May 2017 e  - Memorandum


Our Mission 

"To provide effective and rewarding ways for donors to fulfill their philanthropic objectives."

Our Vision

"To be recognized as a trusted philanthropic leader in the communities we serve through the delivery of the highest quality donor services, customized and unique grant and scholarship programs, and bold initiatives to address community needs."

Upcoming Events

Friday, May 26
Fox Valley Hands of Hope -
Garden Party

Thursday, June 1
Jack Morcos Memorial Golf Classic
to Benefit Breaking Free

Saturday, June 3
Neurofibromatosis Midwest - 
Great Steps 4NF 
Walk Naperville

Sunday, June 4
AID's Color Burst 5k

Sunday, June 4
Fox River Mid-American Canoe & Kayak Race

Friday, June 9
Golfing For Good to Benefit
St. Charles Kiwanis Club and Lazarus House

June 10 and June 11
ASIST - Suicide Intervention Training
at Open Door Health Center

June 16 and June 17
Giant Steps Charity Gold Classic
at Rich Harvest Farms

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Office Closure
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The Community Foundation offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2017 in observance of Memorial Day.

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Vets Week Aurora

The City of Aurora Veterans Advisory Council  is gearing up for its second annual Vets Week Aurora. 

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From Saturday, May 20th through Memorial Day Monday, May 29th AVAC is hosting a week of events to celebrate our country's veterans.

Events will include the Armed Forces Day car show, Civil War Memorial dedication, drive-through BBQ, Vietnam Veterans 50th anniversary recognition event, a Day of Giving, 5k Fun Run, patriotic concert, and the Memorial Day parade. 

Visit vetsweekaurora.org to see a full calendar of events. 

The Aurora Veterans Advisory Council is an advocate for all Veterans of all generations and all conflicts. They work on their behalf to enlighten the city of Veteran situations and likewise inform the citizens about the city's efforts for Veterans. 

To learn more about AVAC and to donate to their cause, visit their fund profile page on our website.
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Grantee Spotlight

 Paramount Theatre

Community Foundation board member, Cris Anderson, and staff member, Julie Christman, were recently treated to a tour of the historic Paramount Theatre.


Cris Anderson with the Paramount's vice president of development and sponsorship Katie Arko

The Foundation awarded a grant for a new sound board for the theatre, which is a critical technical component contributing greatly to the quality of the Broadway productions.  The equipment is especially effective since the Paramount is one of the few theatres to use full orchestration for its productions. 

Since the inception of the Broadway Series in 2011, the Paramount's attendance has increased by 548%, now hosting more than 300,000 visitors annually.  The theatre's subscriber base has increased by 6,348%, currently with 34,000 subscribers, making it the third largest subscription base in the entire country.

We are proud to partner with the Paramount and grateful for all it brings to our community!
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Our Donors

We are deeply grateful to the individuals, businesses and organizations that commit to the charitable needs of the community. Follow the link below to view this year's donors. 


The lists of our donors are updated quarterly. They are available to view on our  website.
Kristoffer Larsen Big Heart Memorial Foundation
New Fund Helps Family Honor Their Son

The Kristoffer Larsen Big Heart Memorial Foundation was established by the Larsen family of Geneva to honor the great memory of their beloved son and brother Kristoffer Larsen (1993-2016). Kristoffer suffered a sudden cardiac death on May 27, 2016 at age 22 while visiting his grandparents in Norway. He was a healthy and active young man that cared greatly for his siblings, family, friends and people around him. 

Here is why this fund is called The Kristoffer Larsen BIG HEART Memorial Foundation:

♥    Kristoffer was very unselfish, caring and generous person. He had a big heart.

♥    Kristoffer had a hidden heart condition called cardiomyopathy where long-term effects include a growing and enlarged heart.

♥    The fund would like to honor Kristoffer memory and preserve his spirit by giving support and help to others.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and in Illinois. Cardiac screening can help prevent some of these sudden deaths. This foundation supports efforts that can help save young lives through:

♥    A cardiac screening program at Geneva Community High School in collaboration with Young Hearts for Life ( www.yh4l.org)

♥    Organizations that through research, cardiac screenings and other activities work to prevent Sudden Cardiac Deaths

♥    Organizations that work to support families that have experienced Sudden Cardiac Death

♥    Scholarship and memorial programs

Kristoffer's big smile, caring and unselfish personality will be dearly missed by family, friends and other people he has touched during his life that was cut too short.
Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation
Fund Brings Smiles To Kids With Special Needs

The Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation was established by Rob & Elizabeth Gerlach in hopes of creating happiness and smiles for children with special needs by making important toys and tools accessible.  Many kids with fine and gross motor development, cognitive or sensory issues have a difficult time playing, moving, communicating, eating, talking, learning... doing the basic things that a child should be able to do. The Gerlachs hope to promote smiles within this group of special kids and their families by providing switch-adapted toys, communication tools, learning devices and positioning equipment. 

