funds
Our current funds
Giving Circle | Jasper County
Created to accept quarterly membership payments at the beginning of the year for the 100 Women Who Care giving circle. Quarterly disbursements are made to selected nonprofits or programs on behalf of all members who prepaid.
Giving Circle | Clark County
A giving circle comprised of individuals interested in the support of charitable activities in Clark County, Illinois.
Field of Interest Fund | Regional
A permanent endowment for charitable purposes in Richland County, directed by the 100 Women Who Care Advisory Committee.
Giving Circle | Regional
Created to accept quarterly membership payments at the beginning of the year for the 100 Women Who Care giving circle. Quarterly disbursements are made to selected nonprofits or programs on behalf of all members who prepaid.
Giving Circle | Effingham County
Created to accept quarterly membership payments at the beginning of the year for the 100 Women Who Care giving circle. Quarterly disbursements are made to selected nonprofits or programs on behalf of all members who prepaid.
Click HERE to go to the 100+ Women Who Care – Effingham County Facebook page.
Click HERE to make a membership payment.
Program Sponsorship | Crawford County
Established to provide grants for the benefit of the community of Oblong and its residents.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
The mission of the HT Task Force is to educate students for purpose of preventing human trafficking and to educate the community for the purpose of spotting, reporting, and ultimately eliminating human trafficking in Effingham County, one person at a time. The Task Force is utilizing many avenues to fulfill their mission, which include hosting informational roundtables to share the perspective and knowledge of human trafficking, utilizing social media interviews during COVID to keep the message alive, working with several related nonprofits, businesses and other groups to provide information and knowledge and creating awareness utilizing billboards along Interstates 57 and 70 in our area.
The 57/70 task force has been in existence since 2019 and our main goal of community education is to educate people to identify, report and hopefully eliminate human trafficking in our region. We have a dedicated, core group of volunteers that work with law enforcement and other groups to maintain our efforts. We continue to seek out volunteers to join our initiative and provide input.
Our target audience is high school/junior high students and adults who would potentially come in contact with human trafficking victims, such as law enforcement, health care workers in hospital and clinic settings, educators and the general public.
Click <HERE> to Donate!
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
To provide educational scholarships to ACHS seniors who have played baseball for at least two years with one of those being their senior year spring season.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
A donor-advised fund established for general charitable purposes.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
A designated fund established for the purpose of providing funding to Altamont High School, Altamont, Illinois, for the Donald and Kenneth Brauer Scholarship.
Applications for this scholarship are available at the high school guidance counselors office.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
Support to Altamont Lutheran Interparish School in Altamont, Illinois.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
To provide support to Altamont Sports Boosters.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
A project to identify, fund and facilitate sustainable improvements to facilities used for youth sports in Altamont, IL.
Scholarship Fund | Coles County
Established to honor the late Mattoon native whose heroic actions saved lives in a 1982 plane crash. This scholarship is awarded to a Mattoon High School graduate who is studying finance, banking, accounting, economics, or computer science.
Designated Fund | Coles County
To provide support to the Arthur Christian School.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
Benchworx is a project to help children learn life skills and problem-solving through woodworking and creative arts.
Click HERE to donate!
Designated Fund | Richland County
A fund to benefit St. Joseph Cemetery & Goss Cemetery in Olney, Illinois.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
The Bethina and Jack Schultz Fund is a donor-advised fund established to support local organizations. Mr. Schultz expressed that this type of fund provides a simplified way to engage in charitable giving as well as a broad approach to community support. He is hopeful that this fund will continue to grow so that it may provide even greater support to the surrounding area in the future.
Field of Interest Fund | Effingham County
A grant program to support the arts in Effingham County.
Field of Interest Fund | Effingham County
Grants for youth programming in Effingham County.
Donor Advised Fund | Clark County
The Bob and Judy Ehlke Fund was created as a donor-advised fund that provides grants for general charitable interests.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
It’s a familiar story: a person grows up in a small rural community, goes to college, gets a job, and moves away.
Such is the case for Bruce Penwell, Jr., who was born in Pana, Illinois, and graduated from Beecher City High School. He attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and worked in sales and marketing in the animal health industry. After living and working for several years in Raleigh, North Carolina, he has now retired to St. Joseph, Michigan. However, Penwell has never forgotten his ties to Effingham and Shelby counties, even when living on the other side of the country.
With his hometown roots in mind, Penwell established the Bruce V. Penwell, Jr. Designated Fund to support organizations located in Effingham, Beecher City, Shelbyville, and Pana.
The fund will provide two scholarships (valued at $3,000 each) at Beecher City High School. One scholarship will support students majoring in education in memory of Mabel Laue, a former Beecher City High School teacher. The second scholarship will provide financial support to students pursuing a nursing degree, in memory of Elva Jennings Penwell.
Penwell will also support the Beecher City Cemetery (Beecher City) and Linwood Cemetery (Pana), for general upkeep and maintenance, as well as the Beecher City Library, Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Society, and the Effingham County Genealogical Society through the designated fund.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County, Regional, Shelby County
The Bruce V. Penwell, Jr. Nursing Scholarship provides scholarships to residents pursuing a nursing degree of three Illinois counties: Effingham, Shelby, and Christian. Bruce V. Penwell, Jr. was born in Pana, IL and graduated from Beecher City High School. He attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and worked in sales and marketing in the animal health industry. Bruce never forgot his ties to the region. He had a lifelong interest in the people and the surrounding rural area.
