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.
Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Among McLean County Young Leaders, Mentors Who Will Be Honored
Reposted from The Pantagraph By Paul Swiech BLOOMINGTON — Thirty-one McLean County young leaders, two teams, two nonprofit advocate organizations (including IPCF’s Youth Engaged in Philanthropy group) and two adult mentors have been nominated for service awards sponsored by the nonprofit organization, For A Better Tomorrow. Nominees will be honored at the organization’s annual Why I See You…
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SERVING OTHERS: Bloomington High School Club Focuses on Expanding Literacy
Reposted from The Pantagraph By Lenore Sobota BLOOMINGTON — The COVID-19 pandemic slowed but hasn’t stopped a new student club at Bloomington High School dedicated to improving the community through service. “I’m saying ‘service’ intentionally because it’s not just volunteering. The whole idea of service is making a permanent change in the community you’re serving…
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Children’s Discovery Museum, McLean County Unit 5 Distribute 1,000 Activity Kits
Reposted from The Pantagraph By Sierra Henry; Photos by Unit 5 NORMAL — A thousand elementary and junior high students in McLean County Unit 5 all-day camps received STEAM-centered activity kits through the Children’s Discovery Museum and the school district. “We know everyone is working hard to ensure students are receiving the safest, best education possible during…
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Threshold to Hope Moves to New Home in Bloomington
Reposted from The Pantagraph By Kevin Barlow BLOOMINGTON — A downtown Bloomington art cooperative and gallery has found a new home. Beginning Oct. 6, Threshold to Hope, Inc. will be meeting at the Creativity Center at 107 E. Chestnut, Bloomington. The new location, behind the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, will have a large…
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St. Vincent de Paul-Holy Trinity Food Pantry Faces Challenges During Pandemic
By Michele Evans, Grants & Communications Director The coronavirus pandemic is hitting nonprofit organizations hard and nearly all are adjusting the way they are serving their clients. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Holy Trinity (SVDP-HT) Food Pantry in Bloomington is no exception. In 2019, the food pantry moved into the remodeled former Holy…
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Bloomington’s House of Hope Helping Men Transition Back into the Community
Reposted from CIProud By Darronté Matthews BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington program is helping restore hope for struggling men in the community. House of Hope is a program and safe home aimed at stopping recidivism by providing housing and support programs for men who were incarcerated and/or battling drug addiction. In February, the program secured an…
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Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton Visits Community Organizations in Bloomington
Reposted with permission of WMBD By Darronté Matthews BLOOMINGTON — Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton made a trip to Bloomington, Friday, as a part of a recent tour throughout the state. One of the stops on Stratton’s tour was to Sunnyside Community Garden & Food Forest. The garden started in 2016 as a high school project…
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New LeRoy Center Hopes to Keep Seniors Living Well
By Michele Evans, Grants & Communications Director LEROY – July 3, was an early Independence Day for the seniors of LeRoy with the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Living Well United senior center. View photos from grand opening Barb Whiteman, Director of Living Well United, worked tirelessly beginning January 4 to remodel the…
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Building Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs in Livingston County
By Michele Evans, Grants & Communications Director CHATSWORTH – Thirteen Livingston County teens took part in a free summer class offered by the Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County and Community Connection Group of Central Illinois to help them build their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. The class, offered for four hours, four days a…
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West Market Street Development Celebrated as Wrecking Ball Razes Properties
Reposted with permission from The Pantagraph By Maria Nagel; Photos by David Proeber BLOOMINGTON — Watching an excavating crane start demolishing the former Red Fox food store in West Bloomington brought a sense of closure for Denise Perry. Her son, Antonio Perry, was fatally shot as he was shopping at the store on Oct. 31,…
Read More- SERVING OTHERS: Bloomington High School Club Focuses on Expanding Literacy
- Children’s Discovery Museum, McLean County Unit 5 Distribute 1,000 Activity Kits
- Threshold to Hope Moves to New Home in Bloomington
- 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
- New LeRoy Center Hopes to Keep Seniors Living Well
- Building Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs in Livingston County
- West Market Street Development Celebrated as Wrecking Ball Razes Properties
- University Galleries of Illinois State University Pleased to Present ‘Nazafarin Lotfi: Subtle Time’ as an Online Exhibition
- 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