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Jeff and Jamie Cali Scholarship Endowment Fund

Established 2018

The Jeff and Jamie Cali Scholarship Endowment Fund was created by Jeff and Jamie Cali to support their philanthropic objectives. This scholarship will be awarded to eligible students graduating from Marmion Academy who have been involved in extracurricular activities and significant participation in school, church, clubs and community outreach, who also plan to attend either a four-year university or trade/vocational school.

Jeff Cali grew up in Aurora and St. Charles and currently lives in Elgin.  He graduated from Marmion Military Academy in 1996 before earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Norbert College in 2000 and an MBA from Aurora University in 2016.  He currently works for Venture One Real Estate as Vice President, Development. Jeff is a board member of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley and Marmion Academy Alumni Association.

Jamie Cali is a native of Batavia.  She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a Special Education emphasis from Northern Illinois University in 1999 and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from North Central College in 2003.  She currently works for DeKalb High School as a special education teacher. Jamie recently served the Elgin Junior Service Board as vice president and volunteers at the Elgin YWCA.

The Calis have three boys: Will, Nick and Daniel.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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