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Stredde Era Brings Success To Area Community Foundation

Sharon Stredde began her tenure at the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley 25 years ago. At that time, the foundation (then the Aurora Foundation) had $3.7 million in assets, 63 funds and five endowments to administer.

Today, the Community Foundation of the Fox River boasts more than $50 million in assets, 370 funds and 219 endowments.

“Sharon won’t tell you that she played any part in the foundation’s success, but the board of directors will,” John McKee, chairman of the board when Stredde was hired in 1985, said in a recent news release. “Sharon has been the driving force behind the success of the Community Foundation.

“She quietly goes about the business of growing the foundation’s assets, funds, scholarships and endowments because she truly believes in the work the foundation is able to do as a result of its success.”

Stredde now holds the title of president and CEO of the Community Foundation and has seen the foundation grow substantially in the last 25 years. During her tenure, more than $52 million has been received in gifts, $21 million has been distributed to nonprofit organizations and $7.5 million has been awarded for scholarships. And in the process, the foundation has grown to become a $50.4-million resource for the local community.

One of the programs for which Stredde is most proud is the Peaceful Schools Fox Valley anti-bullying program she introduced to the community in 2001. The foundation has provided support of more than $300,000 for the program, which has resulted in calmer classrooms, better behavior and increased self-esteem. The foundation continues to fund the program as a way to protect the children in the communities from the tragedies that result from bullying.

Robert Hubbard of Batavia, current board chairman, said in the release that all of the communities in the Fox River Valley have been strengthened because of the Community Foundation under Stredde’s leadership.

“In today’s world, it is rare for one person to devote so many years to one organization,” Hubbard said in the release. “We are pleased to pay tribute to Sharon’s many accomplishments on her 25th anniversary and look forward to our continuing partnership of service.”

Citizens interested in learning more about the Community Foundation should call 630-896-7800 or visit www.cffrv.org.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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