Program Sponsorship | Crawford County
A project to support children and families affected by cancer in the Crawford County, Illinois area.
Click HERE to donate!
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
A fund established to provide charitable financial support for Buckeye Friends School.
Click HERE to donate!
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
A donor advised fund for general charitable purposes.
Designated Fund | Coles County
The C Roger Sorensen Designated Endowment was established to provided perpetual support for First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, Illinois.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
Established to provide general program funding to C.E.F.S.
Scholarship Fund | Crawford County
The Captain R. Dean and Mary E. Postlewaite Scholarship Endowment will provide scholarships to graduating seniors residing in Crawford County, Illinois who have been accepted into the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in Urbana, as well as students currently enrolled in the College who are from Crawford County.
Captain Robert Dean Postlewaite was originally from Palestine. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with an agricultural degree before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps and then Pan American Airways as a pilot during WWII. Betty, who grew up in New York City, worked as a secretary for Pan American, and then became one of the airline’s first stewardesses when Pan Am launched transatlantic passenger service in the 1940s.
Donor Advised Fund | Regional
A donor advised fund to provide support for charitable organizations.
Agency Fund | Effingham County
A fund established to provide long-term support for the programs of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program of Effingham County
Unrestricted Community Fund | Clark County
A designated endowment fund providing a permanent source of funds designated for the improvement of Casey, Illinois.
Field of Interest Fund | Regional
Rural Teacher Corps support our current and future pipeline of quality teachers for schools in southeastern Illinois. An unprecedented teacher shortage is on the horizon, especially in the STEM and special needs areas. Public school systems are why many small towns exist. Families will not relocate to small communities unless they believe public school systems are strong.
The purpose of the fund is to support future and new rural teachers in southeastern Illinois, especially those who participate in a Rural Teacher Corps in high school, community college, or EIU.
Program Sponsorship | Clark County, Coles County, Crawford County, Effingham County, Jasper County, Regional, Richland County, Shelby County
The Central Illinois Truck Convoy exists to engage the trucking community in a yearly fundraiser event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. The convoy originally started as the Coles County Truck Convoy and has expanded into Central Illinois Truck Convoy as the support has grown across the Central Illinois area. All proceeds from the convoy will benefit the Illinois Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants family vacations, special birthday parties and other wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The foundation has granted more than 10,000 wishes in Illinois since it inception in 1983.
For more information, please click <HERE>.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
To provide educational scholarships to students from Effingham County, Illinois.
Program Sponsorship | Coles County
Designated for support of the project.
Unrestricted Community Fund | Clark County
Designated for community development projects in Clark County, Illinois.
Program Sponsorship | Regional
To provide operating support for the development of a new entrepreneurial curriculum in conjunction with high schools in Clay County, Illinois.
| Jasper County
Grant applications for the Cloyce and Barbara Johnson Education Fund are now available from the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation. The application is open to teachers of Jasper County Unit 1 School District who may apply for a classroom grant. The grant is in honor of Cloyce and Barbara Johnson.
Cloyce Johnson was born and raised on a farm a few miles southwest of Newton. He was one of ten children of Dee and Viola Johnson. Barbara “Bobbie” Weber grew up in Newton as one of three children of Ed and Zella Weber. Cloyce and Bobbie met at Newton high school and were married in 1948. The family moved to Lawrenceville where Cloyce worked as an electric lineman. Bobbie obtained a degree in elementary education from Eastern Illinois University and spent many wonderful years as a teacher.
After retirement, even though Cloyce and Bobbie had developed many friendships and activities in Lawrenceville, they realized that they were “Eagles for Life” and moved back to Newton where they lived most of the rest of their lives. Since both were passionate believers in education, those who loved them have established the Cloyce and Barbara Johnson Education Endowment fund to help schools and students in Newton and Jasper county.
Designated Fund | Coles County
A permanent endowment to provide operating support to the Coles County Council on Aging in the years to come.
Field of Interest Fund | Coles County
A Legacy for Social Justice: Robert and Marilyn McClean
Robert and Marilyn McClean have spent their lives advocating for social justice and human rights. Now, they’re creating a fund that will continue their work in Coles County, forever.
Robert McClean is a retired pastor of the United Methodist Church. Unlike many pastors, Robert did not spend most of his time behind the pulpit, but instead, he and his wife, Marilyn, worked behind-the-scenes to represent the United Methodist Church and its organizational values through the Church Center for the United Nations in New York City. “Our job was not to lobby on behalf of the church. Instead, we learned everything we could about current events and social issues and took that information to the churches. It was then the responsibility of the congregations to act on this knowledge,” explains Marilyn.
Their work with the Church Center continued until Robert’s retirement in 1996 and the couple relocated to Marilyn’s hometown of Mattoon, Illinois. Their pursuit of social justice has not wavered since Robert’s retirement. Rather, as active members of their community, Robert and Marilyn have identified a need for the promotion of social justice in Coles County. This need inspired Robert and Marilyn to establish the Coles County Peace and Justice Fund with Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation. The fund will award grants to organizations in Coles County for programs and activities that encourage mutual trust and promote cross-cultural understanding on matters of social justice and human rights, religious tolerance, and environmental protection. Examples of funded projects and programs include but are not limited to: speakers and expenses related to hosted public programs; organizational diversity training; facilitation of cross-cultural, organizational collaboration; and the purchase of content and materials (e.g. books and video) which highlights diversity and encourages greater public understanding.
