Established Funds
THE FOUNDATION FOR NORTHWEST ILLINOISMarvin ∙ Wilson Community Impact Fund
An Unrestricted Fund, Endowed
Marvin ∙ Wilson Community Impact Fund is funded by the Matthew Marvin Unrestricted Endowment and the Craig Wilson Trust.
This fund invites new donations, pooling them together as a “general” fund from which the Board of Directors grants to nonprofit organizations. This fund has donor appeal to those who understand the ever-changing nature of a community and the importance of having flexible financial resources to meet those needs. Gifts of all sizes are welcome, allowing anyone to meet their personal philanthropic goals. For those seeking to make a memorial gift for a loved one or in honor of a special event – this is a wonderful fund to consider. GIVE NOW
Don Morse Family Community Impact Fund
An Unrestricted Fund, Endowed
The Don Morse Family Community Impact Fund was started with a donation from the Morse Family and Board of Directors of the Don Morse Charitable Foundation. This fund invites new donations, pooling them together as a “general” fund from which the Board of Directors grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the region. Gifts of all sizes are welcome, allowing anyone to meet their personal philanthropic goals.GIVE NOW
Jane Addams Legacy Fund
Field of Interest Fund, Endowed
Established in 2024, the Jane Addams Legacy Fund enriches our region by addressing the unique needs of women and the issues they face. Granting from this fund is for nonprofits organizations with programs and projects addressing economic mobility, leadership, health & well-being, and equity & social justice to further support, elevate, and empower Northwest Illinois women.
► Economic Mobility Programs/services which directly encourage, train, or facilitate the economic independence of women. This includes apprenticeships, basic skills training, education, financial management, workforce development, etc.
► Leadership Programs/services which provide opportunities to develop leadership skills that help to build confidence, ownership of their careers, resiliency, and advancement into new roles.
► Health & Well-Being Programs/services which support equitable access to healthcare and promote, protect, and restore health – physical, emotional, psychological, social.
► Equity & Social Justice Programs/services which seek to meet women where they are by providing resources that will allow them to thrive. This includes but is not limited to supporting access to housing, nutritious food and meal preparation, and programs that address the root causes of gender or racial inequality. GIVE NOW
Ian's Fund for the Boys & Girls Club of Freeport & Stephenson County
This fund was established by Ian’s mother Marilee Murphy Odendahl and stepfather Ted Odendahl. Ian’s fund supports the ongoing work of the Boys & Girls Club of Freeport & Stephenson County. GIVE NOW
Dan and Nancy Schmitt Family Fund
A Donor Advised Fund, Endowed
In 2012 Dan and Nancy Schmitt, along with their daughters Angela Damin and Christina Hamm, established the Dan and Nancy Schmitt Family Endowment Fund. This fund is part of the permanent endowment of the Foundation for Northwest Illinois with the purpose of distributing annual charitable contributions to nonprofits in the Stephenson County area. Dan has been an active member of the Board of Directors and previously served as Foundation’s the Executive Director. GIVE NOW
The John M. Drogosz Youth Substance Abuse Prevention/Treatment Memorial Fund
The John M. Drogosz Memorial Fund was established in December 2010 by Dick and Marianne Drogosz, John’s parents, through their matching gift in response to the generous contributions of more than 200 donors. Grants made from this fund will be directed to nonprofit organizations with education, prevention and/or treatment programs focused on helping youth (ages 21 or younger) facing substance abuse issues in Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties. GIVE NOW
Luthin Family Endowment Fund
A Field of Interest Fund, Endowed
This fund was established in December 2016 by Richard E. Luthin. This fund supports funding for projects and programs of 501(c)(3) organizations supporting the residents of Freeport and Stephenson County, Illinois. Any individual or group can donate to the Luthin Family Endowment Fund. GIVE NOW
Jeanette Lloyd Memorial Scholarship Fund
Jeannette Lloyd, long-time speech and drama teacher at Freeport High School, established this scholarship which is given to FHS seniors who have excelled in speech and drama. GIVE NOW
Northwest Illinois-Southwest Wisconsin Fund for Community Development
A Field of Interest Fund, Endowed
This Fund was established by John and Caryl Buford of Orangeville, IL in 2007. They believe in the benefits of endowment and want to inspire others to support local nonprofit organizations that provide programs or initiatives that will foster economic, environmental, and/or community development in communities geographically located in northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Grants will be awarded from the earned income when it reaches a substantial amount that a non-profit organization will benefit from the fund. GIVE NOW
RC Miller Agriculture and Land Conservation Fund
This Fund was created with memorial gifts designated for Robert “RC” Miller, a life-long resident of Freeport who passed away in September of 2007. He grew up on the family farm, engaged in professions that were related to agriculture most of his life, and was a proponent of good land conservation practices. The family chose to support Mr. Miller’s interests by creating a fund that would one day benefit organizations whose missions and work are related to agriculture and conservation in our community. GIVE NOW
Rachel & Roy Sellers Sr. Scholarship Fund
This new fund was established to provide an annual scholarship to an African American student graduating from Freeport High School who is the first generation in their family attending any vocational, two-year, or four-year post-secondary educational program. The Rachel & Roy Sellers Sr. Scholarship Fund has been established by their children. GIVE NOW
RAMP Endowment Fund
This endowment fund was established by RAMP’s Board of Directors in 2011 as a permanent fund that provides an income stream in perpetuity for the organization. RAMP is a nonprofit, non-residential Center for independent living (CIL). RAMP empowers people with disabilities to realize there are no limits to what they can do. GIVE NOW
United Way of Northwest Illinois Endowment Fund
This endowment fund was established by United Way’s Board of Directors in 2012 as a permanent fund that provides an income in perpetuity for the organization. United Way of Northwest Illinois is a nonprofit agency that seeks to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. United Way raises, invests and leverages billions of dollars annually in philanthropic contributions to create and support innovative programs and approaches to generate sustained impact in local communities. GIVE NOW