Our Mission

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter by offering philanthropic leadership, organization and grant-making for the long-term enrichment of our community.

We are a grant-making public charity dedicated to improving the lives of people in our community. We bring together the financial resources of individuals, families and businesses to effectively support nonprofits in the community.

We engage and assist individuals in sharing their gifts and build permanent funds in our four-county service area (McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties).

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Endowment builder, community connector, grant maker.

Community foundations are grant-making public charities dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities.

Community foundations play a key role in identifying and solving community problems. More than 750 community foundations operate in urban and rural areas in every state in the United States. Illinois Prairie Community Foundation is a member of the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations, comprised of 32 community foundations within the state of Illinois, each representing a distinct geographical area.

All Hands

HISTORY


In 1996, a small group of individuals envisioned a community foundation for McLean County. Today, we owe much to the late Carol Reitan, Alan Sender and Drake Zimmerman for doing considerable research on existing foundations and for taking their message to many community leaders. They persisted and gained enough support to turn their dream into a reality by successfully establishing a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization two years later. Mayor Judy Markowitz of Bloomington, Mayor Kent Karraker of Normal and McLean County Board Chairperson Gary Riss agreed to serve as the first incorporating board. The Community Foundation of McLean County was officially established on November 6, 1998.

OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

STAFF

TESTIMONIALS

"Without the structure and support of the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, I believe we would not have been able to successfully complete this amazing project and our community is so lucky to have this incredible organization as a resource."

- Corin Chapman, Co-Chair of the Harmony Park Project, the first all-inclusive park in McLean County

"It's amazing what combined contributions can accomplish in a small town. Endow Atlanta partnered with IPCF and we've really benefited from their investment, administrative expertise and support." 

- Bill Thomas, who helped create the Endow Atlanta Fund

"The Community Foundation has shared ideas, expertise, and provided opportunities for us to tell the special story of Poetry Place to potential funders."

- Patsy Bowles, a longtime speech pathologist at Sheridan School who started the Poetry Place Endowment Fund

"Dreams Are Possible has greatly benefitted from grants from IPCF since 2019. The financial support provided is critical to a small non-profit organization like ours that is committed to improving opportunities for local women. Dreams Are Possible has also gained recognition and credibility through its association with the women who support the Women to Women Giving Circle at IPCF. For all of this, we are most appreciative."

- Mary Campbell, co-founder of Dreams Are Possible, which received General Grants to prepare women for economically sustainable employment by creating skill-based workers, helping them transition from jobs to careers