On Tuesday, October 7, the DuPage County Board and representatives from DuPage Foundation welcomed grant recipients who were awarded $3.37 million in Transformational grants by the DuPage Community Transformation Partnership (DCTP).

DuPage Foundation Welcomes FY25 Officers and Two New Trustees

Learn more about timely details and deadlines for year-end giving.

DuPage Foundation Welcomes Gustafson, Kozar, and Ronchetti as New Committee Members

On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the DuPage County Board and representatives from DuPage Foundation welcomed grant recipients that were awarded more than $1 million in Immediate Intervention grants by the DuPage Community Transformation Partnership (DCTP).

A charity’s mission matters, but we often misunderstand key costs to deliver that mission: “overhead.”

Nicki Anderson of Naperville, IL, joined DuPage Foundation on July 9 as its director of strategic partnerships. In her new role, she will lead in engaging local businesses, government and community leaders, private foundations, and others in the Foundation’s mission.

DuPage Foundation is pleased to announce the awarding of $938,077 to 52 essential health and human services not-for-profit organizations across DuPage County through the spring cycle of its Community Impact grant program (formerly Community Needs grant program).

Clarice Swanson joined DuPage Foundation on May 20 as its advancement associate, reporting to Michael Trench, vice president for advancement. In her new role, Swanson will focus on data management, research, event support, gift processing, donor cultivation and stewardship, and playing a lead role in event planning—especially the Foundation’s Annual Benefit.

DuPage Foundation is pleased to announce the promotion of Kaitlyn Miller Balsewicz, CFRE, CAP® to director of donor services/philanthropic advisor, effective immediately.

A celebration of collaboration and impact in early childhood education took place with Governor JB Pritzker on Friday, February 9, at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley in Villa Park, IL.

The DuPage Community Transformation Partnership (DCTP) released guidelines for its Immediate Intervention and Transformational grant opportunities. The DCTP’s goal is to support not-for-profit programs focused on eliminating food insecurity, promoting housing stability, and providing effective mental health and substance use disorder prevention or treatment programs for DuPage County residents. Guidelines are available at dupagefoundation.org/DCTP.

The re-established DuPage County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast took place on Monday, January 15, at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m., with a sold-out, record-breaking crowd of more than 1,200 attendees.

DuPage Foundation donors mobilized to support residents affected by the recent November 30 Main Park Apartments complex fire in West Chicago. The fire displaced an estimated 100 people and left 20 units uninhabitable. Many residents were left with no clothing or belongings at the start of the holiday season. Requests for funding were submitted to DuPage Foundation by three not-for-profit organizations, totaling $32,600 to help support the victims of the fire.

DuPage Foundation mourns the loss of our friend and advocate, George N. Gilkerson Jr., who passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at the age of 78. He was the beloved husband of Cheryl Gilkerson for 42 years, and a loving father and grandfather.

DuPage Foundation recently granted $605,600 to 46 not-for-profit organizations providing support in the areas of education, arts & culture, environment, and animal welfare across DuPage County through its Community Needs Grant Program’s Fall 2023 cycle. A Grant Open House took place on Wednesday, December 6, at DuPage Foundation’s office in Downers Grove.

DuPage Foundation celebrated an evening of community philanthropy at its Annual Benefit: Under the Sea, on Saturday, November 4, at The Westin Chicago Lombard, with nearly 350 guests in attendance.

DuPage Foundation will host its 2023 Annual Benefit: Under the Sea on Saturday, November 4, at The Westin Chicago Lombard from 5:30 – 11:30 p.m.

DuPage Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia Atuesta to its Board of Trustees. She was officially welcomed at the Foundation’s September 21 Board meeting.

DuPage Foundation announced today that its Bright & Early DuPage (B&ED) Initiative has awarded grants totaling $273,600 to support eight early childhood collaborative efforts throughout DuPage County.

DuPage Foundation is proud to join presenting sponsor Itasca Bank & Trust Co., currently celebrating its 75th Anniversary, Duly Health and Care, and Edward-Elmhurst Health, together with 13 area chambers of commerce in hosting a Multi-Chamber Hunger Action Luncheon

On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, the DuPage County Board and representatives from DuPage Foundation welcomed grant recipients that were awarded nearly $1.3 million in Immediate Intervention grants by the DuPage Community Transformation Partnership (DCTP).

Michael Trench joined DuPage Foundation on June 19 as its vice president for advancement. In his new role, Trench leads the Advancement Department and oversees a comprehensive charitable services program focused on building the Foundation’s capacity for community impact. He works closely with individuals, families, businesses, and their advisors to help them plan and accomplish their unique charitable goals.

DuPage Foundation recently granted $899,076 to 51 not-for-profit organizations providing essential health and human services to residents across DuPage County as a part of its Community Needs Grant Program.

The Northeast DuPage Family and Youth Services (NEDFYS) hosted a ribbon cutting and open house on Tuesday, May 30, at 4:00 p.m., to celebrate the opening of its new Bloomingdale Counseling Center, located at 255 E. Lake St., in Bloomingdale, IL.