“This is our way to support the community-based organizations and projects that are in alignment with our worldview,” explains Marilyn. Their worldview, as Marilyn further explains, is connected to the social principles the United Methodist Church which provide guidance for the protection of the natural world, the fostering of a nurturing community, and the addressing of issues within the social, economic, political and world communities.
This fund will continue into perpetuity thanks to a planned legacy gift to the Community Foundation. A Fund Advisory Committee consisting of community members from Coles County who are knowledgeable of the social, religious, economic, and environmental issues in their communities will make grant recommendations for the grant..
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
A donor advised fund established to provide support to qualified charitable organizations in memory of Colin B. Woods.
Field of Interest Fund | Coles County
Established to support community development and the development of leadership skills and organizational capacity in nonprofit organizations in East Central Illinois.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
A fund to provide support for the development and implementation of the construction trades curriculum in conjunction with public and parochial high schools within Effingham County.
Program Sponsorship | Crawford County
To provide operating support for the development of a new entrepreneurial curriculum in conjunction with high schools in Crawford County.
Unrestricted Community Fund | Crawford County
An endowment providing funding for general charitable projects in Crawford County.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
When Terry Croft passed away in 2010, he left behind a legacy to assist students in Effingham County for years to come. The Croft Brothers Scholarship, established in 2014, was created in honor of Mr. Croft’s late brother, Larry Croft, who was described as “an intelligent individual who had the misfortune to grow up in a time when there were insufficient opportunities available to young people with exceptional learning needs.” The fund was established to provide financial assistance to students with disabilities graduating from public or private high schools in Effingham County.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
A project to expand the installation known as the Cross at the Crossroads.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
Crush Athletics will allocate funds raised through fundraising efforts. The primary focus will be on the construction, maintenance, and improvement of the new baseball field. Additionally, a portion of the funds will be allocated towards working capital to support the overall operations of the organization.
Program Sponsorship | Regional
To provide operating support for the development of a new entrepreneurial curriculum in conjunction with high schools in Cumberland County.
Scholarship Fund | Coles County
This scholarship is made possible by the generous gift of farm ground from John and Daisy Mason of Mattoon, Illinois, and supports graduates of Mattoon High School.
Scholarship Fund | Coles County
To provide educational scholarships to graduates of Mattoon High School.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
In memory of parish members of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, located in Sigel, Illinois, who had the ambition and foresight to build a high school in Sigel which Mr. Facklam attended for three years.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
For the upkeep of St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, located in Sigel, Illinois, in memory of family members buried there.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
For the upkeep of the Stewardson Illinois Cemetery in memory of Mr. Facklam’s forefathers buried there.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
For the upkeep of Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery located in Shumway, Illinois in memory of family members buried there.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
To provide scholarships to Teutopolis High School seniors in memory of the faculty and the Class of 1939.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
To provide scholarships to GED (General Equivalency Diploma) graduates in Effingham County, with preference given to students attending Lake Land College.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
To provide educational scholarships to qualified graduates of Dieterich Community Unit #30 School District.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
This fund was established to provide an investment tool to hold funds for celebrations every 25 years celebrating the establishment and history of Dieterich.
Designated Fund | Jasper County
Long-time Newton resident Donna Smallwood has partnered with SICF to provide support for the Oblong Children’s Christian Home. Smallwood is the former recipient of the Norris Electric Staff Member of the Year (2002) where she was employed for 52 years. She is now giving back to the community through an endowment fund that will provide the children’s home with long-term support. The Oblong Children’s Christian Home was established in 1970 and serves as a home for “abused and troubled children ages 5 to 17” with the overall goal of reuniting children with their parents.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
A donor advised fund for general charitable purposes.
Field of Interest Fund | Effingham County
Established to support charitable organizations in the areas of medicine, the public library, and/or education.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
A donor advised fund for general charitable purposes.
Field of Interest Fund | Jasper County
Eagle Country Water Works has been providing funding to area school and youth programs in the Jasper County area for more than ten years. The most recent projects were funding for the Jasper County CEO Class and seed money to establish an endowment for Jasper County.
In 2014, Eagle Country Water Works expanded its philanthropic efforts by partnering with SICF to establish the Eagle Country Water Works Endowment Fund. This fund was established with a $50,000 contribution and is being used to provide long-term financial support for programs related to the youth of Jasper County.
Scholarship Fund | Jasper County
Eagle Country Water Works established this scholarship fund to provide educational scholarships for Jasper County CEO students.
Designated Fund | Jasper County
Be an Eagle for Life and give back to Jasper County Schools.
The Eagle for Life Foundation is founded by Mitch Bierman and managed by SICF, created for improvement of Jasper County Community Unit School District 1 facilities. The Foundation is comprised of two funds: the Eagle for Life Endowment and Eagle for Life School Improvement Fund
Eagle for Life Endowment provides a permanent source of funding for future school improvements. The endowment acts a savings account in which funds are invested and the interest gained is dispersed at the discretion of the Eagle for Life Fund Advisory Committee. This could be an improvement of a current school facility or construction of a new facility. The fundraising will be ongoing and not designated to a particular project.