Benjamin Robert Gerlach was a triplet born on June 30,  2012  at only 25 weeks. He and his brother Colin and sister Ava spent 5 months in the NICU at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. Ben had an extremely difficult time in his first few weeks of life due to his prematurity. After just four short years, he passed away of respiratory failure on May 2, 2016 .

In his brief life, he faced many challenges. He struggled with motor development due to his primary condition of cystic encephalomalacia. He was officially diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy at 10 months old. He also had a feeding tube, visual impairment, regular seizures/epilepsy, was nonverbal and developed chronic respiratory illnesses.

Despite all of this, he thrived. He was happy. He was always surrounded with love and compassion by angels (disguised as teachers, doctors, nurses, therapists,  friends  and family) that participated in this journey with him.  To keep Ben's name and memory alive, this fund gives back to those 'angels' and organizations that helped him along the way.

This Foundation Supports:
  • Easter Seals of Fox River Valley
  • St. Charles District 303 Early Childhood Program 
  • First Baptist Church Geneva Masterpiece Ministries
  • Lurie Children's Hospital
  • Central Dupage Hospital PICU
  • Ronald McDonald House/Chicago
  • Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
Ben smiled, and we hope that these gifts will create more smiles from these special families.
West Aurora High School Class of 1967
Class of '67 Creates Fund To Commemorate Reunion

The West Aurora High School Class of 1967 Fund was created by the members of the Class of 1967 to commemorate their 50th Class Reunion.  This Fund was created to support the needs of West Aurora High School and the A+ Foundation, enhance the curriculum of West Aurora School District 129, inspire excellence in students and staff, expand opportunities for community involvement and foster alumni connections.

The Fund was also established to honor those who have so positively impacted the Class of 1967, including parents, family members, teachers, coaches, administrators and the West Aurora community.  In addition, the West Aurora High School Class of 1967 Fund is dedicated to the memory of their classmates and family members who have passed away.

The West Aurora High School Class of 1967 will celebrate it's 50th Reunion this June at the Aurora Country Club.
Swami Vivenkananda Scholarship Fund
New Fund Supports Indian American Students
The Swami Vivenkananda Scholarship Fund was created by the City of Aurora's Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board (IACOAB).  Their mission is to embrace, preserve and promote the heritage and contributions of Indian Americans while promoting civic engagement and encouraging Indian Americans to increase their involvement in Aurora's growth.  IACOAB identified a need within the Asian-Indian community in Aurora to support college-bound high school seniors, who have demonstrated exemplary community service, with financial assistance to further their education .  This scholarship is named after Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu monk who played a key role in the introduction of Indian yoga and Vedanta philosophy in the West.
Getting To Know Your Foundation Staff
Meet Jeff Hartman!
Jeff has been with the Community Foundation since February 2013, first as director of development and then as executive vice-president. In December 2015, he became the Community Foundation's fifth president & CEO.  Before joining CFFRV, Jeff was the director of development at the DuPage Community Foundation. He was born and raised in Naperville, Illinois, and attended Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. He currently lives in Naperville with his wife, Erin and their two daughters, Alyssa and Rebecca.

Q & A with Jeff Hartman

What is your favorite season and why?
  Summer! The weather is nice, I love being outside with my family, I like to cook on the grill, and I enjoy having the windows open at the house.

What is your favorite condiment?
Any kind of sauce; BBQ, honey mustard, béarnaise, horseradish, the list goes on and on! 

What is your least favorite food?
There are not too many foods that I don't enjoy.  When I was a kid I could not stand mushrooms. But today, I'll eat anything. 

What are your favorite sports to watch/play?
I love to play (and watch) golf.  I am also a big fan of Indy Car racing.  Today my favorite sports include tag, hula-hoop, or whatever sport/game my kids want to play. 

What was your high school mascot?
Huskies.  I am a proud alum of Naperville North High School.

What radio stations do you listen to the most in the car?
I'll listen to just about anything.  I dislike commercials so I find myself flipping through stations just to avoid commercials.

What is a skill you'd like to learn?
Tough question - I have two.  1) Piano.  My wife is starting to teach our children to play.  I love listening to them learn - except for when they just bang on the keys!  2) Fly a plane.  Whenever I drive past an airport I can't help but stare at the planes taking off and landing.  I just find it fascinating.

What is your proudest accomplishment?
Becoming a father.  It's the most difficult - yet rewarding - job on the planet.  Easily my proudest accomplishment .

If you could have any superpower, which would you choose and why?
Teleportation.  I hate sitting in traffic!
                   
  111 W. Downer Place, Suite 312,   Aurora, IL 60506
  127 South First Street, Suite 215, Geneva, IL 60134
  Ph: 630-896-7800      Fx: 630-896-7811