been awarded from 54 funds held at the Community Foundation and will provide crucial support to a diverse range of local charitable interests. A special presentation ceremony took place at Hannibal-LaGrange University, one of the recipients of this year's grants.

These grants will play an important role in assisting nonprofit organizations dedicated to arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services in our region. The funds will support various programs, help with the purchase of essential equipment and supplies, and contribute to much-needed operational expenses.

"The need for support in our nonprofit community is greater than ever this year as demonstrated by the record number of 124 grant applications that we received for our community grant program,” said Community Foundation Program Officer Kent Embree. “For the past two years, we have been able to exceed more than $200,000 in grants annually to deserving organizations within our 12-county service area through this program. We recognize the profound impact these organizations make in our communities, and we are excited to witness the continued success in their endeavors this year."

Through the community grant program, the Community Foundation strives to strengthen nonprofit programs which ultimately enhances the quality of life throughout our region. The Community Foundation annually accepts applications for funding from nonprofit organizations in its 12-county region. A grant committee, comprised of board members and volunteers from throughout the region, evaluates each application to determine the awards.

The funding for these community grants is made possible through earnings from endowment funds. Generous donors collaborate with the Community Foundation to establish permanent charitable funds that align with their philanthropic goals and the needs of the community. The Community Foundation diligently invests and grows these funds, and each year a portion of the fund's earnings are distributed as grants, while the principal remains intact.

“The donors who establish these funds have diverse goals and intentions, but what ties them together is their love for their community,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “We are grateful for our donors’ vision and commitment to West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. The greatest impact of their generosity is yet to come. Through endowment, we are preparing our region for a vibrant and prosperous future.”

The following funds supported the 2023 community grant program:

Unrestricted Endowment Funds, support grants for arts and culture, community betterment, education, health and human services in the Community Foundation’s 12-county service area:

• Anonymous Funds (2)

• Karl H. & Bobbi Bowles Family and Quincy Farm & Home Supply Company Fund

• Dr. & Mrs. Merle F. Crossland Family Fund

• Harry Channon Eaton Family Endowment Fund

• Angie (Fusselman) Mayes & Evelyn J. Fusselman Fund

• Harry J. & Bernice M. Wissman Heidbreder Fund

• Kirk Family Fund – Houston, Carolyn & Carson

• Carl and Gladys Koehser Family Fund

• Mrs. Arthur O. Lindsay Fund

• Robert A. & Anne M. Mays Fund

• Robert G. and Melva Campbell Riley Fund

• Charles A. & Nancy Scholz Charitable Fund

• Margaret J. Sinnock Fund

• Bette J. Starnes Endowment

• Jeffrey G. & Theresa L. Spear Fund

• Grant L. and K. Georgann Sturhahn Fund

• Dorothy L. Swallow Fund

• Community Endowment Fund

• James R. and Katherine H. Williams Fund

• Carl, Althea & Cathy Wiskirchen Endowment

Field of Interest

• Blessing Hospital Community Health Fund

• Jayne & Leroy Boeckelman Fund for Young Musicians

• Katherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts

• Noma Meyers Eaton Fund

• Paul H. & Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

• Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

• HOMEBANK Fund

• HOMEBANK of Quincy Fund

• Jane's Kids' Fund

• Jon’s Home Center Associates Fund

• G. Arthur (Art) Keller, Jr. Fund

• Irwin Family Fund

• Cory Didriksen Lovelace Fund

• William & Sheila Menke Endowment

• The Quincy Foundation Fund

• Quincy Recycle Fund

• James L. & Dorothy W. Rouner Fund

• Alan L. Stiegemeier and Mary Ellen Stiegemeier Charitable Fund

• The Wood Endowment

County Endowment Funds, support nonprofit organizations in a specific county:

• Adams County Endowment Fund (IL)

• Brown County Endowment Fund (IL)

• Hancock County Endowment Fund (IL)

• Lewis County Endowment Fund (MO)

• Marion County Endowment Fund (MO)

• Monroe County Endowment Fund (MO)

• Pike County Endowment Fund (IL)

• Betty Schmidt Endowment

• Green-Humphrey Family Fund for Music

• Joe and Denette Kuhlman Family Fund

• T. C. & Mary S. Oakley Descendants Fund

• Ralph Oakley Family Fund

• Optimist Club of Quincy Friend of Youth Fund

• The Zechariah Fund

These are among the 225+ funds at the Community Foundation that support arts and culture, community betterment, education, health or human services.

This year’s grant recipients include:

Bella Ease dba Quincy Teen REACH: Community Care Closet, which provides families with personal hygiene and cleaning products -

Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

Birthday Blessings: Resource support to meet needs of kids in the Missouri foster system - Marion County Endowment Fund, Jane’s Kids’ Fund, Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Bluff City Theater: Support to ensure live, professional theater will survive and thrive in the area for the next generation - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Bright Futures – Knox County Farmers Market: General operating support - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Brown County Early Learning Center: General operating support - Jon’s Home Center Associates Fund

Canton Public Library: Facility improvements - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Carthage Park District: Adding a batting cage to the baseball/softball complex in Carthage - Hancock County Endowment Fund

Chaddock Children’s Foundation: STEM equipment, including robots and coding software, for students on campus - Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund, G. Arthur (Art) Keller, Jr. Fund

CHART Teen Task Force: Safer sexuality education in Northeast Missouri schools - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

City of Palmyra, Missouri: Leadership training across city departments - HOMEBANK Fund, Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Clayton Public Library District: Provide new shelving - Betty Schmidt Endowment, Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

Community for Christ Assistance Center: Sidewalk replacement in front of the Assistance Center - Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

Community for Christ Assistance Center: Assistance with rent/ mortgage, utilities, transportation and food in Adams County and the surrounding counties for families in need - Brown County Endowment Fund, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

Covered Bottoms Diaper Bank: Bridging the diaper gap in West Central Illinois - Ralph Oakley Family Fund, Optimist Club of Quincy Friend of Youth Fund

Coyote Hill: Support for monthly Community Groups for local foster families - Marion County Endowment Fund, Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Culver-Stockton College – Tri-State Development: Support for an introduction to economic development workshop for regional leaders -

Unrestricted Endowment Funds

FACT: Families and Communities Together: General operating support - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Food for Thoughts Hancock County: Support for the week-end meal program - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois: Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) in Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike Counties - Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

Golden Good Shepherd Home: Purchase of a new walk-in cooler/freezer unit - Betty Schmidt Endowment, Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

