Freeport Community Foundation, United Way of Northwest Illinois

Award $205,000 Emergency Grant Support to 30 NWIL Non-Profits

Includes Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund and Freeport Community Foundation Community Needs Fund dollars

The Freeport Community Foundation (FCF) and the United Way of Northwest Illinois (UWNWIL) announce that their respective organizations are awarding $205,000 in Northwest Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund (NWILCRF) grants to thirty non-profit organizations based throughout Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll counties. The emergency needs grants awarded include funding for ten northwest Illinois organizations offering assorted COVID-19 Emergency Needs Support programs to citizens impacted by the pandemic, nine (9) support emergency food distributions throughout the region, four (4) assist with emergency childcare programming, four (4) support short-term economic stimulus projects, and three (3) emergency non-profit operational assistances as related to COVID-19 losses.

“It is clear that all of the agencies that applied for COVID-19 grant funding are struggling to continue meeting even the most basic human needs during this challenging environment,” said Freeport Community Foundation Board President Brad Stewart. “Yet, despite their own respective operational challenges, the applying organizations presented programs outlining numerous ways to support their neighboring residents throughout northwest Illinois.”

United Way of Northwest Illinois Board President Ryan Stodden added, “Everyone in our community is experiencing unique challenges presented by COVID-19. Our goal with this funding has been to assist affected individuals by providing for basic necessities, aiding those organizations that care for the most vulnerable individuals, and supporting local businesses.”

NWIL COVID-19 Response Fund monies distributed through the United Way of Northwest Illinois include:

• $30,000 to Jo-Carroll Energy NFP for their Neighbor-to-Neighbor Care Program
• $10,000 to Amity Society of Freeport for Emergency Childcare Assistance
• $10,000 to Family YMCA of Northwest Illinois for Emergency Childcare Assistance
• $10,000 to VOICES of Stephenson County for Emergency Pandemic Support Services
• $7,500 to Senior Resource Center for Safety Net Services for Seniors
• $5,000 to The Workshop – Galena for Emergency Community Support
• $5,000 to Galena Order of Elks #882 for Jo Daviess County Food Pantry Emergency Support
• $5,000 to The Salvation Army – Freeport for Freeport COVID-19 Response
• $5,000 to Riverview Center for COVID-19 Sexual Assault & DV Crisis Response Program
• $4,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Freeport & Stephenson County for their Grab & Go Child Nutrition program
• $4,000 to Hearts That Care, Inc. of Freeport for Family Food Assistance
• $2,500 to Elizabeth Food Basket, Inc. for Family Food Assistance
• $2,500 to Faith Community Food Pantry for Faith Community Food Pantry
• $2,500 to Hanover United Presbyterian Church Pantry for Family Food Assistance
• $2,000 to RAMP for Emergency Services for Individuals with Disabilities

The funds supporting these grants include $100,000 awarded to the agency partnership from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund (ICRF) and an additional $5,000 awarded to the United Way of Northwest Illinois from private donations.

“I’m proud of the time and effort both FCF and UWNIL have put into this partnership to support the nonprofits in our community,” Stodden continued. “It’s critical these nonprofit organizations have the resources they need to continue to operate at the highest capacity and help those individuals who are most vulnerable during this unique time.”

The additional $100,000 in NWIL COVID-19 Response Fund emergency relief funding comes from the Freeport Community Foundation’s Community Needs/Matt Marvin Unrestricted Fund:

• $15,000 to New Horizons Counseling Center, Freeport for Emergency Care Reduced Fee Program
• $15,000 to Freeport Area Church Cooperative (FACC) for Emergency Food Pantry Support
• $10,000 to Northern Illinois Food Bank for Food Acquisition and Distribution
• $10,000 to Midwest Medical Center, Galena for COVID-19 Operational Fund Support
• $10,000 to Greater Freeport Partnership for Small Business Economic Stimulus Program
• $6,000 to Mother Hubbard’s Kiddie Cupboard for Emergency Family Relief
• $6,000 to Northern Illinois Community Action Agency for NICAA Golden Meals Senior Support
• $5,000 to CONTACT of Northern Illinois for COVID-19 Crisis Helpline and Referral support
• $5,000 to Galena Area Chamber of Commerce for COVID-19 Business & Community Project
• $4,500 to The Rosecrance Foundation for Distance Counseling Operating Support
• $4,000 to Timberlake Playhouse for Emergency Operational Support
• $3,000 to Public Health Foundation of Northern Illinois for Community Mask Project
• $2,500 to Children’s Hands-On Museum of Northwest Illinois for Emergency Operating Support
• $2,000 to Lena Area Historical Society for LBPA Stimulus and Resident Assistance
• $2,000 to Stockton Chamber of Commerce for Small Business Economic Stimulus Program

Thirty-one applications were submitted to the NWIL COVID-19 Response Fund, totaling $300,963 in funding requests. Of those applicants, all but one – an application for a general support contribution not related to any COVID-19 emergency needs – received some amount of funding from the NWIL COVID-19 Response Fund partnership.

“I feel proud of the thought, time, and hard work that both organizations have put into this matter to get critical funding into the hands of the non-profits in our region, “ said FCF President Brad Stewart. “Additionally, I cannot say enough about the efforts of both the FCF and United Way staff. Without their teamwork, and without the FCF securing a seat at the table through our relationship with the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations, I do not think this much-needed financial support would have come to fruition for northwest Illinois.”