Since 1972, the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois has been dedicated "to develop a better county in which to live now, as well as to leave a better community for future generations." [1] This non-profit organization gives grants to tax-exempt, non-profits organizations that serve the Champaign, Piatt, Douglas, Moultrie, Coles,  Edgar, Vermilion, Ford, and Iroquois counties. These grants are then used to support a wide range of services in the areas of arts and culture, community development, environmental affairs, education, and health.

Over the past forty years, the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois's permanent assets have grown to $13 million. Grants have been given to approximately 375 nonprofit local organizations that work to "improve the quality of everyday life." [1] The staff at the Community Foundation meet with grant donors to determine the specifications of the funding. They also meet with the leaders and board members of local organizations to discuss leadership strategies and possible methods of collaboration. 

History

1972 - Champaign attorney John Franklin worked with community leaders, such as Forrest Colwell, Kyle Robeson, Helen Levin, Bobby Eisner, Dick Burwash, launched the Community Foundation with $1,300 in assets. Their vision was that "a public charitable foundation governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees - local residents widely representative of Champaign county - would provide effective philanthropy through stewardship of gifts large and small." [1]

1973 - The Community Foundation establishes their first trust fund for the McKinley YMCA on Church Street in Champaign; the fund is in the amount of $10,000.

1974 - The CU Symphony Trust Fund is established; a $7,500 gift from Elsie Springer and a 30-acre gift from the Ross Mattis family leads the Community Foundation to work with the Champaign Park District to develop the Heritage Park at 2102 West Bradley Ave.

1975 - The Community Foundation establishes the Winifred E. and Donald E. Moyer Fund to build a swimming pool for the Boys & Girls Club of Champaign-Urbana.

1985 - Harold I. Gelvin establishes a $250,000 trust fund, which is still the largest fund that the Community Foundation maintains.

1990 - The Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund is established, which provides college scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are minorities.

1994 - The Community Foundation provides support to the Champaign County Humane Society and Habitat to Humanity.

2002 - Special funds are provided for the startup of the Swann Special Care Center.

2005 - $36,000 is collected through collection buckets for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

2006 - The Frances Nelson Health Center continues to receive substantial funding from the Community Foundation ($83,000 total since 1972).

2008 - The Community Foundation is certified by the Council on Foundations and establishes the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, which works directly with non-profits and assists their members with board training and development.

References

[1] "Celebrating 40 Years: Community Foundation of East Central Illinois." (2012). Pamphlet.

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