Hannibal Arts Council: General operating support - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Hannibal Clinic Health Services: Ride Cool bicycle safety event - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Hannibal Free Clinic: Fireproof safe and cyber protection equipment - Marion County Endowment Fund , Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Hannibal-LaGrange University: Update lighting in Parker Theatre located on campus - Marion County Endowment Fund, Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Heartland Resources, Inc.: Nutrition for seniors in Lewis County ages 60+ and disabled adults ages 18+ - Lewis County Endowment Fund

Horizons Social Services of Adams County: Support for Addicts Victorious space, programs, and resources offered at Horizons - Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, James L. and Dorothy W. Rouner Fund

Horizons Social Services of Adams County: Food rescue and redistribution - Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

Jensen Camp Foundation: Camp scholarships for children - Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund, Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis: Junior Achievement programming at Quincy’s Baldwin Elementary School - Optimist Club of Quincy Friend of Youth Fund, Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, HOMEBANK of Quincy Fund

Kairos Hope: Expansion of the Human Trafficking Recovery Program - Monroe County Endowment Fund, Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Midwest Youth Services: Support for a building expansion to provide additional counseling rooms for services and office space for additional employees - Ralph Oakley Family Fund

Mt. Sterling Park District: ADA Lift for Joel Oliver Memorial Pool Project - The Zechariah Fund

Muddy River Opera Company: Children’s Opera outreach - Green-Humphrey Family Fund for Music

NorthEast Independent Living Services: Durable medical equipment purchase - Blessing Hospital Community Health Fund,

Unrestricted Endowment Funds

OATS Transit: Expand transportation services in Clark County and Knox County, Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Pike County Senior Citizen’s Council: General operating support - Pike County Endowment Fund, Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Quincy Art Center: General operating support - Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund, Noma Meyers Eaton Fund

Quincy Catholic Charities: Mobile Food Pantry to serve rural communities - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Quincy Children’s Museum: Community Outreach support - Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Quincy Museum, Inc .: General operating support - The Quincy Foundation Fund

Quincy Notre Dame Foundation: Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to ensure the health of students, parents, staff and visitors to QND - T.C. and Mary S. Oakley Descendants Fund

Quincy Public Schools Foundation: Quincy Children’s Museum visits to schools within Quincy Public School District - Joe and Denette Kuhlman Family Fund, Alan L. Stiegemeier and Mary Ellen Stiegemeier Charitable Fund

Quincy Public Schools Foundation: General operating support - T.C. and Mary S. Oakley Descendants Fund

Quincy Society of Fine Arts: Free arts education outreach - Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund, The Quincy Foundation Fund

Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association: General operating support - Katherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts

Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association: Youth programs including Youth Orchestra, Youth Choruses, in-school concerts for children, free admissions to all concerts for children 18 and under - Jayne and Leroy Boeckelman Fund for Young Musicians, Katherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts, Irwin Family Fund, Cory Didriksen Lovelace Fund

Quincy University: Collection development and expanded access to digital materials in Brenner Library for the new Electrical and Mechanical Engineering programs - Mercantile Endowment Fund, T.C. and Mary S. Oakley Descendants Fund

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois: Support for Adams County families when facing medical needs for their children at the Springfield or Peoria Ronald McDonald House - Mercantile Endowment Fund, Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

Salvation Army of Quincy: Hannibal Life Employment Assistance Program (LEAP) - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Salvation Army of Quincy: Water safety support at the Kroc Center - Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, William and Sheila Menke Endowment, Jon’s Home Center Associates Fund

Special Olympics Illinois – Region H: Special Olympics Programming for Pike, Adams & Brown Counties - Quincy Recycle Fund,

Jon’s Home Center Associates Fund

St. Dominic School: Hands-on arts opportunities - Alan L. Stiegemeier and Mary Ellen Stiegemeier Charitable Fund

Teresa Adams House: General operating support - Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri: Child abuse prevention education programs for school-aged children and youth living in Northeast Missouri - Marion County Endowment Fund, Unrestricted Endowment Funds,

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri: Buddy Pack Program support to ensure students facing hunger have supplemental nutrition on weekends during the school year - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri: Lewis County Mobile Food Pantry - Lewis County Endowment Fund

The Legacy Theater Foundation: General operating support - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Transitions of Western Illinois: Enhancing services for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities - Alan L. Stiegemeier and Mary Ellen Stiegemeier Charitable Fund

Tri-Township Fire Protection District: Thermal imaging camera - Adams County Endowment Fund, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, The Wood Endowment

Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials: SNAP to Success matching vocational training funds - Pike County Endowment Fund,

Communityworks Endowment Fund

Two Rivers Resource Conservation and Development : Access Food Feed the Hungry Program for Pike County - Pike County Endowment Fund, Unrestricted Endowment Funds

United Way of Adams County/ KidzPacks: Funding to purchase fruit to be disbursed in weekend KidzPacks for students at Quincy Early Childhood and Family Center - Ralph Oakley Family Fund

United Way of the Mark Twain Area: Strengthening Missouri nonprofits with leadership training - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

United Way of the Mark Twain Area: Problem Solving Collaboration Day for area nonprofits - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

Versailles Township: Renovation to Versailles Community Building - Unrestricted Endowment Funds

West Central Child Care Connection: Purchase books for babies for the "Born Learning" project- Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund

YMCA of West Central Illinois – Quincy Family YMCA: General operating support - Mercantile Endowment Fund, Paul H. and Anne B. Gardner Memorial Fund

YWCA of Quincy: Permanent supportive housing program - Ralph Oakley Family Fund

In addition to today’s presentation, County Fund Councils will present grants from County Endowment Funds. Fund councils in Brown, Hancock and Pike County, IL and Lewis, Marion and Monroe County, MO reviewed applications from local, eligible organizations and made recommendations on grants to be awarded to best serve each county’s needs and opportunities. Grants from the Marion County Endowment Fund were presented as part of Tuesday’s presentation in Hannibal. Grants from the remaining County Endowment Funds will be presented at County Endowment awards presentations in each county.

New Charitable Resource Announced for Shelby County

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 13:44:01 GMT

Shelby County Endowment Fund will receive a $15,000 match upon reaching fundraising goal

An opportunity to establish a charitable endowment fund for Shelby County, and receive a $15,000 matching gift, was announced Wednesday by community leaders at Hawkins Theater in Shelbina.

The Shelby County Endowment Fund, held at the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri, will serve as a permanent source of support for local needs and opportunities.

“We have formed a fund council made up of Shelby County residents,” explained Shelby County Fund Council Chair Nathan Hillard. “If we raise $15,000 in three years, the Community Foundation will provide a $15,000 match to root this Fund as a resource that will grow and support Shelby County for generations to come.”

