The Freeport Community Foundation has the following Funds established.

The Community Needs Fund
Unrestricted Fund-Endowed
The Community Needs Fund is our unrestricted fund, meaning there are no granting guidelines attached to the gifts that are deposited into this Fund.  All the gifts are pooled together creating a “general” fund for the Foundation with which the Board of Directors can direct grants to without restrictions. This Fund has donor appeal to those who understand the ever-changing nature of a community and the importance of having flexible financial resources to meet those needs.  Another appeal of the Community Needs Fund is that gifts of all sizes are welcome. This Fund enables those with limited financial resources that cannot establish an individual fund to pool their gift with others to meet their personal philanthropic goals. When looking for a Memorial Fund for a loved one or in honor of a special event – this is a wonderful fund to consider. 

The Matthew A. Marvin Fund
Donor Advised Fund-Endowed
In 1994 Matthew A. Marvin, successful local businessman and generous community philanthropist, donated approximately $1 million to the Freeport Community Trust. Believing in the magic of endowment, he contributed an additional $1 million in 2003 to the Freeport Community Foundation. To date, over $525,000 has been granted from this Fund supporting important programs, projects, and initiatives in our community. Being a Donor Advised Fund, the Board of Directors keeps in mind what they know to be of importance to Mr. Marvin and respects his wishes when making awards from the Marvin Fund.  The Marvin Fund follows the same areas of interest and guidelines as the Community Needs Fund. 


Freeport Area Church Cooperative (FACC) Permanent Endowment Fund
This fund was established May 20, 2008 by retired Executive Director Mr. Dennis Bokemeier and the FACC Board of Directors. FACC is an organization of area churches that provide food, shelter and clothing to those most in need. Anyone may donate to the Freeport Area Church Cooperative Endowment Fund by contacting the foundation. 

Ian Murphy-Mitchard Scholarship for the Arts
This fund was established in November 2009 by his mother Marilee Murphy Odendahl and Ian's step-father Ted Odendahl. Students pursuing a program in music, the visual arts or creative writing are encouraged to apply.  The scholarship is open to students graduating from public, private, homeschool, GED or alternative education programs; grade point is not a consideration but talent is.  Applications are due April 15th and awarded in May. Each award is $500.  For further information please call the foundation office at 815-232-5184 for further details.

Northwest Illinois-Southwest Wisconsin Fund for Community Development
Field of Interest Fund-Endowed
This Fund was established by John and Caryl Buford of Orangeville, IL in 2007.  They believe in the benefits of endowment and want to inspire others to support local non-profit organizations that provide programs or initiatives that will foster economic, environmental, and/or community development in communities geographically located in northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. At this time, grants have not been awarded from the Fund.  Grants will be awarded from the earned income when it reaches a substantial amount that a non-profit organization will benefit from.

FCF Board of Directors Fund
ACORN FUND
To start an Acorn Fund a minimum of $1,000.00 is contributed.  In 2007, the Freeport Community Foundation Board of Directors made a decision to start a fund with their personal contributions.  When the Acorn Fund grows through additional contributions and reaches $5,000.00, it will become an unrestricted permanently endowed fund that the Board of Directors will grant from to meet a need that they deem as a group important to the community.  We are proud of the creation of this Fund, it is a way to show the community that not only do our volunteer leadership contribute time but also dollars that will enable the Freeport Community Foundation to grow.  Any group or individual can donate to this Fund with a large or small gift or perhaps when considering their planned giving within their estate. Perhaps a past board member or in memory of someone once involved with the organization.

Agriculture and Land Conservation Fund
Acorn Fund
This Fund was created with memorial gifts designated for the Freeport Community Foundation when Robert “RC” Miller, a life-long resident of Freeport passed away in September of 2007.  He grew up on the family farm, engaged in professions that were related to agriculture most of his life and was a proponent of good land conservation practices.  The family chose to support Mr. Miller’s interests by creating a fund that would one day benefit organizations whose missions and work are related to agriculture and conservation in our community.  When the Acorn Fund reaches maturity with additional gifts, it will become a permanent Field of Interest Fund .  The Fund will generate earnings and will have the potential to support local non-profit organizations and their programs in the agriculture and conservation field. 

Youth Advisory Fund (YAC) In 2009 a new program was introduced at the foundation which inspires youth philanthropy.  Donating to this fund will insure that YAC will be able to make youth grant choices in northwest Illinois.  Founding supporters are the State Bank of Freeport and the Matt Marvin Fund at the Freeport Community Foundation.  Additional support came from Sunrise Rotary, Culver's of Freeport and Jack Myers.

For information on creating your own fund, contact us at:

Freeport Community Foundation
524 W. Stephenson St.,
Freeport, IL, 61032
815-232-5184
info@freeportcommunityfoundation.org

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