April 2025 News & Updates | | |
Dear Friends,
As we begin to welcome spring, we are reminded of the power of new beginnings and growth. Just as flowers bloom and the world around us comes alive, spring offers us a fresh opportunity to reflect on the hope and optimism that guide our community forward.
The Foundation is also experiencing growth. We are thrilled to welcome two new staff members, Amanda and Gabriella; and four new members to our Board of Directors. You can read more about them in the articles below. We would like to thank our retiring board members, Rob Hollis and Kathy Birkett, for their years of dedicated service to the Foundation and their efforts to improve the lives of others. We wish them the best in their next chapter!
Spring also means "scholarship season" at the Foundation, and we are so grateful for our amazing group of thirty scholarship committee members who volunteered their time to review student applications. During National Volunteer Month, we would like to recognize these committee members. Volunteers are the heartbeat of our community, and we are deeply grateful for their selflessness and dedication.
April is also Financial Literacy Month, a time to focus on the importance of understanding and managing our finances. With tax season upon us, it's the perfect opportunity to refresh our knowledge and make informed decisions that will help us thrive in the year ahead.
As we continue to grow and support one another, let’s embrace the optimism and opportunities of spring. Together, we can build a brighter future.
With gratitude,
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Julie Christman
President & CEO
Connecting people who care with causes that matter.
| | | Thank you Scholarship Committee Members! | | |
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to each one of the 30 remarkable members of our Scholarship Committee. These volunteers have invested countless hours, bringing their time, dedication, and expertise to the important task of reviewing over 1,300 scholarship applications.
Their efforts have a profound impact on the lives of many students, and we are thankful for their support! We are also thankful for our wonderful donors, their passion for education, and their belief in the potential of people of all ages. As a result of their generosity, we are able to provide the financial assistance that will help students pursue their dreams.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." ~ Nelson Mandela
| | Congratulations to our Board Member Mariana Martinez! | | |
Congratulations to board member Mariana Martinez on receiving a "Woman of Power" award at the 10th annual Quad County Urban League's Women's Empowerment Summit.
This year's theme, "Together We Rise: Inspiring Generations. Shaping Tomorrow," could not be more fitting for Mariana. She has been involved with mentoring our Youth Engagement in Philanthropy group, now leads our Scholarship Committee, and is a member of our Board of Directors. Mariana is the Community Health Outreach Manager at RUSH Copley Medical Center.
We are fortunate that she's part of our organization and incredibly proud of her accomplishments in this community. Thank you, Mariana, for all that you do!
| | YEP Members Speak at Women's Empowerment Summit | | |
A big thank you to our YEP Members, Caroline Escobedo (West Aurora High School) and Mariel Parra (East Aurora High School), for speaking at the Quad County Urban League's Women's Empowerment Summit. These young philanthropists were part of the "Youth Empowerment: Rising Leaders Boldly Shaping Tomorrow" panel and they did an amazing job.
We are so proud of them and appreciate the time they took out of their busy schedules to be there and represent YEP and the Community Foundation.
| | Thank you to our Retiring Board Members, Kathy and Rob! | | It is always bittersweet when a board member's term comes to a close. This time, we are saying farewell to two Board Members who made significant contributions to our organization. Their efforts helped to further our mission and improve the quality of life in the Fox River Valley. | | Kathy Birkett has served on our board since 2019. She has also been a long-time member of the Distribution Committee, helping to award grants for our Discretionary Grantmaking Program, which our donors would be proud of. Thank you, Kathy, for your service and all of your contributions. Your knowledge of the community has been such an asset to the organization. We wish you all the best in your next chapter! | | |
Rob Hollis served on the board since 2016. He has been a long-time member of the Scholarship Committee and ensured a smooth selection process each year as the scholarship program continued to grow. Thank you, Rob, for sharing your time and talents with us. Your passion for the scholarship program has helped so many students, and we know our donors' intentions were served.
We wish you all the best in your next adventure!
| | Spotlight: Aurora Financial Empowerment Center Fund | | |
The City of Aurora Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) provides no-cost, high-quality, one-on-one financial counseling for low -and moderate-income residents as a free public service.
The Aurora Financial Empowerment Center Fund was established through the Community Foundation to support the mission and work to enhance program services that aim to reduce the social and racial wealth gap and offer greater financial mobility to Aurora residents. The goal of the Aurora FEC is to empower people toward financial freedom by investing in human development and quality of life. For more information on their fund, or to donate, visit our website for their fund profile page.
| | Welcome to our New Board Members: Mollie, Scott, Melinda, and Jim! | | We are proud to introduce the newest members of our Board of Directors. We are happy to introduce Mollie Peskind, Scott F. McCleary, Jim Griffin, and Melinda Kintz (pictured below from left to right). They bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to our organization, and we are fortunate to have them. If you happen to see them out in the community, please join us in congratulating them. We are grateful for their support of our mission and their passion for making the community a better place. A full list of board members and officers can be found on our website. | | Spotlight: The Neighbor Project Funds | | |
The Neighbor Project (TNP) is a nonprofit, HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to helping low to moderate income families reduce debt, build credit, save and ultimately buy their first homes. They help people escape debt, save money, and purchase homes – so they can be full participants in their communities.
To help support their mission, the Neighbor Project has several funds with the Community Foundation: The Neighbor Project Endowment Fund, The Neighbor Project Fund, The Neighbor Project Closing the Gap Fund. For more information on their work in the community or to donate, please visit our website to view their fund profile pages.
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| | Welcome to our New Staff Members, Amanda and Gabriella! | | |
Amanda Das is our new Director of Finance. She brings many years of experience in both private and not-for-profit industries and is looking forward to supporting the Community Foundation.
"I’ve always enjoyed using my professional skills for organizations with a deeper purpose. Joining the Community Foundation allows me to do just that, and I’m genuinely thankful for the opportunity to help others reach their potential", shared Amanda.
Amanda was born and raised in Michigan and is a proud graduate of Western Michigan University. She currently lives in Oswego with her husband and family. They have two children, Alex and Sophia, aged 20 and 15. In her free time, Amanda enjoys running, reading, and the joys of family life.
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Gabriella Salgado is our new Office Assistant. She brings experience in bookkeeping and accounting, most recently working for APS Training Academy and the West Aurora School District.
"I am excited to join a team that's so passionate about making a positive impact in the community. As a former student and resident of East Aurora, I’m grateful for the opportunity to help individuals and organizations from my community thrive," shared Gabriella.
Gaby lives in Oswego. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, family, and friends, and she cherishes the small things in life—whether it's a beautiful sunrise, a warm chocolate chip cookie, driving with the windows down, or getting lost in a good book.
| | | Grantee Spotlight: Chapel on the Green | | |
The Chapel on the Green in Yorkville is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 that offers event space for weddings, receptions, and special occasions. Recently, it was awarded a Community Foundation grant to install a stairlift, making the Chapel handicap accessible for people who would otherwise not be able to attend weddings, funerals, events, and educational programs.
"We are so appreciative of what this grant has done for our Chapel. We couldn't have done this without your help and that of your Officers and Directors.
Now, the chairlift is constantly used to transport people with mobility limitations. For those who need it, it brings them great joy and relief to be able to participate. The chairlift has had an immediate and direct benefit from the day it was installed," shared Ron Kelso, Grant Writer for The Chapel on the Green.
| | To learn more about grant programs at the Foundation, please visit our website. | | | Upcoming Dates and Deadlines | | |
April 15 - Microsoft Community Empowerment Grant Deadline
April 15 - YEP Membership Application Deadline
May 1 - Spring Grant Application Closes
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