Once the fundraising goal is met, the Shelby County Endowment Fund will benefit local charitable and public projects, programs, and organizations. As an endowment, it will continue to grow and generate new funds in perpetuity. Each year, the fund council will make recommendations for grants from the fund to strengthen communities in Shelby County.

"The Shelby County Endowment Fund is a way to ‘keep local money working for local causes,’” said Community Foundation CEO Catherine Meckes. “It’s a vehicle to preserve wealth in and for Shelby County. If everyone in Shelby County contributed just 5% of their wealth through their will to the Shelby County Endowment Fund, in 10 years it would generate grants totaling more than $250,000 each and every year. Imagine what that could achieve in Shelby County!”

In addition to Hillard, fund council members include Megan Crawford of Shelbina, Carrie Elsen of Shelbyville, and Rebecca Miller of Macon. The fund council is seeking additional members to help with fundraising and future grant making. Residents interested in joining the fund council are encouraged to contact any of the current council members.

“If Shelby County has been good to you, why not pay it forward for future generations?” said Hillard. “The Shelby County Endowment Fund will help us keep our communities a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Among the 12 counties served by the Community Foundation, seven have already established their own successful County Endowment Funds, which are making significant contributions to various nonprofit initiatives within their respective communities.

The Shelby County Endowment Fund invites everyone to make a meaningful contribution of any amount to help achieve the $15,000 fundraising goal and receive the generous $15,000 matching gift.

The campaign has already seen a strong start, with more than $8,000 raised to date. The Fund Council gratefully acknowledges the support of Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative - Northeast Power, Chariton Valley, Macon Electric Cooperative, Missouri Rural Electric Cooperative, Neighbors Bank, United State Bank, as well as several individual donors.

Gifts to the Community Foundation for the Monroe County Endowment Fund are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri, is a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.

To make gifts to support future grantmaking in Shelby County, or to learn more about the fund, contact:

Local Contact:

Nathan Hillard

Nmh9109@gmail.com

660-651-2856

Community Foundation Contact:

Kaylee McFarland, Development Officer

Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri

Phone: (217) 222-1237

Email: kmcfarland@mycommunityfoundation.org

Web: www.mycommunityfoundation.org

4531 Maine Suite A, Quincy, IL 62305

Jim Drozdz Memorial Fund

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:12:53 GMT

Barb Drozdz fondly portrays her late husband, Jim, as an individual driven by a perpetual thirst for knowledge and personal growth. Describing him as an embodiment of passion, Barb emphasizes Jim's unwavering commitment to causes he held dear, going above and beyond to lend his support.

While Jim was born in Chicago, his true sense of belonging resided in West Central Illinois. Jim dedicated himself to serving the Illinois State Police from 1983 to 2004. During that time, he pursued and successfully obtained his master's degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, a law degree from Southern Illinois University and doctorate from the University of Iowa. Following these accomplishments and many others, Jim assumed the esteemed role of Hancock County State's Attorney.

"Jim was not drawn to the allure of bustling urban environments," Barb shared. "He found solace in the charm of downstate Illinois, reveling in its rural ambiance and small-town atmosphere."

In addition to his noteworthy professional achievements, Jim actively contributed to the community, selflessly serving as a paramedic for the Pike County and Hancock County Ambulance Service and as a firefighter for the Hamilton Fire Department. Beyond these noble endeavors, Jim delighted in playing the bagpipes at local events, imparting knowledge on criminal law and instructing EMS and EMT classes. Jim also received his CDL through John Wood Community College’s Truck Driving Training program. His adventurous spirit led him to embark on various travels and engage in numerous other pursuits.

"Jim was always in pursuit of more," Barb fondly recalled. "He continuously sought personal growth, endeavoring to better himself and inspire others to do the same. This profound motivation inspired me to establish the Jim Drozdz Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation, ensuring that Jim's legacy of benevolence lives on."

How to Navigate the ‘Great Wealth Transfer’

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:26:51 GMT

Alliance of Missouri Community Foundations releases 2023 Transfer of Wealth Study

When individuals and families decide how to pass on their financial and physical assets, they are participating in the national transfer of wealth that in Missouri alone will amount to more than $114 billion over the next 10 years.

That finding is included in the 2023 Missouri Transfer of Wealth Study, released Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 by the Alliance of Missouri Community Foundations. The goal of the Alliance is to encourage Missouri residents to consider allocating at least 5% of the assets they will pass on after their lifetimes to benefit their communities and favorite charitable causes.

If that happened, Missouri’s nonprofit and philanthropic organizations would receive more than $7.6 billion over the next 10 years to supplement other public and private funding sources that support areas like human services, education, the arts, community amenities, recreation and the environment, faith, youth, animal welfare and more. Even if all that money were endowed, meaning a portion is spendable while the principal stays intact to grow over time, a payout of 5% would create $383 million in added resources annually.

The 2023 Transfer of Wealth Study was conducted for the Alliance by the Center for Civic Research and Innovation in St. Louis, Missouri. It uses a variety of data sources and demographic trends to estimate Missourians’ current net worth and the potential wealth to be transferred based on household size, life expectancy and wealth distribution. The full study is available at: www.mycommunityfoundation.org/transferofwealth.

“The potential benefits to our communities and nonprofit sector would be staggering if Missourians adopted the ‘5% Solution’ to include their charitable intentions in their estate and financial planning,” said Catherine Meckes, CEO of the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. “Missourians are known for their ‘show-me’ determination. This study shows us what is possible if we all give a little to support the greater good.”

The 2023 study updates the original study from 2013. It notes demographic trends, including Missouri’s aging population with a larger proportion of the population reaching retirement age, which increases the amount of wealth being transferred between generations. Missouri is also experiencing population loss in some areas, particularly rural counties.

The AMCF encourages Missourians to talk to their families and financial advisors about their charitable intentions during their estate planning. Members of the Alliance work with donors and their advisors on how to achieve their intentions through the wide variety of fund types and other charitable tools available to fulfill their goals.

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri is available to present to local civic groups and organizations about the transfer of wealth study and opportunity in Clark, Lewis, Knox, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, and Shelby Counties in Missouri. To schedule a presentation or to learn more about transfer of wealth in Northeast Missouri, contact the Community Foundation at info@mycommunityfoundation.org or 217-222-1237.

About the AMCF

The Alliance of Missouri Community Foundations was founded in 2012 to serve as a networking and collaboration resource for Missouri’s community foundations, which are regional public charitable foundations serving specific geographic areas. The members and where they are based are: Chariton County Community Foundation (Keytesville); Community Foundation of Central Missouri (Columbia); The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri (St. Joseph); Community Foundation of the Ozarks (Springfield); Community Foundation serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri (Quincy, IL); Greater Kansas City Community Foundation; Truman Heartland Community Foundation (Independence); St. Louis Community Foundation; and YouthBridge Community Foundation (St. Louis).

