From the Board Chair & President
Dear Friends,
2020 marked a truly unique year for our community, our country, and the world.
We are overwhelmed by the strength and courage of families that pressed on through a year like this. We are inspired by the generosity of our community and the passion that exists to help one another. And we are encouraged by the conversations that are taking place that celebrate the differences within our communities.
As we turn the page and continue our work, we want to reflect and appreciate the bright spots in 2020.
We are grateful for the support of our partners and our capacity as an organization to be innovative, flexible, and creative in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon after news of the coronavirus arrived in March, we quickly mobilized with other grantmakers to establish the Fox Valley Grantmakers COVID-19 Response Fund and Elgin Covid Response Fund. Together we were able to rapidly respond to the critical emerging needs of our nonprofit partners working tirelessly to care for and support those most affected by the pandemic.
We are humbled by our donors, volunteers, and staff who gave generously and worked tirelessly to provide grants and scholarships through this year’s new funds — as well as our discretionary grantmaking, scholarship, and Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) programs.
This report acknowledges our accomplishments and celebrates our community’s fortitude. While we will not soon forget 2020, we look ahead with optimism in 2021 and know that we will continue to persevere and accomplish great things together.
Sincerely,
Scott Voris
Board Chair
Julie Christman
President & CEO
