SUCCESS STORIES
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation's impact on the four counties it serves is best seen through the community-based programs we assist. We encourage you to read about some of the programs we have helped fund in the last few years.
How McLean County Groups, Volunteers are Fighting to End Food Insecurity
Reposted from The Pantagraph Story and Photos By D. Jack Alkire, unless noted Kyan Glenn knows the kind of people he wants to feed with the produce grown on his small farm outside Bloomington. People who struggle to make ends meet. Who might work 80 or 90 hours a week and still not know security.…
Read MoreTwin Cities’ Diversities Celebrated at Cultural Fest
Reposted from The Pantagraph Story and photos by Brendon Denison BLOOMINGTON — A vibrant display of many cultures returned Saturday, July 30, 2022, to Miller Park in Bloomington. Dubbed the Cultural Fest, the event has celebrated diversity and heritage in the Twin Cities annually since 1979, according to program director Tony Jones. He said the…
Read MoreChamber Music Fest Brings Student Musicians to Bloomington
Reposted from The Pantagraph Story and Photos by Connor Wood BLOOMINGTON — Chamber music gives the performers something they are unlikely to find in larger groups, attendees of the Illinois Chamber Music Festival say. “It’s so much more intimate, like jazz, for example, if you’re sitting there in a jazz trio, or quartet or quintet…
Read MoreVolunteers Aim to Pack 4,000 Backpacks for Bloomington-Normal Students
Reposted from The Pantagraph Story and Photos by Connor Wood NORMAL — Half a dozen volunteers kept busy Wednesday morning (July 6, 2022) packing backpacks with school supplies. Their goal is to pack 4,000 backpacks by mid-August, when families can pick up the bags before school starts. “(4,000 bags) is about 60 percent of the…
Read MoreThe Vault in Clinton Helps Kids Explore Culinary Careers
Reposted from The Pantagraph By Connor Wood; Photos by Clay Jackson CLINTON — Opening a bakery is a popular dream for kids in The Vault’s culinary career exploration class held this past week (June 20-24, 2022). Connie Unruh, treasurer and a volunteer with the organization, said she knew at least a few of the kids…
Read MoreGROWING LESSONS: Westside Bloomington Garden Seeks to Help Young People Grow Skills
Reposted from The Pantagraph Story and Photos by D. Jack Alkire BLOOMINGTON — A community garden on the city’s west side aims to offer a place for young people to learn life skills and professional development through gardening apprenticeships. Caleb Phillips tends Sunnyside Community Garden and Food Forest, a nonprofit operating under the Illinois Prairie…
Read MoreThrough Habitat McLean County, Sgt. Anthony Maddox Lives On
Reposted from WGLT By Jack Podlesnik July 22, 2013. That was the day the lives of Frances and Jerome Maddox were changed forever. Their son, Sgt. Anthony Maddox, had been serving in Afghanistan since January of the same year. He held a position as a petroleum supply fueler — and operated heavy-wheeled vehicles. Seven months…
Read MoreIn Living Color
Reposted from University Galleries website University Galleries of Illinois State University is pleased to present In Living Color from May 19 through August 10, 2022. All events are free and open to the public. Curated by the Teen Art Group at University Galleries, In Living Color features stop-motion animations and videos, mixed-media collages, drawings, paintings,…
Read MoreBloomington’s Miller Park Zoo Debuts New Teaching Theater
Reposted from The Pantagraph Story and Photos by Brendan Denison BLOOMINGTON — A new educational theater at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington was dedicated May 6, 2022, in memory of Sullivan Rohrscheib. Zoo Superintendent Jay Tetzloff said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony that the theater will aid them in meeting their rebranded mission of engaging the…
Read MorePanelists Discuss the Challenges Facing Families as Children with Autism Get Older
Reposted from WGLT By Philip Walker In observance of Autism Acceptance Month, local philanthropic organization Women to Women Giving Circle on Tuesday hosted a panel of experts at the ISU Alumni Center to discuss autism care from early childhood through adulthood. The CDC reported last year that nearly 1 in 44 children across all ethnicities…
Read MoreBloomington Family Donates 80 Pool Passes to Honor Dad’s Birthday
Miller Park Zoo Grows Conservation Efforts With Endangered Plant Garden
Experts Say Improving Diversity, Equity And Inclusion At Work Avoids Wasted Human Potential
Evergreen Cemetery Walk Brings History to Life in Bloomington
