June 2026 News & Updates

A recent YEP service project is bringing lots of smiles to the youth at Mercy Housing. YEP members decorated brown paper bags with inspirational messages and artwork for the children's snacks during the summer months.

"Thank you to YEP for the decorated bags. The children enjoy coming to the office to grab a couple of snacks and seeing all the different art, quotes, and sayings. Every bag is so unique and inspiring to many of the 200 children that call Mercy Housing home," shared Lynn Queen, Resident Services Coordinator.

YEP members also turned old t-shirts into braided dog toys, benefiting the pups at Kane County Animal Control. Before delivery, the toys were carefully “tested” and received an enthusiastic dog-approved rating.

#YEP #Bethegood #youthhelpingyouth

We are excited to announce the creation of a brand-new Instagram page for our Youth Engagement in Philanthropy program! Go give it a follow @cffrv.yep

The new YEP account will specifically highlight our Youth Engagement in Philanthropy program, including content created by YEP participants.



The CFFRV account @communityfoundationfrv will remain to provide information about all of the foundation's programs and opportunities.

“I am so grateful to have received the 2026 Heather Howiler Memorial Scholarship! I began my education in District 204 in grade 5, and I was lucky enough to be taught that year by Ms. Howiler, which makes my reception of this scholarship extremely special. Although that year was the beginning of Ms. Howiler's cancer journey, she was always present when she could be, and it was always a fun time. I vividly remember being challenged in her class and being encouraged to think creatively while also learning skills that I still utilize to this day. I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in early elementary school, but it was teachers like Ms. Howiler that made me certain it was the job for me. I am beyond appreciative of everything this district has given to me, and I've been so lucky to have been given the opportunities that I did.”

Clare Thomson

Waubonsie Valley High School, Class of 2026

Heather Howiler Memorial Scholarship

Attending Purdue University, Major: Secondary Education

The 2025 Annual Report and Fund Guidebook are now available. This year's theme, "Rooted in Community. Generosity Grows Here," reflects the deep connections that strengthen our region. As a trusted local partner, the Community Foundation helps transform generosity into lasting impact by connecting donors, nonprofits, students, families, and community leaders around a shared commitment to improving the quality of life throughout the Fox River Valley. Explore the 2025 Annual Report and Fund Guidebook today at www.cffrv.org. If you would like to receive future publications from the Community Foundation, please join our mailing list.

This summer, Quad County Urban League is helping young learners explore, create, and grow through its S.T.E.A.M. Youth Summer Camp, supported in part by a YEP grant. The six-week camp provides a safe and enriching space for 60 youth ages 7–12 to build skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math while developing confidence, teamwork, and leadership.

Each week introduces a new area of discovery, from learning about diverse leaders in S.T.E.A.M history to hands-on science experiments, drone exploration, engineering challenges, arts activities, and math-focused field trips. Designed especially for underrepresented youth across the Greater Aurora Area, Tri-Cities, Kendall County, and Southern Kane County, the camp encourages curiosity while helping students see themselves in high-demand career pathways.



By keeping children engaged and supported during the summer months, Quad County Urban League is nurturing the next generation of creative problem-solvers, compassionate leaders, and community changemakers.

The final Bob Schick Memorial Golf Classic will be held on July 24, 2026, at Bliss Creek Golf Club in Sugar Grove. Outing proceeds benefit the Robert "Bob" Schick Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund. This fund was established in 2020 in memory of Bob Schick, a former high school and college athlete who became a long-serving and influential teacher, coach, and administrator, as well as a mentor and second father figure to innumerable high school students.

The scholarship is awarded to two students graduating from Geneva High School. These applicants must have participated for at least two seasons as a member of the boys or girls basketball team, be actively involved in their church’s youth activities/mission/outreach, and plan to attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis. Register for the outing.

We are delighted to welcome Tiffany Loving as our new Office Manager. Tiffany has been a wonderful addition to the team, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to service from day one.

“I am truly excited to join the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, where I can help connect people who care with causes that matter. This mission is deeply personal to me because I have seen firsthand how life-changing philanthropy and scholarships can be.

My daughter, Jessica, received a $44,000 scholarship from a family-established fund while attending Xavier University in Cincinnati. That generosity helped make her educational goals possible and contributed to her successful career in science. Today, she has spent the past eight years studying Cancer Immunology, making meaningful contributions to a field that impacts countless lives. As a parent, I remain profoundly grateful to the family whose generosity changed the trajectory of my daughter’s future. Their investment is a powerful reminder of how philanthropy can create lasting impact across generations.”

We are excited to welcome Natalie Raabe as our summer intern.  A former YEP member, Natalie is having a big impact at the foundation, helping with projects in several departments.

“When I joined YEP as a high school junior, I was looking for a way to continue serving my community. What I found was a passion for nonprofit work that has shaped my path ever since. Now a student at The Ohio State University studying Public Management, Leadership, and Policy, I’ve expanded that passion through internships, service leadership, and nonprofit consulting experiences. I’m grateful to return to the Community Foundation community this summer as an intern and look forward to supporting its mission while gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit management, philanthropy, and community engagement.”

June 30 - YEP North Membership Application Due

Aug 1 - Fall LOI Available

Sept 30 - Fall LOI Due