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Director Insights

anderson_cris“I have been a director of the Community Foundation for five years. Prior to joining the board, my husband and I created a charitable fund within the Foundation to support local nonprofit organizations. I was honored to be asked to serve as a director of an organization we have supported for so many years. And, I continue to enjoy my role in directing its future development as one of the most respected philanthropic vehicles in the Fox River Valley.”

– Cris Anderson, Director


Dempsey_Austin (2)“As a lifelong resident of the Fox Valley and a firm believer in the power each of us has to enact positive change in the world, I was thrilled to join the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.  I appreciate the Foundation’s perspective of giving back over $50 million in grants and scholarships to the local communities over its history.  To be part of an organization that has enriched the community and has such an extensive scholarship program is something I am really proud of.”

-Austin Dempsey, Director


diederich_john“I chose to be a director with the CFFRV for a specific reason: I have a passion to assist young students in fulfilling their professional dreams. My first exposure to the Community Foundation was during my term as the Foundation Chairman of the Aurora Kiwanis Club in the early 2000s. I worked closely with the Foundation in managing our Kiwanis scholarships and she was always so professional. When Bill Skoglund reached out to me to consider a board seat 10 years later – it was an easy decision.  I’m always inspired by the number of CFFRV scholarships that have been established for the students of our community. And I’m proud to be associated with such a great foundation.”

-John Diederich, Vice Chairman


fabian_pat“After being given the opportunity to volunteer for the Foundation as a scholarship interviewer, I developed a deep respect for the philosophy and practices of the Foundation. I was honored to be offered a seat on the board of directors of such an esteemed organization.”

-Pat Fabian, Director


navota_kathy“When I was working, I found I did not have time to do volunteer work. So, when I retired, I wanted to give back to the community I have lived in for over fifty years. As a board member of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, I enjoy being on the Distribution Committee which awards grants to non-profit organizations in our area. Being on this board has been a very rewarding experience. The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley helps many individuals and organizations in our area.”

-Kathy Navota, Director


Reuland_Timothy“The Community Foundation provides people in our local communities with the opportunity to be generous to one another and, in many different ways, to bring out the best in ourselves.  I am happy to be a part of that project.”

-Tim Reuland, Director


skoglund_william“I am proud of the Community Foundation because of the many scholarships and grants that have been given throughout the community over the years. Unlike some organizations that have huge administrative costs, the Foundation is very efficient and very well run. No part of any donation is used for administrative expenses. This means that all contributions to the Community Foundation fulfill charitable purposes.”

-Bill Skoglund, Treasurer


“I chose to join the board of the Community Foundation because I wanted to be a part of a trusted philanthropic leader in our community.  Through its dedicated staff, the Foundation strives to meet the charitable wishes of its donors by developing customized grant and scholarship programs to meet each donor’s needs.  This work has allowed the Foundation to award over $50 million dollars in grants and scholarships over the last 66 years.  I want to play a role in helping this Foundation continue to grow and give back to the communities it serves.”

-Mark Truemper, Chairman


2acddfd“I am excited to be a Board Member of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.  For many decades, the Foundation has been a respected and trusted foundation partner in the community.  The organization is fiscally responsible, conservative and transparent.  The Community Foundation solicits philanthropic, private donations that it in turn uses to advance and better the local community.  This model of local donors supporting local non-profits, students and organizations is uplifting and noble.  I am happy to volunteer my time and financially support such an important part of our community.”

-Scott Voris, Director

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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