IPCF Receives National Recognition
Local Organization Accredited with Rigorous Philanthropic Standards
BLOOMINGTON, IL – Illinois Prairie Community Foundation (IPCF) recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. Community Foundations National Standards® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.
“Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Kevin van Bronkhorst, Executive Director of National Standards. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates Illinois Prairie Community Foundation demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission.”
The Community Foundations National Standards® program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. With over 1,000 community foundations already accredited nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.
“This is critically important to our donors,” said Erik Rankin, IPCF President & CEO. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their charitable wishes, and provide support and philanthropic guidance to the local nonprofit community. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order.”
IPCF works to meet critical community needs and support local causes, including programs that support women and children, foster the arts, preserve and beautify our surroundings, and provide food and housing in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties.
IPCF offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the accreditation validates IPCF’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.
“Grantmaking is a lot like investing,” said Josh Barnett, IPCF board chair. “We need to assess risks, weigh potential gains, diversify assets, monitor performance and operate fairly. With our National Standards accreditation, you can be assured that we’re doing just that.”
Community Foundations National Standards® is the first program of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States.
About Illinois Prairie Community Foundation
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation connects generosity to local impact by stewarding resources, cultivating partnerships and fostering equity across our region. IPCF empowers individuals, families and organizations to create meaningful change – today and for generations to come. The foundation manages funds including endowments and agency, designated, donor advised, field of interest, scholarship and unrestricted funds. More information is available at www.ilprairiecf.org.
Community Partners for Illinois Prairie Community Foundation are: The Drake Zimmerman Group, Heartland Bank & Trust, Meyer Capel, Illinois Farm Bureau, Onward Injury Law, WGLT, First Mid Wealth Management, Knight Light Photograph, Northern Trust, Renaissance Wealth Management BN, Bank of Pontiac, Donald Heinold CPA, Fox & Hounds Salon & Spa, Little Jewels Learning Center, Tarvin Culligan and Westminster Village.
Contact
Michele Evans, Vice President (Programs) | [email protected] | 309-662-4477