52 General Grants totaling $115,902 awarded in 2025

Back 2 School Alliance – $2,500
“Backpacks for Big Kids” to purchase backpacks for students in each of the three public high schools: Normal Community, Normal West and Bloomington High School; backpacks will be distributed through family care coordinators in Unit 5 and by Promise Council in District 87.

Best Buddies in Central Illinois – $2,000
“Best Buddies Leadership” to offer people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to gain public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence needed to advocate for themselves, their peers and Best Buddies in communities, workplaces and government.

Bloomington Public Library – $2,000
“Juneteenth at Bloomington Public Library” to provide a fun and educational celebration for the Bloomington-Normal community where families can visit the library, participate in fun activities, visit informational tables led by community organizations and learn about the Juneteenth holiday.

Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal – $3,000
“STEAM Powered Play” to offer learning experiences focused on STEAM related content, which reinforces academic goals and will encourage creativity, problem-solving and teamwork; in collaboration with the Children’s Discovery Museum.

Brightpoint – $4,000
“Brightpoint Central Region Prevention Services” to provide a wide range of prevention services that help families in McLean County and surrounding areas address daily challenges related to poverty, trauma and systemic inequities before they become life-altering crises.

Central Illinois Special Hockey Association – $2,500
“Central Illinois Special Hockey Association” to provide a free team sports opportunity through the game of ice hockey to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities over the age of 5.

Central Illinois Veterans Commission – $3,000
“Tiny Homes for Veterans” to provide veterans struggling to adjust back to civilian life with holistic services designed to eliminate barriers in obtaining permanent housing.

Children’s Advocacy Center of McLean County – $2,000
“Prevent 360 – Purchase of Supplies and Materials” to protect children from abuse, including prevention education for children, adults and our communities; with funding, the CAC will purchase resources for students receiving education.

City of Refuge Ministries – $1,500
“City Kids Christian Camp (CKCC)” to support low-income families with a safe, engaging and faith-based affordable summer camp for children ages 4-13; through creative activities and personal development, the 5-week camp will foster growth, confidence and lasting connections.

Clinton Community Educational Foundation – $1,250
“Read Across Clinton” to order a variety of high interest, low-cost books for students in kindergarten through 5th grade to take home for summer reading.

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois – $2,500
“CAPCIL Transit” to provide essential transportation for seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities in Logan County, ensuring reliable, on-demand rides to medical appointments and improving health and mobility.

Community Connection Group of Central Illinois – $900
“Team Connection” to match youth with and without disabilities, families and their communities, with mentors and foster a sense of accomplishment and community engagement; and to fund Camp Confidence, a 3-week summer camp designed to teach youth leadership and entrepreneurial skills and aid them in finding local work and internships.

Community Health Care Clinic – $2,300
“Home Blood Pressure Monitoring” to purchase home blood pressure machines and provide additional health education and training so that both provider and patient better understand what impacts the patient's blood pressure; more frequent monitoring will give provider and patient a more complete picture and empower patients improve their health.

Corpus Christi Catholic School – $1,000
“Outdoor Active Play Initiative: Multi-Sport Net” to enhance student well-being by increasing physical activity, social interaction and emotional health through a versatile outdoor space.

Cultural Fest Inc. – $1,500
“2025 Cultural Festival Kidz Zone” to offer a variety of activities tailored for children and youth that provide fun and educational experiences, ensuring that kids are entertained and learning throughout the festival.

Dreams Are Possible – $4,500
“Dreams Are Possible” to enable local women to move from unemployment or under-employment to jobs that provide a family-sustainable wage, with benefits, opportunity and dignity, through a 10-week Essential Skills classes.

Dwight Economic Alliance – $4,000
“Kids Kamp” to provide safe, engaging activities like park play, arts, library visits and first responder meet-ups through a free weekly summer camp for K-8th graders in Dwight and Livingston County.

Easterseals Central Illinois – $2,000
“Timber Pointe Outdoor Center Cooking Program for Campers” to empower campers of all abilities through inclusive, hands-on experiences like cooking classes in a safe, guided space where campers with disabilities and life-altering diagnoses can build life skills.

Encore Developmental Services – $2,000
“Communication and Community Access Program” to offer education and training in community living to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, therefore providing opportunities for personal growth and employment skills while working toward independence and self-sufficiency and improving quality of life.

Eversight – $1,000
“Sight-Saving Recovery Supplies for McLean and Livingston Counties” to purchase cornea tissue recovery supplies, allowing McLean and Livingston County residents to give the gift of sight as cornea donors; each donor can donate up to two cornea tissues, allowing twice as many people to regain the gift of sight through a corneal transplant.

First Christian Church – $2,000
“The Helping Shelf” to address the issues of hunger, personal care needs and lack of clothing among the unhoused and others in need on the near west side of Bloomington through the church’s 24-hour free food pantry.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois – $3,000
“Powering Girls’ Potential – Direct Assistance for Local Girl Scouts” to ensure equitable access to positive adult mentors, a stable peer group and social-emotional resources through membership, uniform and camper assistance.

Girls on the Run of Central Illinois – $1,000
“Power Up with Girls on the Run” to teach girls how to set goals, be independent thinkers and live a healthy lifestyle through a 10-week program that combines Social-Emotional Learning skills with training for a non-competitive 5K event.

Great Plains LIFE Foundation – $2,000
“Stay 4 Project” to address the high school dropout crisis by engaging low-income, at-risk students in activities that will encourage them to graduate while making them aware of post-secondary opportunities.

Homes of Hope – $2,500
“Heart Healthy Heroes” to promote healthier lifestyles by encouraging regular exercise, nutritious eating and education on healthy food choices for participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Illinois Art Station – $2,200
“FREE Saturdays at the Station” to offer access to inspiring, culturally relevant and developmentally stimulating artmaking once per month for all young artists without charge for families that can arrange transportation to Illinois Art Station.

INtegRIty Counseling – $1,500
“Serving with INtegRIty II” to provide counseling, education and outreach services focused on the uninsured and underinsured with a team of volunteer professionals, interns and a limited paid staff.

Junior Achievement of Central Illinois – $1,200
“CareerSpark” to prepare middle schoolers and high school students for future careers through interactive exhibits, job-readiness skills and local employer connections, thereby bridging education and workforce gaps and strengthening local talent pipelines.

Lexington CUSD #7 – $2,000
“SMART (Science, Math, Art, Reading, Technology) Camp” to provide hands-on learning experiences that prevent summer learning loss while fostering creativity and critical thinking for Lexington students in grades 1-5; students from low-income or rural families who may otherwise lack access to summer enrichment activities will be targeted.

Lincoln Pastoral Counseling Services Inc. – $2,000
“Subsidy Program” to offer counseling services to Logan County residents who are unable to pay the full fee; subsidies allow clients to pay less than a third of the standard costs for services.

McLean County Unit School District No. 5 Educational Foundation – $1,500
“Furnishing an Outdoor Classroom at Eugene Field School” to expand the outdoor learning space, encourage independence and teach social standards to students with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are transitioning out of the school environment; grant will purchase outdoor furniture pieces.

Miller Park Zoological Society – $600
“Puerto Rican Crested Toads Habitat” to provide informational graphics, an iPad and a monitor or digital learning board to educate zoo visitors about these toads and their related conservation efforts.

Oasis Community Outreach – $3,000
“Oasis Community Outreach” to encourage healthy eating habits by providing healthy choices of fresh produce which is difficult to obtain from current sources.

One Hope Project – $1,600
“NourishED: Empowering Students for Healthy Futures” to address the need for early intervention in eating disorders and body image concerns among youth by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to build healthy relationships with food, body image and self-worth.

Partners for Community – $3,552
“Free Beds for Low Income Families” to provide free beds, furniture and basic household items to low-income families in our community.

Piatt County Mental Health Center – $1,500
“DeWitt County Youth Mental Health Bags” to provide mental health wellness bags to DeWitt County middle and high school students; resources in the bags would communicate that they have value, help them recognize signs and symptoms of mental health issues, and provide referral resources for them and/or their peers.

Prairie Creek Public Library District – $2,000
“Summer Reading Adventures” to give Dwight area children healthy and educational options to keep them active and learning over the summer by providing physical activities and guest presenters, plus reading incentives.

Regional Housing and Supportive Services – $2,500
“Hope on Fifth Cleaning Equipment” to provide shelter and services to those in need in Logan County and to address the issue of homelessness in the community; grant to purchase a floor-cleaning machine and other cleaning supplies.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois – $2,500
“Ronald McDonald House: A Home Away from Home” to alleviate financial and emotional stress by providing free, convenient accommodations, meals, and resource navigation – regardless of a family’s ability to pay – to make it easier for families to support their children on their healing journey.

Salem4Youth – $1,000
“Bee University” to teach apiary science (beekeeping) to students at the residential ranch, as well as reaching out to the local community.

School Street Food Pantry – $3,000
“School Street Food Pantry: Access to Culturally Diverse Foods Program” to provide McLean County post-secondary students who experience food insecurity with more culturally responsive foods such as more halal meat, red lentils and rice than what is currently provided to diverse and international students.

Special Olympics Illinois Region G – $2,000
“Inclusive Sports Programming for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in SOILL Regional G” to provide sports training and competition – free of charge – to children and adults with intellectual disabilities who might otherwise be denied the opportunity to participate or lack access to meaningful alternatives.

The Baby Fold – $2,000
“Early Childhood Services” to help parents nurture their child’s development and support childcare providers and families in fostering emotional well-being, creating nurturing spaces and accessing essential resources so children can thrive.

The Salvation Army Lincoln 360 Life Center – $3,000
“The Salvation Army Lincoln 360 Life Center Pantry” to provide food, hygiene products and bedbug equipment to supplement donated products to meet client’s individual needs.

The Salvation Army of Bloomington – $3,000
“The Salvation Army Food Pantry” to support community members with food insecurity by providing non-perishable, fresh and frozen foods; funds to be used to purchase high-demand, healthy foods that are rarely donated.

The Salvation Army Pontiac 360 Life Center – $3,000
“Food Pantry & Hygiene Items” to provide specialty items that are higher in cost and not available to clients via state/federal feeding programs, plus provide hygiene products for high school students.

The Vault Community Center – $3,000
“The Golden Gears Small Business Leadership Program” to providing real-world business and culinary experience to students offering food, drinks and desserts for purchase along with free benevolence food so all students can eat regardless of ability to pay.

United Way of Logan County – $2,000
“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Logan County” to send a free book per month to the homes of registered preschoolers in Logan County at no cost to the families; reading to children results in higher levels of school readiness and greater chances of school success.

W.D. Boyce Council, Boy Scouts of America Inc. – $600
“Bloomington Cub Scout Day Camp” to provide fun, educational outdoor experiences that promote personal growth, teamwork and leadership skills in a safe, structured environment for children to explore nature, develop new skills and build friendships, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Weldon Public Library – $1,000
“School Supply Program” to give needed school supplies for local, low-income children in this rural community; school supplies are necessary for children to be successful in education.

Wesley United Methodist Church – $5,000
“Wesley Distribution Ministry” to provide toilet paper, diapers, wipes, feminine and adult hygiene items that are not available from local food pantries or with a LINK card.

YWCA McLean County – $3,700
“Young Wonders Early Learning Toddlers and Twos” to separate the current toddlers/twos combined classroom into two separate classrooms - one for toddlers and one for 2-year-olds, allowing an additional 16 children to be served off the current waiting list.

