Membership Info - Contact Joe Sarafini (815) 275-8737 or Terry Anderson (815) 566-7977

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

October 14 Guest Speaker


Our dinner meeting guest speaker for our October 14, 2014, was Mr. Dan Schmitt, Executive Director, Freeport Community Foundation, a not for profit, tax exempt charitable organization that provides a mechanism for individuals, businesses and charitable agencies to provide meaningful assistance to worthwhile causes in Stephenson, Jo-Daviess, and Carroll Counties and the surrounding communities. The Foundation acts much the same as our Lions Club, but on a broader scale.

The Foundation was founded in 1975 by a group of dedicated community leaders who wanted to establish a permanent source of funds where the income generated could be used to support charitable organizations who address the current issues facing people in need. It focuses on the advancement of these communities and works to make Northwestern Illinois an outstanding place to live not only today, but forever.

The Foundation is guided by a Board of Directors whose mission is to stay connected and informed on current issues facing their citizens and connecting people who care with causes that matter. The Foundation awards grants to a variety of charitable organizations addressing needs in health and human services, civic and community betterment, reform and innovation in the schools, and advancement of the arts and literature. Grant requests are reviewed/awarded in the spring and fall of each year.

Thanks to Lion Roland Caruso for arranging for members to hear about this fine program from such a respected speaker,

ln their role as stewards of charitable donations and funds, their volunteer Board of Directors seeks to preserve and grow the assets by administering and investing their funds. They work closely with their donors to make grants that will match their philanthropic interests with community needs.

Some of the areas of interest for which Foundation funds have been available in the past are: community needs, FACC (Freeport Area Church Cooperative), RAMP (Regional Access & Mobilization Project), Substance Abuse Treatment, Education and Prevention, Arts Scholarship, Youth Advisory Council, Assault & Abuse Services of Stephenson County, Agriculture and Land Conservation, United Way of Northwest Illinois, and NW Illinois/SW Wisconsin Community Development.

The Foundation works with people to establish a charitable giving plan that includes current gifts as well as deferred gifts. For more information, contact the Freeport Community Foundation.

email:  fcfdirector@freeportcommunityfoundation.org

phone:  (815) 801-3035

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