DuPage Foundation presented a special community educational program and reception, “Transformational Solutions to Community Needs, Part II: Addressing Mental Health Needs & Substance Use Disorder”, the evening of Thursday, May 11, at IBEW Local 701 Hall, in Warrenville. The 2022 DuPage County Community Needs Assessment showed that one in three DuPage County high school students reported they have experienced anxiety and depression, and the 2022 Illinois Youth Survey showed one in seven reported that they have considered attempting suicide. Nearly 50 percent of DuPage teens reported that they have used alcohol, cigarettes, inhalants, or marijuana by their senior year of high school.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, April 16 – 22, 2023, DuPage Foundation is proud to recognize the dedicated service of more than 150 volunteers who donate their time and talents to advance the work of the Foundation. The theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week is “United We Serve,” since we are all stronger together. National Volunteer Week highlights the importance of volunteerism and how every individual can create meaningful change.

Arts DuPage, a DuPage Foundation initiative, is encouraging area artists and arts organizations to apply for the Illinois Creative Recovery/Back to Business (B2B) Arts Grant. A historic $50 million in grant money is being distributed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to assist businesses, not-for-profit organizations, sole proprietors, freelancers, and independent contractors in the creative sector that have suffered losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arts DuPage, a DuPage Foundation initiative, and the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund (JCS Fund) of DuPage Foundation, invite DuPage County governmental agencies to apply for a grant to support public art.

DuPage Foundation mourns the loss of its friend and advocate Richard G. “Dick” Cline, who passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the age of 88.

Bright & Early DuPage (B&ED), an initiative of DuPage Foundation, recently awarded a $20,000 grant to the newly launched Villa Park Area Early Childhood Collaborative (VPAECC), to support a new bilingual outreach specialist who will provide education and resources to promote positive early childhood development for the area’s most vulnerable families.

DuPage Foundation is pleased to announce Robin Carroll, as its new director of marketing & communications. In her role, Carroll will lead in continuing to build the Foundation’s brand as DuPage County’s philanthropic leader, communicating the impact of its programs and initiatives, and highlighting community needs and opportunities to address them while seeking to increase awareness and engagement through multiple marketing channels.

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2022 (SECURE Act 2.0). The law builds upon the initial SECURE Act, passed in 2019, and includes dozens of new provisions aimed at helping individuals save more effectively for retirement.

DuPage Foundation is pleased to announce Michael R. Sitrick, JD, CFRE, as its new President & CEO. He succeeds David M. McGowan, CFRE, who retired on December 30 after 25 years of distinguished service as the Foundation’s chief staff officer.

A celebration of community philanthropy was held on Saturday, November 5, as DuPage Foundation’s Annual Benefit: Bonjour DuPage, welcomed nearly 300 guests to experience the grandeur of French cabaret at The Westin Chicago-Lombard.

On September 29, DuPage Foundation’s Next Generation Initiative (NGI) hosted NGI members, friends and guests at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton, IL for a fall social benefiting Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans (MSHV). MSHV is dedicated to providing housing, supportive services and community outreach to help homeless and at-risk veterans and their families achieve self-sufficiency.

As part of its Community Needs Grant Program (Community Needs), DuPage Foundation granted $473,150 to 37 not-for-profit organizations in the areas of animal welfare, arts & culture, education and environment.

Joining in celebration with community foundations across the country, DuPage Foundation is proud to observe Community Foundation Week, November 12 – 18, which coincides with National Philanthropy Day® (NPD) on November 15.

Arts DuPage, a DuPage Foundation initiative, named Robin Liefeld as the winner of the Arts DuPage Month Create-a-Post Competition.

Created by a congressional resolution in 2008 and celebrated annually each October, National Estate Planning Awareness Week seeks to bring national attention to the importance of Americans having an estate plan.

On Tuesday, the DuPage County Board and DuPage Foundation awarded $3,849,374 in Transformational grants to 17 social service not-for-profit organizations.

DuPage Foundation is pleased to welcome the following members to its board, approved at the September 15 Board of Trustees meeting.

DuPage Foundation’s Board of Trustees has engaged DHR Global, headquartered in Chicago, to assist in the search for the Foundation’s next President & CEO.

DuPage Foundation President & CEO Dave McGowan was named “Humanitarian of the Year” by the West Suburban Philanthropic Network (WSPN) as part of its 20th Annual Philanthropy Awards held on August 30 at Northern Illinois University – Naperville Campus.

DuPage Foundation recently welcomed Maureen Brink as an administrative assistant to its staff.

Arts DuPage, a DuPage Foundation initiative, received an $8,600 grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA) through federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

DuPage Foundation is pleased to welcome new members to its advisory committees, approved at the July 21 Board of Trustees meeting.

DuPage Foundation’s Next Generation Initiative (NGI) and the DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) co-hosted a summer social event that raised $6,000 for Poised for Success.

Today the DuPage Community Transformation Partnership Fund awarded more than $1 million in Immediate Intervention grants to 16 social service not-for-profit organizations serving DuPage County residents in the areas of food insecurity, housing instability, mental health and substance use disorder.

Wilson joined the Foundation in May 2019 as accounting associate, supporting the finance department.