48 General Grants totaling $110,312 awarded in 2024

Back 2 School Alliance – $3,100
“Back 2 School Shoes” – To provide new or used shoes to students in Bloomington-Normal

Back 2 School Alliance – $2,000
“Backpacks for Big Kids” – To provide backpacks for low-income students in Unit 5 and District 87 high school

Back 2 School Alliance – $1,000
“Mentoring our Kids” – To create a mentoring program for young boys, focusing on leadership and confidence; program is similar to successful program currently offered for girls

Best Buddies in Central Illinois – $2,000
“Best Buddies Leadership” – To offer people with and without intellectual developmental disabilities the opportunity to gain public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence needed to advocate for themselves, their peers and Best Buddies in communities, workplaces and government

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois –$3,500
“Comprehensive Mentoring” – To provide and support 1-to-1 mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth who are at risk of failure due to factors in their life

Bloomington Normal YMCA – $1,746
“Camp Sparrow at Sheridan Elementary School” – To provide affordable childcare and purchasing books and materials that help youth explore play, promote social emotional wellbeing and close the summer reading gap

Bloomington Public Library – $2,000
“Juneteenth at BPL” – To offer a fun and educational Juneteenth celebration for the Bloomington-Normal community where families will have the chance to visit the library and participate in activities centered around the holiday

BN-Welcoming – $1,500
“Website Development & Community Engagement Event” – To enhance access to community resources for immigrants and refugees through its website, which will act as a resource guide that can be translated into any language using Google Translate

Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal – $4,000
“STEAM Powered Play” – To offer learning experiences focused on STEAM-related content which reinforces academic goals and will spur creativity, problem-solving and teamwork.

Center for Hope Outreach Programs – $3,750
“Center for Hope Outreach Programs” – To provide fresh dairy and produce for clients; perishables typically received from food banks tend to be at the end of their life, therefore Center for Hope seldom has enough fresh products available to meet clients’ needs

Clinton Community Educational Foundation – $2,000
“Read Across Clinton” – To purchase a variety of high-interest, low-cost books for Clinton students in kindergarten through 5th grade to take home for summer reading

Community Connection Group of Central Illinois – $1,200
“Team Connection” – To engage youth, disabled individuals, and families by matching youth with mentors, promoting accomplishment and enjoyment for the disabled, offering a 4-week Camp Confidence program for teenagers and hosting Community Events

Community Health Care Clinic – $5,000
“Prescription Medicines at CHCC” – To provide free primary care, including free prescription medicines, to the low-income, uninsured residents of McLean County

Cruisin’ Outta Poverty Services (C.O.P.S.) – $1,500
“Homeless Outreach Program” – To help homeless individuals and those living in poverty to have the opportunity to learn and grow by providing transportation, service and linkage to other organizations

Cultural Fest Inc. – $1,000
“Kid Activity Zone” – To provide safe entertaining and educational activities for young people who attend the Cultural Festival

Easterseals Central Illinois – $2,500
“Cozy Corner” – To provide a place for campers at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center to regulate through various sensory tools and a soft space that a camper can explore, thereby allowing them to relax and reduce unsafe behaviors/choices

Encore Developmental Services – $1,500
“Communication and Community Access” – To connect people with intellectual/developmental disabilities to the community by providing education, training and advocacy that promotes independence, self-sufficiency and quality of life through compassion, acceptance and respect

Eversight – $2,000
“Sight-Saving Recovery Supplies for McLean and Livingston Counties” – To purchase cornea tissue recovery supply kits, honoring the wishes of up to 7 McLean and Livingston County cornea donors

Faith in Action – $3,000
“Outreach to the Hispanic Community in McLean County” – To increase the number of clients from the Hispanic community by connecting with community leaders, translating materials to Spanish, sharing translated materials and giving presentations to Hispanic congregations and groups

First Christian Church – $1,500
“The Helping Shelf” – To address the issues of hunger, personal care needs and lack of clothing among the unhoused and others in need on the near west side at the 24-hour free food pantry at the church

Girls on the Run of Central Illinois – $1,000
“Power Up with Girls on the Run” – To prepare and empower girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living by addressing the need for increased physical activity as well as the needs of the whole girl to build confidence and self-esteem

Great Plains LIFE Foundation – $2,000
“Stay 4 Project” – To address the high school dropout crisis, by engaging low-income at-risk students in activities that will encourage them to graduate while making them aware of post-secondary opportunities

Homes of Hope – $3,000
“Functional, Useful, Necessary Skills Program” – To teach adults with intellectual disabilities life skills in a fun and engaging way, thereby improving the participant’s self-esteem and building new skills to aid in independent living and life fulfillment

INtegRIty Counseling – $2,000
“Serving with INtegRIty” – To provide counseling, education and outreach services focused on the uninsured and underinsured

Jump 4 Joy Squad Inc. – $1,000
“Jump Rope Classes and Workshops” – To engage new members in jumping rope while offering health and wellness activities through jump rope classes and workshops

Lincoln Pastoral Counseling Services – $2,000
“Subsidy Program” – To offer counseling services to Logan County residents who are unable to pay the full fee

Living Well United – $1,600
“Rural Grandparents Raising Grandkids” – To decrease the stress and increase the education/resources and support for grandparents raising grandchildren in eastern rural McLean County in conjunction with Care Coordination Services

Martin Township Public Library – $800
“Nature Exploration Kits for Kids” – To encourage outdoor exploration, foster an appreciation of the natural world and support family engagement by providing activity kits that families can borrow from the library

McLean County Center for Human Services – $2,800
“Automated External Defibrillator Project” – To enhance the safety of MCCHS' locations and save lives through the purchase of 2 Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices to use in heart attack emergency

McLean County Children’s Advocacy Center – $1,500
“Prevent 360°” – To educate students and adults about how to prevent, recognize and respond appropriately to child abuse through an evidence-based program delivered in schools and to adults within the community

McLean County Extension Service Foundation – $500
“Micro Pantry Box Construction Project” – To design, construct and install micro pantries in Livingston and McLean counties will be placed in neighborhoods with limited resources to support neighbors who need help meeting daily needs

McLean County Unit School District No. 5 Educational Foundation – $4,000
“Elementary School STEM Stations” – To provide STEM learning carts with educational technology tools and educational games for each of the 16 elementary schools within the district that will ultimately introduce students to STEM at a younger age

Miller Park Zoological Society – $1,200
“The Putting Zoo” – To teach how we affect the ecosystems around us, closing the gap between what we learn and how we live; program will reshape the “Putting Zoo” making it favorable to local wildlife, families seeking a fun and educational activity and zoo education classes

Promise Council of Bloomington High School – $1,500
“Connect Transit Bus Pass Program” – To address a critical need that BHS students face with transportation challenges, thereby ensuring they can participate in extra-curricular activities, counseling or tutoring sessions as well as employment opportunities

School Street Food Pantry – $4,000
“School Street Food Pantry: Access to Culturally Diverse Foods” – To provide culturally responsive foods to McLean County post-secondary students who experience food insecurity

That Kid Place – $4,000
“That Kid Place” – To provide amazing opportunities for special needs children, through the mobile sensory museum, monster truck wheelchair, sensory foam and equine therapy

The Baby Fold – $2,000
“Outdoor Learning and Engagement” – To purchase picnic tables to provide outdoor space for learning for our students, space for family engagement events and a sense of community and a hub of gathering

The Baby Fold – $1,156
“Hammitt School” – To provide needed services otherwise unavailable to special education students within their local school districts by addressing   positive relationship development, co-regulation and sensory needs

The Salvation Army Bloomington – $3,500
“The Salvation Army Food Pantry” – To provide food to community members experiencing food insecurity; funds will be used to purchase healthy foods rarely donated

The Salvation Army Lincoln 360 Life Center – $3,500
“The Salvation Army Lincoln 360 Life Center Pantry” – To provide food, hygiene products and pantry supplies to help supplement donated products to meet the client’s individual needs

The Salvation Army Pontiac 360 Life Center – $3,000
“Food Pantry” – To provide specialty items that are higher in cost and not available to clients via state/federal feeding programs; funds will also be used for students in conjunction with area school supply drives

The Vault Community Center – $4,500
“Golden Gears Small Business Leadership Program” – To provide real-world business and culinary experience to students offering food, drinks and desserts for purchase along with free benevolence food so all students can eat regardless of ability to pay

United Way of Logan County – $3,000
“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Logan County” – To send a free book per month to the homes of registered preschoolers in Logan County,  resulting in greater readiness for school and learning

Village of New Holland – $2,000
“Free Senior Meals” – To provide two free meals a week to seniors 60 years old and above to encourage a social and healthy lifestyle in community

Weldon Public Library – $1,300
“Back to School Bash” – To provide local, low-income children with needed school supplies for the upcoming school year, as well as attend an exciting party to end the summer

Wesley United Methodist Church – $4,000
“Wesley Distribution Ministry” – To provide paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, wipes, feminine hygiene products and more which are not available with a LINK card, plus food pantries don’t offer these

YouthBuild McLean County – $1,500
“YouthBuild McLean County” – To provide biweekly workshops, service opportunities and reward trips to develop young women to believe in themselves and their abilities so they can have a positive impact on their future and their community

YWCA McLean County – $2,150
“Youth Development Summer Camp” – To provide children with an inclusive, fun, safe and educational summer environment; children will build relationships among their peers, exposure to different activities, and develop enriching life skills that will help them be successful in life

48 General Grants totaling $83,805 awarded in 2023

Allin Township Fire Department - $1,000
"Nozzle Replacement" - To replace old nozzles for fire apparatus that leak water when used, posing problems for firefighters especially during freezing weather.

Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders Association - $681
"2nd Annual Bloomington Family Caregiver Conference" - To increase the overall health and happiness for family caregivers of persons living with memory loss, Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.

Back 2 School Alliance - $1,000
"Creating Writers from Kindergarten Through Graduation" - To increase written literacy for under-resourced students by providing them with materials to increase writing opportunities.

Best Buddies Illinois - $1,175
"Best Buddies Leadership" - To provide people with and without intellectual and developmental disorders the opportunity to gain the public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence needed to successfully advocate for themselves or others.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois - $2,000
"Comprehensive Mentoring Program" - To create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth at risk of failure due to factors in their life.

B-N Tennis Association - $400
"Tennis Buddies at Evergreen" - To provide a comprehensive tennis program to disabled adults, many of whom have "aged-out" of special needs physical activity programs, giving them the chance to socialize and improve athletic skills and overall physical and mental health.

Boy Scouts of America, W.D. Boyce Council - $800
"2023 Outdoor Adventure Camp" - To help youth participating in summer camp develop new skills and interests, practice sportsmanship and good citizenship, and learn to do their best, not just for themselves, but for their family and community.

Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal - $3,500
"STEAM Powered Play" - To increase youth exposure to out-of-school, informal learning opportunities focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM); program is a collaboration with Children's Discovery Museum.

Clinton Community Educational Foundation - $1,500
"Read Across Clinton" - To improve the reading achievement of economically disadvantaged children at Clinton Elementary Schools by delivering books to children on last day of school.

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois - $4,000
"CAPCIL Transit" - To provide safe, reliable, on-demand transportation services for individuals requiring transportation to and from medical appointments, socialization activities, retail establishments and employment and volunteer opportunities.

Community Connections Group of Central Illinois - $1,200
"Team Connection" - Increase the number of positive social interactions in Livingston County community to enhance residents' "connected-ness" while making small communities better places to live.

Community Health Care Clinic - $2,000
"Furnish the Future" - To address the unmet needs of clinic patients, program will integrate behavior health care into the primary care setting at the clinic and provide free counseling services to patients; grant to repurpose an existing office into a suitable counseling space.

Corpus Christi Catholic School - $500
"Outdoor Education Classroom" - To provide students with hands-on and interactive learning experiences that foster an appreciation for the natural world and encourages the development of skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration.

Dax Locke Foundation - $700
"Camp Hope Adolescent Young Adult Retreat" - To connect teens and young adults in the cancer community through meaningful camp activities to promote fun, build relationships and provide relevant information and resources to help them navigate their disease and its long-term effects.

DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department - $1,422
"School Dental Sealant Program" - To improve the dental health of low-income schoolchildren in DeWitt County by providing dental exams, cleanings and sealants at the schools; grant to purchase materials needed by dentist.

Dreams Are Possible - $3,000
"DAP Collaboration with Moms at Heartland Head Start and Milestones Early Learning Center" - To provide job training to interested mothers while their children are attending Heartland Head Start or Milestones Early Learning Center, allowing the women to expand their opportunities to become more financially stable and employable.

Easterseals Central Illinois - $1,750
"Timber Pointe Outdoor Center Challenge Ropes Course" - To allow campers with special needs to learn new skills and develop productive behaviors while having fun; grant will purchase/upgrade equipment for Challenge Ropes course.