Field of Interest Fund | Jasper County
The Eagle for Life Foundation was founded by Mitch Bierman and created for improvement of Jasper County Community Unit School District 1 facilities. The Foundation is comprised of two funds: the Eagle for Life Endowment and Eagle for Life School Improvement Fund.
Eagle for Life School Improvement Fund is a spendable fund. Its purpose is to target and fundraise for specific projects and immediate needs. School district representatives will provide a “wish list” of school improvement projects to the Eagle for Life Fund Advisory Committee annually. The Fund Advisory Committee will review “wish list” projects, select annual projects and fundraiser.
Field of Interest Fund | Coles County
A field of interest fund established to educate the general public about philanthropy and planned giving.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
A donor advised fund established to support charitable organizations.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County, Regional
The Effingham Artisan Fair, established in 2005, is produced by a volunteer committee of citizens of Effingham. The Effingham Artisan Fair was created to expose, excite, and educate — while encouraging appreciation and participation in a variety of art forms throughout Effingham County. Typically scheduled for the third weekend in July, the Artisan Fair features approximately 40 artisans, live art demonstrations, a variety of food trucks, live music, children’s activity area, and more.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
A project to preserve the rich history and traditions of the Effingham Country Club by providing resources to fund historical preservation, promote amateur golf and other charitable activities.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
A fund established for Effingham County CEO Class fundraising projects.
For more information on the Effingham County CEO program, visit: www.effinghamceo.com
Designated Fund | Effingham County
The Effingham County CEO Endowment provides operating suport for the Effingham County CEO program.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
To provide operating support for the development of a new entrepreneurial curriculum in conjunction with high schools in Effingham County.
Unrestricted Community Fund | Effingham County
A permanent endowment to benefit child care, workforce development and land use/protection issues in the Effingham region.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
A permanent endowment to support the Effingham County Fair and fairgrounds.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
An endowment to support the Effingham County Humane Society.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
To provide scholarships for graduates of Altamont High School.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
To provide scholarships for graduates of Effingham County High Schools.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
To provide scholarships for Teutopolis High School graduates.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
A non-permanent pass through fund set up to assist with the administrative needs of this county-wide visiioning process.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
Non-permanent pass through fund set up to assist with the administrative needs of this county-wide visioning process. This fund specifically supports the efforts of the Investment in Excellence class.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
Support for projects to provide charitable support for Effingham Park District for park improvements, capital projects and preservation.
Click HERE to donate!
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
A project to advance the Effingham PAVE community development projects as developed through the community MAPPING process.
Click HERE to donate!
Designated Fund | Effingham County
Provide for building projects undertaken by the Effingham Public Library (formerly the Helen Matthes Library), including expansions, renovations or new construction.
Agency Fund | Effingham County
This fund has been established to provide funds for programs related to community development and improvement in Effingham County, Illinois.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
This long-term fund was established by a group of retired volunteer firefighters to preserve the history of the Effingham Volunteer Fire Department, Effingham Hook & Ladder Company, and Effingham Hose Company; as well as promotion of community services, fellowship, and friendship among brother firefighters.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County, Regional
Effingham Showcase Center, Inc. (the Organization) will build and operate an athletic center (the Center) providing opportunities to the entire community, meeting a need that cannot currently be addressed by local government or other organizations due to limited resources. The Center will provide a venue for indoor and outdoor sports and athletic activities open to all, including both youth and adults, from local schools, sports teams and residents. A majority of such usage will be by these local users, at a cost that is lower than market rates for for-profit facilities (none of which exist in the area), given the charitable purposes of the Organization. However, to help make up the gap between contributions and operating costs, the Center will be available at times to travel sports teams who will pay market rates to use the facility. All of the foregoing activities will benefit the community by providing important recreational and athletic resources that are not currently available, promoting health and wellness and lessening the burdens on local government.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
A project to expand, enhance and maintain the amateur athletic opportunities available in Effingham, IL.
Agency Fund | Effingham County
A fund established to provide operating support for the Effingham Sunrise Rotary in Effingham, Illinois.
Agency Fund | Effingham County
The Effingham Unit 40 Education Foundation is a charitable organization committed to promoting, enhancing, and assisting the funding of public education.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
A fund established to provide operating support for a mentoring program through the Effingham Unit #40 School District.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
This fund was established to provide support to qualified charitable organizations.
Program Sponsorship | Coles County
A fund to support Elevate CCIC in Mattoon, Illinois in its mission to increase economic mobility for underemployed Coles County residents through entrepreneurship services.
Scholarship Fund | Coles County, Regional
Elgin and Genevieve Daily generously gifted their farm to support graduates from Coles and Moultrie County. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in an agriculture-related field at Lake Land College or the University of Illinois or in the music field of study at Millikin University. Applicants must be a resident of Coles or Moultrie counties in Illinois. A recipient of the scholarship from a prior year may reapply. Applicants will need a high school or college transcript, ACT or SAT scores (if applicable), and financial aid information.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
A scholarship fund has been created to honor the incredible life and legacy of Elizabeth Weidner who changed the world.
Click HERE to donate!
