Community Connection
MAY 2021
Central Illinois COVID-19
Disaster Recovery Fund Grant Open Now
We are now accepting applications for Round 4 of funding from the Central Illinois Disaster Recovery Fund to provide flexible financial support to nonprofit partners within the CFCI service area (a 50-mile radius of the city of Peoria, IL excluding Knox and McLean Counties), who are responding to ongoing needs as a result of COVID-19.

An advisory committee will review applications, and grants will be made to community-based organizations that are directly supporting local residents and families who are most affected by emerging health, economic, and social impacts. Organizations may apply for up to $5,000.  
A Visit with Congressman LaHood to Discuss
Ending Hunger Together
We were honored to have Congressman Darin LaHood and staff join us in discussing our Ending Hunger Together (EHT) initiative to address food insecurity throughout central Illinois. We were grateful for his time spent engaging with various members of the EHT committee, Healthy
Eating / Active Living (H.E.A.L) Food Systems Partners, and CFCI staff.

Food insecurity remains an ongoing public crisis with enormous societal costs. Locally, in the tri-county region, over 43,000 people struggle with hunger, including 14,000 children. We have continuously sought to reduce those numbers through this important initiative and look forward to making an even larger impact moving forward.

For more information on the Ending Hunger Together Fund, visit communityfoundationci.org/endinghungertogether.
A roundtable discussion with Rep. LaHood
From left to right: Monica Scheuer/Midwest Food Bank, Wayne Cannon/Peoria Area Food Bank, Julie Schifeling/EHT Committee Member and former CFCI Board Member, Rep. LaHood, Amy Fox/Tazewell County Health Department, Matt Gross/EHT Committee Chair and CFCI Board Member, Sarah Fletcher/CFCI Director of Grants & Community Initiatives, Mark Roberts/CFCI President & CEO, Chris Setti/CFCI Board Member
Emerging Philanthropists Fund Grant

The 2021 Emerging Philanthropists Fund Grant is open and accepting applications for up to $5,000!

Applications are due by midnight on June 9. We encourage all innovative charitable programs to consider applying at communityfoundationci.org/epfgrant2021.
The Women's Fund
2021 Women to Women Virtual Leader Luncheon
We had another fantastic Women to Women Leader Luncheon! This year's event may have looked different, but our winners were as amazing and inspiring as ever. Congratulations to this year's award recipients, as well as the many exceptional nominees. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate women's leadership in central Illinois and for making this virtual event such a success.

Congratulations to our award recipients:

Young Woman's Service Award
Cassidy Miles-Coleman (middle-right)

Emerging Leader Award
Jennifer Strickland (middle-middle)

Education Award
Laura Kowalske (bottom-right)

Arts Award
Jenn Gordon (middle-left)

Health Care / Wellness Award
Mariola Kabat (bottom-left)

Community Service Award
Kim Cornwell (top-right)

Business / Professions Award
Carol Merna (top-left)

If you weren't able to join us or if you'd like to watch again, we have you covered.
Virtual Spring Grant Reception
We hosted a virtual Spring Grant Reception to celebrate the 2021 recipients of the Community Arts, The Arts Mean Business Fund and the Jean M. Ligon Animal Welfare grants. A representative from each organization had the opportunity to describe their program and what the funding means to them. It’s truly an honor to support the incredible work they do to make a positive impact in the community. Through the generosity and kindness of donors, nearly $71,000 was awarded during this grant cycle.

Visit communityfoundationci.org/grantrecipients for a complete listing of the
2021 spring grant recipients.
3625 North Sheridan Road
Peoria, IL 61604
309-674-8730