Foundation Awards $210K to Area Organizations

Some area nonprofits got some welcome news recently when they received grants from the McHenry County Community Foundation. More than $210,000 was distributed to more than 40 organizations at the McHenry County Community Foundation’s annual Grants Gala. 

Battered by late state payments and a difficult economy, some nonprofits could nonetheless celebrate with the acceptance of a check to further a portion of their programs. 

“The grants are generally not for operational expenses – they are for specific projects or components to programs that may not be able to be funded elsewhere,” said Jo Williams, grants coordinator of the McHenry County Community Foundation. “One of our real strengths is the ability to fund very small nonprofits that are just starting to develop.”

The foundation is celebrating its 10th year of philanthropy. In that time, it has given back more than $2.1 million to the community. As part of its anniversary celebration, the foundation also recently launched a project designed to help area nonprofits weather difficult funding years.

Thanks to gifts from various donors, the foundation has announced the launch of the NPO Matching Endowment Fund. Organizations that would like to build endowments with the foundation are able to match the dollars they raise with a one-to-one gift from the foundation up to $25,000. 

“This exciting project is an opportunity to help community organizations save for the future, and provide a generous incentive for doing so,” said John Small, executive director of the McHenry County Community Foundation. “Three organizations have thus far begun to build their endowments with an eye toward the future, and several other organizations are extremely interested and are pursuing the Endowment Fund match.”

The McHenry County Community Foundation is a leader in area philanthropy, and provides services to donors and nonprofits in the area, and the community at large. The foundation houses 28 distinct funds, and works with area donors to build assets that will continue to benefit the community in perpetuity. For more information on the McHenry County Community Foundation, contact Executive Director John Small at 815-334-4483, by email at John@mccfdn.org, or visit the MCCF website. 

-Submitted by the McHenry County Community Foundation