New “Rural Vitality” Initiative Creates Permanent Community Funds and a $25k Match for 16 Northwest Illinois Towns

FREEPORT, IL (October 13, 2026) — Northwest Illinois is standing at a critical economic crossroads. Over the next decade, an estimated $2.92 billion in generational wealth is expected to change hands across Stephenson, Jo Daviess, and Carroll counties. Because many heirs have relocated to metropolitan areas if not completely out of state, these resources—along with the region’s economic foundation—is at risk of leaving Northwest Illinois forever.

To combat this massive transfer of wealth and secure the region’s future, The Foundation for Northwest Illinois today announced the creation of the Northwest Illinois Rural Vitality Coalition. This sweeping new initiative establishes localized, permanently endowed “community need funds” for 16 towns and geographic areas across the region, all of which are immediately eligible for the Illinois Gives tax credit program.

The $25,000 Community Challenge To kickstart these localized financial shields, The Foundation is offering a powerful incentive: once a participating community raises an initial $25,000 for its specific endowed fund, The Foundation for Northwest Illinois will provide a dollar-for-dollar match of $25,000.

This creates an immediate, permanently endowed $50,000 fund for that town. The principal will remain invested, while the financial growth will provide a permanent, annual source of grant money for local nonprofits and community projects. The Foundation for Northwest Illinois will also provide ongoing investment management, administrative, and marketing support for each fund.

The $400,000 in matching dollars is made possible by the generous legacies of two multi-generational farming families, fueled by the Craig Wilson Trust and the Carol J. and Gordon N. Garnhart Trust.

“These community funds are about much more than preserving capital; they are about preserving Northwest Illinois’ way of life and the towns we call home,” said Michelle DeHaven Quast, President and CEO of The Foundation for Northwest Illinois. “The Foundation is providing the $25,000 per-fund match to give every participating community the initial spark they need to build an endowed fund that will benefit the community forever. Funds invested by local residents today will only continue to grow over the years, benefiting not only their great-grandchildren, but their great-grandchildren’s great-grandchildren.”

Protecting Our Rural Economy Capturing this fleeting philanthropic opportunity is vital for the survival and prosperity of rural Northwest Illinois. Beyond the looming drain of estate wealth, the region is grappling with three major economic hurdles:

• Industry Shifts: Rapid changes in manufacturing and agriculture—the bedrock of the local economy—threaten traditional jobs and family farms. Local endowments will provide a buffer against sudden economic shifts and help fund workforce development.
• An Aging Population: As the senior population grows, local health systems and public infrastructure face immense strain. Community funds will help sustain essential senior programming and accessible transportation.
• Youth “Brain Drain”: To combat the steady out-migration of young people, these funds will finance the local amenities, schools, and projects necessary to attract and retain working families.

Research shows that if local families allocate just 5% of their estates to permanent community endowments, it will secure millions in sustainable local capital, transforming a potential financial drain into a permanent source of local prosperity.

Endowed Community Funds: Dedicated funds are to be established for the following communities and their surrounding areas:

• Cedarville
• Dakota (Rock City, Rock Grove, Davis, Ridott, Lake Summerset)
• East Dubuque
• Elizabeth
• Freeport
• Galena
• Hanover
• Lanark (Shannon)
• Lena (Winslow)
• Milledgeville
• Mount Carroll
• Orangeville
• Pearl City
• Savanna (Thompson, Fulton)
• Scales Mound
• Stockton
• Warren (Nora, Apple River)

A Call to Action There is no deadline to reach the $25,000 threshold, but towns that act quickly unlock grant funding much sooner. We invite everyone—from local leaders to families and wealth advisors—to join this effort. By anchoring our wealth locally today, we build a self-sustaining legacy for tomorrow.

For more information on how to contribute to your community’s fund or to learn more about the Northwest Illinois Rural Vitality Coalition, please contact The Foundation for Northwest Illinois.

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Media Contact:
Sarah Flashing Clow, VP of Strategic Initiatives
(815) 618-8808 | sarah@fornwil.org

Michelle DeHaven Quast, President & CEO
michelle@fornwil.org