Corporate Philanthropy | Effingham County
Mission
The mission of The Equity Employee Hardship Fund is to provide short-term assistance to employees that are facing an unexpected financial hardship because of a qualified disaster, life-threatening illness or injury, death or other catastrophic or extreme circumstances beyond the employee’s control.
Eligibility
All Effingham Equity employees who are employed full-time for at least ninety (90) days and seasonal employees who have worked 1,000 hours prior to submitting this application, are eligible to apply for grants. In the case of death of the employee, then the spouse, domestic partner or eligible dependents my apply. A copy of your paystub or payment statement should be attached to verify employment.
How to Apply
See your HR department for a pdf copy or follow this link for the online version.
Pass Through Fund | Effingham County
The Effingham Dog Park Fund was established to provide resources to build a dog park, Evergreen Bark Park, in Effingham, Illinois.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
An endowment established to support the Fear Nothing Cancer Support Fund.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
At 30 years young, Jodi Waymoth was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer, then with stage two triple-negative breast cancer just two years later. After conquering her personal battles with cancer, Jodi left her career to be a full-time mother, and started a non-profit organization to support others in her community enduring cancer treatment. Since its inception, Fear Nothing has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to assist local cancer patients.
Click HERE for more information and to apply.
Program Sponsorship | Crawford County
Proposed activities include but are not limited to:
- Sponsoring and/or hosting events throughout Crawford County, Illinois and its surrounding areas designed to promote awareness and/or participation in the game of golf;
- Providing funding for events and groups designed to increase the awareness and/or participation in the game of golf;
- Providing opportunities for the public to engage in seminars, discussion groups, training, playing and other educational opportunities designed to increase knowledge about or awareness of the game of golf;
- Any other purpose for which the Organization believes ultimately supports the goal of increased growth, popularity, awareness and participation in the game of golf within Crawford County, Illinois, its surrounding areas, and any other area that the Board deems to be advantageous to the Organization’s purpose.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
Support for Camp Wassatoga to provide a setting for outdoor education, recreation, and leadership opportunities for youth, families, and volunteers.
Click HERE to donate!
Program Sponsorship | Jasper County
Friends of the Trails supports outdoor recreation and trails in Jasper County, Illinois.
Program Sponsorship | Clark County
Improving the use and opportunities for education, recreation and environmental preservation and restoration at Lincoln Trail State Park in Marshall, Illinois.
Click HERE to donate!
Scholarship Fund | Regional, Shelby County
This fund will be used to provide one or more scholarships to worthy people who are residents of Shelby County, Illinois, for the study of medicine or nursing.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
To provide educational scholarships to students from Effingham County, Illinois.
Donor Advised Fund | Coles County
This fund provides support to qualified charitable organizations at the direction of the fund advisors.
Scholarship Fund | Regional
This scholarship is made possible by the generous gift of farm ground from Harry, John, and Catherine Smysor of Windsor, Illinois. The intent of this scholarship is to support students pursing higher education who have demonstrated financial need and have contributed to their community through acts of service. Preference is given to current seniors and alumni of Windsor High School.
Scholarship Fund | Regional, Shelby County
This fund will be used to provide scholarships to Shelby County, Illinois students who will pursuing medical or nursing degrees.
Agency Fund | Effingham County
Permanent agency endowment fund to provide support to the programs and activities of Heartland Human Services.
Heartland Human Services is Effingham and the surrounding counties behavioral healthcare provider of choice, offering cutting-edge, research-based services that address a variety of mental health needs and concerns.
Field of Interest Fund | Effingham County
Heather was a first-grade teacher at Estrella Vista Elementary in Avondale, Arizona, and an active volunteer at Nino Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix. She loved hiking, camping, and tubing. She loved to learn, explore, live life to the fullest and was always awaiting the next adventure. Unfortunately, Heather’s adventurous life was cut short, and she passed away in 2019. She was 25 years old.
Although her adventure is over, Heather’s passion for education continues through her parents, Robert and Julie Began, and her sister, Hannah. They established the Heather Began Memorial Education Fund with Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation to provide grants to K-5 educators in Effingham County, Illinois. “My dream started as a volunteer in the nursery, and it ends as a teacher, guardian, friend, life-changer, fighter, dream-catcher, and plenty more in the classroom,” she reflected in a college essay about her call to teach. Heather was able to fulfill her dream, and now her family will make that dream come true for other young teachers.
Agency Fund | Coles County
A fund established to provide current income and long-term protection for the operations of Hedwig Haus of Hospitality in Charleston, Illinois. The Hedwig House provides temporary housing for those in need.
Donor Advised Fund | Coles County
This fund provides support to qualified charitable organizations as directed by the fund advisor.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
The Imagination Library of Effingham will delivery free, quality books to children in our community ages birth to 5.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
A donor advised fund for general charitable purposes.
Program Sponsorship | Jasper County
A designated fund created to provide funds for programs related to 4-H Youth Development and other Extension programs in Jasper County, Illinois.
Unrestricted Community Fund | Jasper County
Program Sponsorship | Jasper County
To provide funds for training and support services for families with children and adults that have special needs in Jasper County so they may function within their community.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
Established by family and friends in memory of John K. Hightower who died in 1997. Gifts from this fund will be made in the area of Fine Arts.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
This fund provides support to qualified charitable organizations as directed by the fund advisors.