Encore Developmental Services - $1,000
"Communication and Community Access" - To prepare and support individuals with special needs in DeWitt County develop  functional skills so they have independence in communicating effectively with community members; grant to fund trips in community to practice skills, and explore job and volunteer opportunities.

Eugene Field School - $1,000
"Music Garden Completion" - To provide recreational activity, sensory outlet, cognitive enrichment, emotional development, and social and motor skills for students aged 18-22 with special needs; grant to complete construction of music garden, which was started last year.

Eureka College - $2,000
"Color Us Hopeful: Eureka College Coloring Book Program" - To assist Eureka College faculty and students in producing coloring books to be distributed (along with art supplies) to young recipients of food from the Midwest Foodbank.

Eversight - $1,200
"Sight-Saving Recovery Supplies for McLean and Livingston Counties" - To underwrite eye recovery supply kits to ensure the recovery of corneal tissues, honoring the wishes of up to 8 McLean and Livingston County residents giving the gift of sight.

Everyone's Collective - $1,500
"The Collective Food Forest" - To help alleviate two linked global crises - food insecurity and climate change - in rural communities while providing an inviting and enriching environment for local youth to learn sustainable land management practices, engage in project-based learning, and build social capital.

Faith in Action - $2,500
"Volunteer Development: Recruitment, Retention and Recognition" - To engage and retain new and current volunteers provide transportation for  older adults to medical appointments, plus add trips to the bank, mall or hairdresser back to list of available services.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $2,200
"Camper Caravan - Building Accessibility to Girl Scouts Camp Experiences" - To subsidize camp fees and provide transportation assistance necessary to ensure all girls from the community can access summer resident camps.

Girls in the Game - $1,500
"Bloomington After School" - To provide all elementary-aged girls in Bloomington with quality after-school programming that increases their capacity to lead and make healthy choices.

Girls on the Run of Central Illinois - $1,500
"Power Up With Girls on the Run" - To prepare and empower girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living by underscoring the important connection between physical and emotional health.

Great Plains Life Foundation - $3,000
"Stay 4 Project" - To provide low-income McLean County students with a support grant for unexpected expenses necessary to continue their post-secondary education.

Heartland Community College - $1,250
"Returning Hawks" - To assist students who have less than a semester left to complete their degree but had to drop out of school because of a personal challenge.

Homes of Hope - $1,993
"Heart Healthy Heroes Program (HHHP)" -  To assist residents with special needs learn to live a healthier lifestyle by encouraging small daily changes that will aid in creating and sustaining healthy habits.

Lincoln Pastoral Counseling Services - $3,000
"Subsidy Program" - To provide quality, professional, low-cost counseling services to residents of the Logan County area, regardless of their ability to pay full fee for those services.

Living Well United - $500
"Grandparents Raising Grandkids (GRG)" - To offer rural grandparents raising grandchildren a caregivers support system (in partnership with Coordinated Care Services, Inc.) including caregiver in-person and online support groups, caregiver training to assist in making decisions and learning problem-solving and stress-busting skills.

McLean County Children's Advocacy Center - $2,795
"Prevent 360" - To teach students and adults how to prevent, recognize and respond appropriately to child abuse (child sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect), bullying, cyberbullying and digital dangers.

Normal Public Library - $1,000
"Free Period Products at Normal Public Library" - To decrease the number of people effected by period poverty and erase the stigma surrounding talking about menstruation; grant to provide free feminine hygiene products in the 12 bathrooms at Normal Public Library.

One Hope Project - $1,000
"One Hope Project Support Groups" - To increase opportunities for clients with eating disorders to interact with and learn from each other to improve their individual and collective successes towards their recovery.

Piatt County Mental Health Center - $2,000
"Recovery Support Services" - To reduce the overdose fatality numbers of DeWitt County by supplying first responders and community members with leave-behind kits containing the overdose-reversing drug Narcan.

Regional Alternative School - $2,000
"Sewing for Sustainability, Cricut-ing for a Cause" - To teach students about fixing clothing and apparel (as opposed to throwing it away), in addition to creating and selling RAS gear for continuous funding of special projects; grant to purchase sewing machines.

Salem4Youth - $2,000
"Planting4Pollinators" - To enhance the availability of pollinator friendly foliage for both honeybees and native pollinators through strategic plantings and to use this effort to provide practical education for both students and the community at large. Funded by the Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell Donor Advised Fund.

St Peter's Lutheran Church - $1,500
"Preschool Playground Park" - To create a place where all members of the community and surrounding county area can enjoy nature, gather together, exercise, and feel well by enhancing the current playground, expand choices of recreation, provide shade and seating for adults.

Sunnyside Community Gardens & Food Forest - $1,000
"Native Pollinator Garden for Bees" - To feed honey bees and beautify the area by expanding the garden's native pollinator area and start another. Funded by the Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell Donor Advised Fund.

The Salvation Army - Bloomington - $2,725
"Personal/Household Items Referral Program" - To support low income families by filling in the gap to provide personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies and baby care items to individuals and families to help them stay healthy.

The Salvation Army - Lincoln - $3,000
"The Salvation Army Lincoln 360 Life Center" - To provide healthy nutritious food to supplement periods of financial shortfalls, emergencies or crisis, and provide transitional housing to any veteran.

The Salvation Army - Pontiac - $3,100
"The Salvation Army Pontiac 360 Life Center" - To ensure that food insecure households receive healthy nutritious food to supplement periods of financial shortfalls, emergencies or crisis, and allow and discover if there are any other needs.

Vault Community Center - $4,000
"Golden Gears Small Business Leadership Program" - To educate teens in Clinton about leadership, employment, business and culinary arts to help alleviate the apathy and low self-esteem that is prevalent in students and the community.

Vespasian Warner Public Library - $1,500
"Wonderbook: A Read-Along Experience for Young Readers" - To increase access to materials designed to build confidence in reading for reluctant readers with the purchase of a variety of Wonderbooks (print books with ready-to-play audiobooks inside).

Village of New Holland - $500
"Keep New Holland Clean" - To recycle, restore and rebuild lives in the village through a clean-up day that will encourage homeowners to keep New Holland beautiful and clean up unnecessary items that have accumulated on their property.

Weldon Springs Foundation - $1,500
"Welcome to the Prairie: An Intro to the Natural World Through Observation & Experience" - To provide educational opportunities to children and adults through the nature center and schoolhouse facilities by upgrading the materials and technology available for those programs.

Woodland CUSD 5 -  $1,500
"Woodland Mentoring Program" - To increase student success both in school and in the community and decrease the negative influences currently impacting their lives through a mentoring program that pairs students who have been identified as "at risk" in some way with upstanding community members.

YWCA McLean County - $1,914
"Special Needs Program" - To provide a safe and developmentally appropriate environment through after-school care and summer camp programming for children with special needs so that parents are able to maintain employment, attend school, and/or receive respite care.

45 General Grants totaling $77,956.13 awarded in 2022

Best Buddies International - $2,000
"Best Buddies Leadership Program" - To develop leadership skills in students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through school friendship program and ambassador program.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois - $2,500
"Comprehensive Mentoring Program" - To help children improve their relationships with peers and adults, perform better academically and avoid risky behaviors through community- and school-based programs.

Bloomington High School Promise Council - $1,250
"Calculated Success" - To establish a bank of graphing calculators required in upper level math classes that can be loaned to low-income students for use at home.

Bloomington-Normal YMCA - $1,500
"YMCA Youth Programs" - To provide a safe, reliable space for children in after-school program and summer camp to be themselves and learn about being caring, honest, respectful, and responsible in order for them to become upstanding members of the community.

Boy Scouts of America - $1,000
"Outdoor Adventure Camp" - To help youth, who participate in outdoor camping experiences, to develop new skills and interests, practice sportsmanship and good citizenship, and learn to do their best, not just for themselves, but for their family and community.

Children's Home + Aid - $2,000
"Scott Early Learning Center Outdoor Learning" - To provide new plants for the Center's butterfly garden and allow children to plant a vegetable garden, enhancing the outdoor learning curriculum that provides experiential learning in nature and supports children's healthy development and school readiness.

City of Pontiac - $2,000
"Summer Park Program" - To provide quality recreation activities for local youth while introducing them to resources available in the community including the parks and the Recreation Center which they can use year-round to stay active and healthy.

Clinton Community Educational Foundation - $1,000
"Read Across Clinton" - To improve the reading achievement of economically disadvantaged children (K-5) by letting them select a number of high-interest, low-cost books on the last day of school.

Clinton Community YMCA - $1,500
"Clinton Youth in Action" - To develop healthy living, social responsibility and readiness to enter the job market for 12-15 Clinton High School students, while providing labor for other non-profit organizations in Clinton and DeWitt County.

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois - $2,500
"Dignity Aisle Food Pantry Cooperative" - To increase volunteerism while helping families overcome food insecurities and minimize financial impact due to inflation. Food pantry co-op offers members weekly volunteer opportunities giving them a sense of purpose and the option to learn new skills; in exchange, they are eligible to shop each week in a grocery-style setup.

Community Connection Group of Central Illinois - $1,000
"Team Connection and Building Future Leaders" - To provide a 4-week summer program in conjunction with Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County offering leadership training for local high school age youth; new program being introduced that educates and works with youth and adults with disabilities.

Community Health Care Clinic - $3,070.20
"Putting One Foot in Front of the Other" - To provide consistent podiatry care to patients who suffer from neuropathy, decreased mobility, poor eyesight and those working in environments that cause ingrown toenails and other issues with their feet; grant to purchase instruments for podiatrist who provides services.

Dreams Are Possible - $3,500
"Enrichment and Enhancement Training for Students and Staff" - To prepare women to enter non-traditional areas of employment which have previously been dominated by men because these areas provide increased financial opportunities; staff will receive additional training in the area of Trauma Informed Interventions as many students have decades of trauma that become barriers to success.

Eversight - $1,000
"Sight-Saving Recovery Supplies for McLean and Livingston Counties" - To underwrite eye recovery supply kits to ensure the recovery of corneal tissues, honoring the wishes of up to 5 McLean and Livingston County residents giving the gift of sight, allowing up to 10 individuals to regain the precious gift of sight through a corneal tissue transplant.

Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal - $2,688
"Senior Transportation in McLean County" - To provide consistent and increased transportation options for the elderly of McLean County especially for medical appointments and grocery shopping; grant to cover cost of Ride Scheduler software for 12 months.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $1,500
"Direct Assistance - Girl Scouts of DeWitt, Livingston, Logan and McLean Counties" - To support every girl in our communities as they grow into their full potential by ensuring girls of all backgrounds have equitable access to high-quality educational enrichment, mentoring, personal development, and social emotional learning; grant to subsidize fees required to participate.

Girls on the Run of Central Illinois - $750
"Power Up With Girls on the Run" - To prepare and empower girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living by addressing the need for increased physical activity to build confidence and self-esteem.

Great Plains Life Foundation - $2,500
"Stay 4 Project" - To decrease the number of low-income McLean County students that drop out of high school, by engaging them in activities that will encourage them to graduate and continue their education in a post-secondary educational program; grant covers unexpected expenses necessary to continue student's education.

Homes of Hope - $3,205.50
"Smiling is a Universal Language" - To improve the oral healthcare of residents with intellectual disabilities; grant will provide 21 residents with one additional dental cleaning giving them the recommended two cleanings per year, plus purchase water flossers as recommended by residents' dentists.

Illinois Spina Bifida Association - $700
"Community-Clinic Connection/Hospital Stay Financial Assistance" - To provide financial support to reduce family stress and improve financial wellness for Central Illinois residents with spina bifida, allowing caregivers to provide more support to their family members.

Illinois Wesleyan University - $750
"IWU Language School for Kids (LSK) Programming 2022-23" - To introduce children to the rich diversity of the human experience by promoting cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity to others through language immersion summer programs and regular LSK offerings.

Lincoln Pastoral Counseling Services - $2,500
"Subsidy Program" - To subsidize program offering quality, professional, low-cost counseling services to residents of Logan County regardless of her/his ability to pay full fee for those services.

