County Endowments
Live Here. Give Here.
Our County Endowments began with a pilot program in Pike County, Illinois. In 2008, a few of the county's residents began raising money to establish a Pike County Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation. As they did, others started to realize that a county endowment fund provides a way to retain local assets to support a broad range of charitable needs and opportunities for the county, for good, forever.
Pike County Illinois' success led to the Community Foundation to launch a County Endowment Fund Match Initiative. All 12 counties in the Community Foundation's service area were invited to participate. Why? The Community Foundation believes each county can effectively pool resources for community betterment and generate increased awareness of local needs and opportunities.
Our County Endowment Funds
Adams County Endowment Fund
After reaching its $15,000 fundraising goal, the Adams County Endowment Fund gathered enough donations to become a permanent charitable endowment.
By reaching its goal, the endowment received a $15,000 match from the Community Foundation as part of its ongoing County Endowment program. The Adams County Endowment Fund joins five other County Endowment Funds, including Brown, Hancock, and Pike Counties in Illinois and Lewis and Marion in Missouri.
The fund’s goal is to support needs and opportunities in Adams County.
A council, made up of Adams County residents, will continue building the fund and will recommend annual grants.
To help grow the Adams County Endowment Fund click the link below to make a gift online. Gifts can also be mailed to the Community Foundation, noting they are for the Adams County Endowment Fund.
Brown County Endowment Fund
In November 2014, after two years of growing funds, the Brown County Fund Council announced it had gathered enough donations to become a permanent charitable endowment with the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri.
Since reaching this goal, the Brown County Endowment Fund has awarded grants to deserving nonprofit organizations in Brown County, including:
- Action Brown County
- Advocacy Network for Children
- Brown County Public Library District
- Community for Christ Assistance Center
- Jensen Camp Foundation
- St. Mary School
- Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials
Brown County Endowment Chair Philip Krupps expressed, "The Brown County Endowment Fund has presented us with an exceptional opportunity to actively and directly contribute to the sustenance and growth of Brown County. We are dedicated to fostering opportunities today that pave the way for successes tomorrow."
The Fund’s goal now is to continue to build and grow so it can continue to support the worthy needs and opportunities in Brown County for generations to come.
“Anyone can make a gift to the Brown County Endowment Fund at any time and be confident that their gift is more than a donation – it’s an investment into the future of Brown County," said Krupps.
To help grow the Brown County Endowment Fund click the link below to make a gift online. Gifts can also be mailed to the Community Foundation, noting they are for the Brown County Endowment Fund.
Clark County Endowment Fund
The Clark County Endowment Fund is a permanently endowed charitable fund exclusively for the benefit of Clark 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 Clark County Endowment Fund at any time.
In July 2025, volunteer members of the Clark County Fund Council announced an opportunity to build a charitable endowment with a $15,000 match from the Community Foundation. The campaign is making great strides toward its goal, thanks in large part to Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative for jumpstarting the effort.
The Clark County Endowment Fund is a means to secure local assets and permanently support charitable needs and opportunities in Clark County. It promotes community-based philanthropy and generates resources that will advance the quality of life for current and future generations in Clark County.
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 help grow the Clark County Endowment Fund, click below to donate online. Gifts can also be mailed to the Community Foundation, specifying that they are intended for the Clark County Endowment Fund.
Hancock County Endowment Fund
In 2014, the residents of Hancock County embraced an opportunity to establish a philanthropic legacy for their community. Recognizing the potential for this endowment to provide enduring support for charitable initiatives, they came together to form the Hancock County Fund Council. With unwavering dedication, they successfully raised $15,000, a sum that was then generously matched by the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri, doubling their initial contribution.
Over the course of the initial years, approximately 20 individuals, organizations, and businesses contributed to the endowment fund. In 2016, the Hancock County Endowment Fund distributed its first grants, initiating a tradition of providing vital assistance to local organizations through the Community Foundation's Community Grant Program.