Scholarship Fund | Regional, Shelby County
This fund will be used to provide an annual scholarship to a college student majoring in agriculture from Shelby County, Illinois.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
Provide support to Sacred Heart Parish in Effingham, Illinois for the exclusive benefit and use of Sacred Heart school programs, activities and maintenance.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
Krops4Kids is a community-based gardening project designed to engage children and families in growing healthy produce.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
Lake Sara Beach is undergoing a transformation with the help of private financial support through the Lake Sara Forever Fund. The fund was established with the Community Foundation in 2008 as a way to privately support public projects together with the Effingham Water Authority. Since its inception, the Lake Sara Forever Fund has contributed more than $310,000 to the Effingham Water Authority for a shoreline restoration project as well as the purchase of beach property in 2017. The next project is the multiphase beautification of the Lake Sara Beach for public recreational use.
“The goal is to get it back so that the community can enjoy the beach and the property around it the way it was enjoyed before,” says Tom Ryan, co-chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee and member of the Lake Sara Forever Fund Advisory Committee.
Opened to the public in the 1960s, the Lake Sara Beach was a hotspot for recreation. Although times have changed and interest has wavered, the benefits of the beach have never disappeared – they’ve just been hidden for a while. Now, with the developments in progress, the community is stepping up to restore this piece of Effingham history to its former glory. As the Fund Advisory Committee continues to seek support for this project, the Community Foundation will remain an important partner in making this project a reality.
Click HERE to donate!
Donor Advised Fund | Jasper County
The Larry D. Short and Lora C. Short Fund was established by Lora Short to support the sporting events that she and her late husband, Larry Short, had always enjoyed together. This donor-advised fund through the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation will support athletic programs in the Jasper County school district.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
The LeAnn Schroeder Hardiek Friendship Endowment will provide cancer patients with gift cards for their young children. These children are often scared of hospitals and worried about their sick parents. Many times, birthday and holiday gifts, dining out and entertainment becomes a luxury that parents cannot afford due to the expense of cancer treatments. These gift cards are meant to help alleviate the child’s fear and relieve some of the financial burden felt by parents. The gift cards can be used for toys, meals and other forms of entertainment that can provide a distraction for the child whose parent is battling cancer. The gift cards will be distributed by the staff at the Effingham Crossroads Cancer Center.
Click HERE to donate!
Scholarship Fund | Coles County
A fund to provide visual and performing arts scholarships for Mattoon High School Students.
The scholarship was named in honor of Carl Lebovitz and James K. Lively, formerly of Mattoon. Lively worked as a freelance translator of many Slavic languages and was a patron of the arts during all of his adult life. He died in 1998. Lebovitz, also a language translator, was a founding member of the Mattoon Arts Council and a patron of the arts throughout his life. He participated in local theatrical productions over the years, and was the Journal Gazette/Times-Courier’s arts reviewer-at-large for 30 years.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
A project to support and enhance in-home healthcare options in Effingham County, Illinois.
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Designated Fund | Coles County, Regional
To provide support for the development, operation and enrichment of LIFT (Leaders Innovating For Tomorrow) an educational institution in Mattoon, IL.
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Program Sponsorship | Regional
To provide operating support for the development of a new entrepreneurial curriculum in conjunction with high schools in Marion County.
Scholarship Fund | Clay County
Lou and Nancy Kincaid Family Scholarships offer support for graduates of Full Armor Christian Academy and North Clay High School pursuing higher education as either full-time or part-time students at a college or university.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
A donor advised fund established to provide support to qualified charitable organizations.
Unrestricted Community Fund | Clark County
A fund established to provide a permanent source of funding for community development in Marshall, Illinois.
Unrestricted Community Fund | Coles County
A permanent endowment to benefit child care, workforce development and land use/protection issues in the Mattoon region.
Pass Through Fund | Coles County
This fund supports the plan to create and construct a dog park in Mattoon, Illinois for the long-term benefits of residents of Mattoon and surrounding communities.
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Field of Interest Fund | Coles County
The Mattoon Foundation for Academic Excellence (MFAE) was established in 1994 with funding from Consolidated Communications’ Earning for Learning grant.
In 2017, the Community Foundation convened school administrators, teachers and other community leaders to realign the mission of the fund and its programming to better reflect the school’s priority and vision of strengthening the relationships between the school, families and the community. This discussion led to two new grant opportunities: Family Engagement Mini-Grants and Community Engagement Grants. Research has shown that when families, schools and communities partner in promoting learning and healthy development for all children, schools thrive and student outcomes increase.
Scholarship Fund | Coles County
The Mattoon High School Alumni Scholarship Fund provides assistance for Mattoon High School seniors and graduates pursuing higher education.
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Agency Fund | Coles County
Mattoon in Motion was created in the fall of 2017 when a cross-section of more than 80 passionate community members came together and participated in a series of community planning sessions initiated by the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation and the MAPPING community planning program offered by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University.
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Agency Fund | Coles County
A permanent endowment to provide operating support to the Mattoon Library in the years to come.
Designated Fund | Jasper County
This fund provides support to the Newton Eagle Riverwalk, Jasper County CEO Operating Fund, and Jasper County Community Endowment.
Donor Advised Fund | Jasper County
To provide assistance to pursue the charitable efforts of the Michels family.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
Midland States Bank has created a permanent endowment fund to provide fitness scholarships for underprivileged children and families at the Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex.