About the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri

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 $15 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.

Local Students Receive Scholarships Totaling More Than $30,000 from the Community Foundation

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:20:06 GMT

Eighteen area students pursuing higher education and a local teacher have been awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships and recognition awards from the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri.

Recipients of the scholarships, most of which come from permanently endowed funds at the Community Foundation, will receive financial support towards the accredited post-secondary institution they are attending in the 2023-2024 school year. One fund also provides a teacher recognition award and grant to provide classroom resources.

Each scholarship fund has its own criteria representing the donor’s or honoree’s interests or legacy.

Most of the scholarships are endowed, which means a portion of the earnings of each fund is reinvested for continued growth, providing future scholarships and awards to deserving students.

This year’s recipients include:

• Paige Cegas and Madison Cegas, students at Quincy University, received the Amelia E. Bauner, Frances A. Hall, and Walter J. Hall Scholarship.

• Kyndall Ham, graduate of John Wood Community College, received the George & Sharen Borrowman Agriculture Scholarship.

• Hunter Hildebrand, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the Becky Swisher Crowe Memorial Scholarship.

• Sheldon Bergheger, a graduate of Hannibal High School, received the Hannibal High School Class of 1955 Scholarship.

• Lydia Fischer, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship. Kayla Maguire, a 2022 graduate of Quincy Senior High School and student at John Wood Community College renewed the scholarship from the F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship for her sophomore year.

• Heaven Leigh Corbett, a graduate of Western High School, received the Dorothy J. Motley Memorial Scholarship.

• Sophia Dickerson, William Goings, and Curtis Miller, graduates of Highland High School, and Aliandra Wilson, graduate of Canton R-V High School, received scholarships from the Ben C. and Etta M. Plank Memorial Fund.

• Skyler Wilhoit, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, received the Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship.

• Bronson Juette, a graduate of Palmyra Senior High School, received a scholarship from the Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

• Emmalee Drebes, a graduate of Palmyra Senior High School, received a scholarship from the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund. Augustine Mahsman and Jacob Webster, past graduates of Palmyra Senior High School, renewed scholarships from the Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund.

• Matthew Barry, a graduate of Canton R-V High School, received the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund Scholarship.

• Chad Morss, a teacher at Canton R-V High School, received the Tom and Judy Zenge Fund Teacher Recognition Award.

Amelia A. Bauner, Frances A. Hall and Walter J. Hall Scholarship Fund - Quincy University

Madison Cegas and Paige Cegas are students at Quincy University majoring in education with plans to pursue careers in teaching.

The Amelia E. Bauner, Frances A. Hall, and Walter J. Hall Scholarship Fund annually provides a scholarship to aid in the payment of tuition to students residing in Adams County and who are enrolled at Quincy University pursuing a degree in education.

Amelia Bauner, a retired teacher with a continuous service record of 44 years in the Quincy Public Schools, died May 2008 at the age of 99. “Mrs. Bauner had very little family, but many friends. She wanted to do something for the community and to honor her brother and sister,” stated her attorney when the fund was established.

George & Sharen Borrowman Agriculture Scholarship Fund – John Wood Community College

Kyndall Ham is a graduate of John Wood Community College. She will attend Western Illinois University to study ag business.

The George & Sharen Borrowman Agriculture Scholarship Fund provides one or more scholarships for a former student or graduate of John Wood Community College entering his or her junior or senior year at an accredited college or university pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a major in an agricultural-related field. Sharen Borrowman established this scholarship in memory of her husband, George, who died in 2009. George was a third generation farmer in Pike County, IL. “Farming was his life,” said Sharen. “I want to help with someone’s education and to honor George and his life.”

Becky Swisher Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund - Quincy (IL) Senior High School

Hunter Hildebrand is a graduate of Quincy Senior High School. He is the son of Chad and Karla Hildebrand of Quincy. Hunter will attend Quincy University to major in elementary music education.

Hannibal High School Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund - Hannibal (MO) High School

Sheldon Bergheger is a graduate of Hannibal High School and is the son of Alicia Burditt of Hannibal. Sheldon will attend Columbia College of Missouri to study psychology.

F. Lee & Joan Kammerlohr Family Scholarship Fund – Quincy (IL) Senior High School

Lydia Fisher is a graduate of Quincy Senior High School and is the daughter of Tonya and James Fischer of Quincy. Lydia will attend Central College in Pella, Iowa to study elementary music education.

Kayla Maguire, a 2022 graduate of Quincy Senior High School, attends John Wood Community College and majors in elementary education. Kayla received her second year of the renewable scholarship.

Dorothy J. Motley Memorial Scholarship Fund – Western (IL) High School

Heaven Leigh Corbett is a graduate of Western High School. Heaven will attend John Wood Community College in the fall to study education and art.

Ben C. & Etta M. Plank Memorial Fund - Canton High School and Highland High School

Sophia Dickerson is a graduate of Highland High School. Sophia will attend John Wood Community College to study nursing. She is the daughter of Nathan and Charity Dickerson of Durham, Missouri.

William Goings is a graduate of Highland High School. William will attend United of Missouri – Columbia to attend biology (pre-med). He is the son of David and Kristen Goings of Durham, Missouri.

Curtis Miller is a graduate of Highland High School. Curtis will attend State Technical College of Missouri to study electrical distribution systems. He is the son of Scott and Megee Miller.

Aliandra Wilson is a graduate of Canton High School. Aliandra will attend Southeastern Community College to study nursing. She is the daughter of Krista Wilson and Ta’Meika Boatman of Canton, Missouri.

Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship Fund - Quincy (IL) Senior High School

Skyler Wilhoit, a graduate of Quincy Senior High School, is the recipient of the Quincy High School Class of 1957 Scholarship. She will attend Vanderbilt University and major in sociology. Skyler is the daughter of Chad Wilhoit and Carla Swango of Quincy.

Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund – Palmyra (MO) High School

Bronson Juette is a graduate of Palmyra R-1 High School. Bronson will attend University of Missouri-Columbia to study engineering/computer science. He is the son of Brenda and David Juette of Palmyra, Missouri

The Teresa Lynn Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund was established with memorials and donations made following Teresa’s death in May 2004.

The scholarship assists a Palmyra R-1 High School student attending a post-secondary school. Teresa’s roots were in Palmyra. She had many family and friends there.

She spent her life’s work in radio. Her ability to work and deal with people earned her great respect, according to her employer and friend, Bud Janes, former owner of Bick Broadcasting.

