September 2026 News & Updates | | |
Dear Friends,
This past month, we humbly accepted an award from the West Suburban Philanthropic Network (WSPN) for Philanthropic Foundation of the Year.
We are honored to receive this award and recognize that we do not act alone; rather, it is a collaborative effort by all of us. We rely on our generous donors and on partnerships with many nonprofits, colleges, universities, faith-based organizations, and local municipalities. We are grateful for WSPN's support, and for the ongoing professional education it provides.
This month, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. We take this time to pause and reflect on the positive impact the Hispanic culture has had on our region, the importance of diversity and acceptance of all cultures, and the value it brings to our community.
As we enter the fourth quarter next month, if you haven’t started thinking about end-of-year giving yet, it isn’t too late to start planning before the charitable season begins. In this issue, we offer some examples of ways you can give that will benefit you and the community.
Lastly, our Youth Engagement in Philanthropy program is hitting the ground running. Be sure to check out the wonderful work these youth are doing in the community and consider supporting their yearly campaign.
With gratitude,
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Julie Christman
President & CEO
Connecting people who care with causes that matter.
| The image features the following CFFRV staff and board members, from left to right, Nicholas Richard-Thompson, Maria Asher, Joan Dufelmeier, Jennifer Borgognoni, Julie Christman, Amanda Das, Beth Christoffel, Alyssa Schroeder, Nicole Lay, and Matt Gilmore. | | | Tools, Tips and Resources | Charitable Giving: Meeting the Moment | |
For many donors, their charitable goal is to make a difference in the community. At the Foundation, we know that it is extremely important to our donors to have a positive impact on the Fox River Valley. We are seeing people ask the question: "How can my charitable giving make the biggest difference right now?"
Across the country, this idea is being described as “meeting the moment.” In the simplest terms, it means responding thoughtfully and generously to the needs that matter most today while still keeping long-term community impact in mind.
Sometimes that means supporting immediate emergency relief efforts. Other times, it means helping nonprofits today so that they can build long-term solutions that strengthen our community for years to come.
If you would like to help our community "meet the moment", the Foundation is here to support you. Consider visiting our website or contacting Director of Advancement Maria Asher at masher@cffrv.org or (331) 208-9426.
| | Illinois Gives Act Tax Credit Opportunity Reminder | | |
Looking for a meaningful way to make a lasting impact?
Through the Illinois Gives Tax Credit Program, Illinois taxpayers may be eligible for a 25% Illinois state income tax credit when they make a qualified gift to a permanent endowment fund at a qualified community foundation. Donors can support an existing endowed fund or create a new endowed program to provide ongoing support for the causes they care about, while taking advantage of this unique tax benefit. Contact our team to learn how to establish an endowed fund and make the most of the Illinois Gives opportunity.
If you are interested in learning more about how the Foundation can help you pursue this opportunity, contact Maria Asher at masher@cffrv.org or (331) 208-9426.
| | Updates and Information from the Foundation | | Featured Fund: Aurora Hispanic Advisory Board Scholarship Fund | | |
This month, we are honored to highlight the Aurora Hispanic Advisory Board Scholarship Fund.
This scholarship fund helps support the continuation of education from students from throughout the Aurora community who represent the Hispanic Culture. To date, over 300 students have received scholarships. Through these scholarships, many students each year gain the opportunity to further their education and pursue their career goals. We have even seen some of these students want to pay it forward to the next generation by giving back or creating their own scholarship fund.
"We believe that when we celebrate our culture and invest in our young people, we strengthen the entire community and help create a more connected and inclusive future," shared Board Member Zayra Chavez. The Foundation is grateful for the Aurora Hispanic Advisory Board and their dedication to uplifting Hispanic residents and students in the Aurora community.
Interested in starting your own fund or donating to an existing fund? Visit our website or contact Director of Advancement Maria Asher at masher@cffrv.org or (331) 208-9426.
| | Thank you from Scholarship Recipient Ruben Perez | | |
"I am incredibly grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the Aurora Hispanic Heritage 2026 Scholarship. Thank you for your generosity and for investing in students like me. This scholarship will directly support my education at Loyola University Chicago, where I continue to study Finance.
Receiving this award will help ease the financial burden of tuition and related expenses, allowing me to focus more on my academic and personal growth. As a finance major, I am especially interested in becoming a financial analyst, and I hope to pursue a career as an investment banker.
As a first-generation Hispanic college student, pursuing higher education means more than just earning a degree. It represents an opportunity to create new possibilities for myself and my family. My parents have worked hard to provide me with opportunities they did not have, and their sacrifices motivate me to succeed. I want to set an example for others in my community and show that higher education is achievable, regardless of background."
| | Grantee Spotlight: Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP) | | |
This month, the Foundation highlights the Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP). Through 11 impactful programs, FLAP works to enhance working conditions and expand opportunities for low-wage workers and their families.
FLAP’s work is vital because it is the only organization specifically focused on serving this segment of the workforce. As Claudia Oliveros, FLAP’s Bilingual Manager of Programs, explains, “Our community members know they have a trusted ally that will work tirelessly to connect them with the resources they need.”
"Thanks to the invaluable partnership and support of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, FLAP is able to transform vulnerability into empowerment, giving workers and their families the tools and resources they need to thrive," said FLAP's Bilingual Chief Executive Officer, Alexandra Sossa.
| | Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) Kicks off a New Year! | | |
At the end of August, students and families from our YEP North and YEP South cohorts joined us for annual orientation sessions, marking the start of another impactful year. With 16 students in the new YEP North cohort and 41 students in the YEP South cohort, we are excited to see all of the great things that the YEP program has in store this year.
Interested in being an adult mentor? Know a community-driven student wants to join? Reach out to YEP Program Coordinator Nikki Lay at nlay@cffrv.org.
If you are interested in supporting the YEP program, please visit our website.
| | Board Member Spotlight: Mariana Martinez | | |
Foundation Board Member since: 2022
Committee(s) participation: Community Health Outreach Manager at RUSH Copley Medical Center
Local community: Montgomery
Profession: Healthcare, Community Engagement, and Public Health
Other community involvements: Mariana serves as the Treasurer of Compañeros en Salud/Partners in Health and as a Board Member for La Voz de Esperanza.
When reflecting on why she chose to serve on the Foundation's Board, Mariana explained, "There are many ways we can give back to our community through our time, talents, or resources. Together, these philanthropic efforts help to advance equity, strengthen community well-being, and create a lasting impact for future generations."
Thank you for your many years of service, Mariana.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Foundation or becoming a board member in the future, visit our website to learn more.
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This September, we are recognizing Beth Christoffel, our Director of Scholarship, as she celebrates five years with the Foundation. Reflecting on this milestone and her experiences over the past five years with the Foundation, Beth shared:
"One of the things I am most proud of is helping students pursue their educational goals through the Foundation’s Scholarship Program. It is incredibly rewarding to see the impact these scholarships have on our recipients—not only financially, but also personally.
As a lifelong Auroran, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community where I was raised and where I am now raising my own family. I enjoy working at the Foundation because I am surrounded by people who genuinely care about our community. I also appreciate the relationships I have built with donors, students, volunteers, schools, and community partners—all of whom play an important role in making this work possible."
Thank you, Beth! The Foundation is grateful for all of your hard work.
| | Upcoming Dates and Deadlines | | |
Nov 1 - Scholarship Application Opens
Nov 1 - Fall Discretionary Grant Application Due
Dec 1 - Giving Tuesday
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