Scholarship Fund | Coles County
Established by Mattoon resident Lorri James in memory of her late husband. Scholarships are awarded to Mattoon High School senior football players.
Scholarship Fund | Richland County
The Moehle Family Scholarship is for a graduating senior of Richland County High School who will be a full-time student at a 4-year university or college or a 2-year community college.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
The community members established the More For Montrose Fund to start planning for improvements within the community.
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Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
The Musicians Corner fund was established in December 2013 to provide support to Effingham Unit 40 band and music programs.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
My Memory Worx’s mission is to promote brain health, prevent cognitive decline in the healthy, and slow decline in those with mild to moderate impairment.
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Field of Interest Fund | Regional
An endowment to support non-profits in the region.
Program Sponsorship | Regional
A fund to supplement the academic and extracurricular opportunities at North Clay CUSD #25.
Program Sponsorship | Crawford County
A fund to promote community development in the village of Oblong, Illinois.
Pass Through Fund | Coles County
One Stop Community Christmas serves Coles, Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, and Shelby counties to provide Christmas gifts and household necessities for families who are in need of these services.
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Designated Fund | Crawford County
Provide support to the theater and theatrical activities at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, IL.
Unrestricted Community Fund | Crawford County
An endowment established to provide support for projects and activities in Palestine, Illinois.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
A designated fund established to provide funding to Pana High School for the Chester and Wilmeth Clawson Scholarship.
Program Sponsorship | Crawford County
A project to promote the health and welfare of animals in Crawford County, Illinois. A non-profit committee working to reduce over-population of cats and dogs by promoting quality, affordable spay and neuter services.
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Designated Fund | Coles County
Established by Mattoon residents Maj. Gen. John and Pauline Phipps on behalf of their daughter, Kelsey. Funds are disbursed at the direction of the family to local charities.
Unrestricted Fund | Effingham County
The Ralph and June Kidwell Endowment is an unrestricted endowment that supports Effingham County’s most pressing needs. The Kidwells established the fund through their estate.
Scholarship Fund | Clark County
To provide educational scholarships to students graduating from Casey-Westfield CUSD #4 pursuing a degree in healthcare.
Field of Interest Fund | Effingham County
The Ray, Mary and Tim Niebrugge Scholarship was established by Tim Niebrugge, the son of Ray and Mary Niebrugge of Green Creek. Ray Niebrugge inherited a tract of land from his father John and continued reinvesting in the farm for over 40 years. Tim established this trust to help students with financial need continue their education.
Graduates of any Effingham County high school are eligible to apply for a scholarship for undergraduate study at any two or four-year college/university or technical school. The primary determinant for selection is financial need.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
To provide funds raised by the Effingham community to the Effingham Park District to build the Richard E. Workman Sports & Wellness Complex.
Corporate Philanthropy | Regional
Mission
Help Rural King associates and team members who are experiencing economic hardship and are unable to afford housing, utilities, and other basic living needs because of a qualified natural disaster, life-threatening or serious illness or injury, death or other catastrophic or extreme circumstances beyond the associate’s control.
How to Apply
Please go to rkcares.com/associate.php#hardship for more information and to find both pdf and online application options.
Field of Interest Fund | Regional
RK Foundation for Rural America supports qualified charitable organizations which promote the goals, values, health, education, and well-being of those who inhabit rural communities, and the charitable organizations that support such.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
This fund support qualified charitable organizations at the direction of the fund advisors.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
This fund provides long-term support to qualified charitable organizations at the direction of the fund advisors.
Designated Fund | Crawford County
The Robinson Parks Foundation Fund will be used to support several of the Robinson city park areas.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
To provide assistance to families of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
A fund established to provide educational scholarships to Effingham County students pursuing nursing degrees. The scholarship was created by Roy Robson and Roma Jackson in memory of their sister Mary Robson who was diabetic and required considerable nursing care. Roy and Roma saw first hand the need for good care and provided a bequest establishing a permanent endowment for nursing scholarships.
Donor Advised Fund | Effingham County
A donor-advised fund supporting charitable organizations in Effingham and Moultrie counties.
Donor Advised Fund | Clark County
A donor advised fund set up by Scott Ellis’s family in his memory.
Scott Ellis was born January 17, 1982 and grew up a healthy and active young man. At age 11, he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a solid mass cancer that commonly invades the large bones of young adults. In September of 2009, Scott went home to be with the Lord. He loved his wife and family well and accomplished much in his 27 years. The purpose of the Scott’s Pay It Forward Fund is to keep Scott’s spirit alive and honor his wishes to help and support others who find themselves in the same struggles that he experienced in his 16 year battle with cancer.
Designated Fund | Regional
Establishment of a agency endowment fund designed to build a long-term permanent source of funding for program activities that will enhance the agency’s ability to respond to requests for help from the seniors they serve in Effingham, Clay, Fayette, Jefferson and Marion Counties.
Operating Funds | Regional
A permanent endowment to support the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation.
Operating Funds | Regional
A general fund to support the charitable efforts of the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation.
Field of Interest Fund | Effingham County
A donor advised fund established to provide support to qualified charitable organizations.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
A fund to support fitness scholarships to underprivileged children and families at the Richard E. Workman Sports Complex in Effingham, Illinois.
Designated Fund | Regional
This fund provides operating support to the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetary Association.
