Helping Charitable Organizations

Endowment Funds Help Charitable Organizations

Many non-profit organizations and religious institutions have created endowment funds within the Community Foundation for the long-term support of their missions.

All gifts to these endowments are preserved on a permanent basis.  The income earned by the funds is distributed in accordance with each fund’s designated purpose.

Contributions to these endowments may be made at any time with cash, securities, real estate or other types of assets.  These contributions may be made in honor or memory of a loved one or friend.

Contributions also may be made at a future date through deferred gifts such as life insurance, qualified retirement benefits, bequests, charitable remainder trusts and charitable gift annuities.

Please contact the Community Foundation by telephone or e-mail and we will guide you through the process of making an immediate or deferred gift.

We each have favorite charitable causes that we have assisted during our lifetimes.  Through the support of an endowment fund, our thoughtfulness will extend to future generations.

Following are profiles of the non-profit organizations and religious institutions that maintain endowment funds to support their own missions within the Community Foundation.

Association For Individual Development Endowment Fund (Est. 1995)

This fund is designed to provide income for the charitable purposes of the Association for Individual Development, an agency devoted to enriching the lives of people with disabilities. The Association, established in 1961, administers programs to assist individuals in the acquisition of independent living, social and vocational skills. Examples of the services offered include crisis intervention, residential and day treatment, educational and development training, and homemaker services.

Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry Endowment Fund (Est. 1998)

This fund provides income for the needs of the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry. Established in 1981, the Pantry has distributed food to thousands of area citizens who have demonstrated financial need. The agency, located at 659 South River Street in Aurora, relies on volunteers to transport food to the Pantry and to senior citizens. In addition, numerous area churches, businesses and individuals contribute funds and/or conduct food drives to assist the Pantry.

Aurora Catholic Social Services Endowment Fund (Est. 1991)

This fund supports the charitable purposes of Aurora Catholic Social Services, a professional family service and child welfare agency. The agency has served the Aurora community since 1942. Current programs, which are available to people of all faiths, include adoption, counseling for unwed mothers, individual and family counseling, foster care, community outreach and parenting education.

Aurora East Educational Foundation Endowment Fund (Est. 1999)

The Aurora East Educational Foundation was established to complement and enrich the educational programs and opportunities for students of School District 131. Distributions from the organization support the development of programs and services not funded with tax dollars. These “educational extras” can make an important difference in preparing the district’s students to successfully face a future filled with new technologies, challenges and opportunities.

Aurora Family YMCA Endowment Fund (Est. 1991)

The Aurora Family YMCA, established in 1869, is the second oldest YMCA in the State of Illinois. The first meeting of the Aurora YMCA was held on South Broadway in downtown Aurora (later the Sencenbaugh building) at the office of David Iliff, Justice of the Peace. Within a few months, plans were made to construct a facility on the island in downtown Aurora. The building opened in 1871 and was located on the north side of Fox Street on a lot donated by Joseph G. Stolp. In 1908, a new YMCA was constructed at the southeast corner of Fox (now East Downer Place) and LaSalle Streets. The present YMCA was built in 1958 and is located at the corner of Garfield Avenue and View Street. In 1999, the Aurora Family YMCA and the Naperville Area YMCA affiliated as the Heritage YMCA Group.

Aurora Police Foundation Endowment Fund (Est. 1996)

The Aurora Police Foundation created an endowment within the Foundation for placement of permanent gifts which provide income for special projects outside the normally budgeted programs of the Aurora Police Department. The Aurora Police Foundation is governed by a board of directors comprised of local community volunteers. Since its establishment in 1990, the Police Foundation has awarded numerous grants to serve health and safety issues in the community.

Aurora YWCA Endowment Fund (Est. 1991)

The Aurora YWCA Endowment Fund was established in 1991 as a permanent reserve to benefit the future needs of the Aurora YWCA. The organization has served the Aurora community since 1893. Members first met in the Todd Building on West Downer Place. In 1895, outreach programs were made available during lunch hours to women working in local factories. In 1911, the YWCA constructed a facility with a swimming pool and cafeteria at 31 West Downer Place in Aurora. The agency operated from this site until 1984 when its new facility was opened on North River Street in Aurora.

Bethany Of Fox Valley United Methodist Church Endowment Fund

(Est. 1995)

In 1984, Bethany United Methodist Church and the Fox Valley United Methodist Church merged to form a new congregation - Bethany of Fox Valley United Methodist Church. Bethany United Methodist, chartered in 1857, was located at Fourth and Clark Streets in Aurora. Fox Valley United Methodist was formed in 1981 and met for worship at Waubonsie Valley High School. After the merger, a new facility was constructed at Route 34 and Ridge Avenue in Aurora. The endowment fund was established to serve the future needs of the church and its expanded ministry.

