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$5,000 Grant Makes Kids Happy in Plano

Outdoor play will be transformed for children enrolled at Grace’s Place child care center in Plano thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.

Grace’s Place preschool in Plano, is a founding member of the new Early Childhood Education Shared Services Alliance with centers in Will and Kendall Counties.  They enroll children from age six weeks to twelve years old, serving 76 children, most from families who have limited incomes and thus are eligible for child care assistance. Because Grace’s Place had kept the tuition as low as possible, there hasn’t been any way for them to upgrade their outside playground and while it is a large outdoor space, there are only a few activities for the children and no climbing structures, etc.

The Community Foundation’s $5,000 grant for new playground equipment will be used to purchase climbing structures, scooters, bicycles and equipment for ball games.  The preschool staff and families are so excited! Research tells us that quality outdoor experiences promote happy, healthy children as well as supporting all domains of development — physical, social, emotional, language and cognition.

About the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a non-profit, tax-exempt, philanthropic organization that administers individual charitable funds from which grants and scholarships are distributed to benefit the citizens of the Greater Aurora Area, the TriCities and Kendall County, Illinois.  Founded in 1948, the Foundation provides a simple and powerful approach to charitable giving. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations have the opportunity to custom design their own named funds that reflect their charitable goals and interests. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has grown to nearly $79 million in assets and has awarded more than $60 million in grants and scholarships.  For more information on the Foundation, visit www.CommunityFoundationFRV.org.

About Grace’s Place Plano, see http://gracesplacechildcare.com/plano/

About the Early Childhood Education Shared Services Alliance, see www.Childcarehelp.com or contact Chris Bzdon at cbzdon@childcarehelp.com

There’s no question in my mind that the scholarship I received opened up possibilities.

Marianne Renner

Past Scholarship Recipient & Current Leadership Coach

We chose the Community Foundation because of its reputation. It’s well known, established and we can trust them to do the job for us.

Dick Schindel

Richard and Susan Schindel Scholarship Funds

As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, I was worried about how I was going to pay for books and supplies. This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my studies instead of worrying about how to afford college. I am working to not only create opportunities for myself but to motivate future generations. Thank you so much for helping me along this journey!

Moises J.

Claude & Alice Allen Memorial Scholarship Recipient

…you can always start small, even $25 can make a difference. Remember we can’t take our money with us. Even if it’s just your gift of time. Volunteer and get involved.

Cris Anderson

Cristina & Thomas S. Anderson Endowment Fund | Tom & Cris Anderson Colonial Advisory Fund

A community foundation is a donor-driven organization that helps donors custom-design funds that reflect their charitable interests. Through the years, grants from these funds have made a significant impact on our local communities.

Sharon Stredde

President Emeritus

Thank you very much for supporting my college education for these four years. I will never be able to repay you for the opportunity that this scholarship has given to me.

Julia H.

[Renewing Scholarship Recipient] Graduate of Hinkley-Big Rock High School

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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