Front row (L to R): Dave Probst, Teutopolis Fire Department; William Hardaway, Wright House in Altamont; and Jim Wiess, Ballard Nature Center.
Second row (L to R): Norma Lansing, Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Shelli Dent, Effingham Child Development Center; Toq Lawrence, Mid Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters; Carolyn Lambert, Effingham Art Guild; Kathy Nava-Sifuentes, Effingham Unit 40 Mentoring Program; and Lisa Elliot, Effingham Artisan Fair.
Third Row (L to R): Jennifer Jansen, Effingham County CASA; Abby Westendorf, Effingham County 4-H Youth Ambassador; Jeanne Dau, EIU’s Business Solutions Center; Jen Sporleder, CEFS T-Town Golden Circle Nutrition Program; Celeste Webb from Camp New Hope; and Cottie Dial, Effingham Artisan Fair.
The Effingham County Community Foundation recently distributed $34,400 in grants this year to assist nonprofit organizations in efforts related to visual arts, youth initiatives, workforce development, child care and early childhood education, and land use and protection.
“We are very pleased to be able to award so many grants to such deserving programs in our community,” said Joedy Hightower, President/CEO of the Effingham County Community Foundation. “The programs we support are vital community development and support programs for our entire county.”Distributing charitable funds is a vital part of the mission of the Effingham County Community Foundation, a member foundation of the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation. Since 1999, grants totaling over $750,000 have been awarded to charitable organizations throughout Effingham County.
This year’s grantees are:
Bill and Jacquelyn Jordan Anderson Fund for Visual Arts:
- Effingham Art Guild, $1,000, to provide scholarships for Effingham County students enrolled in a college art course.
- Effingham Artisan Fair, $1,200, funding for marketing for the annual Artisan Fair.
- Dr. Charles Wright House, $2,000, funding for restoration of 7 pieces of art.
Bill and Jacquelyn Jordan Anderson Fund for Youth:
- Effingham County CASA, $4,200, funding for training classes for new volunteer advocates.
Teutopolis State Bank Designated Fund:
- CEFS –Teutopolis Golden Circle Nutrition Program, $500, funding for a volunteer recognition banquet.
- Teutopolis Fire Protection District, $500, funding for signage on the fire station.
Unrestricted grants:
- Effingham Child Development Center, $7,000, funding for enhancement of the school-age summer time program.
- The Ballard Nature Center, $3,950, to construct a handicap accessible viewing platform.
- Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry, $1,550, funding for equipment for the BEST Center.
- Effingham County 4-H Youth Ambassadors, $2,000, funding to start new 4-H clubs for mentally disabled individuals.
- Effingham Unit #40 Mentoring Program, $2,000, support for supervision and training of mentors and matches.
- Mid-Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters, $2,500, support for a full-time program coordinator.
- Camp New Hope, Inc., $1,000, respite program for parents/guardians caring for disabled children.
Communityworks Endowment Fund:
- Business Solutions Center at EIU, $5,000, funding for business counselor salary at the BEST Center at the Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce office.
Grant recipients were honored at a reception at the Fairfield Inn on September 30th. For any questions regarding the grants, please contact Amanda Standerfer, program director for the community foundation, at 217-342-4988 or astanderfer@enrichingourcommunity.org.