CASA Kane County Endowment Fund (Est. 1999)

CASA Kane County (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kane County) was established in 1988 to recruit, train and manage volunteers who represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in the Kane County Juvenile Court System. CASA volunteers are appointed to one case at a time and remain on the case until it is closed. These volunteers help to ensure that a child’s right to a safe and permanent home is acted upon by the court in a timely and sensitive manner. This permanent fund provides income for services offered by this vital community organization.

Family Counseling Service Of Aurora Endowment Fund (Est. 1994)

Family Counseling Service of Aurora has provided services to the Aurora area since 1925. Current programs include individual and family counseling, consumer credit counseling and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The agency, which is located on South River Street in Aurora, serves the Greater Aurora Area, Southern Kane County and Kendall County. The Family Counseling Service Endowment Fund is a permanent resource which will continue to benefit the expanding program needs of this vital community organization.

Foundation For The West Aurora Schools Endowment Fund (Est. 1994)

This fund provides support to enhance the educational opportunities for students of West Aurora School District 129. Distributions from the fund are designated for materials, equipment, special projects and other initiatives which otherwise would not be available due to limited district resources. The Foundation for the West Aurora Schools receives its funding from individuals, businesses, and from private and corporate foundations.

Fox Valley United Way Endowment Fund (Est. 1999)

The United Way of the Aurora Area was established in 1922 to raise funds for member non-profit organizations that deliver health and human services to area individuals. The goal of United Way is to enable all citizens and agencies, governmental and volunteer, to join together to provide and deliver efficient health and social service programs related to current needs. In 2004, the organization changed its name to the Fox Valley United Way.

Hesed House Endowment Fund (Est. 1994)

Hesed House of Aurora created an endowment fund in 1994 to provide a perpetual source of income for its future charitable needs. Hesed House exists as a hub for services for homeless individuals and families. Ministries include the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, Aurora Soup Kitchen and Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS). PADS has two goals: to meet homeless people’s basic needs (food, shelter and clothing) and to end homelessness one person—one family—at a time. Hesed House, which originated in 1981, is located on South River Street in Aurora, the former site of the Aurora municipal incinerator. The word “Hesed” is from biblical Hebrew and describes God’s unconditional and everlasting love.

Mutual Ground, Inc. Endowment Fund (Est. 2004)

This endowment was established to support the operating and capital needs of Mutual Ground, Inc. of Aurora. Incorporated in 1975, Mutual Ground serves the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Kendall and southern Kane Counties. The agency’s shelter for women and children is the second oldest in the State of Illinois. Other services provided by the agency include a twenty-four hour bilingual crisis line, medical and legal advocacy, a transitional housing program and prevention education programs. All Mutual Ground programs are aimed at empowering victims to have safe, independent and violence-free lives.

New England Congregational Church Designated Endowment Fund

(Est. 1990)

New England Congregational Church was organized in 1858. Church services first were held in a small room above a grocery store on the west side of River Street between Downer Place and Galena Boulevard. The following year a frame building was constructed on Locust Street between Downer Place and Galena Boulevard. In 1889, this building was sold to Advent Christian Church and later to Holy Angels Church. In 1890, the current facility on Galena Boulevard and Chestnut Street was completed at a cost of $25,000. Through the years, several major renovations and an addition to the original structure were made. In 1990, one hundred years after the present building was constructed, the congregation established an endowment fund within the Foundation to support the future needs of the church.

Our Savior Lutheran Church Endowment Fund In Honor Of

Reverend Arlan & Delores Brandt (Est. 1992)

Our Savior Lutheran Church of Aurora created an endowment fund in honor of a former pastor and his wife, Reverend Arlan and Delores Brandt. Reverend Brandt served as pastor of the church from 1974 to 1991. Delores Brandt was a licensed practical nurse at Dreyer Clinic. The fund provides annual income to serve the ongoing charitable needs of the church. Our Savior Church was organized in 1935. Services were held at Healy Chapel in Aurora until a new church building was constructed in 1942. The new facility, located on West Downer Place, has served the congregation ever since.

Paramount Arts Centre Endowment Fund (Est. 1998)

The Paramount Arts Centre Endowment (PACE) was created in 1983 to build a permanent fund to support the Paramount Arts Centre and the auditorium in North Island Center (now Copley Theatre). Anne S. Goldsmith, president and chairman of the board of PACE, provided the direction for the creation and development of the endowment fund. In 1998, the board of directors of PACE voted to transfer the endowment to The Aurora Foundation for the permanent protection and management of the fund's assets. The Paramount Theatre opened in 1931. The facility was restored to its original grandeur in 1978 and was named the Paramount Arts Centre. The beautiful art deco theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The Paramount Arts Centre presents a variety of quality performances and educational opportunities for citizens of all ages.