Alton A. Vannice FFA Leadership Fund – Palmyra High School

Emmalee Drebes is a graduate of Palmyra High School. Emmalee will attend Truman State University to study nursing and plans to continue helping on her family’s farm. Emmalee is the daughter of Sheila and Aaron Drebes of Palmyra, Missouri.

Augustine Mahsman, a 2022 graduate of Palmyra High School, attends Benedictine College and majors in engineering. Augustine received his second year of the renewable scholarship.

Jacob Webster, a 2021 graduate of Palmyra R-I High School, attends University of Nebraska- Lincoln and studies agricultural and natural resources management. Jacob received his third year of the renewable scholarship.

Tom and Judy Zenge Fund - Canton (MO) R-V High School

Matthew Barry is a graduate of Canton R-V High School. Matthew will attend Missouri University of Science and Technology to study mechanical engineering. Matthew is the son of Jay Barry and Patti Mathieson of Canton, Missouri.

The student scholarship recipient recommends selection of the teacher award recipient. The primary consideration is for the teacher who has been most influential in helping the student to achieve academic success. Mr. Chad Morss is a math teacher at Canton R-V High School. With the award, Mr. Morss will help fund a training program for a new course he will be teaching. In addition, he plans to purchase supplemental textbooks and reference materials for the new course.

Area Organizations Selected for Second Cohort of Nonprofit Excellence Initiative

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 21:19:14 GMT

Four local nonprofits were selected to participate in the second cohort of the Nonprofit Excellence Initiative, a collaborative program of the Quincy Area Funders Collaborative which seeks to strengthen the effectiveness of not-for-profit organizations in Adams County. The second cohort of the Nonprofit Excellence Initiative includes Good Samaritan Home, Quincy Humane Society, Quincy Public Library, and the Quincy Public Schools Foundation.

“Our area nonprofits require strong organizational leadership to fulfill their missions,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, the Initiative chairperson. “This initiative aims to assist in retention of a nonprofit’s employees and offers leaders the tools necessary to grow both themselves and their respective organization.”

The Nonprofit Excellent Initiative will take place in 2 phases. Phase 1, which began in April, will focus on organizational assessment, leadership training, and executive coaching. Phase 2 will utilize knowledge gained in phase 1 to implement organizational strategic planning. Each nonprofit will receive $5,000 in unrestricted operational support after it completes each phase, totaling $10,000 per agency.

Applications for the initiative were accepted early this year. To be eligible the nonprofit had to have a 501C3 status, a minimum 2.5 full-time employees, a minimum operating budget of $100,000, basic structure and processes in place, and board commitment to this project.

“Giving these organizations the tools they need to continue the invaluable work they do in our community is what this initiative is all about,” said Jean Buckley of the Tracy Family Foundation. “Through knowledge, shared experiences, and leadership-level coaching we aim to further grow our community through our wonderful nonprofits.” Participants in the first cohort of the Nonprofit Excellence Initiative were Bella Ease, Cheerful Home, Horizons Social Services, Quincy Community Theatre, and the Quincy Family YMCA.

The Quincy Area Funders Collaborative is a partnership of John Wood Community College Foundation, the Moorman Foundation, Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri, the Tracy Family Foundation, and United Way of Adams County, IL.

Ty Rylander Fund with the Community Foundation Presents Grants to Assist Pike County Youth Programs

Wed, 03 May 2023 13:50:07 GMT

Grants awarded to Pittsfield High School, Pleasant Hill Junior High, Pittsfield FFA, and Pittsfield Public Library

Grants from the Ty Rylander Fund with the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri were presented to Pittsfield High School, Pleasant Hill Junior High, and the Pittsfield Public Library. The grants will be used to enhance the Pittsfield High School Saukettes and FFA, strengthen the track program at Pleasant Hill Junior High, and bolster the children’s program at the Pittsfield Public Library.

“All of this year’s grantees hold special memories for our family,” said Gina Rylander, Ty’s mother. “FFA and Mrs. Jody Heavner opened a new world for Ty. This became his passion for his future career. And, Darci Heavner was a classmate and friend of Ty’s. He would be so proud of the work and dedication she has put into the Pittsfield High School Saukettes.”

The Ty Rylander Fund was founded in 2014 in memory of Ty Rylander, a student at Western Illinois University who passed away suddenly at the age of 20. A graduate of Pittsfield High School, Rylander was known for his happy spirit and often took fellow students involved in FFA, basketball, and football “under his wing.” The Ty Rylander Fund honors Ty’s happy spirit and willingness to help others by supporting organizations that help youth in need in Pike County, Illinois.

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

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.

Community Foundation Receives National Recognition

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 19:18:25 GMT

Local Organization Re-Accredited with Rigorous Philanthropic Standards

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri recently received re-accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence.

National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.

“Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Randy Royster, board member of the Council on Foundations. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates the Community Foundation demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission.”

The Community Foundation initially received accreditation in 2006 and has since upheld the standards required by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program, which requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. The program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

“This is highly important to our donors,” said Lance Grady, Community Foundation board chair. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, and honor their charitable wishes. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order.”

The Community Foundation offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the re-accreditation validates the Community Foundation’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.

“We are grateful for the trust that our donors, our grantees, and our communities place in the Community Foundation,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “It is our privilege to connect passion to purpose each and every day, and our responsibility to do so with the highest standards and the greatest care.”

National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® is the first program of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States.

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The Community Foundations National Standards Board is a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations and is responsible for the quality, value and integrity of compliance with National Standards. For more information on the National Standards Board, visit its website at www.cfstandards.org.

Acorn Fund: Doc & Regina Preston Fund

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:32:26 GMT

Our parents, Dallas Dwain Preston and Regina Ann Higgins were products of Quincy and proud of their heritage in the Gem City. Dwain, son of Claud and Nellie Preston, and Regina, daughter of Bernard and Alberta Higgins, but fathered by Leo Jansen after Bernard passed, were introduced one famous night at the Park Bowl Bar by mutual friend, Jay Lenne. A few months later, under a sprawling oak tree in South Park, the Quincy Junior High teacher asked the receptionist at Dr. Wechbach’s office to marry him. They were married in St. Francis Church in 1962 and a daughter was born in each of the first four years following the wedding.

Dwain taught at Quincy Junior High while earning his Master’s degree at WIU, but the family moved to Champaign in 1968 so Dwain could earn his Ph.D. After eight years as an English professor at Western Illinois University they came home to Quincy where Dwain returned to his first love—teaching English to secondary students at Quincy Notre Dame. For over two decades Dwain and Regina were icons at QND—and, arguably, two of the institution’s most loyal friends. Students and colleagues alike enjoyed the presence of the in-house poet (also known as Doc after an article was published in the school paper noting his Ph.D) and the woman who worked in the foundation office, but knew every student and teacher in the school and enjoyed nothing more than a student worker willing to share their life stories with her over frozen M&Ms.

