Community Foundation awards more than $284,000 to local nonprofits in West Central Illinois, Northeast Missouri

community foundation

QUINCY — Local nonprofits received $284,311 in grant funding from the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri Tuesday during a presentation at the Knowledge Center at Chaddock.

These grants, made possible by 65 permanently endowed charitable funds, will assist local nonprofit organizations dedicated to arts and culture, community betterment, education, health, and human services. 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,” Community Foundation Program Officer Kent Embree said in a press release. “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 strengthens nonprofit programs that enhance the quality of life throughout the region. The Community Foundation annually accepts applications for funding from nonprofit organizations in its 12-county region. A grant committee of board members and volunteers from throughout the region evaluates each application to determine the awards. 

Funding for the 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,” Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer Catherine Bocke Meckes said. “We are grateful to the donors who have established endowments that will continue to grow and provide more funding each year. The impact is unlimited.”

The following funds support the 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:

  • 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)

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:

  • 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

More than 230 funds at the Community Foundation support arts and culture, community betterment, education, health or human services, including eight new funds contributing grant dollars for this year’s program.   

This year’s grant recipients are:

OrganizationPurposeFund
Adams County BicentennialAdams County  Historical Timeline MonumentFunds for Adams County, United States Founding Fathers Fund
Adams County SheriffSheriff Work Alternative Program Improvement ProjectFunds for Adams County
Advocacy Network for ChildrenGeneral SupportCommunity Endowment Funds
Bella EaseFunding CARES 2024 youth after-school programJerry and Linley Bartell Endowment, Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds, Optimist Club of Quincy Friend of Youth Fund
Bluff City TheaterBuilding the Next Generation of Theater AudienceNoma Meyers Eaton Fund, Community Endowment Funds
Boy Scouts of America – Mississippi Valley Council #141Financial Assistance for Youth in Adams, Pike, Brown, Hancock, and ClarkCommunity Endowment Funds
Bright Futures Knox CountyGeneral Support of Bright Futures Knox CountyCommunity Endowment Funds, G. Arthur (Art) Keller, Jr. Fund
Brown County Early Learning Center NFPGeneral Support of Brown County Early Learning CenterJon’s Home Center Associates Fund
Canton Main Street AssociationHistorical Preservation – Exterior Facade GrantmakingLewis County Endowment Fund
Carthage Park DistrictCreating An Outdoor Space that will Create Lasting MemoriesCommunity Endowment Funds
Chaddock Children’s FoundationKids On The Block Puppetry materials for educational awarenessFunds for Adams County, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund
CHART Teen Task ForceSexuality Education in Northeast Missouri SchoolsMarion County Endowment Fund
Cheerful Home Child Care & Early Learning CenterArts in the OutdoorsJon’s Home Center Associates Fund
Clark County Council on Aging, Inc.Operating FundsCommunity Endowment Funds
Community for Christ Assistance CenterUtilities and Food for Families in NeedFunds for Adams County, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund
Connect Child and Family SolutionsGeneral Support for Connect Child and Family SolutionsGrace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, Funds for Adams County
Cornerstone Foundations for FamiliesComprehensive Youth ServicesRalph Oakley Family Fund
County of Ralls MissouriFort Mason Monument ProjectCommunity Endowment Funds
Covered Bottoms Diaper Bank, Inc.Bridging the Diaper Gap in West Central ILBlessing Hospital Community Health Fund, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund
Coyote HillCoyote Hill Foster Family Community GroupsMarion County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds
Culver-Stockton College: Tri-State DevelopmentTri-State Development Community Project Support for EntrepreneurshipCommunity Endowment Funds
