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Peoria, IL — November 12, 2022 — The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) will join in a nationwide celebration, November 12-18, 2022, to recognize the increasingly important role that community foundations play in strengthening localities and mitigating issues like food insecurity, homelessness, animal welfare, child welfare, and other persistent civic and economic challenges.
Community Foundation Week was created in 1989 by former president George H.W. Bush to recognize the work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to address community challenges. For more than a century, philanthropic institutions have served as a trusted partner and resource whose effect can be seen in the lives of millions and in the vibrant neighborhoods that continue to thrive through their mission-driven work. During this annual celebration, community foundations convene to share and reflect on the stories of impact from their recent work.
“The work of community foundations reaches beyond the practice of giving and touches the lives of individuals, revealing a path to a brighter future. There is a tangible, positive impact for individuals and communities as a result of organizations like ours nationwide,” said Mark Roberts, President and CEO. “Despite the many challenges facing our communities, we are more determined than ever to work together to find innovative and effective solutions for our most pressing social problems and advance promising opportunities to benefit residents.”
Community foundations are independent, public entities that steward philanthropic resources from institutional and individual donors to local nonprofits and represent one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy. Since its inception, CFCI has granted over $131 million throughout the central Illinois area, including $6.9 million during fiscal year 2021-2022. CFCI also awarded more than $396,000 in scholarships to enhance the lives of more than 100 students living within CFCI’s 50-mile service area.
As community foundations find solutions for communities large and small, urban and rural – it is the collective work of these organizations that will have the most profound impact moving forward.
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