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John & Gwen McKee Endowment Fund

Established 2010

Gwen & John McKee
Gwen & John McKee

This fund provides income for the Community Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking program.

John McKee (1936 – 2023) was a lifelong resident of Aurora, Illinois, and a graduate of West Aurora High School. In 1958, he graduated cum laude from Beloit College with a degree in economics. He was then employed in the family-owned business, McKee Door Company, until it was sold in 1986. He continued working with the successor company, Porvene-McKee, until 1994. Mr. McKee served as director and president of the Aurora Family YMCA, The Aurora Foundation (now the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley) and the Kiwanis Club of Aurora. He has also been a director of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services, Inc., and trustee of Aurora University and the Aurora YWCA. In 1992, he received the Cosmopolitan Club’s Distinguished Service Award and, in 2005, he was named recipient of the Kiwanis Club’s Service to God and Fellowman Award. Mr. McKee was also a member of the chancel choir at New England Congregational Church.  He served as moderator and member of the church’s major governing boards.

Gwen McKee (1937-2014) was born in Chicago, Illinois. She was a 1958 graduate of Beloit College and was employed for two years at IBM as a Systems Representative. She was a talented and prolific quilter, producing quilts for family, friends and charitable causes. Mrs. McKee was a member of New England Congregational Church, where she participated in the chancel choir.

The couple had three children.

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

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

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

Marianne Renner

Past Scholarship Recipient & Current Leadership Coach

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

…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

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

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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