Douglass Community Services, Inc.Kids in Motion  – Youth development and leadership program, housing servicesJon’s Home Center Associates Fund, Community Endowment Funds, Marion County Endowment Fund, Ralph Oakley Family Fund
Downtown Monroe City RevitalizationMonroe City Leadership EnhancementMonroe County Endowment Fund
MC Rec CenterGeneral Support of the Rec CenterCommunity Endowment Funds
First Chance for ChildrenBab Bags Diaper BankCommunity Endowment Funds
Food For Thoughts Hancock CountyWeek-End Meal ProgramCommunity Endowment Funds, Hancock County Endowment Fund
Friends of the CastleGeneral Support Friends of the CastleCommunity Endowment Funds, Funds for Adams County
Friends of the Performing Arts/Quincy Public SchoolsQuincy Junior High School TubasFunds for Adams County, Green-Humphrey Family Fund for Music, Ben & Helen Bumbry Educational Assistance Endowment
Girl Scouts of Central IllinoisGirl Scout Leadership Experience – Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike CountiesGrace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund, Community Endowment Funds
Great Commission Broadcasting Corporation – WGCA-FMArea betterment through promoting local nonprofitsFunds for Adams County
Hancock County Senior and Childcare ServicesStriving to Meet the Childcare Needs of Hancock CountyHancock County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds, G. Arthur (Art) Keller, Jr. Fund
Hannibal Arts CouncilHannibal Arts Council Operating Support GrantCommunity Endowment Funds
Heartland Resources, Inc.General Support for Heartland ResourcesLewis County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds
Historical Society of Quincy and Adams CountyLighting Upgrade for Visitors Center Collection Storage AreaFunds for Adams County, The Quincy Foundation Fund, Community Endowment Funds
Horizons Social Services of Adams County, Inc.KidzPacks 2024-2025 Fruit InitiativeRalph Oakley Family Fund
Impact Global IncGeneral support for Impact GlobalRalph Oakley Family Fund
Jensen Camp FoundationSuperior Sleep for Summer StaysCommunity Endowment Funds
Jim’s Journey: the Huck Finn Freedom Center/F.A.C.T.General Support Museum artifact/documents ReplacementCommunity Endowment Funds
Junior Achievement of Greater St. LouisGeneral Support of Junior AchievementGrace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund
Kairo’s HopeGeneral support of residential program for survivors of sexual traumaSarah Christine Birsic Memorial Fund
Lewis County Food Pantry INCEnding Hunger 2024Lewis County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds
Lewis County Health DepartmentEnhancing Preventative Health Screenings in Lewis County, MOLewis County Endowment Fund, Ralph Oakley Family Fund
Memorial HospitalExpanding and Enhancing Emergency Preparedness in Hancock CountyCommunity Endowment Funds, The Wood Endowment
Muddy River Opera CompanyPremiere Program-Providing the Community with Opera ExperienceThe Quincy Foundation Fund
NECAC – North East Community Action CorporationEmpower Successful StudentsCommunity Endowment Funds
NorthEast Independent Living ServicesDurable Medical EquipmentCommunity Endowment Funds, Marion County Endowment Fund
Northeast Missouri Humane SocietyGeneral Support of the Northeast Missouri Humane SocietyCommunity Endowment Funds
OATS Inc.Enhance transit experience for North East Missouri communitiesCommunity Endowment Funds
Palmyra Christian AcademyPlayground Construction for Palmyra Christian AcademyHOMEBANK Fund
Pike County Government / Pike County Liaison CommitteeSupport for the Pike County Animal Shelter TNR Program (Trap-Neuter-Return)Community Endowment Funds, Pike County Endowment Fund
Pike County Senior Citizen’s CouncilGeneral Support of the Pike County Senior Citizens CenterPike County Endowment Fund
Pike County Unmet NeedsProvide individuals in the Pike County, IL assistance with basic needs and servicesCommunity Endowment Funds, Pike County Endowment Fund
Pleasant Hill Senior Citizens CouncilGeneral Support of the Pleasant Hill Senior CenterPike County Endowment Fund
QUEST Stables-Quincy Equestrian Services and Therapy NFPScholarships for Equine Therapy Sessions for Area Special Needs StudentsThe Zechariah Fund
Quincy Art CenterQuincy Art Center Starting with Art Initiative FY25The Quincy Foundation Fund, Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds
Quincy Catholic CharitiesMobile Food Pantry 2024Community Endowment Funds
Quincy Children’s MuseumMuseums for AllFunds for Adams County, Joe & Denette Kuhlman Family Fund
Quincy Children’s MuseumReady. Set. GROW.Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds
