The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley has awarded 40 grants totaling more than $535,000 to support local nonprofit organizations doing critically important work in Chicago’s Fox River Valley.
These grants were awarded through the Community Foundation’s discretionary (fall 2024 and spring 2025) and Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP, spring 2025) grant programs. All 40 grantees were recognized at a reception hosted by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley July 24 at Society 57 in Aurora. These grants will help improve the quality of life for Fox River Valley residents.
“Today’s celebration is about more than just grants; it’s about the incredible work of our nonprofit partners, and the generosity of this community. Together we are making a real and lasting impact on the lives of our neighbors. We are honored to carry out the intentions of our donors and support organizations who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others throughout the Fox River Valley,” said Julie Christman, president and CEO, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.
The Foundation’s 2024-25 Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) cohort – 41 high school students from 12 area high schools – awarded nine grants to local agencies that specifically serve youth needs, fulfilling their “Youth Helping Youth” mission. Over the course of the 2024-25 school year, they met for monthly meetings, volunteered on group service projects, reviewed grant applications, and agreed on how to allocate $25,000 in grants, ranging from $1,000 to $4,900, among nine agencies: Aurora Eagles Inc., CASA Kane County, Community Crisis Center, Lazarus House, Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, Rising Lights Project, Spectrios Institute for Low Vision and Suicide Prevention Services of America.
The Community Foundation also awarded capital improvement grants ranging from $2,000-$50,000 to 31 Fox River Valley nonprofits through its fall 2024 and spring 2025 discretionary grant cycles.
For more information visit cffrv.org/grant-programs.
— Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley