East of West Initiatives: Community Development for the Heart of Our City

The Foundation for Northwest Illinois is proud to announce the launch of East of West—a comprehensive community development initiative centered in the very heart of our city. This is more than a neighborhood project. It is a homecoming to the ground where our community was founded—the bedrock upon which our collective identity was built, and the site from which our community’s rebirth begins.

The name East of West represents more than geographical coordinates; it is the soul of our heritage. From the Winneshiek and Ho-Chunk peoples who first tended this land, to the generations of immigrants who built our earliest neighborhoods, these streets echo with the stories of the pioneers, workers, and dreamers who first walked Freeport. But that legacy is not a static monument to the past; it is a living responsibility. We have a dual opportunity: to learn from and reconcile our history while proactively building a stronger, brighter foundation for everyone’s future.

As a permanent commitment of The Foundation, East of West focuses a dedicated portion of our granting and programmatic work toward the nonprofits and projects revitalizing Freeport’s heart. Much like Jane Addams, we believe a community’s strength lies in its pluralism—the ability of diverse individuals to live, work, and solve problems together while honoring their unique identities. By fostering a culture of mutual respect and shared responsibility, we will bridge old divides and build a future that is as inclusive as it is prosperous.

This initiative is a call to action for every resident. Whether you are a descendant of a founding family, a lifelong resident, or a neighbor who just arrived: you have a stake in this soil.

Join us as we build the future of Freeport, together. You can support the East of West Initiatives in many ways, please contact us to learn more! You can also support it with your gifts to the Jane Addams Legacy Fund.