Living Well United - $1,000
"Program of Intergenerational Education (PIE)" - To reduce social isolation in the senior population and bring generations together to share a common project at monthly pie-making workshops.

Marcfirst - $1,000
"Celebrating Our Uniqueness" - To raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

McLean County Children's Advocacy Center - $1,500
"Prevent 360◦" - To teach students and adults how to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to child abuse (child sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect), bullying, cyber bullying, and digital dangers; this social-emotional programming will be provided in local schools.

Miller Park Zoological Society - $2,500
"Endangered Species Pollinator Garden Creation Phase Two" - To change and expand the pollinator garden at the Zoo to include native endangered plants, sensory exhibits, better signage and seed/plant exchanges, thereby improving opportunities within the garden for education and improving the environment using thriving pollinators. Funded in part by the Go Green Grant through gifts from Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell Donor Advised Fund.

Normal Community High School - $961.49
"A Green Outdoor Classroom at NCHS" - To create an outdoor classroom at NCHS designed and built by the STEM Capstone students in the Technology Department partnering with the students in the Student Support Program who will help design, build, plant and water the trees and flowers.

Normal Community High School - $2,460.94
"Maker Space at NCHS" - To provide NCHS students the opportunity to use hand and power tools to teach the concepts of technology and engineering; grant will purchase additional tools for the room.

Normal Police Department - $1,000
"Renovation of Normal Police Department Family Room" - To provide a space at the Normal Police Department that acknowledges the need for a supportive room for victims and witnesses of crimes to meet with police; project will include updated furnishings, calming decorations and a supply of convenience items.

Normal Public Library - $1,320
"Computational Thinking Programs for Families at Normal Public Library" - To improve computational thinking skills for children (aged 8-12) and their families in McLean County through monthly programs; grant to purchase Root Robots.

Normal Township Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) - $2,500
"Green Space Project: Therapeutic Garden" - To overcome barriers by providing outdoor space that is fully accessible with diverse programming from partners like U of I Extension that will motivate seniors to engage with nature and each other in the fresh air.

Regional Alternative School - $1,000
"Representation in Literacy Project" - To create a culturally responsive library to engage students in robust and relevant conversations and encourage literacy, resulting in less disruption to the academic environment and more student engagement and learning.

Second Presbyterian Church of Bloomington - $1,500
"Church Garden Redesign" - To provide an urban pollinator garden as a place of beauty, respite, meditation, and education for use by the downtown community including visitors to the Free Pantry, visiting groups to the church, church staff and congregation.

Sugar Grove Nature Center - $1,500
"Leave No Trace" - To educate visitors of all ages to the importance of the principles of Leave No Trace, thereby avoiding costly restoration programs or restricting access to protected the land.

Sunnyside Community Garden and Food Forest - $1,000
"Bees and Pollinators for Sunnyside" - To increase pollination of fruit trees at the garden, bee hives and colonies will be purchased from a local source.

The Baby Fold - $1,000
"Autism Playground Safety Items and Shade Shelter Completion" - To give the children with autism a more enjoyable outdoor experience and allow for more time on the playground; grant would install sun shade shelter at playground.

The Salvation Army Lincoln - $2,500
"Salvation Army Lincoln Food Pantry and Veterans Shelter" - To provide food and hygiene products to clients of the food pantry and bedbug equipment to clients of veterans shelter.

The Salvation Army of McLean County - $2,000
"Personal Hygiene Referral Program" - To provide hygiene products to families and individuals in McLean County once every 90 days, with a referral from a partner agency.

The Salvation Army Pontiac - $2,200
"Salvation Army Pontiac Food Pantry Basics for Families and Students" - To provide specialty items that are higher in cost and not available to clients via state or federal feeding programs, including gluten-free items needed for children with food allergies, diets that require low-sodium or sugar-free products, plus provide basic cleaning and personal hygiene supplies.

United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois - $2,500
"Dolly Parton Imagination Library in DeWitt County" - To provide a high-quality, age-appropriate book monthly to registered children in DeWitt County from birth until their 5th birthday at no cost to the child's family; program seeks to improve kindergarten readiness.

United Way of Logan County - $1,500
"Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Logan County" - To provide age-appropriate books directly to the homes of all preschoolers on a monthly basis for five years, fostering a love for learning and reading; program gives children a head start to kindergarten..

Vault Community Center - $3,000
"The Golden Gears Café Small Business Leadership Program" - To educate teens in the areas of leadership, business, culinary arts and basic cooking skills, helping to alleviate the apathy, low self-esteem, and lack of purpose that is prevalent in many students.

Vespasian Warner Public Library District - $1,000
"Extending Access: Laptop Computers at the VWPL" - To purchase laptop computer that visitors can use at the library, encouraging learning through opportunities for collaboration and personal development.

West Bloomington Revitalization Project - $1,300
"Adopt-A-Pot" - To make the city's west side a more welcoming and safe place to live and visit, while introducing children and community members to gardening and spark excitement for beautifying their community. Funded in part by the Go Green Grant through gifts from Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell Donor Advised Fund.

YWCA McLean County - $1,300
"YWCA Young Wonders Youth Development" - To provide a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for children that further supports their social, communication, recreational, and self-regulation skills to help them be successful in life; grant will purchase various recreational equipment for program.

40 General Grants totaling $51,642 awarded in 2021

Allin Township Fire Department - $700
"Tactical EMS PPE" - To purchase a protective vest for Emergency Medical Technicians to wear in incidents where their safety could be compromised.

The Baby Fold - $2,500
"Autism Playground Shade Shelter" - To purchase and install a shade shelter allowing students with autism to comfortably learn and play on sensory playground.

Back 2 School Alliance - $1,000
"Getting Ready for Pre-School" - To provide early literacy materials to pre-school backpacks for young children attending Back 2 School Party before 2021-2022 school year.

BCAI School of Arts - $1,000
"BCAI Summer Arts Exposure" - To provide materials and supplies for summer arts immersion experience for children (ages 7 and older) which allows them to experience programming in visual, media, business, performance and sustainability arts.

Best Buddies Illinois - $500
"Best Buddies Leadership Program" - To develop leadership skills
in students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through school friendship program and ambassador program.

Black Nurses Association of Central Illinois - $500
"2021 Virtual 5K Walk/Run for Health" - To engage community members in a physical activity and celebrate their participation.

Bloomington Library - $500
"Memory Care Collection & Outreach" - To support and educate residents, caretakers and professionals on the medical and social aspects of Alzheimer's Disease and other memory-related conditions.

Bloomington-Normal YMCA - $2,000
"Y Academy @ Camp Sparrow" - To provide academic intervention and summer camp opportunities for students adversely affected by COVID-19.

B-N Mulberry School - $912
"Learning Outdoors" - To increase opportunities for outdoor, open-air learning and engagement for students through construction of an outdoor shaded learning and arts space.

Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal - $2,100
"STEAM Powered Play" - To provide STEAM program access to at-risk youth; in partnership with the Children's Discovery Museum.

Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County - $1,000
"Money Matters" - To increase the financial literacy skills of youth, providing them with tools and resources to develop their decision-making skills and put them on a path to financial well-being.

Children's Home + Aid - $2,500
"Bloomington Crisis Nursery" - To prevent the abuse and neglect of infant and young children who are at risk of maltreatment due to crisis situations and to support and strengthen parent's abilities to function successfully by providing crisis counseling, parenting education and resource referral services.

Clinton Community Education Foundation - $1,000
"Read Across Clinton" - To improve the reading achievement of economically disadvantaged children by providing each child a variety of books to take home on last day of the school year.

Community Connection Group of Central Illinois - $1,200
"Building Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs" - To help youth in Livingston County bridge the gap between high school and their future though a 4-week summer program.

Community Health Care Clinic - $2,000
"Technology to Support Dental Hygiene Expansion at the CHCC" - To increase access to appropriate, affordable dental care for uninsured adults in McLean County by becoming a clinical practice site for Illinois Central College's dental hygiene program; grant to purchase new laptops and electronic medical record licenses to support this partnership.

Dreams Are Possible - $3,500
"Expanding Your Opportunities" - To prepare women for economically sustainable employment, students will attend basic forklift training at Heartland Community College, as well as supplemental enrichment classes.

Easterseals Central Illinois - $1,200
"Timber Pointe Outdoor Challenge Course" - To purchase and upgrade equipment for Challenge Course necessary to meet best practices during a pandemic allowing campers to realize the potential in themselves.

Fostering Dignity - $500
"Backpacks for Youth" - To purchase backpacks that will be distributed to local DCFS offices for use by staff when removing a child from an abusive or neglectful situation.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $1,000
"Camperships - DeWitt, Livingston, Logan & McLean County Girl Scouts" - To fund resident camperships for at-risk girls in 4 counties, ensuring every girl has access to enrichment programming on their journey to reach their full potential.

Girls In the Game - $650
"Girls in the Game After School" - To provide a safe, noncompetitive environment for girls at five District 87 schools to learn and stay active in this weekly after-school program.

Girls on the Run - $500
"Power Up With Girls on the Run" - To help more girls attending McLean County schools recognize their inner strength during after-school program that focuses on building confidence through running, culminating in a 5K race.

Great Plains Life Foundation - $2,000
"Stay 4 Project" - To provide support for first-year college or trade school students for rent, food, books or computers.

Heartland Community College Foundation - $1,500
"Student Emergency Fund" - To provide temporary, short-term financial assistance to students facing unexpected financial hardship; students work with college success coaches to help them identify their financial challenges while also providing temporary financial relief.

Illinois Wesleyan University - $1,000
"IWU Language School for Kids (LSK) Summer and Fall 2021 Programming" - To support the operational costs of running the LSK language program, including the development of teaching materials, such as open-source digital repository of voice recordings with stories in languages other than English.

Lincoln Pastoral Counseling Services - $1,000
"Subsidy Program" - To decrease mental health issues within the community by increasing the amount of subsidy funding provided to those unable to pay full fee for counseling services.

Living Well United - $650
"Mix & Fix - Healthy Eating Recipe Card and Sample Program" - To make recipe cards for healthy meals using mainly items already provided at the local food pantry.

Livingston County Special Services Unit - $2,300
"LCSSU's Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES)" - To allow special needs students to explore various jobs, while using real tools, and developing proper work behaviors; grant will provide consumable supplies to be used by students in the PAES lab.

Midwest Food Bank - $1,500
"Hope Pack Weekend Feeding for Local Children at Risk for Food Insecurity" - To provide supplemental weekend food to children with food insecurity throughout the school year, ensuring students arrive at school on Monday morning ready to learn.

Miller Park Zoological Society - $1,000
"Endangered Species Pollinator Garden Creation" - To change and expand the pollinator garden at zoo to consist of native endangered plants, sensory exhibits, better signage, and seed/plant exchanges, thereby improving the environment directly and indirectly through people and thriving pollinators.

Regional Alternative School - $1,500
"RAS Virtual Reality Work Skills Laboratory" - To increase the technical skills students have exposure to through experiential virtual reality learning.

Salvation Army Lincoln 360 Life Center - $1,500
"Salvation Army Lincoln Food Pantry and Veterans Shelter" - To provide food, hygiene products and bedbug equipment needed at food pantry and veterans homeless shelter.

Salvation Army of McLean County - $2,000
"Salvation Army Bloomington Youth Camp" - To bring at-risk children out of their home environment to participate in experiences not found in an urban setting while increasing self-esteem and developing social Skills.

Salvation Army Pontiac 360 Life Center - $1,500
"Salvation Army Pontiac Food Pantry" - To provide healthy, nutritious food, and paper and hygiene products to Livingston County residents at no cost.

Sunnyside Community Gardens & Food Forest - $930
"Sunnyside Strawberry Apprenticeship" - To create a small strawberry farm that would allow 1-2 youth every season to have a part-time summer job and gain lifelong lessons; grant would purchase plants and materials to create strawberry beds.

Tri-Point National Honor Society - $1,200
"Tree Restoration Project" - To create a space behind the school where football field and track field used to be; adding trees will develop an area for students and community to enjoy safely.