Donor Advised Fund | Coles County
This fund provides support for qualifying charitable organizations at the direction of the fund advisor.
Field of Interest Fund | Shelby County
The Stewardson-Strasburg Education Foundation manages two funds for the benefit of the school district. The Stewardson-Strasburg Education Improvement Fund has been established to meet immediate needs of the Education Foundation while the Stewardson-Strasburg Education Endowment provides a permanent source of funding for future school projects, grants and scholarships. The endowment fund acts as a savings account in which funds are invested and the interest gained is disbursed at the discretion of the advisory committee.
Field of Interest Fund | Shelby County
A pass through fund established to provide support for programs that benefit Stewardson-Strasburg Community Unit School District #5A and its students.
Unrestricted Community Fund | Shelby County
Established to provide long-term funds to support developments and improvements to enhance the Community of Strasburg, Illinois
Unrestricted Community Fund | Shelby County
Established to provide pass through funds for improvements and developments to enhance the Community of Strasburg, Illinois.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
A fund established to provide an investment tool to hold funds for the Teutopolis 2039 Celebration, a project of Teutopolis 175th, Inc.
Program Sponsorship | Effingham County
The Teutopolis for Tomorrow fund supports the work of our Teutopolis for Tomorrow Action Committees: Education; Parks and Recreation; Childcare; Events; Housing; Bustling Economy; Infrastructure and Beautification!
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Designated Fund | Effingham County
Since 1913, Teutopolis State Bank has taken pride in giving back to the community. With the desire to continue this tradition, Teutopolis State Bank established a designated fund with Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation in 2000 to support charitable organizations in Teutopolis working in the areas of civic, cultural health, education, health or social services. According to Jerry Runde (Teutopolis State Bank representative), “As the Teutopolis State Bank continues its civic involvement throughout the community it remains dedicated to serving shareholders, clients, neighbors and friends through this grant process. With the bank’s extensive range of civic involvement, no organization or project is too big or too small to forego support from this fund.”
Program Sponsorship | Regional, Shelby County
The fund will be used to provide scholarships to graduates of Pana High School in Pana, Illinois
Scholarship Fund | Regional
The Thomas J. Epplin Health Profession Scholarship provides assistance to students seeking health profession careers. Students pursuing a minimum degree of Bachelor of Science in dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, or nursing may apply.
Thomas J. Epplin “Tom” was born and raised in Pinckneyville, IL. He was a dentist in Vandalia, IL for 25 years where he was an active member of his parish, president of the Fayette County Health Department, and a member of various professional organizations. He was an avid supporter of St. Anthony High School in Effingham, IL during the years his daughter attended.
Tom was passionate about promoting educational opportunities for students of all walks of life. This scholarship has been made possible by the generous gifts of family and friends who wish to carry on his legacy.
Donor Advised Fund | Coles County
This fund provides support for qualifying charitable organizations as directed by the fund advisors.
Donor Advised Fund | Coles County
A donor advised fund established by Mattoon residents Robert F. and Judith A. Jones in memory of their son, Tyler Jones.
Program Sponsorship | Coles County
The Tyler Santa House Fund exists to raise and donate funds for the construction, operation and maintenance of a Santa Claus House in the city of Mattoon, Illinois.
The Santa House is a project initiated by the friends, family and loved ones of Tyler Ross Jones in recognition of Tyler’s affection for the holidays and the community of Mattoon, Illinois.
Scholarship Fund | Effingham County
The University of Illinois Dorothy Stier Scholarship Fund was established in March 2013 to provide students with assistance in pursuing higher education. The fund was created by the PEO Sisterhood Chapter NF, of which Dorothy Stier was a past member. The endowment was created by Dorothy’s husband, John Stier, who will also contribute to the scholarship fund intended to perpetuate educational opportunities at the University of Illinois.
| Regional
These funds will be used to empower organizations in our region dedicated to amplifying the narratives of historically underrepresented individuals in our region. Our primary objective is to facilitate the sharing of these stories, recognizing their profound impact on our collective understanding of our community’s diverse tapestry.
Designated Fund | Crawford County
Provide support to the City of Robinson, Illinois for maintenance and improvement of Washington Park.
Operating Funds | Regional
To provide operating support for the development of a new entrepreneurial curriculum in conjunction with high schools in Wayne County.
Designated Fund | Effingham County
This fund provides annual support to Illinois Railroad Museum, Fox River Trolley Museum, and Effingham County Cutural Center and Museum.
| Crawford County
The William D. & Bernyce C. Coleman Charitable Trust Fund is an unrestricted endowment that supports Crawford County’s most pressing needs. The Colemans established the fund through their estate.
Scholarship Fund | Coles County
This scholarship is made possible by the generous gift of farm ground from Elizabeth (Burgess) Osborne and her parents, Willian and Agnes Burgess. This scholarship supports graduates of Mattoon High School in Mattoon, Illinois.
Unrestricted Community Fund | Shelby County
Established to provide long-term support for future needs and improvements for the Community of Windsor, Illinois.
Unrestricted Community Fund | Shelby County
A fund establised to provide support for improvements and developments to enhance the Community of Windsor, Illinois.
Program Sponsorship | Regional
To provide operating support for the development of a new entrepreneurial curriculum in conjunction with high schools in Woodford County.
