May 2026 News & Updates

Congratulations to the 547 local students selected as this year’s Community Foundation scholarship recipients! Each award represents not only academic achievement, but also the promise and potential these students bring to our community’s future.

Our Scholarship Program is made possible through more than 230 individual scholarship funds established by generous individuals, businesses, and organizations. With their continued support, we are able to award more than $3 million dollars in scholarships that will make a lasting impact over the next several years.

We extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated scholarship committee, whose time and thoughtful review process make these awards possible. Their commitment ensures that each scholarship is awarded with care and integrity.

"I am incredibly thankful for this act of generosity and for the opportunity this award provides as I begin my college journey. This scholarship means so much more to me than just financial assistance; it feels like encouragement and belief in my future. It allows me to focus more on my education and less on the financial stress that often comes with it. Knowing that people I have never even met are willing to invest in the success of my future is something very hard for me to believe...Thank you again for your generosity and for making a lasting impact on my life. I truly appreciate this support and will do my best to represent this scholarship with nothing but pure dedication and respect."

Braeden Rylan Beavers

Kaneland High School, Class of 2026

Erwin & Ella Hoffman Scholarship Endowment Fund

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Major: Chemistry

As food insecurity continues to affect children, seniors and families across our region, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley has awarded $126,000 in grants through the Emergency Food Relief Fund to help address the immediate food needs of residents in Kane and Kendall counties.

This fund is helping local food pantries respond to growing demand for nutritious food and essential pantry items.

These grants will support local agencies working on the front lines of food relief. Based on information submitted by grantees, the funding is expected to help provide food assistance to additional individuals and families throughout the region, including thousands of meals for neighbors in need.

"As rising costs and SNAP reductions continue to take a toll on everyone, the pantry is seeing the effects firsthand. Each week, we're serving over 4,000 people including dozens of clients visiting the pantry for the very first time," shared Katie Arko, Executive Director of the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, one of the Food Relief Fund grantees. "Our work in the community feels more crucial than ever. We are so grateful for your support. Together, we are ensuring everyone in our community can feed their families."

Matt Gilmore has served on the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2023 and was recently named Vice-Chair of the Board. A longtime Aurora resident, Matt brings both deep community knowledge and a strong belief in the Fox River Valley’s future. When reflecting on his hopes for the community, Matt shared:

“After 50 years in Aurora, I've seen this region's potential firsthand. My hope is that the Fox River Valley continues to use its resources strategically, building on our strengths in industry, technology, and connectivity to create a community where people want to build their lives and futures."

Matt sees the Community Foundation as an important partner in making that vision possible by connecting donors with the causes they care about most. Since 1948, the Foundation has awarded more than $30.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships for local students, investments that continue to strengthen lives and create opportunity across our community.

Several YEP members recently volunteered at Messenger Public Library in North Aurora to help prepare for their summer reading program. They cut and glued paper flowers and leaves to decorate the youth section of the library. YEP members also helped register local families whose children were interested in participating in the program. #YEP #Bethegood #youthhelpingyouth

Attention High School Students: Apply Now to Join YEP!

The YEP membership application for the 2026-2027 school year is available on our website through May 30. Students may apply for their preferred meeting location and will be notified in June.

Learn more about YEP on our website!

Questions, contact Nikki Lay.

In March, long-time Aurora resident Evelyn Rackmyer passed away at the age of 105. Evelyn was very active with a number of Aurora organizations through the years. She continued volunteering at the Museum Store for the Aurora Historical Society until her "retirement" in 2013 at the age of 92. The Aurora Beacon News published an article on her in January of 2025.

Evelyn had a deep love of learning and a strong passion for reading. In 2007, she established the Eldon R. & Evelyn E. Rackmyer Parochial Schools Endowment Fund to support St. Rita of Cascia School in Aurora with grants. She was a wonderful example of a life well lived, one rooted in service to community, care for others, and a deep belief in the promise of education for our youth.

Thank you to everyone who attended the recent Estate Planning Seminar at the Messenger Public Library in North Aurora. This was our fourth time offering the free "Estate Planning 101: Protect Your Family's Future" event at various locations throughout our service area.

We are grateful for our partners Katie Lenert and Lydia Park from Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi, Lenert, & Julien, P.C., and John Matejcak, from Old Second National Bank. The purpose of these events is to help community members begin creating an estate plan that accomplishes their goals and protects them from unintended consequences.

On Saturday, June 6th, the Fox River Arts Ramble will take place at various locations in Geneva and St. Charles. This event was created in 2018 to raise awareness of the rich artistic talent throughout the Tri-Cities.

Guests may begin at any location and are encouraged to visit as many locations as they would like. This cooperative program is sponsored by Fine Line Creative Arts Center. Visit their fund page for more details. Spend the day following the creative current of the Fox River Arts Ramble, and discover the artists, studios, and stories that make the Tri-Cities such a vibrant place to call home.

Now that tax season is behind us, here’s something to think about: Could a 25% tax credit for your charitable donations have helped this year?

If so, it may be worth planning ahead for next year through the Illinois Gives Tax Credit. A limited number of credits is available each year on a first-come, first-served basis.

This program is a powerful way to support our community's long-term needs while receiving a valuable tax benefit. Visit cffrv.org for more information, or contact us to learn how you can benefit.

May 30 - YEP Membership Application Due

Aug 1 - Fall LOI Available

Sept 30 - Fall LOI Due