ROCHELLE — On Wednesday, April 30, the Rochelle Area Community Foundation hosted its annual Community Needs grant award event at the Lincoln Arts Center in Rochelle. 41 grants were presented to area nonprofits and organizations at the event.
RACF offers an opportunity for individuals, families and businesses to leave a legacy for future generations and is a public, charitable organization designed to attract gifts that will be shared with Rochelle-area nonprofit organizations for the benefit of the community. It supports the areas of Chana, Creston, Esmond, Kings, Lindenwood, Rochelle and Steward.
The event also celebrated RACF reaching 20 years of operation. Since it was founded in 2005 by the late Leonard Carmichael, RACF has granted more than $1.3 million back into the community.
“Tonight is when we celebrate all of the incredible work being done in our community and share the impact of the community's generosity through grantmaking,” RACF Executive Director Emily Anaya said. “We wouldn't be here without the vision and commitment of those who laid the foundation for the organization. Our founder, Leonard Carmichael, launched RACF with both his heart and foresight and his legacy lives in every grant we make.”
RACF Board President and Rochelle City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh spoke at the event that saw 41 local programs see support.
“This organization is far more than a grantmaker,” Fiegenschuh said. “It's a beacon of hope, opportunity and collaboration. The foundation provides a trusted way for people to give back, lift others up and strengthen the community we all love. A thriving city needs a strong community foundation, one that listens, responds and ensures that resources go to where they're needed most. That's exactly what RACF does.”
Mayor John Bearrows spoke at the event as well and said the city is proud to be a partner in the work RACF does and looks forward to continuing the collaboration for many years to come.
“Rochelle is the most caring and sharing community that I know,” Bearrows said. “That spirit of generosity is a part of our identity and is embodied in every grant RACF gives out. This foundation connects donors to meaningful causes, strengthens nonprofits, addresses urgent needs and helps build a better future for everyone who calls Rochelle their home.”
RACF Grants Committee Chairman Terry Dickow spoke about his experience doing the work behind the scenes that resulted in the grant awarding event.
“This has been such an eye-opening experience since I got involved,” Dickow said. “The differences that this endeavor makes in the community with the homeless, the hungry, the needy, with neglected and abused children and more, it's really heartwarming.”
Past RACF Executive Directors Ann Rice and Kim Montgomery were honored during the event for their past service to the organization and community. It was also revealed during the meeting that a future mural will be commissioned in conjunction with the City of Rochelle, the Daniel & Stephanie Williams Fund for the Arts, local artists Mat and Mandey Steder, and a business owner that has provided wall space, to honor Carmichael for his establishment of RACF and his work in the community.
"The location will remain a surprise for now, but we promise it will be a powerful and lasting reminder of Mr. Carmichael's impact," Fiegenschuh said. "Leonard's spirit lives on in every grant we award, every life we touch, and every future we help to shape. He taught us what it means to lead with heart, purpose and generosity."
Recipients
Rochelle Township High School Alumni Association for Alumni Scholarships in the amount of $5,000 of which $631 was from the Tobler Family Fund, and $4,369 was from an anonymous Donor Advised Fund.
City of Rochelle for the Community Mural in the amount of $5,000 of which $1,291 was from the Daniel & Stephanie Williams Fund for the Arts, $1,132 was from the Arts Enrichment Fund and $2,577 was from the RACF Endowment Fund.
Rochelle Basketball Club for the Rochelle Basketball Club Program in the amount of $5,600 of which $2,000 was from the Ed and Ann Rice Giving Fund, $2,347 was from the Berg-Burkholder Family Fund, and $1,253 was from an anonymous Donor Advised Fund.
Village Of Progress for the Cycling Program in the amount of $4,088 of which $1,000 was from the Empowering the Community Fund, $1,139 from the Community Advancement Fund, and $1,949 from the RACF Endowment Fund.
Rochelle Rescue Mission for Supporting Those Without Shelter Within Rochelle and the Surrounding Areas in the amount of $10,000 which was fully funded by an anonymous Donor Advised Fund.
Vince Carney Community Theatre for Full Lighting Part 1 in the amount of $2,500 which was fully funded by H.P. "Jim" Walker Memorial Endowment Fund.
Rochelle Christian Food Pantry for Acquiring Eggs in the amount of $15,000 of which $3,438 was from the Jacobs Family Fund and $11,562 was from an anonymous Donor Advised Fund.
Rochelle Elementary District #231 for Dual Language Immersion Program at Central School in the amount of $658 which was fully funded by the Steve Pfeiffer Memorial Endowment Fund.
