CHAIR'S MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY

Jane Denes

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we reflect on the past year, I am proud and grateful for the remarkable accomplishments we have achieved together. The success of the Community Foundation is a testament to the unwavering generosity and dedication of our community members. Your contributions have enabled us to make a significant impact on the lives of those in need, demonstrating the power of collective philanthropy.

This year, our grantmaking efforts have addressed some of the most pressing issues facing our community. Through your support, we have provided over $4.1 million in awards supporting educational excellence, people experiencing hunger and homelessness, healthcare, historic preservation, senior citizens, cultural arts, and more. By the end of 2023, the Foundation had over 300 charitable funds and close to $80 million in assets.

The Community Foundation continues to make progress on The Next 10 initiatives. We heard updates from several projects last fall at our What’s Next for the Next 10, a celebration and conversation about the work we are doing, and the opportunities still to come.  As we continue to push The Next 10 projects forward, we recognize we must also imagine what the NEXT big moves can and should be to keep forward momentum and address the ever-changing realities of our world.

None of this would have been possible without your generous donations and steadfast commitment. Your support has been the cornerstone of our success, allowing us to serve our central Illinois region, respond swiftly and effectively to the needs of our community, and continue connecting people who care with causes that matter.

On behalf of the Community Foundation’s board and staff, thank you for your trust and partnership. Here’s to another year of making a profound impact, together.

Sincerely,

Jane Denes, chair
Board of Directors


COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PUBLICATIONS

Newsletters

The Community Foundation publishes two newsletters annually to help promote funds and initiatives improving our community, provide information for donors and nonprofits, promote recent grant awards, and more.


COMMUNITY REPORTS

Sangamon County Citizen Survey

The Sangamon County Citizen Survey is a collaborative effort between the UIS Center for State Policy & Leadership, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, and the United Way of Central Illinois. The project’s purpose is to establish benchmarks and assess changes in residents’ assessments of the quality of life in Sangamon County. The periodic survey provides local leaders, community organizations, and citizens with longitudinal insight into issues facing local residents. 

Read the 2021 Citizen Survey

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Sangamon County

The 2021 Sangamon County Comprehensive Economic Developement Strategy sets forth a plan for developing the local economy at a time of change and uncertainty, but where the community’s inherent strengths provide reason for confidence about the future. The formulation of the CEDS was overseen by a partnership between the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance and the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.

Read the 2021 CEDS for Sangamon County

 
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