Vault Community Center - $2,000
"The Golden Gears Café: Small Business Leadership Program" - To educate Clinton are teens in the fields of leadership, business, culinary arts and basic cooking skills, helping to alleviate apathy, low self-esteem and lack of purpose prevalent in local students.

Vespasian Warner Public Library District - $800
"Library of Things at the Vespasian Warner Public Library" - To create a unique collection of items such as tools, sports equipment and art supplies that can be borrowed for free with a library card, opening the door to learning new skills without the investment in new equipment.

West Bloomington Revitalization Project - $1,000
"Facilitating DIY Energy Efficiency for West Bloomington Residents" - To add a variety energy efficiency tools and supplies to the Tool Library inventory to enable residents (renters and homeowners alike) to implement simple Do-It-Yourself energy efficiency improvements to their residences.

Western Avenue Community Center - $500
"Teen Girls Exploration of Career Tracks" - To provides teen girls in the community with the opportunity to explore a variety of future career options.

YWCA McLean County - $1,000
"YWCA Fitness Fliers" - To give children aged 5-12 in Youth Development program the chance to utilize larger muscle groups in a safe, monitored environment; grant to purchase equipment such as roller skates, tricycles, scooters and safety equipment.

37 General Grants totaling $62,220 awarded in 2020

Best Buddies - $1,300
"Best Buddies Leadership Program" -To develop leadership skills in students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through school friendship program and ambassador program.  

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois - $3,000
"Community and School Based Mentoring" - To increase graduation rate in local school districts and increase the number of children who finish high school with the skills needed to be college or workforce ready.

Bloomington Parks Recreation & Cultural Arts Dept. - $1,123
"Empire Junction Pollinator Garden" - To create a pollinator garden that will both benefit the environment and provide educational and outreach work opportunities for park users and neighborhood residents.

Boy Scouts of America W.D. Boyce Council - $750
"2020 Multi-Week Adventure Camp" - To provide boys and girls an unforgettable positive outdoor experience; learning teamwork, self-respect and respecting others, self-confidence and participate in Scouting's unique programming.

Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal - $2,100
"STEAM Powered Play" - To provide STEAM program access to at-risk youth; in partnership with the Children's Discovery Museum.

Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County - $2,000
"Building Future Leaders" - To provide older Club members with opportunities that prepare them for life after high school.

C.H.A.R.M. - $1,900
"10^th Annual West Bloomington Neighborhood Block Party" - To provide resources, school supplies, educational and nutritional components for low-income families in west Bloomington.

Children's Home + Aid - $2,438
"Doula Program" - To reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect and develop strong parent-child attachments to help mothers build healthy futures for their babies.

Clinton Community Education Foundation - $1,500
"Read Across Clinton" - To improve the reading achievement of economically disadvantaged children by providing each child a variety of books to take home on last day of the school year.

Community Connection Group of Central Illinois - $1,000
"Building Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs" - To help youth in Livingston County bridge the gap between high school and their future though a 4-week summer program.

Community Health Care Clinic - $2,500
"Expanding Capacity at McLean County's Free Dental Clinic for the Uninsured" - To offer acute, restorative and preventative adult dental services to more Clinic patients through purchase of additional dental equipment.

Dreams Are Possible - $3,859
"Preparing Women for Employment With a Living Wage" - To prepare women for economically sustainable employment by creating skill-based workers, helping them transition from jobs to careers, and preparing them to expect and advocate for a living wage, benefits and dignity in the workplace.

Environmental Education Association of Illinois - $1,200
"Increasing Early Childhood Outdoor Education in Central Illinois" - To increase student outdoor learning experiences by providing educators with the knowledge, training and experiences needed to feel confident in taking their students outside.

Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal - $1,600
"Faith in Action of B-N Expansion" - To increase access to medical transports and services for more McLean County residents 60 or over to decrease social isolation.

Fostering Dignity - $1,100
"Backpacks for Youth" - To purchase backpacks that will be distributed to local DCFS offices for use by staff when removing a child from an abusive or neglectful situation.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $800
"G.I.R.L. Outreach Program - DeWitt County" - To increase lifelong success and well-being of at-risk girls within our communities through the direct delivery of leadership and personal development programming.

Girls In the Game - $1,400
"Girls in the Game After School" - To provide a safe, noncompetitive environment for girls at five District 87 schools to learn and stay active in this weekly after-school program.

Girls on the Run - $1,000
"Girls on the Run McLean County Expansion" - To help more girls attending McLean County schools recognize their inner strength during after-school program that focuses on building confidence through running, culminating in a 5K race.

Heartland Community College - $2,500
"Complete and Connect Lincoln" - To help individuals in Logan County earn a sustainable living wage and have a successful career path by reducing the number of individuals in Logan County without a high school diploma.

Illinois Wesleyan University - $1,300
"Summer Immersion Language Camps" - To introduce children (PreK-5) to the rich diversity of the human experience by expanding summer offerings to less-commonly taught languages, such as Korean, Mandarin and Sign Language.

Jump 4 Joy Squad Inc. - $600
"Jump 4 Joy Summer Camp" - To increase health and fitness awareness among McLean County children and teens, instilling a desire for lifelong physical and mental well-being through a free 2-day summer jump rope camp.

Junior Achievement - $1,000
"JA Inspire Interactive Career Pathway Education" - To expose 8th grade students to new careers or help them better understand the path to careers of interest.

Lifesong for Orphans-The Forgotten Initiative - $2,200
"First Response" - To provide items necessary when a foster child is placed in a home, making the home safe and comfortable for the child.

Lincoln Pastoral Counseling Services - $1,000
"Subsidy Program" - To decrease mental health issues within the community by increasing the amount of subsidy funding provided to those unable to pay full fee for counseling services.

Living Well United - $1,500
"LeRoy Living Well Center" - To reduce isolation of seniors in LeRoy, Ellsworth, Bellflower, Arrowsmith and Saybrook by helping them build strong social networks of care, and keep their minds and bodies in the best shape possible to encourage aging successfully in their own homes and communities.

Marcfirst - $2,000
"Family Transitions" - To give parents of young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the information and tools they need to navigate the transition from school support to the adult world.

McLean County Children's Advocacy Center - $1,200
"Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children" - To educate and empower adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

Midwest Food Bank - $3,000
"Hope Pack Weekend Feed Program for Children in Need" - To provide food insecure children with supplemental weekend food throughout the school year, ensuring students arrive at school on Monday morning ready to learn.

Prairie Central High School - $1,000
"Foundations of Fitness Physical Education" - To create an overall culture in Physical Education of engagement and motivation to acquire and improve physical skills; grant to purchase a projector unit for the school gym.

Recycling Furniture for Families - $2,000
"Providing Furniture for Families in Need" - To provide safe and clean furniture to families in need.

Royal Families Kids Camp - $1,100
"Royal Families Kids Camp #362" - To break the chains of abuse, neglect and abandonment for foster children ages 6-12 by creating life-changing moments in the healthy and safe environment of a week-long summer camp.

Salem 4 Youth - $650
"Planting for Pollinator Sustainability" - To educate both students and the community about the importance of both pollinators and the necessary/native forage plants to the survival of pollinators which are vital to our worldwide food supply.

The Salvation Army - $2,000
"Personal Hygiene Referral Program" - To provide hygiene products to families and individuals in McLean County once every 90 days with a referral from a partner agency.

United Way of Logan County - $1,800
"Dolly Parton Imagination Library" - To provide a book a month to enrolled Logan County children for the first five years of life.

Vault Community Center - $3,400
"The Golden Gears Café: Small Business Leadership Program" - To educate Clinton are teens in the fields of leadership, business, culinary arts and basic cooking skills, helping to alleviate apathy, low self-esteem and lack of purpose prevalent in local students.

Western Avenue Community Center - $2,200
"Evening Summer Camp for Young Adults" - To provide a safe, supervised space for young adults to spend time for two summer evenings a week between leaving work and going home.

YWCA McLean County - $1,200
"Young Wonders Youth Development Program" - To provide a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for children that further supports their social, communication, academic, recreational and self-regulation skills to help them be successful in life.

42 General Grants totaling $56,756 awarded in 2019

Best Buddies - $1,000
"Best Buddies Leadership Program" -To develop leadership skills in students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through school friendship program and ambassador program.  

Bloomington-Normal Mulberry School - $1,200
"#MulberryArts: Fine Arts Education" -To support and enhance the arts education opportunities for Pre-K through 2^nd grade students through field trips and classroom projects.

Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal & West Bloomington Active Gardens - $1,000
"Young Gardeners Internship and Grow Your Garden" - To cultivate curiosity and build knowledge about environmental stewardship and healthy eating through hands-on gardening activities.

Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County - $1,000
"Connecting Teens and Building Self-Esteem Through Mentoring" - To provide rural youth with opioid/substance use and misuse with support from mentors who are living healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

C.H.A.R.M. - $1,000
"West Bloomington Neighborhood Block Party" - To provide resources, school supplies, educational and nutritional components for low-income families in west Bloomington.

Chenoa Public Library - $500
"Building the New Library: Memory by Memory" - To encourage children and adults to read throughout the summer while introducing children to the building trades and arts while the new library is being built.

Chestnut Health Systems - $3,000
"Hope and Help for the Homeless" - To supply clients with a mental health disorder, substance use disorder and co-occurring behavioral health disorders with housing and utility deposits along with essential household items.

Child Protection Network - $500
"Caring After Abuse: A Caregiver Support and Education Group" - To provide education about trauma and its effects, self-care tactics for caregivers and information on parenting children who have experienced trauma.

Children's Discovery Museum Foundation - $2,300
"STEAM Powered Play" - To increase youth exposure to out-of-school, informal learning opportunities focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of B-N.

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois - $1,400
"Hand Up Project" - To empower the low-income population to lead a lasting self-sufficient lifestyle through a series of classes and coaching.

Community Health Care Clinic - $2,500
"Restorative Dental Care at McLean County's First Dental Clinic for the Uninsured" - To offer acute, restorative and preventative adult dental services to existing Clinic patients.

Cultural Festival - $500
"Storytelling (African Drumming and Hawaiian Dance)" - To provide cultural storytelling through segments on drumming and hula tradition while also offering opportunity to drum and dance.

DeWitt Piatt Bi-County Health Department - $1,614
"Dental Clinic" - To provide dental education and preventative dental services to low-income school children and link them to local dentists for treatment of acute dental problems.

Environmental Education Association of Illinois - $500
"Increasing Participation in Birding Citizen Science Programs in Central Illinois" - To provide citizens and educators in Central Illinois with birding skills necessary to increase bird data collected, providing valuable scientific data to national citizen science programs.

Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal - $2,300
"Medical Transportation Program Support" - To purchase software that will help staff work more efficiently and free staff to concentrate of supporting volunteers.

Farmer City Public Library - $700
"Lending STEAM" - To purchase STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) products which could be checked out or used in library by patrons and their families.

Fostering Dignity - $1,000
"Backpacks for Youth" - To purchase backpacks that will be distributed to local DCFS offices for use by staff when removing a child from an abusive/neglectful situation.

Fox Center Family and Friends - $500
"Respiratory Equipment" - To purchase equipment for residents of Fox Center who have respiratory difficulties.

Friends of the Autism Place - $1,500
"Resource Room" - To provide resources and therapeutic items for parents to check out and try at home before fully committing to purchasing a product that may not be beneficial for their child.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $650
"Outdoor Skill Development I and II at Camp Peairs" - To support two Outdoor Development events that will help girls develop life and leadership skills, discover new abilities and take on unique challenges in the outdoors.

Girls in the Game - $1,000
"After School Program" - To provide a safe, noncompetitive environment for girls at five District 87 schools to learn and stay active in this weekly after-school program.

Girls on the Run of Central Illinois - $750
"Girls on the Run McLean County Program" -To help girls attending Cedar Ridge Elementary School recognize their inner strength during after-school program that focuses on building confidence through running, culminating in a 5K race.

Great Plains LIFE Foundation - $1,000
"Stay 4 Project" - To provide support for first-year college or trade school students for rent, food, books or computers.

Green Top Grocery - $1,000
"LINK Match Program" - To provide LINK users who shop at Green Top Grocery with vouchers to purchase local produce at Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market.