Quincy Community TheatreGeneral support of Quincy Community TheatreKatherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts
Quincy Concert BandGeneral support of Quincy Concert BandKatherine Broemmel Endowment for the Arts, Funds for Adams County
Quincy Humane SocietyPet Food and Supplies Pantry Program 2024Funds for Adams County
Quincy Museum, Inc.Quincy Museum Education Revitalization ProjectFunds for Adams County, The Quincy Foundation Fund, Community Endowment Funds
Quincy Public LibraryQuincy Public Library Big Read 2024Funds for Adams County
Quincy Public Schools FoundationGeneral Support of Quincy Public Schools FoundationFunds for Adams County
Quincy Society of Fine ArtsInstant Arts Classrooms + Full School Arts Field TripsIrwin Family Fund, Funds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds
Quincy Symphony Orchestra AssociationFour Quincy Community Symphany Youth ProgramJayne & Leroy Boeckelman Fund for Young Musicians, Dr. Robert & Shirley Murphy Endowment for Music Education, Cory Didriksen Lovelace Fund, Funds for Adams County
Quincy UniversityLiveU Solo Pro EquipmentT. C. & Mary S. Oakley Descendants Fund
Ralls County Health DepartmentPortable Vital Signs Monitors Ralls County Health DepartmentCommunity Endowment Funds
Salvation Army of QuincyEmergency Shelter BeddingRalph Oakley Family Fund
Salvation Army of QuincyFood Boxes for VeteransDiane Nielsen Gossard Memorial Fund
Salvation Army of QuincyFurniture & Toys for Child WatchGrace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund
Special Olympics Illinois – Region HGeneral Support of Special Olympics IL Region HQuincy Recycle Fund, James L. & Dorothy W. Rouner Fund, Community Endowment Funds
St. Dominic SchoolHands On Arts ExperiencesFunds for Adams County
Teresa Adams HouseGeneral Operating FundsFunds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds
The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri, Inc.Program Expansion – Child Sexual Abuse Prevention EducationCommunity Endowment Funds
The Food Bank for Central and Northeast MissouriLewis County Mobile Food PantryLewis County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds
The Food Bank for Central and Northeast MissouriFood Aid for Children in Monroe County, MissouriCommunity Endowment Funds
The Food Bank for Central and Northeast MissouriFood Aid for Shelby County, MOShelby County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds
The Food Bank for Central and Northeast MissouriSupporting Veterans in Knox County, MOCommunity Endowment Funds
The Heritage Seekers, Inc.High School Student Volunteer AwardsPalmyra Chamber of Commerce Prosperity Fund
The Legacy Theater Foundation IncGeneral Support for Legacy TheaterCommunity Endowment Funds
Transitions of Western IllinoisOpportunities for Adults Who Have an Intellectual/Developmental DisabilityFunds for Adams County
Two Rivers Regional Council of Public OfficialsSNAP to Success Matching Vocational Training FundsPike County Endowment Fund
United Way of the Great River RegionEmergency Food Kit ProgramHancock County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds
University of Illinois ExtensionYouth Leadership AcademyFunds for Adams County, Community Endowment Funds
Versailles Growth CommitteeVersailles Park BallfieldCommunity Endowment Funds
Versailles TownshipVersailles Community Building CeilingBrown County Endowment Fund, Community Endowment Funds
West Central Child Care ConnectionBorn Learning ProjectFunds for Adams County, Grace United Methodist Church of Quincy Fund
West Central Illinois Agency on AgingSound System for the Quincy Senior Center Programs/EventsFunds for Adams County
Western Illinois University FoundationAutism Center of Excellence, Program SupportJane’s Kids’ Fund, Community Endowment Funds
YMCA of West Central Illinois – Quincy Family YMCACapital Planning StudyFunds for Adams County
YWCA of QuincyYWCA Quincy Permanent Supportive HousingRalph Oakley Family Fund, Funds for Adams County, City of Refuge Fund

County Fund Councils will present grants from County Endowment Funds. Participating counties are 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.

The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri builds permanent charitable funds to assist area nonprofits and communities. It has made grants since 1997 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. Contributions made to the Community Foundation generally qualify for the maximum allowable deductions for income and estate tax purposes.  

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

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