Both Doc and Regina were staunch advocates of literacy, learning, kindness, humor, and empathy for the plight or joy of others. They were proud of their roots in the central United States and many of Doc’s poems are a tribute to the flowers, trees, highways, animals and people of western Illinois. After mom died in 2006 dad went to visit a daughter in New Jersey. On the way home late that summer he penned his poem “To Regina” which is a beautiful tribute to a love our parents shared and to the history which made them the people they became.

…“But ah! What memories they are,

The buoy of my very life,

Which would have been of little worth

Had you not been my wife.

The night Jay Lenne introduced

Us in the Park Bowl Bar,

Our wedding day, our honeymoon,

That worn-out Plymouth car.

The Plaza beers, our baby girls,

The moves from place to place.

And I remember through it all

Your face, your lovely face…”

The Doc and Regina Preston Fund is dedicated to the goal of providing funds for purposes which promote the things Dwain and Regina dedicated their lives to: community, faith, the arts, learning, kindness, and generosity. It was their firm belief that humanity is not perfect, but we can always strive to be better and our goal with the Community Foundation is to foster those ideas that leave the world a better place than we found it. There is a scholarship in their name at QND and in no way do we intend to take from that as QND was an integral part of their lives. The Doc and Regina Preston Fund is our effort to expand their legacy throughout the city they returned to and loved as home for over 50 years of their lives.

William E. and Margaret E. Durall Family Endowment

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 13:33:28 GMT

When Margaret ‘Peggy’ passed away in 2022, her husband of over 50 years, William ‘Bill’ Durall was left with an enormous sense of loss.

“I was the unhappy recipient of Peggy’s insurance money and I didn’t need that money for myself,” said Bill. “So, as I was reflecting back on Peggy’s life, I thought it would be a good time to set some anchors down in the community.”

Bill established several different funds with and for a variety of local, educational, and service organizations as a way to honor Peggy’s interests and the life he and Peggy built together. One of those funds was the William E. and Margaret E. Durall Family Endowment, an unrestricted endowment at the Community Foundation.

Bill was born in Kirksville, Missouri and still has family ties to Lewistown, Missouri. He grew up across the river in Hull, Illinois and moved to Pittsfield in high school. Peggy was born and raised in Pittsfield. Their parents, Charles & Clara Durall and Johnson & Gwen Stilwell, were also longtime residents of the area.

“The fact that the Community Foundation serves both sides of the river is attractive to me in the sense that I have interests in both Missouri and Illinois,” said Bill. “I don’t want to limit my philanthropy to just one particular cause or one particular area.”

As an unrestricted fund, grants will go to support needs and opportunities throughout the Community Foundation’s 12-county service area.

“Being in the rural Midwest is a tough proposition these days,” explained Bill. “There are many people in need, and I don’t necessarily have a specific focus on how to do good in the community. However, an unrestricted fund provides maximum flexibility to meet the needs as they come up.”

Following Peggy’s passing, she has been described as a foundation for her family, always helping to keep Bill and her two children happy, healthy, and whole as they frequently moved during Bill's long career in the Air Force. Bill hopes their family endowment fund will follow those same principles- serving the area for generations to come.

New Charitable Resource Announced for Monroe County

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 19:00:00 GMT

Monroe County Endowment Fund will receive a $15,000 match upon reaching fundraising goal

An opportunity to establish a charitable endowment fund for Monroe County, and receive a $15,000 matching gift, was announced in early March by community leaders at the Monroe County Courthouse in Paris.

The Monroe County Endowment Fund, held at the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri, will serve as a permanent source of support for local needs and opportunities.

“We have formed a fund council made up of Monroe County residents,” explained Monroe County Fund Council Chair Loree Quinn. “If we raise $15,000 in three years, the Community Foundation will provide a $15,000 match to root this Fund as a resource that will grow and support Monroe County for generations to come.”

Once the fundraising goal is met, the Monroe County Endowment Fund will benefit local charitable and public projects, programs, and organizations. As an endowment, it will continue to grow and generate new funds in perpetuity. Each year, the fund council will make recommendations for grants from the fund to strengthen communities in Monroe County.

"The Monroe County Endowment Fund is a way to ‘keep local money working for local causes,’” said Community Foundation CEO Catherine Meckes. “It’s a vehicle to preserve wealth in and for Monroe County. If everyone in Monroe County contributed just 5% of their wealth through their will to the Monroe County Endowment Fund, in 10 years it would generate grants totaling more than $300,000 each and every year. Imagine what that could achieve in Monroe County!”

In addition to Quinn, fund council members include Barb McCall, of Paris, and Allie Bennett, of Monroe City. The fund council is seeking additional members to help with fundraising and future grant making. Residents interested in joining the fund council are encouraged to contact any of the current council members.

“If Monroe County has been good to you, why not pay it forward for future generations?” said Quinn. “The Monroe County Endowment Fund will help us keep our communities a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.”

To date, six of the twelve counties that the Community Foundation serves have established their own County Endowment Funds. Those funds are currently growing and granting to nonprofits doing good work within their own communities.

Anyone can make a gift of any amount to help the Fund reach its $15,000 fundraising goal and receive the $15,000 match.

To-date, more than $2,000 has been raised thanks to gifts from Benson Financial Group, Chariton Valley Communications Corporation, Macon Electric Cooperative, Missouri Rural Electric Cooperative, and F&M Bank and Trust Company.

To make gifts to support future grantmaking in Monroe County, or to learn more about the fund, contact:

Local Contact:

Loree Quinn

loree.quinn@alliantbank.com

573-406-8097

Community Foundation Contact:

Kaylee McFarland, Development Officer

Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri

Phone: (217) 222-1237

Email: kmcfarland@mycommunityfoundation.org

Web: www.mycommunityfoundation.org

4531 Maine Suite A, Quincy, IL 62305

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

The Community Foundation launched the County Endowment Match in November 2012 as part of its initiative to develop endowment funds in the 12 counties it serves. Once a participating county’s initial fundraising goals are met, a permanent County Endowment Fund supports local charitable needs and opportunities in the county and helps to retain local assets forever.

Since 1997, the Community Foundation has made more than $15 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.

Community Foundation Announces 2023 Community Grant Program

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 15:29:03 GMT

Grant applications open March 1, close May 1

Grants totaling more than $177,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations advancing arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services. The awards are made possible by more than 50 endowed funds at the Community Foundation, which were established by donors to support the communities and causes they care about.