Heartland Head Start - $2,935
"On the Road to School Readiness" - To enhance ability of teachers to provide quality activities that build children's skills through hands-on activities with the purchase of Creative Curriculum support materials.

Illinois State University - $500
"Reduce and Recycle: An Evaluation of School Recycling Systems in District 87" - To expand recycling/composting methods in two schools to test new ways to make waste reduction fun and easy for students and staff.

Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries - $500
"Improving the Goodwill Career Center in Bloomington" - To update computer equipment in Career Center allowing users to build skills, create resumes and find employment.

Lexington Elementary School - $700
"Learning Doesn't Stop on the Blacktop" - To purchase equipment that will help teachers and students increase active learning on the blacktop throughout the year.

Lifesong For Orphans - $1,000
"The Forgotten Initiative First Response Program" - To provide items necessary when a foster child is placed in a home, making the home safe and comfortable for the child.

Living Independence for Everyone - $1,000
"Equipment Loan Closet Enhancement" - To allow Central Illinois residents to live more health and independent lives by borrowing durable medical equipment for free for up to 90 days; grant to purchase equipment.

Midwest Food Bank - $3,000
"Backpack Program" - To add a nutritious fruit product to  backpack of shelf-stable food that is given to low-income students in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties to eat over the weekend.

Muscular Dystrophy Association - $1,000
"Central Illinois Summer Camp" - To allow children aged 8-17 who have a muscle disease to attend week-long summer camp where they will learn independence and engage in typical camp activities.

Odell Public Library - $500
"Showtime at the Library" - To maintain and strengthen children's reading skills over the summer through program that includes activities focused on theme.

Project Oz - $2,400
"McLean County Youth Intervention Program" - To provide safe, emergency shelter in Host Homes for youth, up to age 18, separated from their families.

Recycling Furniture for Families - $2,000
"Providing Furniture to Families in Need" - To provide safe and clean furniture to families in need.

Salvation Army - $2,000
"Pathway of Hope" - To provide targeted services to families with a desire to take action, break the cycle of crisis and enable a path out of intergenerational poverty.

Timber Pointe Charitable Foundation - $1,000
"Outdoor Education and Environmental Center" - To restore the Tim Dawkins Nature and Environmental Education Center, replace inventory and revitalize nature and environmental programs at Timber Pointe.

Vault Community Center - $4,000
"The Golden Gears Café: Small Business Leadership Program" - To provide cooking classes taught by students and local chefs at this student-run café that teaches real-world experience in small business skills, management and operations.

Vespasian Warner Public Library District - $700
"Memory Lab" - To provide tools and education for patrons to preserve their memories for a lifetime, while also allowing library staff to digitize many items in archives so they can be posted online for public view.\

West Bloomington Revitalization Project - $1,000
"Rick Heiser Memorial Garden" - To create a garden next to WBRP building with volunteers helping in a learn-and-do workshop; at the end of the season, youth will learn how to harvest seeds then teach a harvest workshop with their new skills.

YouthBuild McLean County - $2,000
"Safety, Health and Wellness for Youth by Youth" - To train 40 YouthBuild students in health and wellness topics so they may educate more teens in McLean County about healthy lifestyles.

YWCA McLean County - $2,089
"Young Wonders Early Learning Spanish Education" - To begin a Spanish curriculum in toddler through 5-year-old classrooms where 20% of children and families speak Spanish as primary language; program will help the children communicate with each other and staff communicate more effectively with families.

37 General Grants totaling $61,722 were awarded in 2018 

Back 2 School Alliance - $2,500
"Getting Ready for High School"- To supply 8th grade students with higher-quality backpacks that can be retained and reused in high school to transport required laptops.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois - $1,800
"Community and School-Based Mentoring" - To purchase materials to train school-based mentors for children in their schools who are considered at risk of failure, impacting the child's attitudes and behaviors about relationships, academics and risky behaviors.

Bloomington Area Career Center - $1,000
"Geometry in Construction" - To better prepare students interested in a career in construction by integrating geometry in construction course.

Bloomington Library - $500
"Bingo for Books!" - To promote access to books to low-income families at event at Western Avenue Community Center where families can tour the bookmobile, sign up for library cards, check out materials and learn about the library's offerings.

Bloomington-Normal Mulberry School - $1,000
"#MulberryLearnsOutdoors: Outdoor Classroom Project" - To build an outdoor classroom space providing a hands-on learning environment that engages students in STEAM learning experiences.

Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal - $1,000
"Integrating Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into Programming" - To provide a foundation for safe and positive learning and enhance students' abilities to succeed in school, careers and life. Grant will support staff training in SEL program.

C.H.A.R.M. Inc. - $1,000
"West Bloomington Neighborhood Block Party" - To provide resources, school supplies, educational and nutritional components, as well as legal aid access for low-income families in west Bloomington.

Center for Youth and Family Solutions - $2,500
"Specialized Assessment and Supplemental Funds" - To provide specialized assessments and condition-appropriate treatment for area children that exhibit mental health struggles beyond what conventional intervention can address.

Child Protection Network - $1,500
"Gas Cards for CASA Volunteers" - To purchase gas cards to assist volunteers who travel when providing medical, legal, personal and educational advocacy for children in foster care.

Children's Home + Aid - $2,075
"Parents Care & Share - Father Engagement Initiative" - To increase fatherhood programming by developing 5 Dad Support Groups that provide weekly peer-to-peer groups focused on parenting education and support.

Clinton Community Educational Foundation - $1,000
"Read Across Clinton" - To improve reading achievement by providing free books to economically disadvantaged children on the last day of school for summer reading.

Community Players Theater - $500
"Summer Children's Theater Camp" - To engage and educate the youth of the community about live theater, building a lifelong love and passion for theater.

Ecology Action Center - $4,610
"Reducing Barriers for Sustainable Recycling" - To supply household recycling carts to low-income households in Normal and to provide permanent receptacles for public access in Downtown Bloomington.

Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal - $2,000
"Medical Transportation for Seniors" - To improve the health of the senior population in cities it serves through increased accessibility to medical and dental appointments by volunteer drivers.

Flanagan Public Library District - $600
"Summer Reading Program - Reading Takes You Everywhere!" - To help students retain and enhance their reading skills over the summer by providing fun goals while allowing them to choose what they want to read.

Fostering Dignity - $1,000
"Backpacks for Youth" - To purchase backpacks that DCFS can give to children being removed from their homes so that they are not forced to use trash bags to transport their belongings.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Inc. - $1,000
"G.I.R.L. Resident Camp at Camp Peairs" - To provide financial assistance for camp fees to girls from low-income families, allowing girls to learn critical life skills while discovering nature, trying new things and making new friends.

Homes of Hope, Inc. - $4,000
"Smiling is a Universal Language" - To ensure that residents with disabilities will have access to adequate restorative and preventative dental care as a part of the established Heart Healthy Hero Program.

Lincoln College - $1,200
"Lincoln College Jazz Playformance" - To offer reduced tuition for after-school program that invites children to play and create in a world of musical games wrapped in rhythm, melody, word-play and story.

Max's Miles Foundation - $4,979
"The Harmony Park Project" - To develop an inclusive park in Bloomington that is safe and accessible for children and adults of all abilities. Grant will purchase the Merry-Go-All, an adapted piece of equipment that brings the joy of the merry-go-round to children of all abilities.

McLean County Center for Human Services - $1,000
"Youth Outreach Services" - To help children and youth lead productive, healthy lives through individual and family counseling, advocacy and case management.

McLean County Extension Service Foundation - $1,000
"Trades 4-H SPIN Club" - To provide skill-based education and training for youth interested in the electrical trades in collaboration with Bloomington-Normal Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee.

Multicultural Leadership Institute, Inc. - $1,440
"Raising Awareness of Poverty Throughout McLean County" - To increase local awareness of poverty by training volunteers in use of the Poverty Simulation kit so they may offer simulations to local community groups.

Muscular Dystrophy Association - $2,000
"Central Illinois Summer Camp" - To allow children aged 8-17 who have a muscle disease to attend week-long summer camp where they will learn independence and engage in typical camp activities.

Odell Public Library District - $1,000
"Reading Takes You Everywhere" - To help children maintain and strengthen their reading skills over the summer break from school.

Pontiac Township High School - $1,200
"Fresh Food For All" - To engage students in the production of food by utilizing Tower Garden hydroponic growing systems to produce fresh vegetables for the cafeteria and culinary program.

Project Oz - $2,173
"Livingston County Youth Intervention Program (YIP)" - To provide a safe, stable living option for youth in Livingston County, up to age 18, who are separated from their families.

Recycling Furniture for Families - $2,500
"Providing Furniture for Families in Need" - To repair and restore donated furniture so that it is safe, hygienic and available free of charge to families living at or below the federal poverty level.

Salem Children's Home - $907
"Bees Helping Boys - Queen Rearing Initiative" - To enhance the Bees Helping Boys program by starting a Queen Raising Initiative where students will learn to raise queens, helping them gain confidence by learning a new skill.

SBL Peace Meal - $1,500
"Emergency Meal Distribution" - To provide food security to seniors who live alone by delivering 4 shelf-stable meals that can be stored and eaten when winter weather prohibits volunteers from reaching their homes.

The Salvation Army - $1,000
"Youth Night" - To provide low-income youth in McLean County a safe place to meet weekly to develop character-building skills such as leadership and self-awareness, as well as create arts and crafts. A nutritious meal is provided at Wednesday Youth Nights.

Vespasian Warner Public Library District - $1,888
"For Little DeWitt and Victory! - DeWitt County and the Civil War" - To digitize three handwritten books that show the contributions of DeWitt County men who served in the Union Army during the Civil War.

West Bloomington Active Garden - $1,250
"Young Gardeners Internship and Grow Your Garden" - To launch a new Young Gardeners internship program for two junior or senior high school students at Sunnyside Garden and provide access to fresh produce through Grow Your Garden summer program.

Western Avenue Community Center - $1,000
"Broadening Horizons to Increase Resiliency" - To level the playing field in terms of experiences for low-income children by offering additional learning and enrichment experiences beyond the after-school program.

Write Stuff for Kids Inc. - $2,000
"Summer Lunch Program" - To provide DeWitt County youth with a safe, supervised place to go during the summer months to receive a free nutritious lunch and engage in positive activities.

YouthBuild McLean County Inc. - $1,500
"Health and Wellness for Youth by Youth" - To decrease the number of McLean County youth affected by obesity and self-harming behaviors while increasing nutrition and fitness habits for youth by training older YBMC youth to teach their younger peers.

YWCA McLean County - $2,600
"Young Wonders Healthy Kids" - To improve children's physical, social and emotional health by ensuring they receive the recommended amount of physical exercise for their age by utilizing age-appropriate equipment.

27 General Grants totaling $58,328 were awarded in 2017 

ADV & SAS (Streator) - $700
"Community Awareness: Recognize, Respond, Refer" to increase community awareness of domestic and sexual violence and how to respond, thereby increasing the number of victims/survivors seeking help and, in the long term, reducing the incidence level.

Back 2 School Alliance - $600
"Back 2 School Party" to expand program to cover school supplies for pre-school children.

Big Brothers Big Sisters - $3,000
"Community and School-Based Mentoring" to keep children enrolled in school, promoted to the next grade on time, and graduating from high school through a cooperative program with several McLean and DeWitt County schools and Promise Councils.

Bloomington Area Career Center - $1,000
"Construction Trades" to engage students through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity in an integrated STEM-based course that will lead to enhanced understanding of mathematical concepts, problem-solving and collaborative skills, and a strong foundation in basic construction concepts.

Bloomington-Normal Mulberry School - $1,000
"Science Curriculum Pre-K to 2nd Grade" to acquire teaching materials materials for an improved science curriculum that meets Next Generation Science Standards in three key areas.

Bloomington-Normal YMCA - $3,000
"Safety Around Water" to provide the Safety Around Water curriculum, a proven method for teaching children fundamental water safety skills, through an 8-session course that will serve approximately 100 kids.

