ROCHELLE - Dozens of supporters and volunteers in the Rochelle area gathered Wednesday night at Luna for the Rochelle Area Community Foundation event, Granting Futures: A Community Celebration. Over 30 organizations received grants ranging from around $1,000 to $15,0000. Executive Director Emily Anaya announced they awarded nearly $140,000 back into the community.
Terry Dickow, who serves on the board with RACF, said they were only able to provide grants to 33 of the 37 applicants they had for 2024.
Anaya said they had to make tough choices, as they couldn’t fund all grants that were applied for, but they hope with more contributions, they can help even more in the community.
“If somebody wants to leave a legacy, you don’t have to wait until you pass away,” Anaya said, “You can come in, open a fund at $10,000, they become endowed, which means that they're there for life to honor your family.”
To donate to the Rochelle Area Community Foundation at any level, you can go to RochelleFoundation.Org for more information.
“We are seeing the need grow. We’re just trying to figure out ways that we can secure donations so that we are able to fulfill those needs in the future.” Anaya said.
The Ron "Stony" Stonebraker Police and Fire Memorial Fund-designated to the Rochelle Police Department and Rochelle Fire Department to use at their discretion. This year the fund totaled $767 that is split between both departments.
The Dual Language Educators Scholarship Fund-granted $1,000 to furthering education in support of the districts Dual Language Education program through the Elementary District.
4C-Community Coordinated Child Care- Books for the Community in the amount of $500.00 funded by the Tyler "Smitty" Smith Memorial Fund.
String Program-String Program in the amount of $741 funded by the Tyler "Smitty" Smith Memorial Fund.
Rochelle Christian Food Pantry-Protein Promotion program funded in the amount of $15,000.00 funded by the Jacobs Family Fund ($3,215) and an anonymous Donor Advised Fund ($11,785).
Flagg-Rochelle Public Library-Homeschooling Extravaganza in the amount of $3,190 funded by the Empowering the Community Fund ($580) and the RACF Endowment Fund $2610
Chana Education Center-Collaborating Through Hands-On Learning in the amount of $3,636.46 funded by the Steve Pfeiffer Memorial Fund ($1000) and the RACF Endowment Fund ($2636).
Chana Education Center-Grief Kits in the amount of $520 funded by the Ed and Ann Rice Giving Fund.
RTHS Alumni Association-RTHS Alumni Association in the amount of $5,000 funded by the Tobler Family Fund ($563) and an anonymous Donor Advised Fund ($4,437).
Vince Carney Community Theatre-Presents Us VCCT in the amount of $3,500 funded by the HP "Jim" Walker Memorial Endowment Fund ($2000) and the RACF Endowment Fund ($1,500).
Shining Star Children's Advocacy Center-Healthy Minds and Healthy Bodies Shining Star CAC in the amount of $3,330 funded by the Tom Hall Giving Fund ($380), Youth in Philanthropy ($1,358) and the RACF Endowment Fund ($1,592).
Rochelle Rescue Mission-Keeping persons in Rochelle and surrounding areas safe, warm, and comforted in the amount of $8,350 funded by an anonymous Donor Advised Fund.
Foundation for Focus House and Community Programming-Focus House "All Program Book Read' in the amount of $4000 funded by the Berg-Burkholder Family Fund ($1590), Inspire Learning ($1290), and the RACF Endowment Fund $1120
Sinnissippi Centers, Inc.-Rochelle Office Improvement Project in the amount of $13,028 funded by the Kay and Jim Beardin Community Fund ($456) Disaster Preparedness Fund ($383), and the RACF Endowment Fund ($12,189).
Rochelle Elementary School District #231-Supportive Student Social Emotional Learning Through Adult Professional Development in the amount of $4,623 funded by the Hintzche-Hinkston Classroom Support Fund ($643.22), and the RAC Endowment Fund ($3,979.78).
Northern Illinois Food Bank-Mobile Markets Program in the amount of $7,500.00 funded by the Rochelle Hunger Fund
Habitat For Humanity of Ogle County-Habitat 2024 Housing Repairs & Mobility Projects in the amount of $4,500 funded by the RAC Endowment Fund.
Girl Scouts of Northern IL-Hispanic Engagement in Girl Scout Leadership Excellence in the amount of $2,745 funded by the Jeffrey W. Cole Family Memorial ($880) and the RACF Endowment Fund ($1865).
Rochelle Community Action Network (CAN)-CAN Backpack in the amount of $4,398 funded by the Community Advancement Fund ($1156) and the RACF Endowment Fund ($3,242).
Creston-Dement Public Library-Library-Book and Media Return in the amount of $2,000 funded by the RACF Endowment Fund
Blackhawk Area Council-Boy Scouts of America-Leading the Way to Bright Futures-Scouting in Rochelle in the amount of $2,000 funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Flagg Township Museum-Getting Down to Business in Rochelle, Chapters 2 & 3 in the amount of $3,200 funded by the Arts Enrichment Fund ($1,133) and the RACF Endowment Fund
Village of Progress, Inc.-Community Day Services Program-whiteboard in the amount of $3,400 funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival-Kid's zone, the strolling entertainment, and the free main stage entertainment in the amount of $1,500 funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Liberty Village of Rochelle-Activities Department in the amount of $2,500 funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois-Lincoln Manor Affordable Housing in the amount of $2,500 funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
HOPE of Ogle County-Painting to Create a Calm and Sustainability Project in the amount of $1,677 funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Hub City Senior Center-Fitness at the Hub in the amount of $1,000 funded by the RAC Endowment Fund.
Steward United Methodist Church (ACE) - After Class Enrichment in the amount of $1,750 funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery-Rochelle Recovery Center in the amount of $2,000 funded by the Human Services Fund ($1820) and the RACF Endowment Fund ($180).
Creston Booster Club-Quiet Our House project in the amount of $1,500 funded by the RAC Endowment Fund.
(NOT PICTURED) - The Livingston Bible Church Scholarship Fund- granted out $4,900 in support of furthering education for our youth.
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