The application opens March 1 and closes May 1 at 11:59 p.m. and can be accessed at www.mycommunityfoundation.org.

Charitable organizations interested in seeking grant funds are encouraged to attend one of three online informational workshops. These online workshops will inform nonprofits of the community grant program’s funding priorities and updates to the application.

The online workshops will be hosted via Zoom video conference and login information will be emailed to participants upon their registration at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/competitive-grants.

Workshops will be held on the following days:

Wednesday, March 8

• 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Thursday, March 9

• 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Friday, March 10

• 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Those who are unable to participate in a virtual workshop are encouraged to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Community Foundation Program Officer, Kent Embree. Please contact Kent at kembree@mycommunityfoundation.org or 217-222-1237.

To register or for more information, please visit the Community Grants page at the Community Foundation’s website www.mycommunityfoundation.org/competitive-grants or call the Community Foundation at 217-222-1237.

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

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, go to mycommunityfoundation.org, or www.facebook.com/mycommunityfoundation.

Community Foundation Elects New Board Members

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:45:29 GMT

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri recently welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors at its annual meeting.

Allie Bennett, of Monroe City, Brad Keller, of Quincy, and Clayton Lamkin, of Quincy, join the Community Foundation as new board members.

Bennett is Manager of Economic Development and Member Services for Northeast Power in Palmyra, Missouri. “The mission of the Community Foundation is inspiring to me and I am proud to serve in this leadership capacity to assist in giving back to our communities,” said Bennett.

Keller is Vice President & Trust Officer for Mercantile Bank Trust Services. Keller “I am honored to join the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation, an organization that provides so many benefits to our local communities and to those individuals and organizations looking to give back,” said Keller.

Lamkin is Vice President of Finance for the North America Region at Phibro Animal Health. “Giving back is very important to me,” said Lamkin. “I am excited about being a part of the Community Foundation as it provides a great vehicle to impact the lives of countless individuals and families in our region - now and long into the future.”

Additionally, the Board of Directors elected Bill Durall, of Pittsfield, as secretary. Durall is retired from the U.S. Air Force and is District Governor for Rotary District 6460. Lance Grady, of Mt. Sterling, was re-elected board chair. Grady is the owner of L. Grady Realty and The Grady Agency. Corey Moon, of Canton, was re-elected vice chair. Moon is associate judge for Missouri’s 2nd Judicial Circuit. Kamryn Schrepfer, of Quincy, was re-elected treasurer. Schrepfer is a partner at Gray Hunter Stenn LLP.

The Board of Directors also recognized and thanked two retiring board members for their service. Brian Nation, of Barry, and Lyle Paben, of Bowen, retire after serving since 2017.

In addition to newly elected members and officers, the Board of Directors also includes:

Pat Benson of Hannibal, founder of Benson Financial Group
Chelsea Fellinger of Canton, Lewis County assistant prosecutor
Amy Graham of Carthage, director of the Carthage Community Development Corporation
James Hansen of Quincy, partner at Schmiedeskamp Robertson Neu & Mitchell LLP
Dave Hetzler of Quincy, Interim Dean of Career and Technical Education at John Wood Community College
Amy Lehenbauer of Palmyra, office & cattle operations manager at Lehenbauer Farms
Debbie Niederhauser of Quincy, retired educator
Dr. Douglas Palmer of Canton, President of Culver-Stockton College
Julie Shepard of Quincy, administrative coordinator of Community Health Innovation at Blessing Corporate Services
Dr. Kristin Spear of Quincy, owner of Paws at Home

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

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, go to mycommunityfoundation.org, or www.facebook.com/mycommunityfoundation.

Bill and Lynda Keller Fund

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 20:23:55 GMT

When reflecting back on the reason(s) why Bill and Lynda Keller decided to start a fund with the Community Foundation, the Quincy couple often referred to the proverb - ‘It’s better to give than to receive.’

“We come from such a caring community and we want to continue and be a part of that through starting the Bill & Lynda Keller Fund at the Community Foundation,” said Lynda.

The concept of the Foundation and endowment is nothing new to the Kellers. In fact, Bill Keller served as one of the Community Foundation’s founding board members from 1997 – 2002 and served a second term on the board from 2016-2018. During that time, he also served as Chairman of the Foundation’s Professional Advisors Council from 2016-2019.

“I’m retired now but during my time as an attorney, some of my clients were concerned about the future of organizations,” said Bill. “Someone would want to give to a certain cause, but they would start to question the organization’s sustainability. I’ve seen the Community Foundation operate long enough that I feel certain that the board and staff are always going to be conscious of who’s on the board and their experiences. I know they will continue to uphold the values of each donor’s intentions, including ours.”

The Keller’s intention with their fund is to support youth ages 0 – 18 in Quincy and Adams County, IL; with a preference for those with disabilities and from low-income families.

“We have been a part of short-term mission work internationally for a few years. We’ve seen kids and families who have so little be very appreciative and have such strong faith,” said Lynda. “Putting a smile on somebody’s face and helping your neighbor is the best reward. And, we want to continue to show our family and others that actions matter and more importantly, kind acts make a difference.”

P.A.W. Fund - Promoting Animal Welfare

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 19:29:02 GMT

Each donor at the Community Foundation has their own reason “why.” For Quincy resident Deborah Hutter, her reason for starting the P.A.W. Fund – Promoting Animal Welfare dates back to 1971 and her attempt to right a terrible wrong that plagued her family for years.

Deborah and her older brother, Mike, were raised by both parents, Frank and Grace Hampel, on a farm outside of Moscow Mills, Missouri. The family crop farmed, raised cattle and hogs, and always had cats and dogs running around. In the late 60’s, the family decided to add in horses and within a couple of years, they were raising Quarter Horses and Appaloosas; showing, breeding, and training.

Shortly after, Deborah’s family built Shenandoah Stables and Arena along Highway 61 as a way to expand the new family business.

“The indoor arena had a dirt floor, and all the pounding of the horse’s hooves created such a problem with dust,” said Deborah Hutter. “It was hard to keep the building clean and it became a choking hazard for humans and horses.”

In May 1971, the Hampel's decided to use a waste oil hauler to spray clean waste oil on the arena. However, the oil had such a strong chemical smell that Deborah’s parents decided to fill up some mayonnaise jars with soil samples.

“They just had a bad feeling and decided to keep the jars in our basement,” said Deborah. “This was the beginning of the darkest period for my family and was the actual start of my need to do something to promote the welfare of innocent animals.”

