Community Foundation Celebrates its “Roaring 20th” Anniversary with Grantmaking Milestone and VISION Awards
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri hosted community members from across its service area at the “Roaring 20th Gala” on Saturday, November 4. The 1920s-themed evening was highlighted with a grantmaking milestone announcement and the inaugural VISION Awards.
Grantmaking Milestone
Commencing the evening’s program was Community Foundation Board Chair William McCleery, Jr., who announced that after 20 years of giving, growing, and granting, the Community Foundation surpassed $5 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in west central Illinois, northeast Missouri, and beyond.
“Over the past twenty years, we’ve built countless legacies through more than 175 funds. We’ve invested millions of dollars into the programs that make our region a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family,” said William McCleery, Jr., Chariman of the Community Foundation Board or Directors.”
The Community Foundation was founded on November 26, 1997. Within two years, it was able make its first grants totaling $10,000. It took 10 years of community support and growth to grant a cumulative $1 million to nonprofit organizations, projects and programs across the Community Foundation’s service area.
Now, 20 years after its founding, the Community Foundation has surpassed $5 million in grants, an achievement that underscores the power of endowment.
The grants come from the more than 175 funds, primarily endowments, established by individuals, families, and businesses to support arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services.
“While it is gratifying to reach a milestone such as $5 million in grants, tonight we truly celebrate the generosity of the community that has allowed us to reach those goals. Each of those dollars represents our community’s support for those nonprofits that serve the region’s needs and opportunities,” McCleery said.
VISION Awards
The finale of the evening’s program was Community Foundation Chairman of the Board-elect Philip Krupps presenting the inaugural VISION Awards celebrating forward-thinking philanthropy. The VISION Awards honored six people and organizations that were integral to the founding and following success of the Community Foundation.
Awardees included:
Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF)
GREDF incubated and supported the concept of a Community Foundation for our region by working collaboratively with business and individual leaders. Then-president & CEO of GREDF, Jim Mentesti, not only incubated the Community Foundation, but the economic development program for the region that continues its critical work today.
Marion Gardner Jackson Charitable Trust
The Marion Gardner Jackson Charitable Trust provided vital initial start-up grants, providing credibility, displaying confidence in and commitment to the cause, and enabling the Community Foundation to embark upon work to offer a vehicle for permanent, accessible charitable giving.
Mercantile Bank
Mercantile Bank was the first local business that provided vital initial start-up funds, displaying confidence in and commitment to the cause, and enabling the Community Foundation to embark upon work to offer a vehicle for permanent, accessible charitable giving. Mercantile continues to be a valued supporter of the Community Foundation and philanthropy in our region through the Mercantile Endowment Fund and other charitable activities.
Mr. William Myers
Then executive director of the Elkhart Community Foundation, Myers provided invaluable insight for the establishment and contributed $50 as the Community Foundation’s first gift. William Myers passed away August 31, 2009.
Thomas A. and Anne M. Oakley
Tom and Anne Oakley made the first local gift and the first pledge for long-term support of the Community Foundation. Anne Oakley passed away January 30, 2015.
Oakley-Lindsay Foundation of Quincy Media, Inc.
The Oakley-Lindsay Foundation of Quincy Media, Inc. underwrote the beginning stages of the Community and served as the administrative headquarters of the planning process. The Oakley-Lindsay Foundation invited VISION Awardee William Myers to help in the process. Without the Oakley-Lindsay Foundation’s passion, drive and foresight, the Community Foundation would not have grown into what it is today.
“Each of the people and organizations honored here tonight played a vital role in bringing the idea of a local community foundation to fruition. The VISION Awardees not only provided time, talent, and treasure to the venture but inspired confidence in the cause. By looking back at the dedication of these men and women, the Community Foundation will continue that energy into the future,” said Krupps.
Following the milestone announcement and VISION Awards, the evening continued with dancing with entertainment provided by the Matt McCallie Orchestra.
