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St. Charles Initiative Fund

Established 2019

Photo Credit: Drew Pertl 

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Leave a lasting legacy in a city that celebrates its heritage and those who help distinguish St. Charles as “The Pride of the Fox.”

For 185 years, St. Charles has offered an idyllic life along the banks of the Fox River. Whether you live here, are visiting, or have a business in St. Charles, you can feel the energy of the city and will be drawn to its inviting sense of community.

The St. Charles Initiative offers a unique way to give back and be a part of the spirit of shaping St. Charles by moving important community projects forward.

About the St. Charles Initiative

The St. Charles Initiative is a new partnership between the City of St. Charles and the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley formed to support public projects in St. Charles. This public-private partnership provides funding through donations and endowments, as an alternative to tax-based financing sources.

Led by an independent advisory committee of St. Charles community leaders and residents, the St. Charles Initiative offers a new approach to help fund capital projects, programs and other improvements.

Proposed Programs and Projects

The St. Charles Initiative connects donors to projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life in St. Charles. You can find a project that fits your passion. All donations stay local.

1st Street Plaza Plaza Expansion — An expansion of the 1st Street Plaza is planned for the area at the southeast corner of Main & 1st streets. The new public space, along with additional planned enhancements to the area, will make the already popular downtown plaza a welcoming spot to gather. It will offer a central location for fairs and festivals, entertainment and events, or just enjoying the views.​ (Click “1st Street Plaza Expansion” to be taken to the project’s page.)

General Donation — To be applied to projects or programs as identified by the St. Charles Initiative.

Thank You to Our Donors

The St. Charles Initiative thanks the following individuals and businesses for their generous support of the 1st Street Plaza Expansion Project.

Giving Opportunities

There are several giving opportunities that are both suitable to donor wishes and provide tax benefits that fit your financial goals. We are happy to help identify giving options that work best for you and your family.

  • Cash
  • Securities
  • IRAs and Other Qualified Retirement Plans
  • Bequests through a Will
  • Distributions from a Living Trust
  • Real Estate
  • Life Insurance
  • Charitable Gift Annuities
  • Charitable Lead and Remainder Trusts
  • Private Foundation Grants
  • Gift Annuity

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

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

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

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

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

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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