April 2021 news & updates |
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Although Tax Day has been extended to May 17 this year, it's easy to still associate April with the height of tax season. Many of you gave to multiple charities last year, either as a continuation of what you already contribute to the community or in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are some ways we can be of benefit to you during this tax year:
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What Does This Seal Mean? A Look at National Standards
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You'll find this seal on the footer of our website, in some of our documents - but what does it mean? More than you might think.
The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations Accretidation Program "certifies U.S. community foundations that meet and exceed federal and state law requirements in practice and by policy". The 26 national standards (which you can view as a quick list here) represent excellence and accountability in areas such as Stweardship & Accountability, Donor Relations. and more.
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Fund Spotlight: Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Fund |
The Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Fund was created by the City of Aurora’s Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board (IACOAB).
IACOAB’s mission is to embrace, preserve and promote the heritage and contributions of Indian American’s while promoting civic engagement and encouraging Indian Americans to increase their involvement in Aurora’s growth.
The IACOAB identified a need within the Asian-Indian community in Aurora, IL to support college-bound high school seniors, who have demonstrated exemplary community service, with financial assistance to further their education in a field of their choice. As a result of this, the IACOAB created the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Fund.
Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu monk who played a key role in the introduction of Indian yoga and Vedanta philosophy in the West.
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Grantee Spotlight: Farnsworth House
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The Farnsworth House, located in Plano, was "designed by Mies van der Rohe and [is] now a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation". Named after original owner Dr. Edith Farnsworth, the house was completed in 1951 and is noted for its minimalist aesthetic amid a lush, tree-lined setting. The Farnsworth House opened for public tours in 2004 and draws thousands of guests annually.
One of the main points of interest within the house structure is its floating terrace. Due to its proximity to the Fox River, the Farnsworth House was designed with the knowledge that the surrounding plain was prone to flooding. Last year, the CFFRV awarded a grant that helped fund the restoration of the iconic lower terrace - "the welcome mat to the Farnsworth House".
(Last month, several of our Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) Program members partnered with our friends at The Conservation Foundation to do some "spring cleaning" at Farnsworth House. They had a great time completing their service project while also visiting this historic site!)
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Above: Kayla's Hope Week included fundraisers, creative challenges, and more. |
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“The most treasured gifts in the world are kind words spontaneously tendered.”
- Dean Fred Hargadon
Throughout the week of April 5-11, the Lehmann family committed to "spreading love, kindness, and mental health awareness" in memory of their beloved daughter and sister, Kayla. On Facebook and another website, they encouraged the community with a different "challenge" each day. One day called for engaging in art projects, while another called for sending something encouraging to a friend. A silent auction, golf raffle, and car dealership fundraiser were also included.
The Lehmanns created the Kayla's Hope Foundation Fund with the CFFRV in 2018, then created a second CFFRV fund to provide scholarships to St. Charles East High School and St. Charles North High School. Their goals of funding enriching experiences for high school students, as well as funding mental health research, continue to make a positive impact on the community.
To learn more about Kayla's Hope Foundation, click here.
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2-1-1: The Number To Call (and Now, Text)
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Good news for Kane County residents! 2-1-1, the community services hotline, is now available via text.
Curious about who typically uses 2-1-1, and why? Data shows that from January-March 2021, the majority of calls and texts to 2-1-1 were self-referred individuals with COVID-related inquiries.
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Help us give our e-newsletter a fresh new name!
If you have a name idea that captures our community spirit, reply to this email to be entered into our E-Newsletter Naming Contest!
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About the Foundation
The mission of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is to provide effective and rewarding ways for donors to fulfill their philanthropic objectives.
The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a non-profit, tax-exempt, philanthropic organization that administers individual charitable funds from which grants and scholarships are distributed to benefit the citizens of the Greater Aurora Area, the TriCities and Kendall County, Illinois.
Founded in 1948, the Foundation provides a simple and powerful approach to charitable giving. Individuals, families, businesses, and organizations have the opportunity to custom design their own named funds that reflect their charitable goals and interests.
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Looking to unsubscribe? Please note that unsubscribing from this email unsubscribes you permanently from all CFFRV emails through Constant Contact - including invitations, surveys, giving emails, and targeted program information. To unsubscribe from our e-newsletters only, please contact Anna Oelerich at aoelerich@cffrv.org or 331-208-9427.
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