Know an ‘ExtraOrdinary’ Woman? New Bloomington Project Taking Submissions
Campers Leave Their Comfort Zone to Sail Through Timber Pointe Outdoor Center’s Challenge Course
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS: Illinois Wesleyan Language School Returns; Esports Camp Launched
‘A BETTER WAY’: Towanda Group Uses Backpacks to Help Kids Entering Foster Care
SERVING OTHERS: Bloomington High School Club Focuses on Expanding Literacy
Children’s Discovery Museum, McLean County Unit 5 Distribute 1,000 Activity Kits
St. Vincent de Paul-Holy Trinity Food Pantry Faces Challenges During Pandemic
Bloomington's House of Hope Helping Men Transition Back Into the Community
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton Visits Community Organizations in Bloomington
Building Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs in Livingston County
West Market Street Development Celebrated as Wrecking Ball Razes Properties
West Market Street Plaza Redevelopment Gains Support in Bloomington
Grant Equipping YWCA With Tools to Educate Students About Inclusivity
- Treasure, Not Trash: Serving an Invisible Population
- Jon's Heroes: Aspiring PE Teachers Learn How to Work With Children With Autism
- First McLean County Hero House, in Memory of Josh Rodgers, Nearly Complete
- Evergreen Cemetery Walk Celebrates 25th Anniversary
- Salvation Army Program Gives Families In Need A Pathway to Break the Cycle of Poverty
- West Bloomington Revitalization Project Dedicates Memorial Garden, Murals
- FUTURE IN STORE: Family Members Favor Turning B-N Building Into Training Center for Women
- New Park Provides Harmony of All Children Playing Together
- ‘A Long Way to Go’: B-N Celebrates 40th Annual Cultural Festival at Miller Park
- Lincoln’s Festival Brings Living History, Classic Cars to Bloomington
- Clinic Changing Lives One Smile at a Time
- Mural is Newest Addition to Downtown Heyworth
- Community Support Helps Sugar Creek Arts Festival Thrive
- Entrepreneur Camp Gives Kids Chance to Create, Pitch a Product
- Center to Help Women Create Better Lives Through Building Trades
- Newly Minted Curators Spotlight Teen Art
- Fledgling McLean County Fatherhood Coalition Helps Men With Their Vital Role
- West Market Street Council Tries to Water a Food Desert
- Deer Creek, Minier Libraries Among 12 That Receive Anonymous Windfall
- B-N Soldier Honored With Armed Forces Day Ceremony
- Unit 5 Raises Money for Autism Acceptance in Honor of Former Student
- ‘Unique Power:’ ISU’s Art Station Shows Youths What’s Possible
- ‘Hidden Hero’: Normal Post Office Renamed for Fallen Soldier Rodgers
- Trauma is Common but Healing is Possible, Central Illinois Experts Say
- Atlanta Community Comes Together to Create Museum Exhibit
- Charities See Challenges, Opportunities In New Tax Laws
- McLean County Diversity Project Scholar Donates $2,800 to School Libraries
- Green Top: $300K Raised to Keep Co-Op Store Open
- Heart Strings: ISU Music Program Reaches Out to Bloomington-Normal Youth
- Furniture for Families: For MIS Majors, One Project Has Major Impact
- A Walk to Remember: Local History Comes Alive at Evergreen Cemetery Event
- Building Opportunity: Leaders, Youth Meet to Discuss Local Issues
- 4 New Recycling Bins Added in Downtown Bloomington
- History to be Proud of: Lincoln’s Festival Highlights B-N Impact
- Chamber Music Students ‘Communicate Without Words’
- MDA Summer Camp Lets Kids Be Kids
- Getting Ready: School Supply Drive Begins for B-N Kids
- Bloomington’s Harmony Park Will Be a Place for Every Kid to Play
- A Joyful Noise! Bloomington-Normal Community Bells Run in With New Instruments
- Well-Training After-School Tutors Key to Helping Close the Learning Gap
- Bingo for Books! Aims to Improve Literacy, Access to Books Thru Bookmobile Visits
- Penguin Project Celebrates 10 Years of “Magical, Touching” Shows
- Heartland Theatre Unveils Assistive Listening System
- Giggles Galore at Illinois Symphony Orchestra's Concerts for Kids
- Health Program Helps Residents with Disabilities
- Chicago Artist Adds Mural to B-N Stomping Grounds
- Milestones Early Learning Center & Preschool - Celebrate the Artist in You
- Bloom Community School Students Explore "Community" as Guiding Theme in Opening Year
- "Never an Option": Teens, Adults Discuss "13 Reasons Why," Suicide
- Children's Home + Aid Doula Program
- Fresh Start: School Supply Giveaway "Relieves Stress" for Parents, Kids
- HeART - Heyworth and Randolph Township - Arts Council Summer Arts Camp, Mural Restoration
- "Everyone Said I Could Do It": Kids Learn from Each Other at Camps
- Atlanta Public Library's Arts Discovery Camp
- Odell Public Library Summer Reading Program