Within just days of spreading the oil, birds in the arena died, small rodents were found dead in the stall aisles. Then, the cats and dogs died. It was a slow, painful death for the animals. And before long, Deborah’s beloved horses and ponies sickened and slowly passed away.

“The veterinarians and doctors were stumped. Nothing helped the pain and suffering of our animals,” explained Deborah. “We lost 62 horses during this period which went on for years. Finally, we determined it had to have started with the waste oil. “

The Hampel's and their barn manager confronted the waste hauler owner who denied any accusations that something dangerous was in the waste oil.

“He challenged my father saying he would never be able to prove anything,” said Deborah. “You did not challenge my hard-working father, who was now watching his business and horses die.”

Deborah's father, Frank, and the barn manager began tracking the waste hauler's drivers, following the loads being picked-up and delivered. They took pictures and kept detailed records.

Remember those mayonnaise jars of soil samples? Those samples, along with additional records and information, were looked at and tested by the Centers for Disease Control and on August 10, 1974, the Hampel's were informed that their arena had been sprayed with a deadly chemical cocktail known as Agent Orange.

“In the back of my mind, I decided that even though I was a young teenager at the time and couldn’t do anything to relieve the suffering those animals endured, someday, I would,” said Deborah. “This is why I decided to start the P.A.W. Fund – Promoting Animal Welfare with the Community Foundation.”

Deborah’s family’s determination and the CDC’s findings led to the discovery of 32 other sites across the State of Missouri that were sprayed with the same chemical cocktail by the same company Deborah’s family used, including Times Beach – which, to this day, is still recognized as one of the worst environmental disasters in our nation’s history.

Milestone Grants Awarded for Youth in Samantha Otte’s Memory

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 21:00:00 GMT

More than half a million in grants have been distributed
from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund since 2000

Twenty-three local nonprofit organizations received grants in Samantha Otte’s memory that will benefit hundreds of area youth for artistic, leadership, and humanitarian efforts.

The grants, totaling nearly $40,000, were distributed from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund with the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri at the Oakley-Lindsay Center in the presence of her family and friends. Since the fund was established in late 2000, more than $523,000 has been distributed through grants to support kids in Samantha’s memory.

“It is incredibly exciting and heart-warming to celebrate this significant milestone,” said June Otte, Samantha’s mother. “No one could possibly have envisioned that one day we would be celebrating more than a half million dollars of grants awarded to nonprofits enriching the lives of tens of thousands of area children.”

“One of the primary reasons this milestone has been reached is because of the outstanding stewardship of the Community Foundation,” said Otte. “We are grateful for the dedicated, hard-working professionals at the Community Foundation who have guided the Sammy Fund group over these past 23 years. They have advised us well, invested our donations wisely, and have worked tirelessly to maximize the impact our fund has for area children.”

The Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund was supported until 2014 by proceeds from the Sammy Fund Weekend fundraising event. In 2015, the Gem City Kiwanis Club announced it would continue a Sammy & Kids Golf Outing and donate a portion of the proceeds to the Fund for continued growth.

“Sammy’s memory shines brightly within each child who benefits from these grants,” said Catherine Bocke Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “We are grateful for the Ottes for the meaningful and impactful way they honor their daughter, for the continued contributions of Gem City Kiwanis, and for the nonprofits who empower local kids in Samantha’s memory.”

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Bella Ease: In REACH program, addresses the four key factors to supporting kids in trauma

Birthday Blessings: To better serve the physical and emotional needs of foster children in Northeast Missouri

Chart Teen Task Force: To allow for an expansion of current sexuality education in schools to address the topic of menstrual periods with youth girls

Cheerful Home Child Care & Early Learning Center: Additional toys for the Toddler Playground - replacing worn and broken toys

Connect Child and Family Solutions: Cold weather clothes for foster children, intact families and DCFS wards

Consumed International Ministries/Mission 180: Meals for foster families on the first day of a child’s placement

Cornerstone: Foundations for Families: Comprehensive Youth Services program providing mental health counseling and advocacy services

Covered Bottoms Diaper Bank: Diapers for low income families/children

Douglass Community Services: Support for six young people in the Kids in Motion Program

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois: Membership assistance and camperships for girls in need of financial assistance

John Wood Community College Foundation: JDUB Academy tuition assistance

John Wood Community College Foundation: Financial assistance for participants in the College for Life Program

KidzPacks/United Way of Adams County: Weekend meals for 50 low-income children for the Spring 2023 semester

Quincy Art Center: stARTing with ART for Quincy’s public and private schools

Quincy Children’s Museum: Materials for children’s pop-up exhibits

Quincy Community Theatre: Student Theatre Scholarship program

Quincy Public Schools: Water therapy services for QPS special needs children

Arts Quincy Society of Fine Arts: After school arts program

Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association: Tuition scholarship for low-income participants in Youth Choir and Youth Orchestra and for the purchase of printed music

Regional Office of Education: Ready.Set.Grow.- provides books, bibs and onesies

Salvation Army of Quincy: To purchase food for the meals throughout the school year that are provided to those who attend the Character Building Program

Transitions of Western Illinois Foundation: Sensory room items; such as weighted blankets, toys, bubble lamps, softly lit floor tiles, etc.

United Way of Adams County: Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs to provide support for the unmet needs for families with children in Adams County

West Central Child Care Connection: Books for newborns through Born Learning Project

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

Since 1997, the Community Foundation has made more than $14 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.

Local Nonprofits Receive Grants Totaling More than $376,000 from Community Foundation

kmcfarland@mycommunityfoundation.org (Kaylee McFarland) — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 16:54:09 GMT

Nonprofits Benefiting from Designated Endowment Funds
Receive Annual Grant Distribution

More than $376,000 was distributed on Wednesday to 58 local nonprofit organizations that benefit from an endowment fund at the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri. The nonprofits were celebrated and recognized during an open house hosted at the Community Foundation. These year-end grants bring the Community Foundation’s 2022 grantmaking total to more than $1.89 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 $288 to more than $74,000.

“No doubt, nonprofit budgets continue to be challenged. We are grateful for the donors who have established these funds and for the opportunity to provide these year-end grants to support the good work of our nonprofits,” said Catherine Meckes, Community Foundation CEO. “Because the funds are endowed, our nonprofits can count on these grants every year.”

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 for a specific purpose.

“When a nonprofit establishes an endowment fund for itself, it builds its funding mix, it provides donors another avenue to give, and it allows the nonprofit to focus on its mission instead of managing investments,” Meckes added. “When a donor establishes an endowment fund for a nonprofit it cares about, there is no greater gift – it’s truly an investment in the nonprofit’s mission and good work for years to come. We’re proud to help donors and nonprofits achieve common goals together.”