Pegasus Special Riders, Inc for Pegasus Special Riders in the amount of $9,000 of which $379 was from the Tom Hall Community Giving Fund, $433 was from the Plant the Seed Fund, and $8,188 was from the RACF Endowment Fund.
4C-Community Coordinated Child Care for Outdoor Adventure Event in the amount of $700 which was fully funded by the Tyler "Smitty" Smith Memorial Endowment Fund.
Tilton Elementary School for Dual Language Immersion Program at Tilton School in the amount of $1,068 which was fully funded by the Tyler "Smitty" Smith Memorial Endowment Fund.
Hub City Senior Center for Operation Heating & Cooling in the amount of $7,352 of which $1,220 was from the Hub Senior Center Agency Fund, $2,107 from the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Fund and $4,025 from the RACF Endowment Fund.
Lincoln School for Enhancing Early Childhood Learning Through Sensory Equipment in the amount of $775 of which $733 was from the Hintzsche-Hinkston Classroom Support Fund and $42 from the RACF Endowment Fund.
Shining Star Children's Advocacy Center for Healthy Minds, Healthy Body Camp in the amount of $3,000 of which $243 was funded by the Health and Human Services Fund and $2,707 from the RACF Endowment Fund.
Rock River Blood Center for Empowering Donor Care; Supporting A1C Testing in Blood Donations in the amount of $1,031 of which $550 was from the Health and Human Services Fund and $481 from the RACF Endowment Fund.
Rochelle Elementary District #231 -Hub Project for Rocking our Way to Learning in the amount of $2,500 of which $1,296 was from the Inspire Learning Fund and $1,204 was from the RACF Endowment Fund.
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois for Girl Scout Leadership Experience in the amount of $2,700 of which $594 was from the Kay and Jim Beardin Community Endowment Fund and $2,106 was from the RACF Endowment Fund.
Flagg-Rochelle Public Library for Sensory Thingamajigs in the amount of $3,550 of which $858 was from the Jeffrey W. Cole Family Memorial Fund and $2,692 from the RACF Endowment Fund.
Serenity Hospice and Home for Holiday Meals in the amount of $500 which was fully funded by the Rochelle Foods Hunger Challenge Fund.
Serenity Hospice and Home for Hope and Healing Bereavement Retreat in the amount of $2,000 which was fully funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Northern Illinois Food Bank for Mobile Market in the amount of $8,000 of which $7,857 was funded by the Rochelle Foods Hunger Challenge Fund and $143 was funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Blackhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America for Helping Youth Lead the Way-Scouting in Rochelle in the amount of $2,000 of which $1,372 was funded by Youth in Philanthropy and $628 was from the RAC Endowment Fund.
Rochelle Community Action Network-CAN for CAN-Annual Christmas Shopping Trip in the amount of $7,500 which was funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Hope of Ogle County for Community Outreach/Marketing /Education in the amount of $5,000 which was funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Creston-Dement Public Library for Autism Sensory Project for Children in the amount of $1,600 which was fully funded by RACF Endowment Fund.
Camp Cedar, Illinois for Camp Cedar in the amount of $2,500 which was funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery for Rochelle Recovery Support Services Center in the amount of $2,000 which was funded by the RAC Endowment Fund.
Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival for Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival in the amount of $2,000 which was funded by the RAC Endowment Fund.
Creston Booster Club for Making Our House Accessible to Everyone in the amount of $2,000 which was fully funded by the RAC Endowment Fund.
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois for Affordable Housing for Older Adults in the amount of $2,500 which was fully funded by the RAC Endowment Fund.
Stepping Stones Preschool for Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten in the amount of $1,682 which was fully funded by the RAC Endowment Fund.
Rochelle Township High School for-Immerse Yourself in a Good Book in the amount of $2,000 which was fully funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Farmworkers and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP) for FLAP Immigration Support and Outreach for Low-wage Workers in the Rochelle Area in the amount of $5,000 which was fully funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
Rochelle Community Consolidated School District #231 for Dual Language Immersion Program at Tilton School in the amount of $438 which was fully funded by the RACF Endowment Fund.
District #231 for Project Hub-Futbolistas in the amount of $307 which was fully funded by the RAC Endowment Fund.
Rochelle Police Department in the amount of $534 from the Ron "Stoney" Stonebreaker Police and Fire Memorial Fund.
Rochelle Fire Department in the amount of $534 from the Ron "Stoney" Stonebreaker Police and Fire Memorial Fund.
Todd Ackland Legacy Fund in the amount of $450.
Livingston Bible Church Scholarship Fund in the amount of $4,809.
RTHSEF Endowment for Education in the amount of $1,445.
Rochelle United Methodist Church Endowment Fund in the amount of $2,372.