Carlock Elementary School - $1,000
"Enhancing Reading and Writing Workshop" to purchase books to use in the workshops. The workshop approach to instruction allows teachers to differentiate for all levels of learners within their classrooms.

Central Illinois Pride Health Center - $1,000
"LGBTQ Youth Support Lending Library" to support group members as they learn about others in similar situations as them and to provide resources to assist youth and their parents in finding information necessary to make educated decisions.

C.H.A.R.M., Inc. - $1,000
"Community Enrichment" to assist in bridging the gap between local law enforcement and West Bloomington residents and to provide resources that combat food insecurity, gang membership, and violence and crime.

Children's Home + Aid - $3,500
"Doula Program" to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect for babies of single, low-income, high-risk mothers and to strengthen parent-child attachments to help mothers build healthy and safe futures for their babies.

Clinton Educational Foundation - $2,000
"Read Across Clinton" to improve the reading achievement of economically disadvantaged children by providing free books on the last day of school for summer reading.

Clover Leaf Industries NFP - $1,500
"Basic Work and Application Skills Training" to assist adults with cognitive and/or physical disabilities to develop specific marketable job skills.

Community Health Care Clinic - $4,200
"A1C Challenge" to engage patients diagnosed with diabetes in a self-management program to improve their hemoglobin A1C (a clear indicator of controlled disease). The program utilizes goal setting, text messaging, peer support, and encouragement and incentives.

Faith in Action of Bloomington Normal - $4,250
"Senior Medical Transportation" to improve the health of the senior population in cities it serves through increased accessibility to medical and dental appointments by volunteer drivers.

Fostering Dignity - $1,400
"Backpacks for Youth" to purchase backpacks that DCFS can give to children being removed from their homes so that they are not forced to use trash bags to transport their belongings.

Home Sweet Home Ministries - $1,078
"HSHRenew" to increase the amount of textile and shoe recycling, thereby decreasing the amount of these materials that go to the landfill. Funds will be used toward purchase of an additional collection bin.

Homes of Hope - $1,000
"Heart Healthy Hero Program" to decrease the percentage of obesity within the organization for both staff and clients.

Illinois Spinal Bifida Association - $1,500
"Community-Clinic Connection" to increase the resilience of families living with spinal bifida by connecting families in need with social and community networks and other resources.

LIFE CIL - $2,500
"T'NT (Teens in Transition)" to support up to 30 individuals with disabilities to participate in T'NT which is a Common Core aligned program designed to prepare individuals ages 16-22 to become employed, independent community members.

Miller Park Zoological Society - $2,500
"Wild About Jumping" to increase zoo guests' knowledge of wildlife, conservation, and the environment through first hand interactive experiences about adaptations that are vital to a species' survival.

Odell Public Library - $1,500
"Reading by Design-Summer Reading Program" to help children maintain their reading skills over the summer break from school.

Prairie Creek Public Library District - $2,000
"2017 Summer Reading Program" to support age-appropriate activities and incentives for pre-school, K-5th grade, middle school and high school, and adults, that will encourage local residents to read.

Project Oz - $3,000
"Ending the Silence" to improve youth mental health and decrease rates of suicide among pre-teens and teens in McLean and Livingston Counties

Recycling Furniture for Families - $3,100
"Furniture Repair and Restoration" to repair and restore donated furniture so that it is safe, hygienic, and available free of charge to families living at or below the Federal poverty level.

The Baby Fold - $2,500
"Healthy Start Doula Services" to increase healthy birth outcomes, ensure pregnant women receive information and support during pregnancy, and promote pre-natal care.

Western Avenue Community Center - $3,000
"Closing the Gap Tutor Training" to provide students in grades K-6 with a safe, welcoming environment that encourages their social and academic growth. Program will serve 40-45 students and will involve over 50 volunteers.

Write Stuff for Kids - $2,000
"Summer Lunch Program" to provide DeWItt County youth with a safe supervised place to go during the summer months to receive a free nutritious lunch and engage in positive activities. Last year up to 60 children per day participated.

YouthBuild McLean County - $3,500
"Health and Wellness By Youth for Youth" to decrease the amount of self-harm and attempted suicide actions while increasing the nutrition and fitness habits of youth.  Thirty YBMC students will provide training, mentoring and peer support to 150 community youth between the ages of 9 and 18.

28 General Grants totaling $38,929 were awarded in 2016

Back 2 School Alliance - $2,000
"Back Pack Program" to help provide students the necessary supplies to succeed in school and ensure that they do not miss days at the beginning of the school year because they have not registered or received required immunizations.    

Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal - $2,200
"Summer Brain Gain" to support a six-week program that aims to mitigate summer learning loss in elementary and middle school children through fun, engaging, theme-based activities.

Carlock Public Library - $1,500
"Read for the Win Summer Reading Program" to support a six-week summer reading program for children ages 3 years through 6th grade that incorporates structured activities designed to instill a love of reading and to combat summer learning loss.

Cedar Ridge Elementary School - $500
"Cedar Ridge Chess Club" to provide membership and/or tournament fees for students at a school in which 85% qualify for free or reduced-fee lunch; program has expanded from 8 to 20 weeks and includes 50 students in K through 5th grade.

Child Care Resource and Referral - $1,550
"Car Seat Distribution and Education Program" to support increasing the safety and welfare of children through parent education on proper car seat use and to distribute car seats to low-income families.

Church of Christ, Uniting - $1,000
"Lexington Community Garden" to support a program that provides free organic produce to members of the community, educates people in all aspects of gardening and food preservation, and builds community through the sharing of knowledge, resources, labor, and harvest.

Collaborative Solutions - $2,000
"Trauma Intervention - OPTIONS" to support a program that provides out-of-office crisis intervention and counseling to clients with volatile/violent mental health issues and support to their families.

Community Health Care Clinic - $1,725
"Dental Clinic Planning Grant" to assist the planning phase of the community's first ongoing charitable dental clinic which will entail research of  other clinics' operational policies and procedures, facilitation of stakeholder meetings, development of a dental services operation plan, and timeline for clinic launch.

Conexiones Latinas de McLean County - $1,650
"Roots to STEM: Our Future Leaders" to provide class fees for low-income 5th grade students at Bent Elementary School to participate in a Challenger Learning Center mission and expose them to STEM fields to which they can aspire.

David Davis Mansion - $1,000
"Education Programs" to support programs that educate students and the community about the David Davis Mansion through unique first-person interpretation of stories of the Davis household and of their special relationships with Abraham Lincoln and others.

El Paso Public Library - $800
"Treasure Chests of Knowledge" to help purchase curriculum materials for area educators through the creation and loan of themed educational trunks that contain materials pertinent to such subjects as geology, trees, pollinators, animals, fossils, insects, and dinosaurs.

Faith in Action - $2,500
"Medical Transportation" to help pay expenses for expansion of the program to include door through door transportation to medical and dental appointments, thus removing barriers for seniors to receive preventative and ongoing healthcare services.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $500
"Safety First!" to pay for 20 life jackets for girls participating in boating activities at Camp Peairs.

Home Sweet Home Ministries - $1,026
"Mobile Health Expansion Project" to pay for equipment and supplies for on-site non-mental health services at the Center for Human Services, thus removing a barrier for CHS clients to follow through with recommended medical services that will augment and improve their mental health treatment.

Illinois State University-McLean County Wellness Coalition - $1,500
"Increasing Access to Healthy Foods and Eliminating Food Waste in McLean County" to support three key programs of MCWC - the Community Garden initiative, Veggie Oasis, and a community summit to promote a coordinated approach to food issues in McLean County.

Labyrinth Outreach Services to Women - $4,900
"Client and Case Management Software" to purchase ClientTrax software and 3 months of the database management subscription that will replace Microsoft Word and Excel programs currently being used to track clients, program participation, and outcomes.

Lincoln Heritage Museum - $600
"Living History at Lincoln Heritage Museum" to help with the purchase of historic costumes and props to be used in living history, first-person storytelling in historic environments within the galleries of the museum.

Livingston County Public Health Department - $670
"Save Lives - Immunize" to purchase an Illinois Department of Public Health approved cooler to be used for the transport of vaccine for immunization clinics in outlying schools and communities in Livingston County.     

Livingston Family Care Center - $2,000
"Livingston Family Care Center" to purchase medications and medical supplies for uninsured or under-insured clients of the Center.

Logan County Genealogical Association - $500
"Cemetery Walk" to help with expenses for an event in which five costumed actors will depict local historic figures and enact vignettes about their lives; the event is in conjunction with the National Railsplitting Festival in Lincoln in September 2016.

PATH - $500
"Diabetes Self-Management Program" to support a program that empowers individuals with diabetes to improve their health status, health behavior, and self-efficacy thereby reducing health care costs and decreasing emergency room visits.

Prairie Creek Public Library (Dwight, IL) - $1,500
"Read for the Win Summer Reading Program" to support age-appropriate activities and incentives for pre-school, K-5th grade, middle school and high school, and adults, that will encourage local residents to read.

Prairie Pride Coalition - $1,000
"World AIDS Day/Memorial AIDS Quilt Exhibition" to help with expenses to exhibit several sections of the nationally renowned AIDS Memorial Quilt that helps educate viewers on the impact that AIDS has had on the world and, specifically, our local communities, and to foster behaviors and choices that help reduce the incidences of HIV and AIDS.

Recycling Furniture for Families - $1,500
"Beds for Youth" to provide children in need in McLean County with a clean, safe bed to sleep in with no cost to their families.

Salem4youth (Flanagan, IL) - $1,000
"Bees Helping Boys" to purchase four nucs (nucleus of bees) and the construction/maintenance of 10 hives for a program that teaches beekeeping to young men who reside at Salem4youth, an organization that strives to facilitate familial reconciliation.

Salvation Army - $1,000
"Youth Night" to purchase fresh produce to include in the meals offered to 30 children during the Wednesday Night Youth Program which operates during the school year.

West Bloomington Revitalization Project - $820
"Tool Library Online Workshops" to purchase a GoPro video camera, head mount, and computer to create a YouTube channel dedicated to educating library members and local residents on how to use tools available in the Tool Library to complete various home improvement projects.

Write Stuff for Kids - $1,500
"Summer Lunch Program" to help pay for food for a program that provides DeWitt County youth with access to a healthy, nutritious lunch five days a week during the summer months.

19 General Grants totaling $36,185 were awarded in 2015

Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal - $5,430
"Passport to Manhood" - To address several key areas of the development of adolescent boys while stressing and promoting positive values and behaviors.

Cedar Ridge Elementary School - $2,000
"Cedar Ridge Library" - To purchase books written in Spanish for the school library at Cedar Ridge, home of a bilingual program for Spanish speaking students.

Center for Youth and Family Solution - $1,800
"The Bloomington-Normal Area Project" - To provide one- to three-week summer programs at neighborhood sites for age-appropriate activities, socialization, and nutritional activities to promote healthy food choices.

Church of Christ, Uniting - $1,000
"Lexington Community Garden" - To provide fresh, free, organic produce, educate those interested in all aspects of gardening and food preservation, and build community through the sharing of knowledge, resources, volunteer labor, and harvest.

DeWitt County Human Resource Center - $2,000
"Summer Lunch Program" - To provide DeWitt County youth with a safe and supervised place to go during the summer months to receive a free and nutritious lunch.

Eureka Public Library District - $1,900
"Quad Squads" - To introduce aviation to middle school students through the use of technology, remote control devices, video editing and journaling. (Funding is expand program to McLean County.)

Faith in Action - $2,000
"Rural Expansion" - To expand non-medical services to older adults living in the rural communities of Downs, Heyworth, and Towanda, including no-cost transportation to medical appointments and grocery shopping.

Home Sweet Home Ministries - $3,000
"Bread for Life Food Co-Op Gardens" - To provide meaningful work to co-op members that helps them provide nutritious food for their families and others and increases skills, physical and mental well-being, and self-confidence.

Illinois State University Horticulture Center - $1,000
"Literary Garden" - To foster an appreciation and understanding of plants through education, conservation, and application of sustainable technologies while connecting nature-inspired passages with the Midwestern authors who wrote them.