In August 2018, the Hancock County Fund Council was approached with an exciting opportunity for further growth. An anonymous benefactor stepped forward, offering to match donations, up to a total of $10,000, to propel the endowment to new heights. The challenge was met with enthusiasm, and the Fund Council worked to fulfill the requirements of the matching grant, which included garnering support from multiple donors and meeting a deadline of December 31, 2018.
The results of their hard work and community spirit were celebrated on January 11, 2019, when members of the Fund Council gathered with their supporters at the Hancock County Courthouse. Not only had they met the challenge, but they had surpassed it with flying colors. A total of over $15,000 had been invested into the endowment by 25 generous donors. When combined with the $10,000 gift from the anonymous donor, the endowment fund grew by an impressive $25,000.
With this expansion of its financial resources, the Hancock County Endowment is poised to increase its positive impact on the community, ensuring a lasting legacy of support for generations to come.
The Hancock County Endowment Fund is a permanently endowed charitable fund exclusively for the benefit of Hancock County. Gifts made to the fund are invested for growth and grants are made from the interest earned. To help grow the fund, click the link below to make a gift online. Gifts can also be mailed to the Community Foundation, noting they are for the Hancock County Endowment Fund.
Lewis County Endowment Fund
In November 2015, after three years of growing funds, the Lewis County Fund Council announced it had gathered enough donations to become a permanent charitable endowment with the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri.
Having reached this significant milestone, the Lewis County Endowment Fund has been dedicated to disbursing grants to deserving nonprofit organizations within the Lewis County community.
With these notable accomplishments realized, the Fund's mission is now centered on sustaining its momentum to foster continued growth, ensuring its ongoing ability to provide support for needs and opportunities within Lewis County.
"Lewis County holds a special place in our hearts; it's where we call home. The investment of our lives, our families, our endeavors, and beyond, has been made here. If Lewis County has enriched your life, why not give back to it? This initiative not only enables us to reach out to new contributors but also amplifies the value of our fund. As the fund grows, so does the impact we can make by reinvesting in the nonprofit entities that contribute to enhancing our quality of life," shared Virgil Welker, Chair of the Lewis County Endowment Fund Council.
To help grow the fund, click the link below to make a gift online. Gifts can also be mailed to the Community Foundation, noting they are for the Lewis County Endowment Fund.
Marion County Endowment Fund
In November 2014, after two years of growing funds, the Marion County Fund Council announced it had gathered enough donations to become a permanent charitable endowment with the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri.
Since reaching this goal, the Marion County Endowment Fund has distributed grants to deserving not-for-profit organizations in Marion County.
With these milestones met, the Fund’s goal is now to continue to build and grow so it can continue to support the worthy needs and opportunities in Marion County.
“Everyone that loves Marion County should be interested in investing in the Marion County Endowment Fund. This fund has grown since 2014; it will continue to grow, and with your donations, it will grow more quickly. We will see support for worthy projects in Marion County get funding for today, tomorrow, and far into perpetuity. Any sized donation will be appreciated,” said Marilyn Hall, Marion County Fund Council.
To help grow the fund, click the link below to make a gift online. Gifts can also be mailed to the Community Foundation, noting they are for the Marion County Endowment Fund.
Monroe County Endowment Fund
An opportunity to establish a charitable endowment fund for Monroe County, and receive a $15,000 matching grant, was announced in early March 2023 by community leaders at the Monroe County Courthouse in Paris, MO.
The Monroe County Endowment Fund, with the Community Foundation, will serve as a permanent source of support for local needs and opportunities. Through the County Endowment Program, when residents of a participating county raise $15,000 to establish an endowment, the Community Foundation will match it with $15,000. Then, the Fund will continue to grow and provide grants to charitable causes in the county.
The same day the opportunity in Monroe County was announced, members of the community and several local businesses stepped forward to not only meet that $15,000 goal, but exceed it.
“I’m really proud of what happened with our community members and our businesses willing to give back so quickly and really a lot of generosity was shown for us to meet that goal that we thought maybe would take us a year or so to make,” said Allie Bennett, Monroe County Fund Council Member.
