Community Connection
May 2022
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 2022 CFCI Annual Meeting!
The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) honored the Estate of Robert "Bob" E. Gilmore with the Founders Award at its 2022 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Gilmore was recognized for the thoughtful and generous decisions he made while planning his estate, prior to this passing in September of 2020. 
 
Through his legacy planning, CFCI received its largest single donation to date from an individual or family - an estate gift worth more than $3,900,000. With this gift, CFCI has established the Gilmore Fund, which provides annual grants in perpetuity to organizations and programs which will maintain and enhance culture, improve society, and promote job creation and retention in the central Illinois area.  CFCI has invested the Gilmore estate gift so that it will grow over time, while also distributing funds annually.  
 
As of today, the Gilmore Fund has already awarded over $653,000 in grants to local organizations.
Pictured above: (left) Mark Roberts, CFCI CEO/President, talks about the generous gift left by the Estate of Bob Gilmore. (right) Laura Cullinan, President of the Gilmore Foundation, gives remarks about the Gilmore Estate being
honored with the 2022 CFCI Founders Award. (Photos courtesy of Daryl Wilson Photography)
In addition to honoring the Bob Gilmore's estate, CFCI shared financial information from 2021 and celebrated the over $5,500,000 it granted in the past fiscal year. For a full list of the grant awards from 2021, please click here to access the CFCI Annual Report.

CFCI also recognized and thanked its two outgoing board members, David Bailey and Don Shafer, for their completed terms of service. Additionally, three new board members were seated to begin their terms: Dr. Songo Dede, Michelle Sanders, and Arthur Welch.  
Pictured above: (left to right) Incoming CFCI Board Members: Dr. Songo Dede, Michelle Sanders, and Arthur Welch
(Photos courtesy of Daryl Wilson Photography)
CFCI on the Road: Mason County Trip
CFCI staff and volunteers hit the road last week and traveled to Mason County to celebrate grant awards and the opening of a new splash pad! First, they stopped in Havana and had a check presentation for the Havana Chamber of Commerce’s Riverfront Concert Series! After a yummy lunch at Babe’s on Plum in Havana, they headed to Bath to help celebrate the grand opening of the new splash pad, which received a grant from the Emerging Philanthropists Fund of CFCI. It was the perfect day to play in a splash pad and CEO/President, Mark Roberts, couldn’t resist testing it out for himself!
2022 Women to Women Leader Luncheon Awards
Left to right: Eileen Leunig, Rasheedah Na'Allah, Audrey Kamm, Cindy Morris, Dr. Meenakshy Aiyer, Karen Jensen, Ronda Guyton (Photos courtesy of Daryl Wilson Photography)
A central Illinois tradition, the Leader Luncheon Awards began in 1978. During the past 44 years, nearly 250 women have been honored with Leader Luncheon Awards which recognize local women who best exemplify excellence in their chosen professions and a commitment to the success of other women. 

The 2022 Luncheon was a record breaker with 491 attendees! We had 38 fabulous nominees, an empowering keynote address by Mayor Rita Ali, and incredible honorees. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate women's leadership in central Illinois!

This year's winners are as follows:
  • Young Women's Service Award: Rasheedah Na'Allah
  • Emerging Leader Award: Audrey Kamm
  • Education Award: Cindy Morris
  • Arts Award: Eileen Leunig
  • Healthcare/Wellness Award: Dr. Meenakshy Aiyer
  • Business/Professions Award: Karen Jensen
  • Community Service Award: Ronda Guyton

The funds raised by the Women to Women Leader Luncheon will help grow the Women’s Fund endowment which provides grants to local programs and organizations that strengthen families and communities by empowering women and girls.
There is still time for you to be a part of the 2022 Emerging Philanthropists Fund grant cycle!
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2022 Emerging Philanthropists Fund grant. For more information about the grant guidelines or to access the application, please click here.

The Emerging Philanthropists Fund is an initiative designed by CFCI to invigorate emerging community leaders to join together as philanthropists. The Emerging Philanthropists is comprised of a cross section of professionals in central Illinois who have an interest in positively impacting the quality of life in our community through grantmaking. Collectively, Emerging Philanthropists Fund members donate to build the fund, a permanent endowment created for the purpose of addressing community needs through grantmaking. To join, it only takes:

  • Individual Membership: Minimum annual contribution of $100.
  • Couple/Family Membership (per household): Minimum annual contribution of $200.
  • Must be committed to working together for the common good of our community.
Join Emerging Philanthropists Today!
Click here or scan the QR code to join Emerging Philanthropists today so that you have the chance to vote on the 2022 Emerging Philanthropists Fund Grant award winner!
We're proud of our accreditation with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®. This accreditation, signified by this Seal, indicates that the Community Foundation of Central Illinois meets the highest standards for philanthropic excellence. The 26 national standards establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere and indicates CFCI’s commitment to excellence and accountability. Learn more about the accreditation process at cfstandards.org.
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Peoria, IL 61604
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