Labyrinth Outreach Services to Women - $2,000
"Healing Through Self Care" - To combine information with actual applied experiences to increase the physical and mental health of Labyrinth clients through promotion of stress reduction and greater understanding of the connection between nutrition, exercise, and being healthy.

McLean County Health Department - $1,000
"Emergency Preparedness" -To provide a variety of interactive activities to engage children and their families in planning for emergencies and preparing them for potential disasters.

Miller Park Zoological Society - $1,000
"Junior Zookeepers" - To provide learning and leadership opportunities to young people, knowledge to guests, and services to Miller Park Zoo.

Partners for Community - $2,000
"Recycling Furniture for Families" - To purchase bed frames and mattresses for children since the supply of used beds does not keep pace with the need.

PATH - $2,160
"Diabetes Self-Management Program" - To empower individuals with diabetes to improve their health status, health behavior, and self-efficacy thereby reducing healthcare costs and decreasing emergency room visits.

Prairie Creek Public Library, Dwight - $1,000
"2015 Summer Reading Program" - To provide a structured, educational and enjoyable summer reading program to residents of Dwight and surrounding areas.

Project Oz - $2,000
"SAME - Students Achieving More Everyday" - To help at-risk and underachieving students stay in school with the goal of earning their diploma.

Salem4Youth, Flanagan - $1,180
"Bees Helping Boys" - To educate young men regarding the environmental importance of bees and to provide a small business of honey production where students learn about harvesting and packaging honey as donor gifts and for sale to the general community.

Salvation Army- $1,384
"After School Program" - To provide homework help and a safe place to spend time after school.

YWCA McLean County- $2,331
"Adult Services-Home Care Services" - To provide a variety of in-home services to help keep seniors living independently in their homes.

11 General Grants totaling $31,391 were awarded in 2014

Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal- $4,170
"Triple Play" - Participation will promote increased physical activity, making smart food choices, and increasing social relationship skills. Program will serve approximately 120 youth, ages 6-18, from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Community Health Care Clinic - $4,500
"Medication Management" -Program will enhance the nurse practitioner model of care by ensuring patients have access to free medications to treat both acute and chronic conditions. Program is expected to improve patient health outcomes and remove barriers that prevent patients from filling prescriptions they cannot afford. Recommended amount will serve approximately 1,000 patients.

DeWitt County Human Resource Center - $3,695
"Summer Lunch Program" - Program provides DeWitt County youth with a safe and supervised place to go during the summer months to receive a free and nutritious lunch and to participate in recreational and educational activities. Expects to serve 30 youth per day between June 8 and August 9.

Ecology Action Center - $1,625
"Yard Smart Demonstration Garden" - Goal is to encourage and inspire others to adopt ecological sustainable gardening practices that protect the environment, increase biological diversity, reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic chemicals, and conserve water usage.

Heartland Head Start - $1,650
"Positive Discipline Training for Parents" - Program helps parents achieve goals despite obstacles and distractions, create safe homes by managing their own emotions, set personal boundaries, encourage respectful interactions, and resolve conflicts in a way that builds loving relationships. Will be available to the families of 371 children enrolled at HHS.

Homes of Hope - $1,098
"Heat to Stay Neat" - Funding will provide clothes dryers at two group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities. Reliable equipment will enhance the goals of self-sufficiency and learning critical independent living skills

Labyrith Outreach Services to Women - $5,335
"Mental Health Services for Formerly Incarcerated Women" - Utilizing a contract arrangement with the Center for Human Services, the program has been able to provide mental health services and prescription medication in a timely manner to women retuning to the community from jail or prison so as to help stabilize them emotionally and reduce recidivism.

Marcfirst - $1,118
"SPICE Pediatric Therapy" - Purchase of the DIAL-4 kit will allow Marcfirst to screen children under the age of 3 for possible developmental delays using the same tool used by local school districts. This will allow for smoother transitions into school-based early childhood special education for these children.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - $4,500
"Family-to-Family Class" - Twice-yearly program designed for caregivers of loved ones with mental illness. Class provides critical information and strategies related to caregiving and incorporates presentations, discussions and class exercises.

Project Oz - $2,500
"Learning and Leading" - Program is a collaboration between Project Oz, State Farm, COUNTRY Financial and McDonald's to provide 8-week summer internships to up to 50 students and help them learn the soft skills necessary to be successful in the workforce.

West Bloomington Revitalization Project - $1,200
"Block Party in a Box" - Program will encourage neighbors - individuals or groups - to host gatherings on their own blocks as a way to build community. Program is based on the successful Hoops in the Hood project in Chicago. Kits that include portable basketball hoops, basketballs, coolers, tables and chairs, and a music player may be checked out from the WBRP tool library.

14 General Grants totaling $21,000 were awarded in 2013

Boy Scouts of America, WD Boyce Council- $1,250
"Scoutreach Summer Day Camp" - A collaboration with Catholic Charities to send at-risk youth to day camp. Grant will help pay for food, supplies and transportation.

Center for Youth and Family Solutions - $1,500
"Parent Education Services" - To expand parent education services to families currently involved in the child welfare system and to the general public. Grant will help pay for workbooks and other curriculum materials for the Love + Logic program.

Children's Foundation of Children's Home + Aid - $1,663
"Scott Early Learning Center" -  To pay for "Raising a Reader" teacher curriculum training for 16 teachers. Raising a Reader is a highly-regarded, evidence-based program that has been shown to significantly increase child literacy outcomes.

Faith in Action - $1,500
"RideScheduler" - To help pay for an online program to coordinate volunteer-delivered non-medical services for Bloomington-Normal residents age 60 and over.

Friends Forever - $1,000
"Life Raft" - To support bringing five Arab and five Jewish teens to Bloomington-Normal for two weeks of friendship-building and leadership training and community service/education.

Habitat for Humanity of McLean County - $1,000
"A Brush with Kindness" - A partnership with West Bloomington Revitalization Project to increase inventory in the Tool Library. The program helps low-income homeowners impacted by age, disability, or family circumstances to maintain the exteriors of their homes.

Heartland Head Start - $2,500
"Dental Program" - To help pay for dental treatment costs for children who attend Heartland Head Start.

Marcfirst - $2,500
"Transition Weekend Camp" - To assist with rental equipment, housing, food and activities, and scholarships for the Marcfirst Transition Family Camp which offers middle school children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families the chance to experience camping.

McLean County Child Protection Network - $500
"McLean County CASA Program" - Grant will be used to purchase gas cards to assist CASA volunteers when traveling throughout McLean County to advocate for abused/neglected children.

ParkLands Foundation- $1,275
"Volunteer Steward Program Launch" - To purchase fire gear (protective clothing and masks) for volunteer stewards who will provide basic management of ParkLands Foundation's 3,500 acres.

PATH - $722
"Chronic Disease Self-Management Program" - To purchase posters, brochure holders and other materials to promote healthier lifestyles among adults with chronic health conditions living in DeWitt, Livingston and McLean Counties.

Rebound - $1,500
"Rebound" - To cover expenses associated with volunteer screenings and the cost of the Junior High School 2^nd Step Program. Rebound provides academic assistance/supervision of Bloomington-Normal junior high school students suspended off campus.

YouthBuild McLean County - $2,500
"Extracurricular Clubs" - To help pay for staff, supplies, and transportation for four extracurricular clubs. The clubs will provide positive activities outside of school hours that will increase  approximately 30 youths' skills and provide opportunities for them to give back to the community.

YWCA of McLean County - $1,590
"Workin' Worms" - To provide start-up costs associated with a garden-based hands-on curriculum for a program designed to increase environmental and nutritional awareness for preschool children.

11 General Grants totaling $19,997 were awarded in 2012

Atlanta Historical Preservation County Inc. (J.H. Hawes Elevator) of Atlanta - $2,000
To provide material, construction and installation of two updated aluminum signs to replace 12-year-old wooden signs visible on north- and south-bound Interstate 55 and Route 66 that direct travelers to the J.H. Hawes Elevator Museum. The recommended grant will provide for one sign to be replaced.

Bloomington Day Care Center - $2,182
To purchase of 9 infant cribs that comply with new federal safety regulations to replace those that do not.

Children's Discovery Museum- $2,500
To purchase of elements that help users conceptualize the abstract idea of energy for the new You've Got the Power! exhibit. (Fuel, power, and pollution gauges, wind turbine crank, bellows pump, light switch dimmer, etc.)

Homes of Hope - $675
To replace 4 storm doors and deck staining at the Townley Drive group home for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

IWU Action Research Center - $1,100
To purchase Spanish-language books appropriate for pre-K through 12^th grade for the "Celebra Libros!" Book Bike program to promote literacy and the joy of books to Spanish-speaking families.

Labyrinth Outreach Services to Women - $1,500
To provide psychiatric assessment and follow-up visits for 16 clients and laptop for computerized medical records. The recommended grant will pay for 12 psychiatric assessments.

McLean County Museum of History - $1,000
To provide 15 free enrollment scholarships to students from low-income households to attend History Careers Day Camp. The recommended grant will pay for 8 scholarships.

McLean County Soil & Water Conservation District - $1,800
To purchase 25 educational signs, mounting posts, a lumber and concrete kiosk, and 4 large high pressure composite signs for the Interpretive Nature Trail at Evergreen Lake. The trail will serve as a showcase for the many different conservation practices located at the site and serve as an environmental education area.

Sugar Grove Nature Center - $2,300
To acquire technology to expand efforts to connect and engage people with nature through educational programs and outdoor experiences. Recommended grant will provide for some of the requested elements including microscopes and stream and insect sampling kits.

The Baby Fold - $2,040
To fund two Love & Logic conferences to bring effective, results-oriented parenting to at-risk families in Central Illinois. Recommended grant will fund one conference.

The Salvation Army- $2,900
To purchase protein food items for well-balanced meals for the Salvation Army Food Pantry. Recommended grant will partially fund purchase of food items.

9 General Grants totaling $15,557 were awarded in 2011

DeWitt County 4-H - $432
To provide children a free nutritious lunch and supervised educational activities at a low-income housing site in Clinton.

Home of Hope - $1,000
To provide repairs and replacement items for  group homes for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

McLean County Museum of History - $1,875
"History Career Days Camp Scholarships" - To provide free enrollment scholarships to 30 students from low-income households to attend History Careers Day Camp.

ParkLands Foundation- $1,500
"Merwin Nature Preserve Privy Acquisition" - To fund construction of a privy at the Merwin Nature Preserve for use by volunteers, educational groups, and the general public.

Prairie State Legal Services - $3,000
"Serving Our Seniors" - Agency will provide outreach programs concerning advanced directives to area senior citizens and expand volunteer attorney services to aid low-income seniors in such matters.

Project Oz- $3,000
"Host Homes Training Project" - Project to begin writing a training curriculum for families who are interested in becoming Host Homes (a family who is licensed to runaways or homeless youth into their home for a few nights while a Project Oz counselor works to reunite their family.

Washington Elementary - $500
"Wolf Park Garden" - Pilot project will create a school garden space that promotes health and wellness by providing more nutritious food options for the school in an environmentally sound and affordable way.

West Bloomington Revitalization Project - $750
"Westside Blooms" - Program to create street corner gardens as a way of increasing neighborhood connectivity, educating youth, and nurturing seniors while beautifying West Side neighborhoods.

YouthBuild McLean County - $2,500
"Mentoring for Older Students" - To enable YouthBuild to expand its current mentoring program to serve youth ages 18 years 4 months to 24 years of age.

4 General Grants totaling $5,901 were awarded in 2010

Home Sweet Home Ministries - $2,236
"Food Pantry Expansion" - To expand food pantry in order to serve more people in response to growing need.

Homes of Hope- $1,500
"Operation Clean!" - To replace washer, dryer and dishwasher in group home for adults with disabilities.

Illinois State Dental Society Foundation - $900
"Mission of Mercy" - To offer 2-day free dental clinic to local residents who otherwise are unable to receive care; to heighten awareness of growing problem of access to oral health care in Illinois.

Marcfirst - $1,265
"Bruininks-Oserestsky Tests for SPICE" - To purchase testing equipment for measuring gross and fine motor skills for ages 4-21.