The Fund’s goal is now to continue to build and grow so it can continue to support the worthy needs and opportunities in Monroe County.
“If Monroe County has been good to you, why not pay it forward for future generations?” said Loree Quinn, Monroe County Fund Council Chair. “The Monroe County Endowment Fund will help us keep our communities a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.”
To help grow the fund, click the link below to make a gift online. Gifts can also be mailed to the Community Foundation, noting they are for the Monroe County Endowment Fund.
Pike County Endowment Fund
In 2008, Pike County residents began noticing that assets were leaving the county. Specifically, when a Pike County resident passed away, all of the decedent’s assets were liquidated, businesses sold, farms sold, bank accounts closed, and the wealth transferred to heirs who lived outside the county; in New York, California, Florida, and other places.
They believed there were people who cared enough about Pike County that, during their lifetime or at their death, they would leave a portion of their wealth for the county where they lived and where funds could be used for the betterment of Pike County communities for generations to come.
Those individuals met with the Community Foundation to see whether it would serve as the vehicle to assist with a Pike County Endowment Fund. Those individuals then met with several of the banks within the county. A very large percentage of the banks said they would support such a program, both financially and by informing their customers of the benefits. And, they found individuals who also believed in giving back.
With this in mind, that group of individuals formed the Pike County Fund Council to help educate individuals and businesses and to make contacts with those who might have an interest in donating.
“If you give to local causes today, you should consider giving to the Pike County Endowment Fund so that your gift will give back long into the future,” said Pike County Fund Council Chair Kaye Iftner. “It’s a way to ‘pay it forward’ and ensure that our communities will be cared for forever. Because we know needs and opportunities will change, these dollars allow us to remain nimble and provide support where and how it’s needed at the time.”
The Pike County Fund Council, comprised of individuals from towns and communities within the county, raises the funds and then reviews grant applications. Then, the council recommends grants that serve charitable causes in Pike County. Since the fund was established, it has granted to more than a dozen local nonprofits with the help of contributions from more than 100 people, organizations, and businesses.
"Our Pike County Endowment will provide support for good, forever, for our county," said Iftner.
To help grow the fund, click the link below to make a gift online. Gifts can also be mailed to the Community Foundation, noting they are for the Pike County Endowment Fund.
Ralls County Endowment Fund
The Ralls County Endowment Fund, held at the Community Foundation, serves as a permanent source of support for 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 within Ralls County.
The Ralls County Endowment Fund is a way of ensuring our communities remain wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family.
To help grow the fund, click the link below to make a gift online. Gifts can also be mailed to the Community Foundation, noting they are for the Ralls County Endowment Fund.
Shelby County Endowment Fund
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.
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 on a yearly basis.
“If you give to local causes today, you should consider giving to the Shelby County Endowment Fund so that your gift will give back long into the future,” says Nathan Hillard, Shelby County Fund Council Chair. “It’s a way to ‘pay it forward’ and ensure that our communities will be cared for forever. Because we know needs and opportunities will change, these dollars allow us to remain nimble and provide support where and how it’s needed at the time.”
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 will advance the quality of life for current and future generations in Shelby County.
Gifts to the Community Foundation for the Shelby 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 help grow the Shelby County Endowment Fund, click below to donate online. Gifts can also be mailed to the Community Foundation, noting they are for the Shelby County Endowment Fund.
County Endowment Funds keep local money working for local causes
Your Community Foundation continues to act on its mission of ‘Connecting people who care with causes that matter’ by offering its assistance — and up to $15,000 in matching funds — to reach its goal of establishing a county endowment fund in each county in its service area. To date, nine counties have established endowments and met the match: Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike in Illinois and Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, and Shelby in Missouri. Knox County, Missouri is currently in the fundraising stage.
If you’re interested in establishing a County Endowment Fund for your county (Pike in Missouri),
contact us to learn more.
