The Community Foundation announced grants to three organizations from the Jo Daviess County Future Fund. The grants awarded this year went to The Galena School District, Cats Care, and The Galena ARC and total $10,000.
“These are the first grants from the Youth Fund and we couldn’t be more excited to be able to award grants for projects that can impact young people in our County” said Bridgette Stocks, board chairperson for the Community Foundation.
Three grants were awarded. A $6,055 grant to the Galena School District will be matched by the Galena Education Foundation to help fund a Virtual Reality Immersive Experience. “This will provide students with a virtual reality experience to augment lessons in social studies, science, art, career technical education and immersive virtual field trips,” said Tim Vincent, Superintendent.
A $3,100 grant to the Galena ARC will support youth cooking classes and SIP Day art classes. “This will give many students their first cooking experiences that may even inspire a career as a future chef, said Dave Decker, Executive Director.
Cats Care at River Ridge will receive a grant for $250 to help provide coats, mittens, and hats for River Ridge students in need. The funds will be matched by local fundraisers. “Many of the students we serve are from families who struggle to make ends meet at home,” says Tammy Smith, president of Cats Care and Special Education Teacher at River Ridge. “Meeting their physical needs with things like warm coats, increases students’ ability to learn.”
Growing the Jo Daviess County Youth Fund is a key focus of the Community Foundation. “It’s a fund designed to meet the needs of our young people today, so they can lead the community in the future,” says Eric Dregne, Community Foundation president, “Over the next 10 or 20 years we can grow the fund to respond to new needs or help launch a bold new project to serve young people in the county. You can help by investing in the fund today.”
Anyone can contribute to the Jo Daviess County Future Fund, in any amount. Make a gift online on the Community Foundation website at www.cfjodaviess.com/give or by mailing a check to: Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County, P.O. Box 77, Elizabeth, IL 61028.
The Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County fosters giving and invests in communities in Northwest Illinois. At the Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County, we strengthen the communities in our county by inspiring community members to give, making grants to strengthen nonprofits, and investing in long-term community initiatives.