Growth Dimensions Among 23 Organizations Awarded Local Grants

The Boone County Community Foundation (BCCF) hosted their annual community grant breakfast, on November 15, 2022. Love + Action = Community was the theme of the breakfast, as the Foundation highlighted, celebrated, and awarded grants to organizations that provide services to and help meet the needs of Boone County! The 2022 grants are part of the Community Grant Program which consists of grants from the Melvin & Mildred Banks Funds, the Wilbur & William Cummings Fund, and individual donor advised funds. In celebration of their “sweet 16” anniversary last year, the Board of Directors committed to raising $16,000.00 for the 16 years the Foundation has been in existence. Over $23,000.00 in funds raised by the F​​​​​​​oundation’s Board of Directors were added to the 2022 allocations of community grants. An anonymous donor also contributed $20,000.00 to allocate to this year’s applicants.  Over $80,000.00 in community grants were awarded to 23 Boone County organizations. BCCF has distributed more than $2,000,000 in grants and scholarships, since 2011.

Paul Fischer, Boone County Community Foundation Executive Director since 2014, announced his retirement effective December 31, 2022.  He will be succeeded by the current Assistant to the Direc​​​​​​​tor, Melissa Erickson who has held that position since November of 2018. 

BCCF’s Board Chairman Ken Swanson expressed the Board’s appreciation for Paul’s service and confidence in Melissa as the next Executive Director. “While we will greatly miss Paul and his devoted service to the foundation, we fully understand his desire to enjoy full-time retirement.  His tenure has seen steady growth in the size of the Foundation, with an increase in total assets and number of different funds. This has resulted in growing diversity of organizations, projects, and Boone County residents impacted by the BCCF.

Looking forward we believe Melissa is the ideal choice to pursue our mission of connecting donors with the causes that enrich the quality of life in Boone County.  Her experience working with Paul coupled with her passion for the Foundation and the future growth potential ensures we will have competent and enthusiastic leadership in the years ahead.”

The Boone County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2022 Community Grant Recipients

• Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce
• Blackhawk Area Boy Scouts of America​​​​​​​
• Boone County Arts Council
• Boone County Auction Association
• Boone County Council on Aging
• Boone County Fair Association & 4-H
• Boone County Museum of History
• Children’s Home & Aid Society
• Farmwork and Landscaper Advocacy Project
• Flaming Monkey 4H Robotics Team
• Girl Scouts of America
• Growth Dimensions Economic Development
• Habitat for Humanity of Boone County
• Lutheran Social Service of Illinois
• Northern Illinois Food Bank
• Parks & Conservation Foundation
• Poplar Grove Lions
• Regional Access & Mobilization Project
• Rock Valley College
• Rosecrance
• Sister Cities Association of Belvidere
• Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau
• Zion Lutheran Church

About the Boone County Community Foundation
The Boone County Community Foundation exists to improve the quality of life in Boone County for today, tomorrow and the future by building a culture of giving in our community and by connecting donors. We are a tax exempt, non-profit, philanthropic organization with the long-term goal of building permanent, named funds for the broad-based charitable benefit of the residents in Boone County and to strengthen our community through philanthropy. We offer the best tax advantages for charitable donations operating as a 501(c)(3) organization of the internal revenue code. For more information visit www.boonecountycf.org.