Provena Mercy Center Endowment Fund (Est. 1992)

 In 1992, Mercy Center for Health Care Services created an endowment fund to serve as a permanent resource for the institution's future needs. The original hospital (St. Joseph Mercy Hospital) was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1911. In 1931, a 110-bed facility was constructed by the hospital on North Lake Street in Aurora. In 1968, a new hospital was built on North Highland Avenue in Aurora, adjacent to Mercyville Institute of Mental Health. The two institutions consolidated in 1971 and were incorporated as Mercy Center for Health Care Services. In 1997, the hospital merged with Provena Hospitals. It since has been renamed Provena Mercy Medical Center.

Quad County Urban League Endowment Fund (Est. 1999)

The Quad County Urban League was established in 1975 to address the serious need for job training, equal access to employment, and the educational enrichment of primarily low income and minority citizens. The agency, an affiliate of the National Urban League, seeks to increase individual and family self-sufficiency through the delivery of direct services, education, outreach and advocacy. In 1999, the organization created an endowment fund to provide support for its numerous programs and projects.

SciTech Endowment Fund (Est. 1993)

SciTech of Aurora is a hands-on, interactive science and technology center for people of all ages. In addition to the hundreds of exhibits on display, the center is also available as a resource for mathematics and science teachers. SciTech was incorporated in 1988 and was first located in Naperville. In 1990, the organization signed a lease with the City of Aurora to occupy the former Post Office in downtown Aurora. The SciTech Endowment Fund supports the charitable, educational and scientific activities of the center.

Senior Services Associates, Inc. Endowment Fund (Est. 1999)

Senior Services Associates, Inc. provides a variety of services to area citizens who are sixty years of age or older. The agency is a single intake point for the assessment of problems and development of solutions. A few of the many services include transportation, information and referral, and outreach. Based in Elgin, the agency maintains several locations in other communities. The Senior Services Associates, Inc. Endowment Fund is comprised of separate accounts designated to support each geographic area served by the agency. These areas include the cities of Aurora, Elgin and St. Charles, as well as the counties of Kane, Kendall and McHenry.

Suicide Prevention Services Endowment Fund (Est. 1999)

This fund supports the mission of Suicide Prevention Services, Inc. which is located at Stone Manor in Batavia. The organization is devoted to saving lives and restoring hope through advocacy, education and collaboration. S.P.S. provides educational workshops, a speaker’s bureau and informational newsletters for the public. The organization strives to reduce the incidence of suicide through the creation of innovative models for the identification and treatment of those at risk of suicide and through follow-up interventions to survivors. Compassionate support also is provided to families grieving the loss of loved ones.

Three Fires Council Endowment Fund (Est. 1993)

Three Fires Council of St. Charles is the local affiliate of the national Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts of America, established in 1910, is dedicated to serving others by instilling values in young boys which will enable them to make ethical decisions throughout their lifetimes. The local council was organized in 1968 and was formerly known as Two Rivers Council. Income from this endowment serves the ongoing program needs of the Council.

TriCity Family Services Endowment Fund (Est. 1998)

TriCity Family Services of Geneva was established in 1967 as a private, non-profit counseling center. The agency serves the residents of Batavia, Blackberry, Campton, Geneva, Kaneville, St. Charles and Virgil Townships. Additional services provided by the organization include crisis intervention, early intervention and prevention programs, and community education. The TriCity Family Services Endowment Fund provides ongoing support for the charitable needs of this vital community resource.

Visiting Nurse Association Of The Fox Valley Endowment Fund

(Est. 1993)

The Visiting Nurse Association has provided services to the Aurora area since 1918. It originally was known as the Aurora Child Welfare Clinic Association, established to care for crippled children in clinic and home settings. The agency now serves all of Kane, Kendall and DeKalb Counties as well as portions of surrounding counties. Services provided include a full service home health and hospice program, and a health center which concentrates on preventive health services. The VNA Endowment Fund distributes grants to assist the agency in all program areas.

Wayside Cross Rescue Mission Endowment Fund (Est. 1991)

Wayside Cross Rescue Mission of Aurora was founded in 1928 (just west of its current location) to provide food, clothing and shelter to the needy. It was formed through the efforts of the Aurora Ministerial Alliance and many lay representatives of various churches. The agency is located on East New York Street in Aurora and offers five areas of service: shelter and services for the homeless, material aid to the poor, work rehabilitation for men, camping programs for disadvantaged youth and gospel ministries to prisoners. Wayside Cross also manages resale stores which sell clothing, furniture and household goods.