COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY

Even in an era when term life insurance policies may appear to dominate, many people still hold whole life, variable life, or universal life insurance policies. In many cases, when the original need for a policy goes away (e.g., children become independent or other assets have increased to fill risk gaps), a policyholder may be left wondering what to do with the policy. Before cashing in a policy, it’s worth knowing that life insurance can play a meaningful and often overlook

Many people approach a new year with a genuine desire to be more intentional about their charitable giving. They know they want to make a difference, align their generosity with their values, and perhaps even involve their families—but they are often unsure where to begin. The combination of busy lives, changing tax laws, and an ever-growing number of worthy causes can make getting started feel overwhelming. The good news is that taking a few simple, thoughtful actions at the

Keeping you (& your tax advisors) in the loop is what we do! At the community foundation, we are honored to serve as your home for charitable giving. Whether you support a wide range of charitable organizations in our community and across the country, focus your giving on a few favorite local causes, collaborate with the community foundation to invest in our region’s greatest needs, or all of the above, we are here for you! A new year presents an excellent opportunity to chec

The Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County is pleased to announce that we have recently received accreditation with Community Foundations National Standards®. This accreditation, signified by the Seal shown here, indicates that the Community Foundation meets the highest standards for philanthropic excellence.  “This is a significant accomplishment,” said Tom Heidenreich, board chair. “When people trust the Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County with a charitable bequest

Individuals who have reached 70 1/2 and are making charitable contributions in 2025 should take advantage of qualified charitable deductions (QCDs). To use the QCD option, you have to inform your custodian to withdraw your contribution from your IRA account and send the contribution directly to the qualified charity you have identified. If you must take required minimum distributions (RMDs), you should make any QCDs first. This is a way to reduce your taxes, as the amount you

OK, Jo Daviess County Nonprofits!! We know you've been thinking about something cool . Something that can make a BIG impact on the...

Thanks to a grant from the CTE Academy Foundation Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County, students at the CTE...

How a Donor-Advised Fund Helped Emily and Gregg Painter Give Back written by Emily Painter When we moved to Galena in 1972, we instantly...

The Community Foundation announced four grants to organizations from the Jo Daviess County Youth Fund. The grants awarded this year went...

An update from the Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County July 7, 2025 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act  was signed into law by...

Today, we're celebrating the success of one of the Community Foundation's agency funds - JDLF Collective began operations in their new...

You've likely heard about the work the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) does to preserve prairies, woodlands, and waterways. The...

A couple of years ago, our Youth Fund Grants helped to support a new greenhouse at the High School in Stockton. Today, seedlings like...

by Eric Dregne A Qualified Charitable Distribution (“QCD”) is a useful tool if you’ve reached the age of 70 ½ and want to give to a...

We are all looking for ways to foster more happiness in our lives and according to Psychologist Adam Grant, you can boost your overall...

You’re ready to roll into a new year, and that includes staying involved with the charities you love, whether as a donor, volunteer,...

The Future Fund for Jo Daviess County supports projects that advance new ideas and create a significant impact on people's lives while...

The team at the community foundation is committed to sharing tips and insights that can help you get more satisfaction from your...

August is national Make-A-Will month and a great time to check in on key components of your estate plan. The reality, as we know, is that...

If you’ve already established a donor-advised fund at the community foundation, you can understand why it’s become such a popular tool to...