IPCF NEWSLETTER MARCH 2019
Keeping you informed about YOUR Community Foundation!
Seeking Youth Interested in Bettering Their Communities
2018-19 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy cohort

Area high school students are sought to participate in Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) during the 2019-2020 school year. An initiative of IPCF, YEP is a program in which high school students allocate grant funds to local nonprofits.
 
YEP provides opportunities to build leadership and teamwork skills while engaging participants in a unique, philanthropic experience. A nonprofit group, YEP funds local youth-run and/or youth-oriented programs. Members will be responsible for developing grant guidelines and awarding a total of $10,000 to selected youth-focused programs.
 
The 2019-2020 school year will be the seventh for YEP. The group will be limited to 20-25 participants. The online application must be completed  on or before 11:59 p.m. April 8. 
Individuals selected to be a part of the new YEP group will be notified in May.
 
For more information, contact Amanda Cole, YEP Program Mentor, at   (262) 374-0994.
Also In This Issue
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Harmony Park Project Update
Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Harmony Park Project has raised the $300,000 necessary to begin construction of Bloomington-Normal's first accessible playground this spring. Fundraising will continue to ensure that all additional expenses are covered as the project is completed. 

The City of Bloomington will begin demolition of the playground equipment at Rollingbrook Park in early April and plans to complete the structure later this summer. Mark your calendars for a ribbon cutting ceremony the morning of the August 1 - the entire community is invited to celebrate this fantastic accomplishment!  
 
"We are grateful for our many supporters, particularly Illinois Prairie Community Foundation which has served as our fiscal sponsor throughout the duration of the project," said Corin Chapman, co-founder of Max's Miles Foundation and the Harmony Park Project Fund.   "Additionally, we are grateful for the partnership of the local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs that, without their support, this playground would not be possible.  
 
Thrivent Financial will be sponsoring a Harmony Park Groundbreaking Celebration  from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at Rollingbrook Park in Bloomington. The fundraising event for the Harmony Park Project will feature different community organizations that provide services and resources for children and adults with special needs. For more information or to register for the event, visit the Harmony Park Project Facebook page.
Annual Report is Now Available 
2018 was a big year for Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. It was our 20th anniversary, our office relocated to The Foundry in Bloomington, we began using new online systems for our grant applications and financial reporting and we granted a record $1.4 million to nonprofit organizations in our community, state and country!

The  2018 Annual Report is available online. Printed copies can be obtained by contacting the IPCF office at 309-662-4477. 
Women to Women Spring Forum
The Women to Women Giving Circle will host a Community Forum on Trauma Informed Care from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at ISU's Alumni Center, 1101 N. Main St., Normal.

Trauma is a deeply distressing life situation. When trauma impacts young children, the long-term effects can be detrimental not only to the person, but to society.  Social service agencies are asked to provide Trauma Informed Care, but what does "Trauma Informed Care" mean to the community at large?

A panel of experts including Dr. Rob Lusk, Clinical Director at The Baby Fold; Dr. Karen Stipp, Associate Professor at ISU's School of Social Work; and Dr. Kristal Shelvin, Clinical Services Supervisor at Livingston County Special Services Unit, will lead us in improving our understanding of this concept.

You're encouraged to bring a friend or work colleague who is community-minded. RSVP isn't required, but if you want to ensure a copy of any handouts, please email Michele Evans

Mark Your Calendars: The Women to Women Summer Celebration will be Tuesday, June 25. The date has been changed to avoid conflict with another community event.
YEP Grant Celebration
Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) recognized the seven recipients of its annual grant cycle at a Grant Celebration on Feb. 24 at University Galleries in Normal.
Representatives of Royal Family Kids Camp accepted their check from YEP members Reagan and Mason

Nonprofit organizations receiving YEP grants were:  Child Protection Network's McLean County Children's Advocacy Center, Fostering Dignity, Jump 4 Joy S quad,  Muscular Dystrophy Association,   Royal Family Kids Camp, Treynor State B ank Community Foundation's  Entrepreneur Camp in DeWitt County and V espasian Warner Public Library's
Young Adult Lounge. View more about grant recipients or view photos from event.
 
Six years ago, IPCF launched Youth Engaged in Philanthropy - a group of high school students from our four counties with an annual philanthropic grant  budget of $10,000 to support local youth-focused initiatives.
Online Access to Funds Coming Soon
Later this spring, IPCF will introduce an online donor management system (DonorCentral) that will allow users to view their balance and gift details, in addition to make distribution requests online. 

All fund holders who wish to access the online system will need to provide IPCF with an email address. The last quarterly reports sent to hold holders included a sign-up form for the system. If you would like a copy of the form, please email us.  

We'll let you know when we'll go live with the system and plan to provide some training sessions at the IPCF office to help you navigate the system. 
Recently Added Funds
This fund was recently opened at IPCF:
  • House of Hope - to help stop recidivism via housing and support programs for men released from incarceration
Are You 70½? Do You Have an IRA?
Did you know that you could reduce your taxable income by donating your required minimum distribution (RMD) to  a qualified charity?  

Requirements:
  • Only applies to IRA owners after they are 70½
  • Does not apply to distributions from employer plans
  • Only applies to direct transfers to qualified charities (NOT private grant-making foundations, donor advised funds or charitable gift annuities).
Community Foundations are public charitable foundations and, as thus, are eligible to receive RMD donations into any endowment, fiscal sponsorship or field of interest fund. Contact your financial planner for details on how to take advantage of this opportunity.
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation  |  309-662-4477  |  www.ilprairiecf.org